Michigan Democrats aim to tighten environment regs, reduce industry control
Democratic leaders say they want to scrap Republican laws that limited Michigan’s environmental regulatory power. But the effort is likely to face pushback from industry groups which argue too much oversight is bad for business.
Senate Majority Leader Winnie Brinks told Bridge Michigan that Democrats want to repeal a 2018 law that prevents Michigan regulators from enacting stronger pollution control standards than those set in federal law.
It’s just one of several Republican-backed laws — from environmental review committees that critics dubbed “polluter panels,” to the controversial “ban on bans” of plastic bags — that could soon be reconsidered.
First in Democrats’ crosshairs is the “no stricter than federal” law enacted during the final days of Republican Gov. Rick Snyder’s second term. The law, sponsored by then-Rep. Triston Cole, R-Mancelona, added language to Michigan’s Administrative Procedures Act that prohibits state agencies from setting rules more stringent than those set by the feds.
https://www.bridgemi.com/michigan-environment-watch/michigan-democrats-aim-tighten-environment-regs-reduce-industry-control