In a flurry of activity before adjourning for summer recess, the Senate passed legislation restoring the ability of the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE) to craft and implement water quality rules.
Approved on a party-line vote of 20-18, Senate Bill 663 now awaits consideration by the House Natural Resources, Environment, Tourism and Outdoor Recreation Committee. This same committee already heard testimony this spring on HB 5205, an identical house version of this legislation.
Michigan Farm Bureau strongly opposes the legislation and says the change would give EGLE wide-ranging regulatory authority across Michigan’s landscape, reduce government transparency, and limit opportunity for stakeholder input and economic analysis.
“We are disappointed in the Senate action,” said MFB Legislative Counsel Ben Tirrell. “We will certainly be engaging with House members to prevent the legislation from moving further this fall, and I expect our members will have similar conversations with their representatives throughout the summer.”
Earlier this year, county Farm Bureau members and supporters mobilized in a grassroots effort to oppose the bill. More than 900 individuals sent 1,800+ messages to legislators, urging them to vote no on the proposal.
Tirrell underscored concerns over the potential repercussions of relinquishing such authority, citing the need for transparency and stakeholder input in policy decisions.
"While EGLE plays a necessary role in environmental enforcement and permit issuance, there have been persistent shortcomings in applying sound science and conducting economic impact analysis prior to enacting rules and standards," Tirrell said. "These shortcomings disproportionately affect small businesses like farms and food processors, as well as the rural communities they support. The legislature is the right place to have these conversations”
Almost 20 years ago the Legislature withdrew the department's jurisdiction on water quality rulemaking as per Part 31 of the Natural Resources and Environmental Protection Act. This legislation, endorsed and sanctioned by then-Gov. Jennifer Granholm, was a product of bipartisan agreement.
Senate Bill 663 is sponsored by Sen. Sue Shink (D-Northfield). House Bill 5205 was introduced by Rep. Emily Dievendorf (D-Lansing), with both now before the House Natural Resources, Environment, Tourism and Outdoor Recreation Committee.
