BOOKLET: ENVIRONMENTAL LAWS S.B. 501: COMMITTEE SUMMARY
Senate Bill 501 (as introduced 5-15-07)
Sponsor: Senator Patricia L. Birkholz
Committee: Agriculture
Date Completed: 5-16-07
CONTENT
The bill would create Part 86 (Agriculture) within the Natural Resources and Environmental Protection Act to require the Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) to prepare a booklet identifying environmental laws and rules of particular significance for farms and farm operations.
Beginning January 1, 2008, the DEQ would have to distribute copies of the booklet free of charge upon request and would have to post the booklet on its website.
The DEQ and the Department of Agriculture would have to work cooperatively to develop reasonable approaches to meeting the requirements of the laws identified under the bill.
Proposed MCL 324.8601 & 324.8603 Legislative Analyst: Curtis Walker
FISCAL IMPACT
Publication costs related to the booklet would be minimal depending on the size of the booklet and the number of copies required. For example, the Motorcycle Operator's Manual, produced by the Department of State, costs $15,500 for 50,000 copies. Mailing costs are not included in this example.
Fiscal Analyst: Bill Bowerman
Analysis was prepared by nonpartisan Senate staff for use by the Senate in its deliberations and does not constitute an official statement of legislative intent. sb501/0708