Michigan

2005-2006 State Senate Legislative Environmental Scorecard

Votes

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  • Great Lakes Invasive Species Prevention
    SB 332, RC 149 sponsored by Sen. Birkholz, Passed 5/18/05
    HB 4603, RC 154, sponsored by Rep. Palsrok, Passed 5/18/05

    These pro-environment bills help prevent aquatic nuisance species-non-native or alien species -from entering the Great Lakes.
  • Banning Toxic Dredge Waste Dumping into the Great Lakes
    SB 506, RC 212 sponsored by Sen. Olshove, Passed 10/18/05

    This pro-environment bill bans the disposal of chemically-contaminated dredge materials into the Great Lakes.
  • Out of State and Canadian Trash
    HB 5176, RC 624, sponsored by Sen. Brater, Defeated 12/01/05

    A pro-environment measure that would have establishing a $6.00 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 625, sponsored by Sen. Brater, Defeated 12/1/05

    A pro-environment measure that would have prevented the expansion of existing or creation of new landfills until 2010 and reduced Michigan's status as a magnet for out of state trash.
  • 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 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.
  • Great Lakes Water Diversions
    SB 850, RC 677, amendment sponsored by Sen. Brater, Defeated 12/08/05

    The pro-environment amendment would have regulated large-scale diversions of Michigan water outside the Great Lakes basin and strengthened protections for taxpayer-supported water utilities.
  • Water Withdrawals That Harm Lakes, Rivers and Streams
    SB 850, RC 678, amendment sponsored by Sen. Brater, Defeated 12/08/05

    This pro-environment amendment would have allowed the state to deny permits for withdrawal of water at levels harmful to the biological integrity of Michigan's lakes, rivers and streams.
  • Conserving Great Lakes Waters
    SB 850, RC 681, amendment sponsored by Sen. Basham, Defeated 12/08/05

    The pro-conservation amendment required large-scale water users to develop and use water conservation practices.
  • Large-Scale Water Withdrawals
    SB 850, RC 61 sponsored by Sen. Birkholz, Passed 2/9/06
    SB 851, RC 62 sponsored by Sen. Patterson, Passed 2/9/06
    SB 852, RC 63 sponsored by Sen. Van Woerkom, Passed 2/9/06
    SB 854, RC 64 sponsored by Sen. Basham, Passed 2/9/06
    SB 857, RC 65 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 prohibiting permits for water discharges that will cause unacceptable harm to water bodies.
  • Ending Local Control over Genetically Altered Seeds
    SB 777, RC 221, substitute bill offered by Sen. Brater, Defeated 3/30/06
    SB 777, RC 277, sponsored by Sen. Van Woerkem, Passed 4/27/06

    These bills focused on the battle over local control of genetically altered seeds. The first vote was a pro-environment vote on a measure that would have created a forum for studying the effects of genetically altered plants. The second vote was an anti-environment vote that prevented local governments from regulating seeds.