Environment

in committee · Michigan · House Apr 28, 2026

HB 5896: Environmental protection: other; requirements for people that use sewage sludge or sewage sludge derivatives in land application to test for PFAS; provide for. Amends secs. 3103 & 3131 of 1994 PA 451 (MCL 324.3103 & 324.3131).

HB 5896 requires people who use sewage sludge or its derivatives on land to test these materials for PFAS chemicals before application and report the results to the state Department of Environmental Quality. The bill mandates that these tests use methods approved by the federal EPA and requires anyone who prepares biosolids to notify landowners and farmers about the specific PFAS levels found in the material. Additionally, the legislation provides exceptions for certain high-quality compost used in landscaping, allowing it to bypass some existing rules if it meets specific maturity and quality standards and is used in approved locations like parks or home gardens.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill mandates testing for PFAS in sewage sludge and requires reporting to the state, directly strengthening environmental protection and pollution control.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Drinking Water

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in committee · Michigan · Senate May 7, 2026

SB 951: Water supply: other; permit and license for water withdrawal for water bottling and water bottling royalties; provide for. Amends secs. 4 & 17 of 1976 PA 399 (MCL 325.1004 & 325.1017) & adds sec. 17a.

SB 951 amends Michigan's Safe Drinking Water Act to strengthen oversight of large-scale water withdrawals intended for bottling and other commercial uses. The bill requires the state Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy to conduct detailed impact evaluations and public comment periods for new or increased water systems that withdraw over 1,000,000 gallons per day or involve significant water transfers within the state. Additionally, the legislation mandates that applicants for these permits demonstrate the technical, financial, and managerial capacity to operate their systems effectively. By adding new requirements for environmental assessments and conservation measures, the bill aims to ensure that large water projects do not harm public health or the environment.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill strengthens oversight of water withdrawals for bottling, requiring impact evaluations and public comments to protect natural resources.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Conservation Drinking Water

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in committee · Michigan · House Apr 28, 2026

HB 5898: Environmental protection: hazardous products; citizen's advisory working group; establish. Creates new act. TIE BAR WITH: HB 5897'26

This bill creates a new Citizen's Advisory Working Group within the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy to assist with PFAS contamination efforts. The group will be made up of current or former residents from communities affected by PFAS contamination, and its members will serve without pay but can receive reimbursement for necessary expenses. The group's main duties include advising the Michigan PFAS Action Response Team on community outreach, reviewing existing strategies, and making recommendations to improve public awareness of health risks related to PFAS.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill establishes a working group to assist with PFAS contamination efforts, directly strengthening environmental protection and pollution control.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Drinking Water

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in committee · Michigan · Senate May 7, 2026

SB 950: Natural resources: trust fund; Michigan water trust fund; provide for. Amends 1994 PA 451 (MCL 324.101 - 324.90106) by adding pt. 12. TIE BAR WITH: SB 0951'26

This bill creates the Michigan Water Trust Fund to protect the state's water resources and support local communities facing water challenges. It establishes a new board within the Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy to oversee a grant program that provides funding for water infrastructure, lead service line replacement, and assistance for residents during water emergencies or those relying on private wells. The fund is financed by royalties from the Safe Drinking Water Act and other sources, with spending limited until the principal reaches $800 million to ensure long-term sustainability. A seven-member board, including the department director and six gubernatorial appointees, will review grant applications and manage the program's administration.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill creates a trust fund to protect water resources, fund infrastructure, and replace lead lines, directly advancing environmental conservation.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Drinking Water

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passed · Michigan · Senate Jul 3, 2026

SB 947: Natural resources: inland lakes; dam safety regulations; provide for. Amends and adds (See bill).

This bill amends the Michigan Natural Resources and Environmental Protection Act to update and clarify definitions related to dam safety and inland lakes. It directly affects dam owners, operators, and the state department responsible for regulating these structures by refining terms such as "dam," "failure," and "high hazard potential dam." The legislation adds new sections to the statute to establish clearer standards for what constitutes a dam, how it is classified based on potential risk, and the specific requirements for emergency action plans. By modifying existing legal language, the bill aims to improve consistency in how dam safety regulations are applied and understood.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill strengthens environmental regulations by clarifying definitions and establishing clearer safety standards for dams and inland lakes.85% confidence

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in committee · Michigan · Senate Apr 22, 2026

SJR H: Environmental protection: pollution prevention; green initiative; provide for. Adds sec. 29 to art. I of the state constitution.

This bill proposes adding a new section to the Michigan state constitution to formally recognize the public's right to a clean environment and to establish the state as a trustee for natural resources. It directly affects all residents by guaranteeing access to clean water, air, soil, and balanced ecosystems while requiring the government to protect these rights fairly for everyone regardless of their background. The key provisions declare that natural resources belong to all people, including future generations, and give citizens the power to directly sue the state if these rights are violated. By embedding these principles into the constitution, the bill creates a permanent legal framework that prioritizes environmental conservation and accountability for state agencies.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill adds constitutional right to clean environment and establishes state as trustee for natural resources.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Conservation Water Quality

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passed both · Michigan · House Jul 1, 2026

HB 5938: Environmental protection: permits; revisions of permit applications; limit. Amends sec. 30307 of 1994 PA 451 (MCL 324.30307).

This bill amends Michigan's Natural Resources and Environmental Protection Act to streamline the permitting process for wetland development and clarify the roles of state and local governments. It requires the state department to post pending applications and public notices online while establishing a 60-day timeline for holding public hearings after receiving a complete permit application. The legislation also grants local units of government the authority to adopt their own wetland ordinances, provided they follow specific rules regarding wetland definitions and permit requirements. Additionally, the bill sets a 90-day deadline for local governments to review applications in areas with local ordinances, after which the application is automatically approved if no decision is made. Finally, it introduces a process allowing permit holders to request changes without restarting the entire application process, limiting the department's ability to add unrelated requirements.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill streamlines wetland permitting to clarify state/local roles and mandates public notice, strengthening environmental oversight and conservation.75% confidence

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in committee · Michigan · House Mar 5, 2026

HB 5664: Environmental protection: air pollution; carbon dioxide capture technology; provide for. Amends secs. 5501, 5530 & 5531 of 1994 PA 451 (MCL 324.5501 et seq.) & adds secs. 5505c, 5505e, 5505g & 5505i. TIE BAR WITH: HB 5665'26, HB 5666'26, HB 5667'26, HB 5668'26, HB 5669'26

This bill amends Michigan's Natural Resources and Environmental Protection Act to establish definitions and regulatory frameworks for carbon dioxide capture projects and facilities. It creates new categories of facilities (A through F) based on their type and emission status, and adds specific definitions for carbon dioxide capture, carbon dioxide streams, and environmental justice communities. The legislation clarifies what constitutes air pollution and air pollution control equipment, while also defining fee-subject air pollutants and emissions that may be subject to fees. These changes aim to provide clearer language for regulating air quality and carbon capture activities across different types of industrial and energy facilities in the state.

Topics ✓ EnergySupports EnergyBill establishes regulatory frameworks for carbon dioxide capture technology, which reduces emissions and supports clean energy infrastructure development.85% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill establishes regulatory frameworks for carbon dioxide capture and strengthens environmental protection by defining air pollution control and adding environmental justice considerations.92% confidence

Sub-Topics Air Quality Environmental Justice

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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 ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill strengthens environmental regulations by establishing clearer landfill location guidelines and permitting requirements, which helps protect natural resources and reduce pollution risks.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Waste Management

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in committee · Michigan · Senate Mar 12, 2026

SB 817: Environmental protection: groundwater contamination; location guidelines for wastewater discharge; provide for. Amends sec. 3112 of 1994 PA 451 (MCL 324.3112).

This bill updates Michigan's environmental regulations by clarifying rules for wastewater discharge and adding specific permit requirements for oceangoing vessels. It requires that any waste discharge into state waters must occur at least one mile upstream from the nearest dwelling and mandates that vessels operating in Michigan ports obtain permits demonstrating compliance with federal aquatic nuisance species rules. The legislation also sets strict timelines for the state department to review permit applications and outlines procedures for permit modification, suspension, or revocation if pollution violations occur. Additionally, it establishes fee structures for vessel permits and allows the department to adopt more protective standards than federal rules for preventing aquatic nuisance species in the Great Lakes.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill strengthens environmental regulations by clarifying wastewater discharge rules and adding permit requirements for vessels, protecting state waters from contamination.90% confidence

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