Environment

in committee · Michigan · House Apr 15, 2026

HB 5788: Environmental protection: landfills; public comment during landfill expansion and construction; allow. Amends secs. 1307 & 11125 of 1994 PA 451 (MCL 324.1307 & 324.11125).

This bill amends Michigan's environmental laws to require state officials to consider specific public input and community impacts when reviewing applications to build or expand landfills. It mandates that agencies evaluate public comments, local policies, and potential disproportionate environmental burdens on nearby communities, such as those near schools or hospitals, before granting permits. Additionally, the legislation introduces stricter deadlines for processing permit applications and requires the state to pay applicants a fee if the department fails to meet these timelines.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill strengthens environmental regulations by requiring public input and assessing disproportionate burdens on communities near landfills.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Recycling Waste Management

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in committee · Michigan · House Jun 4, 2026

HB 5802: Natural resources: fishing; allowable catch per species and percentage quota for commercial fishing; provide for. Amends secs. 47324, 47326, 47328, 47329, & 48724 of 1994 PA 451 (MCL 324.47324 et seq.) & adds sec 47363. TIE BAR WITH: HB 5801'26

This bill amends Michigan's natural resources laws to update regulations on commercial fishing, including allowable catch limits and quota percentages for various fish species. It establishes stricter record-keeping requirements for fish dealers and mandates that commercial fishers report their catch immediately after each fishing season ends. The legislation also introduces new financial penalties for illegal fishing, requiring offenders to pay fines based on the weight of the fish taken, and sets a rule that commercial licenses will be permanently revoked if a fisher commits five specific violations within a five-year period. Additionally, the bill rescinds several outdated administrative rules related to commercial fishing operations.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill strengthens environmental protection by updating fishing regulations, enforcing stricter catch limits, and increasing penalties for illegal fishing to conserve natural resources.75% confidence

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in committee · Michigan · House Apr 23, 2026

HJR S: Environmental protection: pollution prevention; green initiative; provide for. Amends the state constitution by adding sec. 29 to art. I.

This bill proposes adding a new section to the Michigan state constitution to guarantee every person an inherent right to a clean environment, including clean water, air, and soil. It establishes that the state and all its agencies must act as trustees for natural resources, which are declared the common property of all people, including future generations. The amendment would require the government to protect these rights equitably for everyone regardless of race, ethnicity, socioeconomic status, or location, and it allows citizens to directly enforce these rights in court. If approved by voters, this change would legally bind the state to conserve and maintain natural resources while preventing any actions that infringe upon environmental rights.

Topics ✓ EnergySupports EnergyBill establishes a constitutional right to a clean environment and mandates state protection of natural resources, which supports renewable energy and clean energy infrastructure goals.75% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill explicitly mandates clean environment rights and requires state protection of natural resources for all generations.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Water Quality

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in committee · Michigan · House Apr 28, 2026

HB 5895: Water supply: quality and standards; access to safe drinking water; require when a water source tests positive for polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS). Amends 1978 PA 368 (MCL 333.1101 - 333.25211) by adding secs. 12722, 12723 & 12724.

This bill requires Michigan's Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy to notify private well owners and nearby residents when tests detect unsafe levels of PFAS chemicals in their water. The legislation mandates that the department provide specific guidance on reducing exposure, along with free certified water filters, to those directly affected and to neighbors within a one-mile radius of the contaminated well. Additionally, the bill establishes a voluntary registry to send email alerts about future testing locations and dates, ensuring the public stays informed about potential water quality issues.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill mandates notification and provides free filters for PFAS contamination, directly protecting public health and strengthening environmental water quality standards.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Drinking Water Water Quality

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passed both · Michigan · House Jul 1, 2026

HB 5937: Environmental protection: permits; approval process for certain permits; modify. Amends secs. 1301, 1305, 1307, 3112 & 30307 of 1994 PA 451 (MCL 324.1301 et seq.).

This bill modifies the Michigan Natural Resources and Environmental Protection Act to establish specific time limits for state agencies to review and approve various environmental permits. It directly affects businesses and individuals applying for permits related to activities such as oil and gas drilling, mining, waste disposal, water use, and construction. The legislation defines a "processing period" with varying deadlines - ranging from 20 to 150 days depending on the permit type - and requires agencies to declare an application administratively complete within 30 days of receipt. By setting these clear timelines, the bill aims to create a more predictable and efficient approval process for environmental permits issued by the Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill establishes strict time limits for permit reviews, preventing regulatory delays that often hinder environmental protection and enforcement.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Waste Management

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in committee · Michigan · House Apr 28, 2026

HB 5897: Environmental protection: hazardous waste; Michigan PFAS action response team; establish. Creates new act.

This bill creates the Michigan PFAS action response team (MPART), a new state entity dedicated to addressing contamination from PFAS chemicals, commonly known as 'forever chemicals.' The team will be composed of directors from various state departments, including environmental protection and health services, who will work together to identify affected sites, develop cleanup plans, and coordinate public health responses. MPART is authorized to conduct investigations, hire experts, share information with local and federal agencies, and recommend changes to existing laws to better manage environmental and public safety threats related to PFAS.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill establishes a team to address PFAS contamination, strengthening environmental protection and cleanup efforts.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Drinking Water Hazardous Materials Recycling

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in committee · Michigan · House Apr 28, 2026

HB 5893: Environmental protection: other; grant program for farmers affected by polyfluoroalkyl (PFAS); create. Amends 1994 PA 451 (MCL 324.101 - 324.90106) by adding pt. 4. TIE BAR WITH: HB 5894'26

This bill creates a grant program within Michigan's Natural Resources and Environmental Protection Act to assist farmers whose land, crops, or water are contaminated with PFAS chemicals. The program would provide financial aid for medical testing, purchasing or selling land, cleaning up contamination, and replacing lost income or mortgage payments. Funding for these grants would come from a new state fund, potentially financed by increased fines on large corporations that violate environmental laws. Farmers applying for assistance would need to submit detailed financial records and a plan explaining how they intend to use the funds. The bill also defines specific criteria for what constitutes PFAS contamination and outlines the process for the state department to administer the program.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill creates a grant program to fund PFAS cleanup and assist farmers, directly strengthening environmental protection and pollution control.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Drinking Water

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in committee · Michigan · House Apr 22, 2026

HB 5842: Environmental protection: groundwater contamination; annual appropriation for certain geological survey work; direct legislature to make. Amends sec. 60108 of 1994 PA 451 (MCL 324.60108).

This bill requires the Michigan legislature to provide annual funding to the Michigan Geological Survey to support its statewide responsibilities. The law mandates that each year's appropriation must be at least as much as the amount given for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2025. By securing this minimum funding level, the bill ensures the agency has the financial resources needed to carry out its duties without interruption.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill mandates annual appropriations for the Geological Survey, ensuring continued funding for environmental protection and groundwater contamination efforts.95% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill mandates annual funding for the Geological Survey to ensure uninterrupted environmental protection duties and groundwater contamination management.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Appropriations

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in committee · Michigan · House Apr 28, 2026

HB 5894: Civil procedure: civil actions; portion of fines in certain state civil infraction actions under the natural resources and environmental protection act; dedicate to grant program to assist farmers affected by PFAS. Amends sec. 8831 of 1961 PA 236 (MCL 600.8831). TIE BAR WITH: HB 5893'26

This bill directs that fines collected from specific state civil infractions under Michigan's natural resources and environmental protection act be used to fund a grant program assisting farmers impacted by PFAS contamination. It achieves this by creating an exception to the existing rule that typically requires all such civil fines to be dedicated exclusively to supporting public and county law libraries. The legislation does not take effect unless it is tied to and passed alongside a companion bill that establishes the actual grant program for the farmers.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill directs fines from environmental infractions to fund grants for farmers affected by PFAS contamination, addressing pollution impacts.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Drinking Water

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in committee · Michigan · House Apr 23, 2026

HB 5851: Natural resources: wetlands; rare and imperiled wetlands; update. Amends sec. 30301 of 1994 PA 451 (MCL 324.30301).

This bill updates the definitions of wetlands and related terms within Michigan's Natural Resources and Environmental Protection Act to improve clarity and consistency. It specifically expands the list of wetland types considered 'rare and imperiled' and establishes a schedule for the Department of Natural Resources to review and recommend changes to this list every five years. The legislation also refines technical definitions for concepts like 'exceptional wetland,' 'fill material,' and 'wetland functions and services' to better guide future conservation and restoration efforts.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill expands protections for rare wetlands and strengthens environmental regulations by updating definitions and requiring periodic reviews.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Conservation

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