Environment (Conservation)

in committee · Michigan · Senate Jul 1, 2026

SB 763: Water supply: conservation; limits on water withdrawals under part 327 of the natural resources and environmental protection act; amend. Amends 1994 PA 451 (MCL 324.101 - 324.90106) by adding sec. 32707a.

SB 763 prevents water users with permits under Michigan's water withdrawal rules from charging the public for costs related to infrastructure upgrades needed when they increase their water withdrawal capacity. It applies specifically to permit holders who seek to exceed their previously reported withdrawal limits and require new infrastructure (like pipes or treatment systems) to accommodate the increase. The bill ensures these infrastructure costs remain the responsibility of the permit holder, not the public, when expanding water use. This policy change directly affects commercial, industrial, or municipal water users holding permits under Section 32723 of Michigan's Natural Resources and Environmental Protection Act.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill ensures permit holders cover infrastructure costs for increased water withdrawals, directly supporting water conservation under Great Lakes protection and natural resources subject.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Conservation Drinking Water Water Quality

Track

in committee · Michigan · Senate Dec 18, 2025

SB 761: Water supply: conservation; limits on water withdrawals under part 327 of the natural resources and environmental protection act; amend. Amends sec. 32723 of 1994 PA 451 (MCL 324.32723). TIE BAR WITH: SB 0763'25

SB 761 requires permits for large-scale water withdrawals in Michigan, affecting entities like municipalities, utilities, or industries planning new or expanded water use exceeding 1 million gallons per day (or 2 million gallons for certain systems). It mandates applicants to submit detailed plans, pay a $2,000 fee, and demonstrate compliance with conservation measures, watershed protection, and environmental impact standards before permits are granted. The bill includes a 45-day public comment period, a 120-day review timeline for the Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy, and conditions that water must be returned to its source watershed and cause no adverse resource impacts. This amendment updates Michigan’s water withdrawal rules under the Natural Resources and Environmental Protection Act, focusing on sustainable management of water resources.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentRequires conservation plans, watershed protection, and environmental impact standards for large water withdrawals, advancing water resource protection under Great Lakes and natural resources focus.92% confidence

Sub-Topics Conservation Water Quality

Track

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

Sub-Topics Conservation

in committee · Michigan · Senate Feb 5, 2025

SB 63: Natural resources: funding; Michigan natural resources trust fund recipients; modify to include state department. Amends secs. 1901 & 1903 of 1994 PA 451 (MCL 324.1901 & 324.1903).

SB 63 amends Michigan's Natural Resources and Environmental Protection Act to explicitly include state departments as eligible recipients of funds from the Michigan Natural Resources Trust Fund. This change allows state agencies, such as the Michigan Department of Natural Resources, to apply directly for grants to acquire land for recreation or environmental protection, or to develop public recreation facilities. Previously, the law did not explicitly list state departments as recipients, though they could sometimes participate under broader provisions. The amendment ensures state agencies can now access these funds for projects that protect natural resources and improve public outdoor access.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill explicitly expands funding access for state departments to acquire land for environmental protection and recreation, directly advancing conservation funding under the Natural Resources Trust Fund.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Conservation Parks & Recreation Public Lands

Track

passed · Michigan · Senate Oct 21, 2025

SB 277: Sales tax: distribution; disposition of money into the game and fish protection account; provide for. Amends sec. 25 of 1933 PA 167 (MCL 205.75). TIE BAR WITH: SB 0276'25

SB 277 redirects a portion of Michigan's sales tax revenue to the state's Game and Fish Protection Account. It amends existing law (MCL 205.75) to require that specific sales tax funds be deposited directly into this dedicated account instead of general state funds. This ensures consistent, dedicated funding for wildlife conservation and management programs, including habitat protection and fishery restoration. The bill affects state wildlife management efforts by providing a reliable revenue stream without creating new taxes.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesRedirects sales tax revenue to dedicated wildlife conservation account, ensuring consistent funding for essential programs per bill's explicit language.90% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentRedirects sales tax revenue to Game and Fish Protection Account for habitat protection and fishery restoration, directly funding environmental conservation programs.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Revenue Sales Tax Conservation Wildlife

Track

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

Sub-Topics Conservation

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

Sub-Topics Conservation Tags Agriculture

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

Sub-Topics Conservation

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

Sub-Topics Conservation Tags Local Government