(Source: MIRS.news, Published 06/28/23) The Senate version of legislation undoing Michigan’s "No Stricter Than Federal" environmental regulation statute is headed to the Governor’s desk after passing along partisan lines in the House Wednesday, reopening the door for state agencies to consider more stringent non-emergency restrictions.
Sen. Sean McCann (D-Kalamazoo)’s SB 14 reverses a Gov. Rick Snyder-era law that requires state agencies to provide "clear and convincing evidence" when addressing stricter regulations than those of the federal government.
McCann's bill removing that provision passed along partisan lines in the Senate, and Republicans also opposed the package in the House.
House Minority Leader Matt Hall (R-Kalamazoo) said the bill will open up businesses and residents to overly strict regulations that aren’t necessary to protect health or safety.
“After rewarding union bosses and other left-wing allies, House Democrats are trying to appease fringe environmentalists by imposing burdensome, complex, unnecessary restrictions on people and small businesses in our state,” Hall said. “They’re repealing our common-sense law that shields Michiganders from power-hungry state bureaucrats who want to add red tape that does nothing to protect health, safety, or the environment.”
He added that the “confusing and costly regulations” will send job providers looking elsewhere for a state that can host them.
“We should be fighting to bring high-paying careers to Michigan, not chasing them away to give a win to leftist political groups,” Hall said.
The bill was opposed in committee by the Michigan Manufacturers Association and the National Federation of Independent Business. But Democrats stood with the environmental lobby, including the Michigan League of Conservation Voters and Clean Water Action, and passed it 56-52.
Reps. Robert Bezotte (R-Howell) and Jamie Thompson (R-Brownstown) were the only two Republican members not present.
