Environment

in committee · Michigan · House Mar 11, 2026

HB 5699: Environmental protection: permits; permits for the discharge of wash water; modify. Amends 1994 PA 451 (MCL 324.101 - 324.90106) by adding sec. 3116a. TIE BAR WITH: HB 5698'26

This bill would allow Michigan farms to discharge certain types of wastewater, such as cooling or wash water from processing farm products, without needing a permit under specific conditions. The key requirements include limiting annual discharge to 100,000 gallons, prohibiting hazardous waste and surface water discharge, and ensuring the water is stored properly and applied to vegetated land at least 100 feet from property boundaries and 75 feet from water wells. Farms must also rotate discharge locations based on soil conditions and maintain records of each discharge, while the bill explicitly excludes discharges containing sanitary sewage unless applied through a permitted subsurface system.

Topics ✗ EnvironmentOpposes EnvironmentBill allows wastewater discharge without permits under specific conditions, potentially weakening environmental protections and increasing pollution risk.75% confidence

Sub-Topics Hazardous Materials

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passed both · Michigan · House Jul 1, 2026

HB 5707: Environmental protection: permits; exemption to permitting requirements for construction of certain residential ponds; provide for. Amends secs. 30103 & 30305 of 1994 PA 451 (MCL 324.30103 & 324.30305).

This bill amends Michigan's Natural Resources and Environmental Protection Act to exempt the construction and maintenance of certain residential ponds from state permitting requirements. It directly affects homeowners and property owners who wish to build small, noncommercial ponds on residential or agricultural land. The key provision allows for the excavation or construction of ponds under one acre in surface area, provided they are used for residential purposes and meet specific conditions outlined in the legislation. This change removes the need for a permit for these specific residential pond projects, simplifying the process for property owners while maintaining oversight for larger or commercial water structures.

Topics ✗ EnvironmentOpposes EnvironmentBill exempts residential ponds from permitting requirements, weakening environmental oversight and regulations on water management and pollution control.75% confidence

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in committee · Michigan · House May 14, 2026

HB 5583: Land use: zoning and growth management; setback requirement greater than 25 feet; prohibit. Amends 2006 PA 110 (MCL 125.3101 - 125.3702) by adding sec. 205c.

HB 5583 would limit local zoning rules in metro areas by prohibiting minimum setbacks for homes or outbuildings that exceed 15 feet from the front property line or 5 feet from rear/side lines. It allows up to 25 feet of setback only near specific environmental features: wetlands, lakes/streams, or the Great Lakes shoreline as defined by state law. The bill applies to all local governments located within or adjacent to a federally designated metropolitan statistical area. This change aims to simplify zoning for residential development in urban and suburban regions while maintaining environmental protections.

Topics ✗ EnvironmentOpposes EnvironmentBill reduces minimum setback requirements (to 15 ft front, 5 ft rear/side) except near environmental features, weakening buffer protections for most development.85% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingReduces zoning barriers for housing development in metro areas, enabling denser construction and increasing housing supply - key to affordability.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Coastal & Flood Protection Land Use Property Development Zoning

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passed both · Michigan · House Jul 1, 2026

HB 5502: Natural resources: wetlands; regulation of wetlands; modify. Amend sec. 30305 of 1994 PA 451 (MCL 324.30305).

HB 5502 amends Michigan's wetland regulation law (MCL 324.30305) to clarify which activities in wetlands do not require state permits. It specifically allows farming, ranching, and agricultural drainage activities without permits, but only if they are part of an "established ongoing operation" (not new conversion of wetlands to farmland). The bill also adds detailed rules for minor drainage, farm roads, and utility line installation (e.g., directional drilling must keep lines at least 4 feet below soil). These changes directly affect farmers, landowners, and developers working in wetlands across Michigan.

Topics ✗ EnvironmentOpposes EnvironmentRemoves permit requirements for agricultural wetland activities, weakening regulatory oversight per bill's explicit language on established operations and minor drainage.92% confidence

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in committee · Michigan · House Feb 24, 2026

HB 5553: Natural resources: gas and oil; condemnation of property for carbon dioxide pipelines; prohibit. Amends sec. 2 of 1929 PA 16 (MCL 483.2).

HB 5553 amends Michigan's pipeline law to remove the right to use eminent domain (government property seizure) for carbon dioxide pipelines. It specifically eliminates the provision that previously allowed pipeline companies to condemn private property for transporting carbon dioxide, which currently applies to crude oil and petroleum pipelines. This change directly affects companies planning to build carbon dioxide pipelines, requiring them to negotiate land access with property owners instead of using condemnation. The bill modifies Section 2 of the 1929 pipeline statute (MCL 483.2), limiting condemnation rights to only crude oil and petroleum pipelines. This is a concrete policy change to the property rights mechanism for pipeline development.

Topics ✗ EnergyOpposes EnergyRemoves eminent domain for CO2 pipelines, hindering carbon capture infrastructure development tied to fossil fuel operations, opposing clean energy infrastructure advancement.85% confidence ✗ EnvironmentOpposes EnvironmentRemoves eminent domain for CO2 pipelines, hindering carbon capture infrastructure that reduces emissions, directly weakening climate mitigation efforts.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Oil & Gas Pipeline Infrastructure

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passed both · Michigan · House Jun 10, 2026

HB 5501: Natural resources: wetlands; replacement or relocation of wetlands within a development project; allow. Amends sec. 30311d of 1994 PA 451 (MCL 324.30311d).

HB 5501 allows developers to relocate wetlands within the same development project instead of creating new wetlands or restoring existing ones, directly affecting construction and land development permit applicants. The bill establishes a 1:1 wetland replacement ratio for in-parcel relocations when ecological functions are maintained or improved, while reducing the preference for on-site mitigation. It also introduces flexibility in mitigation ratios when using wetland bank credits and requires the Department of Natural Resources to develop guidelines for on-site mitigation planning. These changes aim to streamline permitting while maintaining wetland resource protection under Michigan's Natural Resources and Environmental Protection Act.

Topics ✗ EnvironmentOpposes EnvironmentBill reduces preference for on-site mitigation, allows in-parcel wetland relocation instead of restoration/creation, weakening wetland protection requirements for developers.85% confidence

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in committee · Michigan · House Feb 3, 2026

HB 5490: Natural resources: nonnative species; DNR authority to designate restricted or prohibited species; remove. Amends sec. 41301 of 1994 PA 451 (MCL 324.41301).

HB 5490 removes the existing list of prohibited nonnative species from Michigan's Natural Resources and Environmental Protection Act. The bill amends Section 41301 to eliminate specific prohibitions on species like giant salvinia, Asian longhorned beetles, and Eurasian ruffe, which previously required DNR oversight. This change directly affects individuals and businesses that previously had to comply with restrictions on these species. The key mechanism is deleting the defined prohibitions, reducing regulatory authority for the Department of Natural Resources regarding these specific nonnative species.

Topics ✗ EnvironmentOpposes EnvironmentBill removes prohibitions on invasive species (e.g., Asian longhorned beetles), weakening environmental protections against ecological damage from nonnative species.90% confidence

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in committee · Michigan · Senate Dec 17, 2025

SB 755: Natural resources: other; circumstances under which a conservation officer may enter private property; limit. Amends sec. 1602 of 1994 PA 451 (MCL 324.1602) & adds sec. 1507.

SB 755 limits when conservation officers can enter private property without permission. It requires officers to have either the property owner’s consent, a court warrant, or specific circumstances (like observing distressed wildlife or responding to an immediate public safety threat). This directly affects landowners by restricting officer access and conservation officers by defining their entry protocols. The bill does not change existing powers for officers to search boats, vehicles, or equipment without warrants, as clarified in amended Section 1602.

Topics ✗ EnvironmentOpposes EnvironmentLimits conservation officer access to private property without consent/warrant, restricting enforcement of natural resource laws and weakening environmental protection protocols.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Conservation Wildlife

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passed both · Michigan · House Mar 17, 2026

HB 4949: Recreation: other; exemption from liability for sport shooting ranges; modify. Amends secs. 2 & 2a of 1989 PA 269 (MCL 691.1542 & 691.1542a).

HB 4949 modifies Michigan law to protect sport shooting ranges from liability related to noise. It exempts ranges that follow "generally accepted operation practices" from civil lawsuits or nuisance claims about noise pollution, even if the range later adds safety upgrades, expands, or updates. The bill also prevents local noise ordinances from applying to these ranges, ensuring they can operate under their original compliance standards. This directly affects range owners and operators by shielding them from noise-related legal challenges and allowing existing ranges to continue operating under pre-existing rules, even if new local ordinances conflict.

Topics ✗ EnvironmentOpposes EnvironmentExempts shooting ranges from noise pollution liability, weakening local noise ordinances and reducing accountability for a pollution source under environmental protection framework.95% confidence

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in committee · Michigan · House Sep 17, 2025

HB 4946: Watercraft: other; local ordinance; modify procedure for approval of. Amends secs. 80110 & 80112 of 1994 PA 451 (MCL 324.80110 & 324.80112).

HB 4946 amends Michigan's Natural Resources and Environmental Protection Act to streamline procedures for local governments seeking special watercraft regulations on lakes. It directly affects lakefront property owners and local governments by requiring a 75% petition signature threshold from riparian property owners (representing 75%+ of properties) for private lakes without public access to approve local ordinances. The bill standardizes the Department of Natural Resources' investigation process, mandating evaluation of safety, traffic patterns, historical accidents, and existing regulations before recommending special rules. It also adds an appeal option to the director if the department denies a request for a special rule. These changes aim to clarify local authority while ensuring safety and compatibility of watercraft use.

Topics ✗ EnvironmentOpposes EnvironmentIncreases petition threshold (75%) for local watercraft regulations, making it harder to implement environmental protections on private lakes without public access.85% confidence

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