HOUSE BILL No. 4058

 

January 27, 2005, Introduced by Rep. Lipsey and referred to the Committee on Natural Resources, Great Lakes, Land Use and Environment.

 

     A bill to amend 1994 PA 451, entitled

 

"Natural resources and environmental protection act,"

 

by amending the heading of part 172 and sections 17201, 17202, and

 

17203 (MCL 324.17201, 324.17202, and 324.17203), as added by 2002

 

PA 578, and by adding section 17206.

 

THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF MICHIGAN ENACT:

 

PART 172.  MERCURY THERMOMETERS  MERCURY-ADDED PRODUCTS

 

     Sec. 17201. As used in this part:

 

     (a) "Appliance" means a refrigerator, dehumidifier, freezer,

 

oven, range, microwave oven, washer, dryer, dishwasher, trash

 

compactor, window room air conditioner, television, or computer.

 

     (b) "Department" means the department of environmental


 

quality.

 

     (c) "Director" means the director of the department.

 

     (d) "Hazardous waste" means that term as defined in section

 

11103.

 

     (e)   (a)  "Manufacturer" means a person that produces  ,

 

imports, or distributes mercury thermometers in this state  or

 

manufactures a mercury-added product.

 

     (f) "Mercury-added novelty" means a mercury-added product

 

intended for use as a figurine, adornment, toy, game, card,

 

ornament, yard statue or figure, candle, item of jewelry, holiday

 

decoration, or item of apparel or any other similar mercury-added

 

product intended mainly for personal or household enjoyment or

 

adornment.

 

     (g) "Mercury-added product" means any of the following if it

 

contains intentionally introduced mercury or mercury compounds:

 

     (i) A thermostat or thermometer.

 

     (ii) An electrical or other switch.

 

     (iii) A medical or scientific instrument.

 

     (vi) An electric relay or other electrical device.

 

     (v) A lamp.

 

     (vi) A battery, except a button battery or a battery that is

 

not sold to the public.

 

     (vii) A mercury-added novelty.

 

     (viii) Any other tangible goods.

 

     (h)   (b)  "Mercury fever thermometer" means a mercury

 

thermometer used for measuring body temperature.

 

     (i)   (c)  "Mercury thermometer" means a product or component,


 

other than a dry cell battery, of a product used for measuring

 

temperature that contains mercury or a mercury compound

 

intentionally added to the product or component.

 

     (j) "Retailer" means a person who sells a mercury-added

 

product to a person for that person's use or consumption.

 

     (k) "Thermostat" means a device that regulates temperature in

 

an enclosed area by controlling heating, cooling, or ventilation

 

equipment.

 

     (l) "Wholesaler" means a person that sells a mercury-added

 

product to a retailer.

 

     Sec. 17202. (1) Except as provided in subsection (2),  

 

beginning on January 1, 2003,  a person shall not sell, offer for

 

sale, or offer for promotional purposes a mercury thermometer in

 

this state or for use in this state. This subsection does not apply

 

if the mercury thermometer is sold or offered for either of the

 

following:

 

     (a) A use for which a mercury thermometer is required by state

 

or federal statute, regulation, or administrative rule.

 

     (b) Pharmaceutical research purposes.

 

     (2)  Beginning on January 1, 2003, a  A person shall not sell,

 

offer for sale, or offer for promotional purposes a mercury fever

 

thermometer in this state or for use in this state, except by

 

prescription. A manufacturer, wholesaler, or retailer of mercury

 

fever thermometers shall supply clear instructions on the careful

 

handling of the thermometer to avoid breakage and proper cleanup

 

should a breakage occur with each mercury fever thermometer sold by

 

prescription.


 

     Sec. 17203. (1) The department  of environmental quality  

 

shall enforce this part.

 

     (2) A person who violates this part is guilty of a misdemeanor

 

punishable by imprisonment for not more than 60 days or a fine of

 

not more than $1,000.00, or both, plus the costs of prosecution.

 

     (3) The director may promulgate rules pursuant to the

 

administrative procedures act of 1969, 1969 PA 306, MCL 24.201 to

 

24.328, to implement and administer this part.

 

     Sec. 17206. (1) Beginning January 1, 2006, a manufacturer or

 

wholesaler may not supply a mercury-added product for sale, use, or

 

distribution in this state without first notifying the director in

 

writing of all of the following:

 

     (a) A brief description of the product to be offered for sale,

 

use, or distribution in this state.

 

     (b) The amount of mercury or mercury compounds in the product

 

or a unit of the product and the purpose of including mercury or a

 

mercury compound in the product.

 

     (c) The total amount of mercury or mercury compounds contained

 

in all mercury-added products sold each year by the manufacturer or

 

wholesaler in this state.

 

     (d) The name and address of the manufacturer or wholesaler and

 

the name, address, and telephone number of an individual who will

 

act as a contact for the manufacturer or wholesaler.

 

     (2) The director shall make each notice described in

 

subsection (1) available to the public on the department's internet

 

website.