Environment

HB 4392 creates a funding mechanism to allocate money from the Natural Resources Trust Fund to the Department of Natural Resources (DNR). It specifies how these trust fund resources will be used for DNR operations, directly affecting the department's budget management. This procedural bill does not establish new programs but formalizes existing funding transfers. The bill was enacted as PA 21'25 with immediate effect after approval by the Governor.

SB 396 updates Michigan's air pollution laws to include specific regulations for carbon sequestration projects. It directly affects companies and organizations that capture and store carbon dioxide underground to reduce emissions. The bill adds new rules requiring safe storage practices, reporting, and oversight for these projects under the existing air pollution control framework. This amends current law to create a clear regulatory path for carbon sequestration as part of the state's air quality management.

SB 394 establishes that landowners in Michigan automatically own the pore space (open spaces in underground rock formations) beneath their property, which can be used for storing substances like carbon dioxide. This means property buyers inherit pore space rights unless the seller explicitly transfers or excludes them in the sale agreement. The bill requires clear language in property transfers to sever pore space rights from surface ownership, protecting existing mineral rights and surface access for oil/gas operations. It does not affect mineral rights or existing agreements but requires Senate Bill 395 to pass simultaneously for full implementation. The bill aims to clarify ownership for future resource storage projects while maintaining current legal frameworks.

SB 235 creates a corporate income tax credit for businesses that use sustainable aviation fuel (SAF). It directly affects airlines and fuel producers in Michigan by reducing their state tax liability based on the volume of SAF they utilize. The bill amends Michigan's tax code (MCL 206.1-206.847) to add a specific provision allowing corporations to claim this credit. This provides a financial incentive for adopting SAF, aiming to support cleaner aviation fuel adoption without specifying environmental outcomes.

SB 236 creates a tax credit program in Michigan to incentivize the production of sustainable aviation fuel (SAF). It directly affects fuel producers who meet specific environmental standards, requiring SAF to achieve at least a 50% reduction in life-cycle greenhouse gas emissions compared to petroleum fuel and comply with ASTM aviation fuel standards. Producers must apply to the Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy for certification of their tax credit, providing evidence of domestic production, emissions reduction, and proof that the fuel was used in aircraft departing Michigan airports. The program administers tax credits through a state-certified process, aiming to boost local SAF production while meeting federal environmental benchmarks.