Environment

passed · Michigan · Senate Jul 3, 2026

SB 947: Natural resources: inland lakes; dam safety regulations; provide for. Amends and adds (See bill).

This bill amends the Michigan Natural Resources and Environmental Protection Act to update and clarify definitions related to dam safety and inland lakes. It directly affects dam owners, operators, and the state department responsible for regulating these structures by refining terms such as "dam," "failure," and "high hazard potential dam." The legislation adds new sections to the statute to establish clearer standards for what constitutes a dam, how it is classified based on potential risk, and the specific requirements for emergency action plans. By modifying existing legal language, the bill aims to improve consistency in how dam safety regulations are applied and understood.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill strengthens environmental regulations by clarifying definitions and establishing clearer safety standards for dams and inland lakes.85% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Environment

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passed · Michigan · Senate Jun 3, 2026

SB 26: Traffic control: driver license; reference to fire protection fund in the natural resources and environmental protection act; remove. Amends sec. 52706 of 1994 PA 451 (MCL 324.52706).

SB 26 amends Michigan's Natural Resources and Environmental Protection Act to clarify rules for public agencies managing municipal forestland sold under specific state land programs. It requires public agencies to use such land only for forestry or recreation, and if sold later, mandates a public hearing and specifies that 50% of sale proceeds must go to the state treasury (first $18 million to the general fund, excess to the fire protection fund). This directly affects public agencies like municipalities or school districts that own forestland previously acquired for recreational or forestry purposes. The bill updates procedural requirements for land sales and fund distribution without changing the core purpose of the land use.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesDirects 50% of municipal forestland sale proceeds to state treasury (first $18M to general fund, excess to fire protection fund), promoting fiscal responsibility in budget allocation.92% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill mandates forestry/recreation use of municipal forestland and directs 50% sale proceeds to environmental funds, conserving natural resources per amended Natural Resources Act.92% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Environment

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passed · Michigan · Senate Apr 30, 2026

SB 829: Appropriations: supplemental; funding for natural resources trust fund capital outlay projects; provide for. Creates appropriation act.

This bill provides additional funding for capital projects managed by Michigan's Department of Natural Resources for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2026. The legislation establishes an appropriation act to allocate money for specific infrastructure and resource development initiatives within the department. It sets conditions for how the funds can be spent and ensures the appropriations are properly authorized for use during the designated fiscal period. The measure directly impacts state budget management and the operational capacity of natural resource agencies.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill provides supplemental funding for natural resources capital projects, directly advancing state budget appropriations for essential public infrastructure and resource development initiatives.90% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill provides funding for natural resources trust fund capital outlay projects, directly supporting environmental conservation and resource management initiatives.75% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Environment

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passed · Michigan · Senate Apr 21, 2026

SB 553: Economic development: tax increment financing; water resource improvement authorities; modify. Amends secs. 703, 705 & 710 of 2018 PA 57 (MCL 125.4703 et seq.).

SB 553 amends Michigan's tax increment financing (TIF) law to allow municipalities to fund water resource improvements using TIF revenues. It specifically adds projects like lake management, shoreline protection, stormwater systems, invasive species control, and public access to inland lakes or rivers to the list of eligible TIF activities. Municipalities can now create authorities within designated "water resource improvement districts" (areas near lakes, rivers, or harbors) to finance these projects through captured tax revenues. The bill clarifies definitions for terms like "water resource improvement" and "water resource improvement district" to ensure TIF funds are properly applied to environmental and public access enhancements.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesExpands TIF use to fund water resource infrastructure, enabling local spending on essential public projects via existing tax increment revenues.95% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill explicitly funds water resource projects including shoreline protection, invasive species control, and stormwater systems via TIF, advancing environmental conservation and pollution control.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Environment

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signed · Michigan · Senate Dec 23, 2025

SB 688: Land use: farmland and open space; individual essential to farm; update citation. Amends sec. 36103 of 1994 PA 451 (MCL 324.36103). TIE BAR WITH: SB 0690'25, SB 0686'25, SB 0689'25, SB 0687'25, SB 0685'25

SB 688 updates Michigan's farmland protection law by amending provisions related to development rights agreements for farmland. It specifically adds a requirement that the state must subordinate its interest in these agreements to a mortgage lien if the landowner is "an individual essential to the operation of the farm" (as defined in existing law) and the parcel meets certain criteria. This change directly affects farmers seeking mortgages on land protected by such agreements. The bill does not alter the minimum 10-year or maximum 90-year term for agreements but clarifies when mortgage claims take priority over the state's easement interest.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill amends farmland protection law to strengthen conservation by making it easier for farmers to secure mortgages on protected land, directly supporting land conservation and preventing development.90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Environment

signed · Michigan · Senate Dec 23, 2025

SB 686: Land use: farmland and open space; land subject to conservation easement; allow partial relinquishment of. Amends sec. 36110 of 1994 PA 451 (MCL 324.36110). TIE BAR WITH: SB 0685'25, SB 0687'25, SB 0688'25, SB 0689'25, SB 0690'25, SB 0699'25

SB 686 allows landowners with conservation easements on farmland or open space to relinquish only part of their easement, rather than the entire property, under specific circumstances. This change directly affects farmers and landowners who hold conservation easements on agricultural or open-space land. The bill amends Michigan law (MCL 324.36110) to establish a process for partial relinquishment, streamlining how easements can be modified. It does not alter the overall conservation purpose but provides greater flexibility for landowners managing their property.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill enables partial relinquishment of conservation easements without weakening protections, facilitating landowner flexibility while maintaining environmental conservation goals for farmland and open space.85% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Environment

signed · Michigan · Senate Dec 23, 2025

SB 690: Land use: farmland and open space; legal arrangements eligible for tax credits; expand. Amends sec. 36109 of 1994 PA 451 (MCL 324.36109). TIE BAR WITH: SB 0688'25, SB 0686'25, SB 0689'25, SB 0687'25, SB 0685'25

SB 690 expands a state income tax credit for property taxes on farmland and open space protected by conservation agreements, such as agricultural easements or development rights agreements. Eligible farm owners - including those in partnerships, S corporations, life estates, trusts, and limited liability companies - can claim a credit for property taxes exceeding 3.5% of household income. The bill clarifies how the credit is calculated and shared among different ownership structures, requiring specific documentation like partnership agreements or trust terms to claim it. This change directly affects Michigan farmers who have conservation agreements on their land to preserve agricultural use.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesExpands tax credit for farmland property taxes, providing relief to eligible owners by reducing taxable burden on agricultural land.95% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentExpands tax credits for conservation agreements protecting farmland/open space, directly advancing environmental conservation through financial incentives for land preservation.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Environment

signed · Michigan · Senate Dec 23, 2025

SB 699: Land use: farmland and open space; expenditures for administrative costs in the agricultural preservation fund; modify. Amends sec. 36202 of 1994 PA 451 (MCL 324.36202). TIE BAR WITH: SB 0685'25, SB 0686'25, SB 0687'25, SB 0688'25, SB 0689'25, SB 0690'25

SB 699 increases the annual cap on administrative spending from $1.4 million to $1.7 million for managing Michigan's Agriculture Preservation Fund. This fund supports farmland protection programs, directly affecting the Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (as fund administrator), local governments receiving grants, and farmers seeking land preservation. The bill specifies that after covering administrative costs ($1.7M max annually) and local government grants, any remaining funds over $5 million can be used to purchase farmland development rights or conservation easements. These changes clarify how fund money is allocated, ensuring resources directly support farmland preservation efforts under existing state policy.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesIncreases admin budget cap for Agriculture Preservation Fund to ensure program funding continuity, directly supporting fiscal management of essential farmland protection programs.90% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentIncreases funding cap for Agriculture Preservation Fund, directly advancing farmland conservation and land use protection under environmental policy.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Environment

signed · Michigan · Senate Dec 23, 2025

SB 687: Land use: farmland and open space; agricultural conservation easement; allow to be held by local unit. Amends sec. 36206 of 1994 PA 451 (MCL 324.36206). TIE BAR WITH: SB 0688'25, SB 0690'25, SB 0686'25, SB 0689'25, SB 0685'25

This bill allows local governments to hold agricultural conservation easements (land protection agreements for farmland) instead of the state, with the state retaining enforcement rights through a specific clause. It directly affects farmers selling easements and local governments purchasing them, enabling installment payments for easements and requiring a special enforcement clause if held solely by a local government. Key provisions include allowing local units to purchase easements through negotiated terms and mandating that easement documents include language granting the state a "third-party right of enforcement" if local holders fail to act. The bill does not change tax credits for landowners but updates existing rules to shift easement holding authority to local governments under defined conditions.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill enables local governments to hold agricultural conservation easements for farmland protection, directly advancing land conservation and open space preservation through land use regulations.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Environment

passed · Michigan · Senate Nov 13, 2025

SB 443: Health facilities: other; surgical smoke plume evacuation plan; require. Amends 1978 PA 368 (MCL 333.1101 - 333.25211) by adding sec. 20187.

SB 443 requires Michigan health facilities performing specific surgical procedures to implement policies mandating the use of surgical smoke plume evacuation systems. It directly affects hospitals and clinics conducting procedures involving heat-producing equipment (like electrosurgery, lasers, or other heated instruments), which generate harmful smoke containing vapor, gas, or particles. The bill mandates that facilities develop and enforce policies ensuring evacuation systems capture and neutralize the smoke at the surgical site before it can contact staff or patients' eyes or airways. This creates a concrete safety requirement to protect healthcare workers and patients from exposure to potentially hazardous surgical smoke.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentMandates evacuation of surgical smoke (containing harmful particles/gases), reducing airborne pollutants in healthcare settings, aligning with pollution control under environmental protection.85% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareMandates surgical smoke evacuation systems to protect patients/staff from harmful emissions during procedures, advancing health facility safety standards.95% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentMandates surgical smoke evacuation systems to protect healthcare workers from hazardous smoke exposure, directly improving workplace safety for medical staff.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Environment

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