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The legislature has returned for lame duck. Among
other things, this week they are planning to take up in committee bills to: -Phase out products containing mercury (SB 123, 124,
186, and 361) -Revise regulations of billboards (SB 567, 568, and
911) -Revise the scrap tire program (SB 1418-1424) -Extend tax credits to cover additional alternative
energy technologies (SB 583) Senate On the calendar: SB 337 - A bill to create a tax credit for historical
buildings renovations. The bill however creates them as SBT credits, which
although generated by nonprofit groups would be sold to SBT tax payers. A grant
program to the nonprofits could serve the same purpose directly. Natural Resources and Environmental Affairs
will meet on Tuesday (11/28) at 3:00 pm to take up the following
bills: SB 123 – A bill to prohibit the sale or use of blood
pressure devices that contain mercury. SB 124 – A bill to prohibit the sale of thermostat
devices containing mercury. SB 186 – A bill to prohibit the sale of certain
medical devices containing mercury. SB 361 – A bill to require state agencies to avoid
purchasing products containing mercury. SB 1418-1424 – Bills to revise the scrap tire program
to, among other things, establish an advisory committee and extend the sunset
for tire disposal surcharge. SB 1481 – A bill to authorize general permits under
the HB 5960 – A bill to authorize townships to regulate
activities at a public boating access site or an inland lake or stream. HB 5885 – A bill to shorten the period for a county to
review municipal plans. HB 5886 – A bill to shorten the period for a county to
review township plans. House Passed: SB 1167 – A bill to create an agricultural roundtable
to discuss the commercialization of agricultural products. SB 1168 – A bill to establish a grant and revolving
loan program for the commercialization of agricultural value-added products,
processes, and services. SB 1169 – A bill to create and administer the
agricultural development fund. On the calendar: Public Land/Land Use: HB 6045 – A bill to allow local governments to partner
with private investments to purchase state land. The bill requires that if
local government purchases state land and then within one year conveys the
property for use other than public purpose, they must pay the state 50% of the
net profit gained. HB 6046 – A bill to allow local government to purchase
land under the jurisdiction of DNR. HB 5294-5296 – Establish grace period and limit fines
for zoning ordinance violations for cities and villages, counties, and
townships. Energy: HB 4647 – Provide for a Single business tax credit for
a production tax credit for wind energy from wind turbines. Agriculture: HB 5712 (H-4) – Exempts large CAFOs under the MAEAP
program (or even those who have just applied) from having to get Clean Water
Act permits.
HB 5715 -16 – Makes some grant or loan money available
to factory farms. HB 6219 (H-2) – Adds some new definitions, including
one for MAEAP. Some concerns have been raised that this program is
not part of state law but is not providing exemptions for permits for
enrollees. HB 6220 – Gives priority for water quality monitoring
grants to communities with high concentrations of livestock production
facilities HB 5878 – A bill to require the DEQ to prepare a
compliance booklet for agricultural processors. Public Health: HB 5851 – A bill to delineate conditions under which
civil actions can be brought for damages that include asbestos and silicosis
claims. Transportation: SB 248 – A bill to revise procedures to establish and
issue vehicle fund-raising registration plates. Energy and Technology will meet on
Wednesday (11/29) at 9:00 am to take up bills including: SB 583 – A bill to revise Michigan Next Energy Authority
Act to include items related to research, development, and manufacturing of an
alternative energy system. SB 584 – A bill to amend the Michigan Renaissance Zone
Act to add requirements for alternative energy zones. Transportation will meet on
Wednesday (11/29) at 9:00 am to take up bills including: SB 567, 568, and 911 – Bills to revise regulations of billboards,
including vegetation removal at those billboards. Natural Resources, Great Lakes, Land Use,
and Environment will meet on Thursday (11/30) at 9:00
am to take up bills including: HB 6576 – A bill to provide for meeting between permit
applicant and MDEQ to review inland lakes and streams permit application. HB 6577 – A bill to provide expedited permits for
waterworks systems. HB 6636 – A bill to adopt federal exceptions for air
emissions standards for automotive cooling operations. SB 1408 – A bill to clarify the treatment of gas and
oil rights in tax foreclosure process. HR 288 – A resolution to memorialize Congress to
increase funding to dredge HR 313 – A
resolution to memorialize Congress to approve full federal funding for
the barriers designed to protect the Submitted by: |