Environment (Water Quality)

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

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passed · Michigan · Senate Jun 26, 2025

SB 46: Water supply: systems; mobile home park water delivery systems; regulate. Amends secs. 2, 3 & 15 of 1976 PA 399 (MCL 325.1002, et seq.).

SB 46 updates regulations for water delivery systems in mobile home parks by amending existing water supply laws (1976 PA 399). The bill directly affects mobile home park owners and residents by requiring these systems to meet specific reliability and safety standards. Key provisions include setting requirements for system maintenance, water quality testing, and emergency response protocols for parks relying on shared water infrastructure. This change ensures consistent, safe water access for mobile home park communities under revised regulatory guidelines.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill mandates water quality testing, safety standards, and emergency protocols for mobile home park water systems, directly advancing environmental protection through pollution control and resource conservation.90% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingRequires safety standards for mobile home park water systems, protecting tenant access to safe water in affordable housing.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Drinking Water Parks & Recreation Water Quality

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in committee · Michigan · Senate Jun 25, 2025

SB 441: Environmental protection: sewage; municipal stormwater utilities; provide for, and authorize fee. Creates new act.

SB 441 establishes a legal framework for local governments (cities, towns, counties) in Michigan to create stormwater management utilities. It requires these entities to adopt a stormwater management plan and a fee ordinance, with fees based on property characteristics to cover costs for flood control and water quality systems. The bill mandates public hearings before plan adoption, outlines fee calculation methods using engineering standards, and includes processes for property owners to request fee reductions or appeal charges. It directly affects property owners who may pay the new fees and local governments responsible for implementing the system.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentCreates mandatory stormwater management utilities with funding mechanisms for flood control and water quality systems, directly advancing environmental protection through sewage management and pollution control.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Coastal & Flood Protection Water Quality

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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

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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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signed · Michigan · Senate Oct 8, 2025

SB 273: Agriculture: other; water quality protection fee; extend sunset. Amends sec. 8715 of 1994 PA 451 (MCL 324.8715) & repeals (See bill).

SB 273 extends the expiration date of a fee imposed on agricultural operations to fund water quality protection programs. This bill amends Michigan's 1994 law (MCL 324.8715) to remove the sunset provision, ensuring the fee remains in effect indefinitely. It directly affects agricultural businesses that pay this fee, which supports local water quality initiatives. The bill was enacted with immediate effect after governor approval on October 7, 2025.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentExtends fee funding water quality programs, directly supporting environmental protection through ongoing financial support for conservation initiatives.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Water Quality

in committee · Michigan · House Apr 23, 2025

HB 4364: Environmental protection: water pollution; application requirements for new or increased discharge permit under NREPA; modify. Amends sec. 3112 of 1994 PA 451 (MCL 324.3112).

House Bill 4364 modifies the requirements for obtaining permits to discharge waste into Michigan's waters. Beginning January 1, 2026, any person applying for a new or increased discharge permit must provide documentation of permission from any contiguous county that would be impacted by the discharge. This permission must be in the form of a resolution adopted by the contiguous county's board of commissioners. If an applicant fails to secure this permission, the state department will deny the permit application.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentAdds county resolution requirement for discharge permits, strengthening local oversight and environmental review before water pollution permits are approved.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Water Quality

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in committee · Michigan · House Apr 23, 2025

HB 4365: Environmental protection: water pollution; penalty for certain excess discharges into waters of the state; provide for. Amends secs. 3112a & 3115 of 1994 PA 451 (MCL 324.3112a & 324.3115) & adds sec. 3119a.

House Bill 4365 amends Michigan's Natural Resources and Environmental Protection Act concerning discharges of untreated or partially treated sewage. It expands the list of parties that sewer system operators must notify immediately (within 24 hours) after a discharge begins, including additional county officials and local newspapers in potentially affected counties. The bill also clarifies requirements for testing affected waters for E. coli to assess public health risks. Violations of these updated notification and testing requirements are subject to existing civil fines ranging from $2,500 to $25,000 per day.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentExpands sewage discharge notification requirements and clarifies E. coli testing, strengthening pollution response and public health protections under water pollution regulations.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Water Quality

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in committee · Michigan · House May 7, 2025

HB 4459: Environmental protection: other; general obligation bond issuance; provide for. Creates new act. TIE BAR WITH: HB 4460'25

HB 4459 proposes to authorize the state of Michigan to borrow up to $2 billion by issuing general obligation bonds. These funds would finance environmental and natural resources protection programs across the state. The programs include cleaning up and redeveloping contaminated sites, protecting and improving water quality, preventing pollution, abating lead contamination, and revitalizing community waterfronts and waterways. The issuance of these bonds requires approval by a vote of the state's electors at the next general election, with repayment coming from the state's general fund.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesAuthorizes $2B in general obligation bonds to fund environmental programs, increasing state budget allocation for fiscal management of public resources.90% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentAuthorizes $2B in bonds for environmental programs including pollution prevention, water quality improvement, site cleanup, and lead abatement, directly advancing protection efforts.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Debt & Bonds Water Quality

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in committee · Michigan · House Jan 29, 2025

HB 4035: Environmental protection: sewage; violations for sewer overflows; modify. Amends 1994 PA 451 (MCL 324.101 - 324.90106) by adding sec. 3115b.

HB 4035 requires counties with populations over 1 million that violate sewage discharge permits to create and implement a plan reducing average sewage overflows by 50% within 5 years. The plan must be submitted within one year of the first violation and approved by the state environmental department within 180 days. Counties failing to submit or complete the plan face monthly fines up to $1 million and potential permit denial for sewage operations. This bill directly affects large urban counties with sewage infrastructure issues, aiming to reduce pollution through enforceable reduction targets.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentRequires counties to reduce sewage overflows by 50% within 5 years, strengthening pollution control and environmental protection standards through enforceable mandates and penalties.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Water Quality

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