Environment

in committee · Michigan · House May 1, 2025

HB 4411: Environmental protection: litter; removal of damaged vehicle and debris; provide for cost recovery. Amends sec. 8905a of 1994 PA 451 (MCL 324.8905a).

House Bill 4411 amends Michigan's Natural Resources and Environmental Protection Act to enhance cost recovery for littering violations. The bill mandates that courts order individuals convicted of littering to remove the debris and remediate any property damage, or reimburse railroads for these costs if the violation occurred on their property. It also allows courts to order violators to reimburse local community groups or government entities for cleanup and remediation expenses. Furthermore, the bill establishes that violators are civilly liable to property owners or vehicle removers for the reasonable costs of cleanup and property restoration.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentMandates litterers to cover cleanup costs, directly enforcing environmental protection against pollution through cost recovery.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Recycling

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in committee · Michigan · Senate Mar 11, 2026

SB 504: Water supply: quality and standards; testing and reporting of the amount of microplastics in public drinking water supplies; require. Amends sec. 5 of 1976 PA 399 (MCL 325.1005) & adds sec. 6a.

SB 504 requires Michigan to test public water supplies for tiny plastic particles (microplastics) starting in 2027, with quarterly sampling through 2030. It focuses testing on water sources near Great Lakes shorelines, agricultural areas, landfills, and groundwater systems, using methods aligned with federal or state standards. By July 2031, the state must report findings - including microplastic levels, sources, and potential health impacts - and recommend next steps for monitoring or regulation. This directly affects all public water systems in Michigan, including those serving communities near environmental justice concerns.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentRequires testing for microplastics (pollutant) in drinking water, mandates reporting on sources/health impacts, and directs future regulatory recommendations per pollution prevention focus.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Drinking Water Environmental Justice Water Quality

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in committee · Michigan · Senate Mar 11, 2026

SB 505: Environmental protection: hazardous products; Michigan statewide microplastics strategy; establish. Amends 1994 PA 451 (MCL 324.101 - 324.90106) by adding pt. 151.

SB 505 requires Michigan's Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (DEGLE) to create a statewide research and monitoring plan focused on microplastics in the Great Lakes by July 2026. The plan must assess microplastic impacts on drinking water, human/animal health, and the Great Lakes ecosystem, establish baseline data, identify sources, and propose reduction strategies using federal standards (like EPA and NOAA guidelines). It mandates annual updates, public reporting, and requires DEGLE to collaborate with universities and leverage existing federal efforts. The bill directly affects state agencies, researchers, and Great Lakes water quality management, with implementation deadlines set for 2026 and 2028.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentMandates microplastics monitoring plan to assess impacts and reduce pollution in Great Lakes, strengthening environmental protection through federal-aligned strategies and public reporting.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Drinking Water Water Quality

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in committee · Michigan · Senate Jun 10, 2025

SB 385: Administrative procedure: rules; definition of a rule; exclude cleanup criteria and target detection limits. Amends sec. 7 of 1969 PA 306 (MCL 24.207). TIE BAR WITH: SB 0391'25, SB 0392'25

SB 385 amends Michigan's Administrative Procedures Act to exclude specific environmental cleanup standards from the definition of a "rule." It adds a new exclusion (item t) for "cleanup criteria and target detection limits" developed by the Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy under environmental protection laws. This means these standards will not be subject to formal rule-making procedures like public hearings or comment periods. The bill directly affects how the environmental agency establishes and implements cleanup standards for contaminated sites.

Topics ✗ EnvironmentOpposes EnvironmentExcludes environmental cleanup standards from public rule-making procedures, reducing transparency and regulatory oversight per bill language.85% confidence

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passed both · Michigan · House May 13, 2025

HB 4283: Energy: alternative sources; electricity generated from RICE generators; authorize use of to meet renewable and clean energy standards. Amends secs. 28, 29 & 32 of 2008 PA 295 (MCL 460.1028 et seq.) & adds sec. 34.

HB 4283 amends Michigan's Clean and Renewable Energy Act to allow electricity generated from Reciprocating Internal Combustion Engine (RICE) generators to count toward meeting the state's renewable energy portfolio standards. This change directly affects electric providers, including cooperatives and multistate utilities, that must meet specific renewable energy targets. The bill adds a new provision specifying that RICE-generated electricity can be used as renewable energy credits toward compliance. This provides electric providers with an additional compliance option for meeting the state's renewable energy requirements.

Topics ✗ EnergyOpposes EnergyAllows fossil fuel-based RICE generators to count as renewable energy, weakening clean energy standards by diluting renewable portfolio requirements.95% confidence ✗ EnvironmentOpposes EnvironmentAllows RICE generators (fossil fuel-based) to count as renewable energy, undermining clean energy standards by diluting renewable portfolio requirements.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Energy Resilience Renewable Energy

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in committee · Michigan · Senate Jun 10, 2025

SB 392: Environmental protection: cleanups; cleanup to residential and safe drinking water standards; require unless technically infeasible. Amends secs. 20118, 20120a, 20120b, 20120e & 20121 of 1994 PA 451 (MCL 324.20118 et seq.). TIE BAR WITH: SB 391'25, SB 385'25

SB 392 amends Michigan's Natural Resources and Environmental Protection Act to require cleanup of contaminated sites to meet residential and safe drinking water standards, unless technically infeasible. It directly affects property owners, developers, and environmental remediation companies responsible for cleaning up hazardous substance releases at contaminated sites. The bill mandates that cleanup efforts must restore affected aquifers to drinking water standards where possible, stop contamination spread, and comply with state/federal environmental laws. Exceptions allowing less stringent cleanup are only permitted if the Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy documents technical infeasibility and confirms the alternative approach still protects public health and the environment. This bill updates existing cleanup standards (sections 20118, 20120a, and related sections) to strengthen residential and water quality protections.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentRequires cleanup to residential/drinking water standards, strengthening environmental remediation requirements and protecting public health from contamination.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Drinking Water Hazardous Materials Water Quality

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passed both · Michigan · House May 27, 2026

HB 4192: Environmental protection: permits; groundwater discharge permit requirements; modify. Amends sec. 3122 of 1994 PA 451 (MCL 324.3122).

HB 4192 updates the requirements for obtaining permits to discharge pollutants into groundwater. It directly affects businesses, industries, or facilities that discharge wastewater or pollutants into groundwater sources, such as manufacturing plants or wastewater treatment systems. The bill modifies existing permit rules under Michigan law to clarify or adjust the application and compliance standards for these discharges. This change aims to streamline or strengthen oversight of groundwater protection without altering the fundamental permit framework. The legislation passed the Michigan House on June 12, 2025, with 65 votes in favor.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill modifies groundwater discharge permit rules to strengthen oversight, explicitly aiming to 'strengthen oversight' of pollutant discharges, aligning with environmental protection goals.90% confidence

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in committee · Michigan · Senate Jun 10, 2025

SB 391: Environmental protection: cleanups; cleanup standards; require. Amends secs. 20101, 20107a, 20112a, 20114, 20114b, 20114c, 20114d, 20114e, 20119, 20126, 20126a, 20137 & 20139 of 1994 PA 451 (MCL 324.20101 et seq.); adds secs. 20113a & 20139a & repeals secs. 20114a & 20114g of 1994 PA 451 (MCL 324.20114a & 324.20114g). TIE BAR WITH: SB 392'25, SB 385'25

SB 391 updates Michigan's environmental cleanup rules by establishing clearer standards for determining natural background levels of hazardous substances in soil. It defines "background concentration" as naturally occurring levels in soil, allowing property owners to demonstrate contamination is not due to human activity using specific soil surveys or studies. The bill directly affects developers, property owners, and environmental agencies involved in site cleanups by reducing unnecessary cleanup requirements when contamination matches natural background levels. Key provisions include adding new definitions (like "background concentration" and "baseline environmental assessment") and revising cleanup criteria to align with state soil surveys, making it easier to distinguish natural soil levels from pollution requiring remediation.

Topics ✗ EnvironmentOpposes EnvironmentBill reduces cleanup requirements by allowing natural background levels as defense, weakening regulatory standards for hazardous substance remediation.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Hazardous Materials

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passed both · Michigan · House May 13, 2025

HB 4007: Energy: alternative sources; clean energy system; expand definition of. Amends sec. 3 of 2008 PA 295 (MCL 460.1003).

HB 4007 amends Michigan's Clean and Renewable Energy Act (2008 PA 295) by expanding the definition of "clean energy system" to include natural gas plants using carbon capture and storage (at least 90% effective) and certain existing natural gas facilities that can meet clean energy standards by 2030 through carbon capture and removal technologies. This change directly affects electric providers required to meet the state's clean energy standard, as it broadens the types of energy sources that qualify toward their compliance targets. The bill specifies that carbon capture must permanently store carbon dioxide (excluding enhanced oil recovery), and permits for new facilities may require higher capture rates if deemed necessary under federal standards. This definition update provides additional pathways for natural gas projects to count toward Michigan's clean energy goals.

Topics ✗ EnergyOpposes EnergyExpands clean energy definition to include natural gas with carbon capture, weakening renewable energy standards by allowing fossil fuels to count as clean energy.90% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentExpands clean energy definition to include carbon capture, reducing emissions and helping meet clean energy standards per amended act.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Oil & Gas Renewable Energy

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in committee · Michigan · Senate May 21, 2025

SB 322: Energy: alternative sources; energy waste reduction and electrification standards, renewable energy goals, and MPSC certification preempting local zoning; reverse changes made by 2023 public acts 229, 235, and 233, respectively. Amends title & heading subpt. A of pt. 2 & secs. 1, 3, 5, 7, 9, 11, 13, 22, 28, 29, 39, 45, 47, 49, 71, 73, 75, 77, 78, 91, 93, 173, 177 & 191 of 2008 PA 295 (MCL 460.1001 et seq.); repeals secs. 32, 51, 53, 72, 80, 80a, 101 & 103 & pt. 8 of 2008 PA 295 (MCL 460.1032 et seq.). TIE BAR WITH: SB 0323'25

Senate Bill 322 amends Michigan's "Clean and Renewable Energy and Energy Waste Reduction Act," specifically reversing changes made by three 2023 public acts. The bill requires electric and natural gas providers to implement renewable energy, clean energy, and energy waste reduction programs, aiming to return cost savings to customers. It establishes a goal for 35% of the state's electricity to be met through a combination of energy waste reduction and renewable energy by 2025. A key provision authorizes state certification for wind, solar, and energy storage facilities, which can preempt local zoning ordinances.

Topics ✓ EnergySupports EnergyBill mandates 35% renewable/electricity by 2025, requires renewable/clean energy programs, reverses 2023 rollbacks, and returns cost savings to customers via energy waste reduction.95% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill sets 35% renewable energy goal by 2025, requires energy waste reduction programs, and reverses rollbacks of environmental standards, directly advancing clean energy and conservation.95% confidence ✗ HousingOpposes HousingPreempts local zoning laws (affecting housing development) via MPSC certification, overriding local housing regulations and limiting municipal control over housing projects.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Energy Storage Renewable Energy Solar Zoning

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