Pressure is growing on the Environmental Protection Agency to issue new rules regarding coal ash piles. A recent report by the Environmental Integrity Project documented 31 sites in 14 states where coal piles are polluting waterways. The report includes the Karn Weadock facility in Bay City, where Consumers Energy wants to expand operations: http://www.environmentalintegrity.org/news_reports/news_02_24_10.php

Senate

Passed:

On the floor:

SB 1030 - A bill to expand the definition of renewable energy facility under the law that regulates the designation of renaissance zones to include facilities that produce chemicals from bio-feedstocks. This bill arises out of a bio-diesel plant that is now making a number of other products with their output.

HB 4677 – Part of the package on passport fees being used to fund state parks.

HB 5221 – A bill to eliminate the laboratory recognition program.

HB 5086 – A bill to increase the number of additional renaissance zones for agricultural processing facilities.

SB 670 – This bill would reclassify the Michigan transportation Fund as a trust fund. The move is designed to increase the potential interest earnings of the fund, but is apparently questionable under accounting practices rules.

SB 862/863 – These bills would increase the fuel tax paid by motor carriers, dedicate a portion of the funds to bridge repair and limit benefits paid by locals using federal road money.

In committee:

Appropriations: Senate and House Subcommittees on Agriculture will hold a joint meeting on Tuesday (3/2) at 12:30 pm to review the FY 2010-11 budget.

Commerce and Tourism Commerce and Tourism will hold a meeting on Tuesday (3/2) at 2:30 pm to take up:


Natural Resources and Environmental Affairs will meet on Wednesday (3/3) at 1:00 pm for an advice and consent hearing on Rebecca Humphries as director of the new Department of Natural Resources and Environment.

House

Passed:

On the floor:

SB 1057 – A bill to create the Michigan Passport program for funding state parks. Residents would choose on their vehicle registration whether to support park funding through a surcharge of $10.00. (See also SB 389, HB 5752, HB 4677)

HB 5777 – A bill to require orange marking on chains or similar devices used as barriers over certain roadways.

HB 4201 – A bill to revise the policy for granting easements across state owned land.

SB 578 – A bill to establish a new Statewide Trail Network and places restrictions on limitation that can be placed on horses and saddle animals.

HB 5752 – A bill to create the Michigan Passport program for funding state parks. Residents would choose on their vehicle registration whether to support park funding through a surcharge of $10.00. This bill would allocate the money raised. (When read in conjunction with SB 1057).

SB 389 – Part of the state park passport bill package.

HB 5461 –A bill to provide for private investment infrastructure funding.

HB 4050 – A bill to exclude the ability to put unpaid water and utility bills on the delinquent taxes bill potentially triggering a foreclosure.

HB 5496 – A bill to provide for permanent registration sticker for snowmobiles used for law enforcement.

HB 5497 - A bill to provide for permanent registration sticker for ORVs used for law enforcement.

HB 5498 – A bill to provide for permanent registration sticker for watercraft used for law enforcement.

HB 5017 – A bill to establish assessments on certain rental transactions.

HB 5558 – A bill to establish a surcharge on solid waste of $7.50 / ton.

HJR MM – A resolution to establish a Constitutionally protected fund for the surcharge moneys to be placed within.

HB 5368 – A bill to prohibit the use of fertilizer containing phosphorus unless it use is shown necessary through use of a soil test.

In committee:

Appropriations:

Transportation will meet on Tuesday (3/2) at 9:00 am for testimony on the FY 2010-11 budget, on the topic of public transit, including testimony from:

• Michigan Public Transit Association (MPTA)
• Amalgamated Transit Union
• MassTrans
• Transit Riders United
• Flint Mass Transportation Authority
• Terrance Hicks, MDOT Director of Business Development

Agriculture will meet on Wednesday (3/3) at noon to take up three bills on the taking of swine running at large and for a presentation of the redesign of the MSU extension program.

Energy and Technology will meet on Tuesday (3/2) at 9:00 am to re-refer HB 5663 (a bill regarding issuing local bonds for clean energy improvements) to the Great Lakes and Environment Committee.

Ethics and Elections will meet on Wednesday (3/3) at 9:00 am to take up: HB 4379 - a bill to prohibit a legislator from voting on a bill on with which they have a conflict of interest.

Intergovernmental and Regional Affairs will meet Tuesday (3/2) at noon to take testimony from The City of Detroit and Jana Ecker, Planning Director, City of Birmingham on the three bill package to form a regional transportation authority.

Judiciary will meet on Wednesday (3/3) at 10:30 am to take up a number of bills, including HB 5036 – a bill to limit SLAPP suits against organizations that exercise freedom of speech rights to influence government decision making.

Regulatory Reform will meet on Wednesday (3/3) at noon to take up HB 4575 - a bill to allow local units of government to adopt green building codes.

Tax Policy will meet on Wednesday (3/3) at 9:00 am to take up HB 4487 – a bill to eliminate the reduced severance tax on small marginal oil and natural gas wells in Michigan. This bill would have all wells pay the same rate.

Urban Policy will meet Tuesday (3/2) at 9:00 am for a presentation by:

Conference Committee

HB 5220 – A bill to increase Clean Air Act fees. Bill was amended to reduce the environmental oversight for new power plant air permits, restrict environmental standards to federal levels and privatize some permitting services by state government. The House did not concur with the amendments and it ended up in conference committee when they adjourned for the year.

Submitted by:
James Clift, Policy Director
Michigan Environmental Council