Environment (Waste Management) in Michigan

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 ✓ Environment

Sub-Topics Recycling Waste Management

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 ✓ Environment

Sub-Topics Waste Management

in committee · Michigan · Senate Mar 12, 2026

SB 818: Environmental protection: landfills; location guidelines for landfills; provide for. Amends sec. 11509 of 1994 PA 451 (MCL 324.11509).

This bill updates Michigan's environmental regulations by establishing clearer guidelines for where landfills can be located and how they must be permitted. It directly affects waste management companies, local health departments, and county officials by requiring specific application fees and engineering plans before new disposal areas can be built. Key provisions include setting different fee amounts for various types of landfills and expansions, allowing permit applications to be resubmitted without additional fees if they are initially incomplete, and prohibiting new landfills from being built within one mile of an existing home. The bill also requires county approval for new type II landfills or municipal solid waste incinerators, ensuring that communities demonstrate other waste disposal options have been exhausted before approving new facilities.

Topics ✓ Environment

Sub-Topics Waste Management

in committee · Michigan · House Mar 18, 2026

HB 5718: Energy: alternative sources; clean energy system; expand definition of. Amends sec. 11 of 2008 PA 295 (MCL 460.1011).

This bill amends Michigan's Clean and Renewable Energy and Energy Waste Reduction Act to update the legal definitions of renewable energy resources and systems. It expands the definition of renewable energy resources to include specific biomass sources like sustainably managed wood and certain waste-derived materials, while explicitly excluding natural gas, petroleum, and nuclear power. The legislation also clarifies which facilities qualify as renewable energy systems, such as landfill gas recovery plants and methane digesters, while excluding new hydroelectric dams and incinerators from the definition. These changes aim to provide clearer guidance for compliance with the state's renewable energy standards and credit programs.

Topics ✓ Energy ✓ Environment

Sub-Topics Nuclear Oil & Gas Renewable Energy Waste Management

in committee · Michigan · House Dec 9, 2025

HB 5333: Environmental protection: landfills; civil, administrative, and criminal fines; increase. Amends secs. 5529, 5530, 5531, 11546 & 11549 of 1994 PA 451 (MCL 324.5529 et seq.).

HB 5333 increases penalties for environmental violations related to landfills under Michigan's Natural Resources and Environmental Protection Act. It raises the maximum administrative, civil, and criminal fines for landfill owners or operators from $10,000 to $100,000 per violation (or per day of ongoing violation), and increases the total administrative fine cap for landfill operators from $100,000 to $1,000,000. The bill amends specific sections (5529, 5530, 5531) to implement these higher fines for violations including failure to obtain permits, noncompliance with permits, or other regulatory breaches. These changes directly affect landfill operators by imposing significantly higher financial penalties for violations. The bill does not create new requirements but increases enforcement consequences for existing regulatory breaches.

Topics ✓ Environment

Sub-Topics Waste Management

in committee · Michigan · Senate Apr 15, 2025

SB 201: Environmental protection: funding; solid waste management fund; establish account to fund material waste reduction, reuse, recycling, and recovery. Amends secs. 11550 & 11582 of 1994 PA 451 (MCL 324.11550 & 324.11582).

SB 201 establishes a new "circular economy institute account" within Michigan's solid waste management fund, requiring at least 10% of funds allocated to the solid waste staff and perpetual care accounts to support this institute. The bill creates three grant programs: recycling markets (funding equipment/tech for recycled materials), local recycling innovation (funding infrastructure and education), and recycling access (aiding local governments meeting waste reduction benchmarks). These programs target local governments, nonprofits, and businesses to boost recycling infrastructure, improve waste management practices, and develop markets for recycled materials. The funding directly affects Michigan State University (through the institute) and entities applying for the new grant programs.

Topics ✓ Environment

Sub-Topics Recycling Waste Management

in committee · Michigan · House Apr 29, 2025

HB 4393: Environmental protection: hazardous waste; environmental protection; landfills; disposal fees; increase, and limit certain disposal wells and TENORM disposal. Amends secs. 11102, 11103, 11104, 11108, 11109, 11110, 11125, 11132, 11514b, 11525a, 62501 & 62509 of 1994 PA 451 (MCL 324.11102 et seq.); adds secs. 11122, 62508b & 62509d & repeals secs. 11111 & 11112 of 1994 PA 451 (MCL 324.11111 & 324.11112).

HB 4393 proposes amendments to Michigan's Natural Resources and Environmental Protection Act. The bill aims to increase disposal fees for hazardous waste and landfills. Additionally, it seeks to introduce limitations on certain types of disposal wells and the disposal of Technologically Enhanced Naturally Occurring Radioactive Material (TENORM). These changes would directly impact entities involved in hazardous waste management, landfill operations, and specific disposal well activities within the state.

Topics ✓ Environment

Sub-Topics Hazardous Materials Waste Management

passed · Michigan · Senate Aug 26, 2025

SB 246: Environmental protection: hazardous waste; environmental protection; landfills; disposal fees; increase, and limit certain disposal wells and TENORM disposal. Amends secs. 11102, 11103, 11104, 11108, 11109, 11110, 11125, 11132, 11514b, 11525a, 62501 & 62509 of 1994 PA 451 (MCL 324.11102 et seq.); adds secs. 11122, 62508b & 62509d & repeals secs. 11111 & 11112 of 1994 PA 451 (MCL 324.11111 & 324.11112).

SB 246 increases disposal fees for hazardous waste and adjusts limits on certain disposal wells and TENORM (radioactive materials) disposal. It directly affects waste disposal facilities and generators of hazardous waste by changing fee structures under Michigan's environmental code. Key provisions amend specific sections to raise fee limits, update disposal well regulations, and clarify TENORM handling requirements. The bill modifies multiple sections of Michigan's 1994 environmental protection law (PA 451) to modernize waste disposal oversight. (Passed on August 26, 2025, with 19 yeas, 15 nays.)

Topics ✓ Environment

Sub-Topics Hazardous Materials Waste Management

in committee · Michigan · House May 7, 2025

HB 4460: Environmental protection: funding; clean Michigan 2 initiative funds; provide for distribution and allocation. Amends 1994 PA 451 (MCL 324.101 - 324.90106) by adding pt. 198. TIE BAR WITH: HB 4459'25

House Bill 4460 establishes the "Clean Michigan 2 Initiative Implementation" within the Natural Resources and Environmental Protection Act. This bill creates the Clean Michigan 2 Initiative Bond Fund and authorizes the state to issue bonds to finance various environmental and water infrastructure projects. The bond proceeds are specifically allocated for purposes such as cleanup and redevelopment, municipal landfill grants, brownfield redevelopment, water infrastructure improvements, and remediation of contaminated lake and river sediments. These funds will support projects that enhance water safety, provide access to clean and safe water, improve flood resilience, and address environmental contamination across the state.

Topics ✓ Environment

Sub-Topics Coastal & Flood Protection Hazardous Materials Waste Management

passed both · Michigan · House Jun 17, 2025

HB 4257: Environmental protection: solid waste; anaerobic digestion and digestate; define. Amends secs. 11502 & 11503 of 1994 PA 451 (MCL 324.11502 & 324.11503). TIE BAR WITH: HB 4265'25

HB 4257 defines key terms related to waste management, specifically for anaerobic digestion byproducts (digestate) and their "beneficial use" in agriculture or construction. It creates five distinct categories of beneficial use (e.g., soil application at agronomic rates, road base, or construction fill) with specific environmental safeguards like runoff prevention and groundwater protection. The bill directly affects waste management facilities, farmers, and construction entities handling digestate or ash by clarifying legal standards for its use. These definitions ensure consistent application under existing environmental rules, requiring materials to meet soil-nutrient balance and pollution prevention criteria.

Topics ✓ Environment ✓ Transportation

Sub-Topics Waste Management

All environment bills