DRINKING WATER TESTING IN VETERANS’ FACILITIES

House Bill 6081 as introduced

Sponsor:  Rep. Gary Howell

House Bill 6082 as introduced

Sponsor:  Rep. David C. Maturen

Committee:  Natural Resources

Complete to 6-5-18

SUMMARY:

House Bills 6081 and 6082 would amend Public Act 152 of 1885 and the Michigan Veterans’ Facility Authority Act, respectively, to require water quality testing at veterans’ facilities.

House Bill 6081 would require the board of managers created under Public Act 152 of 1885 to have the water at each veterans’ facility under its supervision sampled and tested annually for the presence of lead and all other substances where there is a state drinking water standard, as provided under the Safe Drinking Water Act. The purpose of the sampling and testing would be to determine whether the water is in compliance with the Safe Drinking Water Act.

House Bill 6082 would require the Michigan Veterans’ Facility Authority to do the same at each veterans’ facility operated by the Authority.

Veterans’ facility would be defined in HB 6081 as a long-term care facility and ancillary facilities for veterans and their dependents as determined by the Michigan Veterans’ Facility Authority.

MCL 36.10 (HB 6081), MCL 36.106 (HB 6082)

FISCAL IMPACT:

The bills would create administrative costs for the Michigan Veterans Affairs Agency and the Michigan Veterans’ Facility Authority, resulting from the requirement to annually test water at each veterans’ facility for hazardous materials. Currently, the state maintains two veterans’ facilities: the Grand Rapids Home for Veterans and the D.J. Jacobetti Home for Veterans in Marquette. Two additional veterans’ facilities are in the process of being constructed, one on the Grand Rapids Home for Veterans campus, and another in the southeast part of the state. Water-testing costs will increase once the additional facilities are constructed.

The bills would not affect costs or revenues for the Department of Environmental Quality.

                                                                                         Legislative Analyst:   Emily S. Smith

                                                                                                Fiscal Analysts:   Kent Dell

                                                                                                                           Austin Scott

■ This analysis was prepared by nonpartisan House Fiscal Agency staff for use by House members in their deliberations, and does not constitute an official statement of legislative intent.