This bill amends Michigan's Clean Drinking Water Access Act to establish stricter water quality standards for schools and child care centers. It requires these facilities to create drinking water management plans within 15 months that map out water outlets and schedule regular testing and filter replacements. The law mandates filtered bottle-filling stations for every 100 occupants and requires all water fixtures to meet specific lead reduction standards, with schools taking immediate action if lead levels exceed one part per billion.
SB 796 is a funding bill that allocates supplemental state money for fiscal year 2026 to address PFAS contamination in water. It provides direct funding to state agencies responsible for water safety and PFAS mitigation programs, primarily benefiting communities affected by PFAS ("forever chemicals") in drinking water sources. The key mechanism is creating a new appropriation within the state budget specifically for water testing, cleanup, and safety measures related to PFAS. This bill does not create new regulations but ensures dedicated funding for existing water safety efforts targeting PFAS contamination.
SB 763 prevents water users with permits under Michigan's water withdrawal rules from charging the public for costs related to infrastructure upgrades needed when they increase their water withdrawal capacity. It applies specifically to permit holders who seek to exceed their previously reported withdrawal limits and require new infrastructure (like pipes or treatment systems) to accommodate the increase. The bill ensures these infrastructure costs remain the responsibility of the permit holder, not the public, when expanding water use. This policy change directly affects commercial, industrial, or municipal water users holding permits under Section 32723 of Michigan's Natural Resources and Environmental Protection Act.
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.
HB 4636 amends Michigan’s environmental cleanup law to require that contaminated site cleanups meet residential land use standards and restore groundwater to safe drinking water standards, where technically feasible. It directly affects property owners, developers, and environmental agencies responsible for cleaning up polluted sites by establishing clear cleanup categories (like residential or nonresidential) and allowing site-specific alternatives only when meeting standard criteria is proven technically infeasible. The bill specifies that cleanups must protect public health, stop contamination spread, and comply with state/federal standards, with exceptions permitted only if documented technical infeasibility exists or if the environmental benefit of stricter cleanup would be outweighed by negative impacts. This update clarifies existing rules under Michigan’s Natural Resources and Environmental Protection Act (MCL 324.20118 et seq.) without creating new programs.
HB 4767 requires Michigan's Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy to develop a statewide research and monitoring plan focused on microplastics in the Great Lakes. The plan must assess microplastic impacts on health, ecosystems, and drinking water, establish baseline data, identify sources, and propose solutions like source reduction and public education. It mandates collaboration with universities (e.g., MSU, U of M) and adherence to federal standards, with the initial plan due to the legislature by July 2026 and full implementation by July 2028. This directly affects state agencies, research institutions, and Michigan residents through efforts to protect the Great Lakes ecosystem.
HB 4768 requires Michigan's environmental department to establish a program testing public drinking water for microplastics from 2027 to 2030. The program mandates quarterly testing using methods from agencies like the EPA, focusing on water sources such as Great Lakes tributaries, groundwater near landfills, and agricultural areas. By July 2031, the department must submit a report to the legislature detailing microplastic levels, testing methods, and recommendations for future action. This bill creates a baseline study to understand microplastic presence without setting immediate regulatory limits.
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.
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.
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.
