Michigan legislative wrap-up for 2023-24
Despite setbacks, HRWC made significant policy gains in land protection, dam management, and climate action. However, critical issues like septic system reform, stormwater financing, and stronger polluter accountability remain unresolved. We are currently experiencing extreme divestment in environmental protection at the federal level. We must double down at state and local levels to protect our natural resources and keep our communities safe.
The 102nd Michigan Legislature concluded its two-year session in a dramatic yet unsurprising manner. While the Michigan Senate remained in session for a record-breaking 29 hours to pass key legislation, the Michigan House struggled to even meet quorum. House Democratic leadership was unable to secure the necessary 56 members to conduct business, as Republican members and one Democratic representative refused to participate. The House remained at a standstill until it formally adjourned at the end of the year.
Although the Legislature successfully passed a landmark Climate Change package in fall 2023, momentum stalled afterward. Two Democratic House members left to serve as mayors, creating a 54-54 split that paralyzed legislative progress until May 2024, when special elections restored a narrow 56-54 Democratic majority. Despite regaining control, House leadership failed to advance critical bills that HRWC had been actively supporting.
Legislative priorities
Following is a breakdown of HRWC’s legislative priorities, highlighting both successes and disappointments from the 2023-24 session. A special thanks to our Change Makers Action Alert team, who engaged directly with legislators during the lame-duck period—our first public mobilization effort in legislative advocacy!
Contaminants and contaminated sites
Polluter Pay—A seven-bill package was introduced in October 2023 to strengthen polluter accountability. Six of the seven bills passed the Senate. Unfortunately, the House leadership refused to bring the bills to a vote.
EGLE Part 31—These bills would have restored the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE)’s authority under Part 31 of the Natural Resources and Environmental Protection Act (NREPA) to create rules protecting Michigan’s water resources. These bills died on the House floor.
Dissolution of Environmental Science Advisory Board (ESAB)—These bills aimed to dissolve the ESAB, which was established under former Gov. Snyder. Generally, this board was seeded with industry friendly members effectively putting Michigan in a “fox minding the hen house” situation. Both bills passed the Senate but died on the House floor.
Stormwater utility
HRWC testified in support of Sen. Rosemary Bayer’s bill, to allow local communities to establish stormwater utilities to fund infrastructure improvements. The bill passed committee but failed to receive a final Senate vote.
Statewide septic code
Michigan is the only state without a statewide septic system regulation, contributing to 330,000-plus failing systems polluting our waterways. Two separate House and Senate bill packages were aimed to address this issue. The Senate version passed, but the House failed to act, killing the bills.
Land protection
We saw some wins in this area:
Environmental Review Committees—Legislation passed that repealed former Gov. Snyder’s environmental review panels, which had slowed EGLE’s processes.
Milkweed Protection—Legislation passed that removed milkweed from the state’s noxious weed list, helping protect butterfly habitats and pollinators.
Gravel Mining—A three-bill package attempting to remove local control over gravel mining died in committee. HRWC opposed this effort. Several Huron River communities have successfully fought gravel mining operations that would have converted high quality natural areas and affected groundwater.
Nuclear waste, pavement sealants, data centers and more
Several bills we supported did not get signed into law including bills banning WWII-era nuclear waste imports to Michigan, raising solid waste tipping fees (Michigan’s current $0.30 per ton rate makes it a cheap dumping ground), banning high-PAH pavement sealants, and the “Michigan the Beautiful” legislation which would have committed the state to protecting 30% of Michigan’s land by 2030.
We also saw data center tax breaks get signed into law. HRWC opposed these tax breaks in part because data centers consume massive groundwater resources and more work needs to be done to ensure data centers don’t come with huge environmental impacts.
Dam removal and flow management
Our most significant win in 2024 was legislation that improves the ability to manage lake levels for environmental health and public safety. HRWC developed language for the bill and testified in support of the legislation. This legislation passed and was signed into law.
HRWC supported restrictions on wake boats to reduce shoreline erosion, but the bill died in committee.
Climate change
The Legislature passed a historic climate package, now signed into law, aimed at lowering utility costs, protecting air and water, and creating jobs. This is a win for all Michiganders.
Further, a three-bill carbon capture package stalled on the Senate floor. HRWC opposed this legislation. HRWC supported efforts to adopt the 2021 International Energy Conservation Code. Commercial codes were adopted.
Environmental Justice Fund
HRWC supported a Senate bill to create an Environmental Justice Fund, using fines from polluters to improve air quality in overburdened communities. This bill did not pass.
Miscellaneous legislative efforts
We did see a misguided Bottle Deposit Law reform bill die on the Senate floor. HRWC opposed this bill because special interests influenced revenue allocation away from environmental priorities.
Bills HRWC supported that did not pass included bills on water affordability, and a revision to the Recreation Passport program that would have generated additional revenue for environmental issues.
Looking ahead
As we prepare for the 2025-26 legislative cycle, HRWC remains committed to advocacy, engagement, and mobilizing our supporters to ensure Michigan’s water resources are protected for future generations. We appreciate your continued support and look forward to working with you in the next legislative session!
This blog post is also published in the Huron River Report, Spring 2025.