Environment

passed both · Michigan · House May 6, 2025

HB 4029: Natural resources: hunting; posting of rules and regulations by a certain date; require. Amends secs. 40113a & 41103 of 1994 PA 451 (MCL 324.40113a & 324.41103).

HB 4029 amends Michigan's Natural Resources and Environmental Protection Act to require the Natural Resources Commission to provide 30 days' notice to specific legislative committees before issuing hunting or trapping regulations. It also states that regulations not issued by June 1 will not be valid until the next hunting season. Additionally, the bill mandates the Department of Natural Resources to clearly describe any rule changes - such as affected areas, species, and duration (capped at 5 years) - and publish these in annual guides and local newspapers for three consecutive weeks in each impacted county. These provisions aim to increase transparency for hunters, anglers, and the public regarding regulatory changes.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentMandates clear rule descriptions for hunting regulations affecting species and areas, supporting natural resource conservation through transparency in management.85% confidence

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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

Sub-Topics Tax Incentives Coastal & Flood Protection Water Quality Tags Economic Development

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passed · Michigan · Senate Sep 4, 2025

SB 395: Natural resources: gas and oil; definitions in the crude oil and petroleum act; update. Amends sec. 1 of 1929 PA 16 (MCL 483.1). TIE BAR WITH: SB 394'25

SB 395 updates the definition of "carbon dioxide substance" in Michigan's oil and gas law to explicitly include CO₂ used in enhanced oil recovery operations or storage. This affects companies handling CO₂ for oil extraction and the Michigan Public Service Commission, which regulates these activities. The bill clarifies that carbon sequestration wells operating under existing environmental laws (Part 651 of the Natural Resources Act) are excluded from new regulatory requirements. It does not change existing pipeline rights or create new obligations, solely refining definitions for clarity.

Topics ✗ EnergyOpposes EnergyBill facilitates fossil fuel extraction via CO₂ EOR in oil/gas law, removing regulatory barriers without promoting renewables. This favors fossil fuels over clean energy standards.85% confidence ✗ EnvironmentOpposes EnvironmentExcludes carbon sequestration wells from new regulatory requirements, weakening potential environmental oversight for oil and gas operations using CO₂.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Oil & Gas Pipeline Infrastructure Utility Regulation

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passed both · Michigan · House Jul 1, 2026

HB 5082: Natural resources: wetlands; wetland delineation regulations; provide for. Amends sec. 30321 of 1994 PA 451 (MCL 324.30321).

HB 5082 amends Michigan's wetland regulations to streamline how property owners determine if their land contains wetlands. It allows landowners to formally request a wetland assessment from the Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE) by submitting a completed form, legal description, map, and permission to access the property. EGLE must provide a written report within 60 days, detailing wetland locations, required permits, and clarifying that the assessment does not override federal or local regulations. The bill also eliminates fees for these assessments, specifies that agricultural drains or temporary water obstructions don't count as wetlands, and establishes a 3-year binding determination period if EGLE concludes an area is not wetland.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentStreamlines wetland assessment process for accurate delineation and permit clarity, maintaining regulatory integrity without weakening protections.85% confidence

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in committee · Michigan · House Oct 2, 2025

HB 5090: Human services: services or financial assistance; percentage of LiHEAP funds used for weatherization assistance; increase. Amends sec. 527a of 1967 PA 281 (MCL 206.527a).

HB 5090 amends Michigan's LiHEAP (Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program) funding rules to require a higher percentage of funds to be used for weatherization assistance. Specifically, it increases the mandatory allocation for weatherization services - such as home insulation and heating system upgrades - from existing levels. This change directly affects low-income households receiving weatherization support through state programs. The bill modifies Section 527a of the Income Tax Act (MCL 206.527a) to implement this funding shift. (Note: The bill is currently in committee referral stage and has not yet passed.)

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesIncreases mandatory allocation for weatherization within LiHEAP, directing more state funds to essential home energy services for low-income households.90% confidence ✓ EnergySupports EnergyIncreases mandatory LiHEAP funds for weatherization (energy efficiency), directly advancing energy conservation goals through home insulation/heating upgrades.95% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentIncreases LiHEAP funding allocation for weatherization (insulation, heating upgrades), promoting energy efficiency and reducing emissions for low-income households.90% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingIncreases LiHEAP funding for weatherization (insulation/heating upgrades), reducing energy costs for low-income housing affordability.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Energy Efficiency

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passed · Michigan · House Jan 30, 2025

HR 16: A resolution to declare January 2025 as Radon Action Month in the state of Michigan.

HR 16 is a symbolic resolution declaring January 2025 as "Radon Action Month" in Michigan. It recognizes radon - a radioactive gas causing lung cancer (second only to smoking) - and highlights that 26% of Michigan homes tested had elevated levels requiring mitigation. The resolution aims to raise public awareness about radon testing and mitigation, encouraging homeowners to address indoor radon exposure. It does not create new laws or requirements but serves as a state-level recognition to promote existing EPA-recommended safety practices.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentPromotes radon testing/mitigation awareness, addressing indoor air pollution health risk from a known environmental hazard.75% confidence

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passed · Michigan · Senate Jun 25, 2025

SB 236: Corporate income tax: other; sustainable aviation fuel incentive program; create. Creates new act.

SB 236 creates a tax credit program in Michigan to incentivize the production of sustainable aviation fuel (SAF). It directly affects fuel producers who meet specific environmental standards, requiring SAF to achieve at least a 50% reduction in life-cycle greenhouse gas emissions compared to petroleum fuel and comply with ASTM aviation fuel standards. Producers must apply to the Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy for certification of their tax credit, providing evidence of domestic production, emissions reduction, and proof that the fuel was used in aircraft departing Michigan airports. The program administers tax credits through a state-certified process, aiming to boost local SAF production while meeting federal environmental benchmarks.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesCreates corporate tax credit for sustainable aviation fuel producers, directly using tax policy to incentivize environmental compliance and production.95% confidence ✓ EnergySupports EnergyCreates tax credit for SAF producers meeting 50% GHG reduction, promoting renewable aviation fuel production and reducing fossil fuel dependence.95% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentCreates tax credit for SAF requiring 50%+ GHG reduction vs petroleum, directly incentivizing cleaner aviation fuel production and meeting environmental standards.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Business Taxes Oil & Gas Climate Change

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passed both · Michigan · House Jan 14, 2026

HB 4486: Public utilities: natural gas utilities; local units of government imposing a ban on the use of natural gas or installation of natural gas infrastructure; prohibit. Creates new act.

HB 4486 prohibits Michigan municipalities from banning natural gas use or the installation of natural gas infrastructure, directly affecting cities, towns, counties, and townships. The bill makes any local ordinance, resolution, or policy that restricts natural gas use or infrastructure void and unenforceable starting from its effective date. It specifically targets bans on residential, commercial, or industrial natural gas applications and related infrastructure like pipelines. This legislation ensures that local governments cannot block natural gas services or new installations within their jurisdictions.

Topics ✗ EnergyOpposes EnergyProhibits local bans on natural gas infrastructure, directly supporting fossil fuel use over renewable energy alternatives by blocking municipal restrictions.95% confidence ✗ EnvironmentOpposes EnvironmentPrevents local bans on natural gas infrastructure, blocking climate action and environmental protections by maintaining fossil fuel reliance.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Oil & Gas Pipeline Infrastructure

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in committee · Michigan · House Oct 23, 2025

HB 4825: 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: HB 4823'25

HB 4825 would create a tax credit for businesses that sell beverages in returnable containers (like soda cans or bottles), allowing them to deduct $0.005 per container sold from their Michigan corporate income tax starting in 2026. The credit amount would automatically increase each year based on inflation (using the U.S. Consumer Price Index) beginning in 2027. To claim the credit, businesses must attach a specific report (required under existing law) with their annual tax return. This policy directly affects beverage distributors who manage deposit systems for returnable containers, reducing their tax liability or generating refunds if the credit exceeds their tax bill.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesCreates corporate tax credit reducing business tax liability, providing tax relief per tax credit provisions in bill's subject and summary.95% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentTax credit incentivizes returnable beverage containers, reducing single-use plastic waste and promoting resource conservation, aligning with environmental protection goals.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Business Taxes Tax Credits Recycling

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in committee · Michigan · Senate Mar 12, 2025

SB 140: Natural resources: gas and oil; fee for monitoring, administration, and enforcement; increase. Amends sec. 61524 of 1994 PA 451 (MCL 324.61524).

SB 140 increases the fee for monitoring Michigan's oil and gas industry from up to 1% to up to 2% of the gross cash market value of oil and gas produced. This fee applies directly to oil and gas producers who pay it when selling their products, collected alongside existing taxes. The fee amount adjusts annually based on the fund balance: it remains at 2% if the fund has less than $7 million, or calculates as a ratio of the budget to estimated production value if the fund meets or exceeds $7 million. Proceeds fund the state's monitoring, surveillance, and enforcement activities for oil and gas operations.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesIncreases oil/gas producer fee to fund natural resources monitoring/enforcement, strengthening fiscal management of dedicated state fund per bill's fee structure and purpose.90% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentIncreases oil/gas monitoring fee to fund enforcement, strengthening oversight of environmental compliance under natural resources regulations.85% confidence

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