SB 505 Michigan Senate · 2025-2026 Regular Session

Environmental protection: hazardous products; Michigan statewide microplastics strategy; establish. Amends 1994 PA 451 (MCL 324.101 - 324.90106) by adding pt. 151.

SB 505 requires Michigan's Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (DEGLE) to create a statewide research and monitoring plan focused on microplastics in the Great Lakes by July 2026. The plan must assess microplastic impacts on drinking water, human/animal health, and the Great Lakes ecosystem, establish baseline data, identify sources, and propose reduction strategies using federal standards (like EPA and NOAA guidelines). It mandates annual updates, public reporting, and requires DEGLE to collaborate with universities and leverage existing federal efforts. The bill directly affects state agencies, researchers, and Great Lakes water quality management, with implementation deadlines set for 2026 and 2028.

Issues: ✓ Environment

Bill status in committee 1 of 4 stages cleared

Introduction

Aug 2025

Committee Review

Floor Vote

Governor

Introduced Aug 14, 2025 Last action Mar 11, 2026

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What changed between versions

Senate Introduced Bill → Substitute (S-1) · 5 edits

MODERATE

The bill was amended to broaden the definition of microplastics and extend the deadline for submitting the research plan by one year. These changes allow the state to include a wider range of plastic particles in its monitoring efforts and provide more time to develop the initial plan.

Scope change

The scope of microplastics covered by the bill was expanded from particles under 5 millimeters to particles under 5,000 micrometers (5 millimeters), and the definition now explicitly includes solid polymeric materials.

DEFINITION

The definition of 'microplastics' was changed to include solid polymeric materials measuring less than 5,000 micrometers in all three dimensions, rather than the previous limit of 5 millimeters, and was clarified to exclude naturally occurring polymers.

TIMELINE

The deadline for the department to submit the statewide microplastics research and monitoring plan to the legislature was extended from July 1, 2026, to July 1, 2027.

REQUIREMENT

New requirements were added to the plan to include an assessment of environmental and human health impacts, immediate solutions the state can implement, and a list of potential barriers to implementation with estimated costs and funding sources.

The requirement for the plan to include a list of baseline concentrations of microplastics in the Great Lakes was removed.

The frequency for updating long-term research objectives was changed from 'annually' to 'at least once every 5 years'.

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Full legislative history

Actions timeline

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Key actions

Committee

Mar 11, 2026

Committee

REFERRED TO COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE WITH SUBSTITUTE (S-1)

upper

Mar 11, 2026

Upper · Passed

REPORTED FAVORABLY WITH SUBSTITUTE (S-1) 3/10/2026

upper

Aug 14, 2025

Committee

REFERRED TO COMMITTEE ON NATURAL RESOURCES AND AGRICULTURE

upper

Aug 14, 2025

Introduced

INTRODUCED BY SENATOR SUE SHINK

upper

1 primary · 7 co-sponsors