Michigan

2005-2006 State House Legislative Environmental Scorecard

Votes

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  • Great Lakes Invasive Species Prevention
    SB 332, RC 105, sponsored by Sen. Birkholz, Passed 5/4/05
    HB 4603, RC 137, sponsored by Rep. Palsrok, Passed 5/19/05

    These pro-environment bills help prevent aquatic nuisance species-non-native or alien species -from entering the Great Lakes.
  • Destroying Wetlands
    HB 4892, RC 310, sponsored by Rep. Casperson, Passed 6/29/05

    An anti-environmental bill that allows county road commissions to destroy wetlands without replacing them along road right of ways.
  • Out of State and Canadian Trash
    HB 5176, RC 442, Amendment sponsored by Rep. K. Law, Defeated 9/21/05

    A pro-environment measure that would have establishing a $7.50 charge per ton of trash disposed of in Michigan, discouraging the import of trash from Canada and other states. Revenue would have funded local and recycling programs.
  • Stopping Landfill Expansion
    HB 5176, RC 443, Amendment sponsored by Rep. Kehrl, Defeated 9/21/05

    A pro-environment measure that would have prevented the expansion of existing or creation of new landfills until 2011 and reduced Michigan's status as a magnet for out of state trash.
  • Michigan Trash Standards Equity Bill
    SB 1066HB 5177, RC 445, Amendment sponsored by Rep. Miller,Defeated 9/21/05

    This pro-environment measure would have ended trash imports from other state and foreign governments who exported waste to Michigan that was not in compliance with Michigan's rules on hazardous waste and trash.
  • Trash Penalties
    HB 5177, RC 446, Amendment sponsored by Rep. McDowell, Defeated 9/21/05

    If passed, this pro-environment measure would have strengthened the state's enforcement of some large waste disposal violations.
  • Protecting Polluters
    HB 4617, RC 756, sponsored by Rep. Moolenaar
    Passed 12/7/05. Subsequently vetoed by Governor Granholm

    An anti-environment measure that relieves polluters from the responsibility of identifying and cleaning up contaminated sites and makes it easier to sell contaminated property to unknowing buyers. This bill was designed to let Dow Chemical Company off the hook for dioxin contamination.
  • Large-Scale Water Withdrawals
    SB 850, RC 66 sponsored by Sen. Birkholz, Passed 2/9/06
    SB 851, RC 67 sponsored by Sen. Patterson, Passed 2/9/06
    SB 852, RC 68 sponsored by Sen. Van Woerkom, Passed 2/9/06
    SB 854, RC 69 sponsored by Sen. Basham, Passed 2/9/06
    SB 857, RC 70 sponsored by Sen. Brater, Passed 2/9/06

    The five bipartisan, pro-environment bills begin the work of defending Michigan's water resources from some harmful water withdrawals and exports. The bills require those withdrawing water in large amounts to obtain permits and they prohibit permits for water discharges that will cause unacceptable harm to water bodies.
  • Banning Toxic Dredge Waste Dumping into the Great Lakes
    SB 506, RC 212 sponsored by Sen. Olshove, Passed 3/16/06

    This pro-environment bill bans the disposal of chemically-contaminated dredge materials into the Great Lakes.
  • Ending Local Control of Genetically Altered Seeds
    SB 777, RC 370 sponsored by Sen. Van Woerkom, Passed 4/25/06

    This anti-environment bill, supported by the corporate agriculture industry, stripped the authority of local governments to regulate seeds in their community, including those that are genetically altered.