House passes DEQ budget without wetlands program
TJ Patrick
...Some information is below.
---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: James Clift <ja...@environmentalcouncil.org>
Date: Mon, Jun 22, 2009 at 5:44 PM
Subject: E-M:/ Michigan Environmental Council Capitol Update - June 22, 2009
To: "envir...@great-lakes.net" <envir...@great-lakes.net>
The Senate passed the package of bills that will further hinder the
work of state agencies trying to protect the Great Lakes and other
natural resources. (See SB 13, 431, 434-436,438-439). The package
defaults to federal standards, requires excessive paper work,
privatizes services and includes unrealistic time lines for decision
making. This package occurs at the same time that the budget for the
department is being cut to an all time low.
Senate
Passed:
SB 431 – Requires cost/benefit analysis with any rule and federal
comparisons. Requires administration to deny the request for
rulemaking if more restrictive than federal standards.
SB 13 - Requires a regulatory impact statement to indicate whether a
proposed rule would exceed existing Federal standards, and estimate
whether the rule would allow a governmental agency to compete against
the private sector.
SB 434 – A bill to limit the state from exceeding federal standards on
rules unless specifically authorized through statute.
SB 435 – A bill to require review of all rules on the books by state
agencies every five years to determine their impact on businesses.
SB 436 – A bill to allow the use of professional engineers and short
circuit agency review of certain environmental permits. The bills
requires action with 21 days of receiving the proposed permits and
requires extensive justification for any rejection of such permits.
If the department failed to act within the 21 days, the department
would be required to refund 50% of the application fee.
SB 438 – Requires state agencies that performs routine inspections to
use a "stratified random sampling process" to select persons to
inspect, unless the inspection is the result of a third party
complaint or a follow up to an earlier inspection.
SB 439 – Requires the MDEQ to perform benchmark analyses or arrange
for independent peer review of programs for every program they
implement. By February 1, 2010, the DEQ would have to complete a
benchmark analysis or peer review of both the remediation program
under Part 201 (Environmental Remediation) and the National Pollutant
Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) program.
On the floor:
SB 251 – Budget bill for combined MDEQ and MDNR – FY 2009-10
The bill recombines the department, but cuts $6.0 million from the
general fund support for the MDEQ functions. It also eliminates the
wetland program.
SB 388-89 – Bills that place of vehicles registration a $10.00 fee for
annual state park registration on all bills for car titles in Michigan
SB 418 - A bill to increase funding for Centers of Energy Excellence Program.
In committee:
Commerce and Tourism will meet Tuesday (6/23) at 2:30 pm for a presentation by:
Bruce Matthews, Executive Director of the North Country Trail Association
John Heiam, President of the Grand Traverse Hiking Club and a NCT board member
Richard Naperala, Trail Coordinator fot the GTHC
House
Passed:
HB 4446 - Budget bill for combined MDEQ and MDNR – FY 2009-10
Includes language that assumes the administration will recombine the
departments into one agency via executive directive. Includes
elimination of the wetlands programs and a $4.5 million reduction from
the Governor’s recommended budget.
On the calendar:
HB 5087 – A bill to modify the definition of off-road recreation
vehicle to allow six-wheeled vehicles with up to 1000cc to operate on
forest trails.
HB 4677 - 4678 – Bills that would change the ways we fund state parks.
Instead of daily and annual permits, a fee of $10 would be placed on
the bill when you register your vehicle. Your Michigan license plate
would become your passport for using state facilities. A person could
opt out of paying the $10 by certifying that they do not use state
recreation areas.
HB 4610 – A bill to regulate and promote the use of horses in state
recreational land. Some areas that have been closed to use by horses
(due to erosion and other issues) would be re-opened.
SB 490 – A bill to create a self-insured program for Mackinac bridge authority.
HB 4476, HB 4183 – Bills to provide that health care corporations
provide coverage for certain treatments related to autism.
HB 5087 – A bill to modify the definition of off-road recreation
vehicle to allow six-wheeled vehicles with up to 1000cc to operate on
forest trails.
In committee:
Agriculture will meet on Wednesday (6/24) at noon to take up:
HB 5127 – A bill to provide for regulation of livestock animal health
and welfare.
HB 5128 – A bill to create the animal care advisory council.
Tourism, Outdoor Recreation and Natural Resources will meet on Tuesday
(6/16) at 10:30 am to take up:
HB 5017 – A bill to establish assessments on certain rental transactions.
HB 5018 - A bill to create the Michigan promotion fund.
HB 5088 – A bill to provide for the capture of unallocated use tax
revenue for distribution of tourism-related goods and services.
HB 5089 – A bill to revise distribution of revenue from tourism businesses.
HB 5058 – A bill to provide for the sale of certain state owned
property in Iosco county.
SB 483 – A bill to clarify participation license for bear and bobcat
hunting when using dogs during hunt.
Transportation will meet Thursday (6/25) at 10:30 am for a
presentation on the status of aviation funding.
Submitted by:
James Clift, Policy Director
Michigan Environmental Council
119 Pere Marquette, Ste 2A
Lansing, MI 48912