Environment

in committee · Michigan · House Aug 21, 2025

HB 4784: Natural resources: other; authority to make certain decisions regarding game in the Upper Peninsula; grant to the Upper Peninsula natural resources commission. Amends secs. 40110, 40110a, 40110b & 40113a of 1994 PA 451 (MCL 324.40110 et seq.). TIE BAR WITH: HB 4785'25, HB 4786'25, HB 4783'25

HB 4784 gives Michigan's Upper Peninsula Natural Resources Commission (UP Commission) new authority to manage wildlife specifically in the Upper Peninsula. It authorizes the UP Commission to establish the first hunting seasons for moose and wolves in the region, while requiring all decisions to follow scientific wildlife management principles. The bill also grants the UP Commission exclusive authority over game species that primarily affect the Upper Peninsula or have minimal impact outside the region. This change directly affects the UP Commission's management decisions, hunters pursuing moose or wolves in the UP, and wildlife conservation efforts focused on the Upper Peninsula. The law mandates public hearings and scientific review before implementing hunting regulations.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentAuthorizes science-based wildlife management for conservation, aligning with natural resource protection principles in the Upper Peninsula.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Wildlife

Track

in committee · Michigan · House Aug 21, 2025

HB 4785: Natural resources: other; Upper Peninsula natural resources commission; create. Amends secs. 301, 40102 & 40103 of 1994 PA 451 (MCL 324.301 et seq.). TIE BAR WITH: HB 4784'25, HB 4786'25, HB 4783'25

HB 4785 creates the Upper Peninsula natural resources commission (UP commission) by amending Michigan's Natural Resources and Environmental Protection Act to define it as a new entity. The bill also amends section 40102 to authorize the UP commission to issue orders regarding deer or elk feeding, a specific wildlife management issue. This commission will provide a regional decision-making body for natural resource matters in the Upper Peninsula, particularly concerning wildlife impacts on local ecosystems. The bill is tied to three other related bills (HB 4784, HB 4786, and HB 4783), requiring all to pass together.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentCreates regional commission for natural resource management, strengthening oversight of wildlife conservation and local environmental decisions per bill's purpose.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Wildlife

Track

in committee · Michigan · Senate Sep 3, 2025

SB 514: Corporate income tax: credits; distributor credit for returnable containers; provide for. Amends 1967 PA 281 (MCL 206.1 - 206.847) by adding secs. 279 & 679. TIE BAR WITH: SB 512'25

SB 514 creates a corporate income tax credit for beverage distributors who charge deposits on returnable containers. It allows eligible distributors to claim a $0.005 credit per container sold starting in 2026, with annual adjustments based on the U.S. Consumer Price Index beginning in 2027. Distributors must attach a specific report to their tax return to claim the credit, and any unused credit amount is refundable. The bill directly affects beverage distributors who originate container deposits and depends on the passage of companion bill SB 512 to take effect.

Topics ✗ Budget & TaxesOpposes Budget & TaxesCreates corporate tax credit reducing state revenue for beverage distributors via refundable credit per container sold.90% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentCreates tax credit for container deposit systems, directly promoting recycling and reducing single-use plastic waste per environmental policy indicators.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Business Taxes Recycling

Track

in committee · Michigan · Senate Mar 11, 2026

SB 503: Trade: consumer goods and services; personal care products containing plastic microbeads; prohibit manufacture and acceptance for sale. Amends 1994 PA 451 (MCL 324.101 - 324.90106) by adding subpt. 3 to pt. 147.

SB 503 prohibits the manufacture, sale, or distribution of plastic microbeads (intentionally added solid plastic particles ≤5mm) in personal care products (like face scrubs and toothpaste) and cleaning products (including floor cleaners) in Michigan. Starting January 1, 2027, these products cannot contain microbeads unless the concentration is below 1 part per million by weight. The law applies to manufacturers, sellers, and distributors within the state, with enforcement by the Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy. Violations carry civil fines up to $2,000 per day, and the department must report on enforcement annually. The bill does not affect air care products or materials used in non-personal care applications.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBans plastic microbeads (pollutants harming aquatic ecosystems) in consumer products to reduce water pollution, directly advancing environmental protection goals.95% confidence

Track

in committee · Michigan · House Jul 15, 2025

HB 4721: Transportation: motor fuel tax; incentives for the sale and production of biodiesel; provide for. Amends 1967 PA 281 (MCL 206.1 - 206.847) by adding sec. 679.

HB 4721 creates tax credits for biodiesel sales and production in Michigan, effective 2025-2030. Retail fuel dealers receive credits of $0.02-$0.07 per gallon for selling biodiesel blends (6-9%, 10-19%, or 20%+), while biodiesel producers get $0.02 per gallon. Total credits are capped at $16 million annually for retailers and $2 million for producers, with excess claims distributed proportionally. The bill directly affects Michigan fuel retailers and biodiesel producers by reducing their income tax liability based on specific blend volumes sold or produced.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill provides tax credits (reducing tax burden) for biodiesel businesses, directly aligning with tax relief indicators under Budget & Taxes policy.90% confidence ✓ EnergySupports EnergyProvides tax credits for biodiesel production/sales, directly promoting renewable energy use in transportation infrastructure.95% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentTax credits for biodiesel production/sales directly promote cleaner fuel adoption, reducing emissions and supporting renewable energy transition per bill's intent.95% confidence ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationBill provides tax incentives for biodiesel production/sales (sustainable transportation), directly advancing alternative fuel adoption in Michigan's transportation sector per motor fuel tax provisions.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Business Taxes Electric Vehicles Transportation Funding

Track

in committee · Michigan · House Sep 11, 2025

HB 4851: Natural resources: other; property owned by the department of natural resources; limit to 50% in any state jurisdiction. Amends secs. 503 & 2132 of 1994 PA 451 (MCL 324.503 & 324.2132).

HB 4851 limits the Michigan Department of Natural Resources (DNR) to owning no more than 50% of all land within any single state jurisdiction (such as a county or township). This amendment to the Natural Resources and Environmental Protection Act restricts the DNR from purchasing additional surface rights to land north of the Mason-Arenac line unless specific conditions are met. The key mechanism requires the DNR to maintain land ownership below this 50% threshold in any jurisdiction, affecting how the department acquires or manages public lands. The bill does not change existing land management practices but sets a new cap on ownership percentages. This policy directly impacts the DNR’s land acquisition authority and planning for public lands.

Topics ✗ EnvironmentOpposes EnvironmentRestricts DNR land acquisition capacity, limiting conservation efforts under Natural Resources Act by capping ownership at 50% per jurisdiction.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Conservation Public Lands

Track

in committee · Michigan · House Jul 15, 2025

HB 4722: Transportation: motor fuel tax; incentives for the sale and production of biodiesel; provide for. Amends 1967 PA 281 (MCL 206.1 - 206.847) by adding sec. 279.

HB 4722 creates tax credits to incentivize biodiesel use in Michigan. Retail fuel dealers selling biodiesel blends (6-9% at $0.02/gal, 10-19% at $0.05/gal, 20%+ at $0.07/gal) can claim credits, while biodiesel producers get $0.02 per gallon produced. Credits apply for tax years 2025-2030, with a $16 million total cap for retailers and a $2 million cap for producers. This directly affects Michigan fuel retailers and biodiesel manufacturers by reducing their income tax liability for qualifying sales and production.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesCreates tax credits reducing income tax liability for biodiesel retailers/producers, aligning with tax relief indicators for targeted incentives.90% confidence ✓ EnergySupports EnergyPromotes renewable biodiesel use via tax credits for retailers/producers, directly advancing clean energy adoption in transportation infrastructure.95% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill creates tax credits to incentivize biodiesel use, reducing emissions and promoting clean energy per its summary and subjects.95% confidence ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationBill creates tax credits to incentivize biodiesel use (a sustainable transportation fuel), directly promoting cleaner vehicle fuels under motor fuel tax policy.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Electric Vehicles Transportation Funding Vehicle Registration

Track

in committee · Michigan · Senate May 21, 2025

SB 323: Land use: zoning and growth management; provision subjecting zoning authority to part 8 of clean and renewable energy and energy waste reduction act; delete. Amends sec. 205 of 2006 PA 110 (MCL 125.3205). TIE BAR WITH: SB 322'25

Senate Bill 323 proposes to amend the Michigan Zoning Enabling Act. It removes the provision that requires local zoning ordinances to be subject to Part 8 of the Clean and Renewable Energy and Energy Waste Reduction Act. This change would mean local governments' zoning authority would no longer be tied to the requirements of that specific energy act. The bill is tied to Senate Bill 322, meaning it will only take effect if SB 322 also becomes law.

Topics ✗ EnergyOpposes EnergyRemoves zoning requirement tied to clean energy standards, weakening enforcement of renewable energy provisions in local ordinances.95% confidence ✗ EnvironmentOpposes EnvironmentRemoves zoning requirement tied to clean energy regulations, weakening environmental protections by allowing local governments to bypass Part 8 of the Clean Energy Act.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Renewable Energy

Track

passed · Michigan · Senate Aug 26, 2025

SB 246: Environmental protection: hazardous waste; environmental protection; landfills; disposal fees; increase, and limit certain disposal wells and TENORM disposal. Amends secs. 11102, 11103, 11104, 11108, 11109, 11110, 11125, 11132, 11514b, 11525a, 62501 & 62509 of 1994 PA 451 (MCL 324.11102 et seq.); adds secs. 11122, 62508b & 62509d & repeals secs. 11111 & 11112 of 1994 PA 451 (MCL 324.11111 & 324.11112).

SB 246 increases disposal fees for hazardous waste and adjusts limits on certain disposal wells and TENORM (radioactive materials) disposal. It directly affects waste disposal facilities and generators of hazardous waste by changing fee structures under Michigan's environmental code. Key provisions amend specific sections to raise fee limits, update disposal well regulations, and clarify TENORM handling requirements. The bill modifies multiple sections of Michigan's 1994 environmental protection law (PA 451) to modernize waste disposal oversight. (Passed on August 26, 2025, with 19 yeas, 15 nays.)

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentIncreases hazardous waste disposal fees and updates disposal well regulations to strengthen environmental oversight and TENORM handling under Michigan's code.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Hazardous Materials Waste Management

Track

passed · Michigan · Senate Sep 17, 2025

SR 69: A resolution to recognize September 15-19, 2025, as Septic Smart Week.

This Senate Resolution (SR 69) designates September 15-19, 2025, as "Septic Smart Week" in Michigan. It recognizes the importance of proper septic system maintenance to protect public health and water quality, as over 1.3 million Michigan septic systems treat wastewater for homes and businesses. The resolution does not create new laws or funding but aims to raise public awareness about preventing pollutants from poorly maintained systems, aligning with existing state and EPA programs like the SepticSmart initiative.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentPromotes septic system maintenance awareness to prevent water pollution, aligning with EPA environmental programs for water quality protection.80% confidence

Sub-Topics Water Quality

Track