HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
COMMITTEE ON NATURAL RESOURCES, ENVIRONMENT, TOURISM AND OUTDOOR
RECREATION
REP. LAURIE POHUTSKY
CHAIR
COMMITTEE MEETING MINUTES
Thursday, December 12, 2024
10:30 AM
Room 327, House Office Building
The House Committee on Natural Resources, Environment, Tourism and Outdoor Recreation
was called to order by Chair Pohutsky.
The Chair requested attendance be called:
Present: Reps. Pohutsky, Hill, Arbit, McFall, Paiz, Xiong, Martin, Prestin.
Absent: None.
Excused: None.
Representative Paiz moved to adopt the meeting minutes from December 5, 2024. There
being no objection, the motion prevailed by unanimous consent.
The Chair laid HB 4479, HB 4480 and HB 6173 before the committee:
HB 4479
(Rep. Skaggs)
A bill to amend 1978 PA 368, entitled "Public
health code," by amending section 12752 (MCL
333.12752) and by adding part 128.
HB 4480
(Rep. Rheingans)
A bill to amend 1978 PA 368, entitled "Public
health code," (MCL 333.1101 to 333.25211) by
adding sections 12815, 12817, and 12829.
HB 6173
(Rep. Skaggs)
A bill to amend 1993 PA 92, entitled "Seller
disclosure act," by amending section 7 (MCL
565.957), as amended by 2005 PA 163.
Representative Skaggs testified in support of HBs 4479, 4480 and 6173.
Professor Anthony Kendall, representing Earth and Environmental Sciences and
AgBioResearch at Michigan State University, testified in support of HBs 4479, 4480 and
6173.
Brad Ward, representing Michigan Realtors, testified in neutrality of HB 4479 and in
opposition of HB 6173.
Larry Stephens, representing Michigan Onsite Wastewater Recycling Association, testified in
support of HBs 4479 and 4480.
The following people submitted a card in support of HB 4479 and HB 4480, but did not wish
to speak:
Liz Kirkwood, representing For Love of Water.
David Lossing, representing the Huron River Watershed Council.
Sydney Hart and Tanya Rule, representing the Michigan Department of Environment,
Great Lakes, and Energy.
Megan Tinsley, representing the Michigan Environmental Council.
Horst Schmidt, representing the Upper Peninsula Environmental Coalition.
Seth Phillips, representing the Michigan Resource Standards.
Tim Minotas, representing the Sierra Club Michigan Chapter.
Nick Occhipinti, representing the Michigan League of Conservation Voters.
Melissa DeSimone, representing the Michigan Lakes and Streams Association.
Bill Lievense, representing the Michigan Septic tank Association.
Dawn Crandall, representing the Home Builders Association of Michigan.
The following people submitted a card in opposition to HB 4479 and HB 4480, but did not
wish to speak:
Jason Hayes, representing the Mackinac Center for Public Policy.
Ben Tirrell, representing the Michigan Farm Bureau.
Norm Hess, representing the Michigan Association for Local Public Health.
Madeline Fata, representing the Michigan Association of Counties.
The following person submitted a card in support of HB 6173, but did not wish to speak:
Tim Minotas, representing the Sierra Club Michigan Chapter.
The following people submitted a card in opposition to HB 6173, but did not wish to speak:
Dawn Crandall, representing the Home Builders Association of Michigan.
Jason Hayes, representing the Mackinac Center for Public Policy.
Representative Hill moved to adopt substitute (H-2) to HB 4479. The motion prevailed 6-2-0:
FAVORABLE ROLL CALL
Yeas: Reps. Pohutsky, Hill, Arbit, McFall, Paiz, Xiong.
Nays: Reps. Martin, Prestin.
Pass: None.
Representative Arbit moved to report out HB 4479 with recommendation, as substitute (H-2).
The motion prevailed 6-2-0:
FAVORABLE ROLL CALL
Yeas: Reps. Pohutsky, Hill, Arbit, McFall, Paiz, Xiong.
Nays: Reps. Martin, Prestin.
Pass: None.
Representative Xiong moved to adopt substitute (H-1) to HB 4480. The motion prevailed 6-
2-0:
FAVORABLE ROLL CALL
Yeas: Reps. Pohutsky, Hill, Arbit, McFall, Paiz, Xiong.
Nays: Reps. Martin, Prestin.
Pass: None.
Representative McFall moved to report out HB 4480 with recommendation, as substitute (H-
1). The motion prevailed 6-2-0:
FAVORABLE ROLL CALL
Yeas: Reps. Pohutsky, Hill, Arbit, McFall, Paiz, Xiong.
Nays: Reps. Martin, Prestin.
Pass: None.
The Chair laid HB 6122 before the committee:
HB 6122
(Rep. McKinney)
A bill to amend 1994 PA 451, entitled "Natural
resources and environmental protection act," by
amending sections 5506 and 5523 (MCL 324.5506
and 324.5523), section 5523 as amended by 1998
PA 245; and to repeal acts and parts of acts.
Zvonko Blazevski, representing the Office of Representative McKinney, and Sydney Hart
and John Olson, both representing the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes,
and Energy, testified in support of HB 6122. Questions and discussion followed.
The following person submitted a card in support of HB 6122, but did not wish to speak:
Emily Smith, representing the Michigan Environmental Council.
Representative Xiong moved to report out HB 6122 with recommendation. The motion
prevailed 6-0-2:
FAVORABLE ROLL CALL
Yeas: Reps. Pohutsky, Hill, Arbit, McFall, Paiz, Xiong.
Nays: None.
Pass: Reps. Martin, Prestin.
The Chair laid HB 6229 and HB 6230 before the committee:
HB 6229
(Rep. O'Neal)
A bill to amend 1994 PA 451, entitled "Natural
resources and environmental protection act," by
amending sections 43509, 43520, 43522, 43523a,
43523b, 43524, 43525b, 43525c, 43527a, 43528,
43529, 43531, 43532, 43532a, 43533, 43535,
43536, and 43540 (MCL 324.43509, 324.43520,
324.43522, 324.43523a, 324.43523b, 324.43524,
324.43525b, 324.43525c, 324.43527a, 324.43528,
324.43529, 324.43531, 324.43532, 324.43532a,
324.43533, 324.43535, 324.43536, and
324.43540), section 43509 as amended by 2010
PA 29, section 43520 as amended by 2024 PA 96,
sections 43522 and 43540 as amended by 1996 PA
585, section 43523a as amended by 2018 PA 3,
sections 43523b and 43527a as added and sections
43524, 43528, 43529, 43531, and 43535 as
amended by 2013 PA 108, section 43525b as
amended by 2016 PA 462, section 43525c as
amended by 2021 PA 6, section 43532 as amended
by 2020 PA 271, section 43532a as amended by
2020 PA 270, and sections 43533 and 43536 as
amended by 2016 PA 463, and by adding sections
503d and 43555a.
HB 6230
(Rep. Pohutsky)
A bill to amend 1994 PA 451, entitled "Natural
resources and environmental protection act," by
amending section 80124 (MCL 324.80124), as
amended by 2012 PA 294.
Representative Beson testified in opposition of HB 6229.
Taylor Ridderbusch, Randy Claramunt and Keith Kintigh, all representing the Michigan
Department of Natural Resources, testified in support of HBs 6229 and 6230. Questions and
discussion followed.
The following people submitted a card in support of HB 6229, but did not wish to speak:
Todd Johnson, representing the National Deer Association.
Dave Peterson, representing the Great Lakes Council of Fly Fishers International.
Beebe Frederick, representing the Safari Club International.
Denny Grinold, representing the Michigan Charter Boat Association.
Marc Smith, representing the National Wildlife Federation.
The following person submitted a card in opposition to HB 6229, but did not wish to speak:
Andrew Vermeesch, representing the Michigan Farm Bureau.
The following people submitted a card in support of HB 6229 and HB 6230, but did not wish
to speak:
Amy Trotter, representing the Michigan United Conservation Clubs.
Bob Matthews, representing the Congressional Sportsmen's Foundation.
Rich Bowman, representing the Nature Conservancy.
Jon Steigerwaldt, representing the Ruffed Grouse Society.
Jon Steigerwaldt, representing the American Woodcock Society.
Nicki Polan, representing the Michigan Boating Industries Association.
Tim Minotas, representing the Sierra Club Michigan Chapter.
George Lindquist, representing the U. P. Whitetails of Marquette County.
Emily Smith, representing the Michigan Environmental Council.
The following person submitted a card in opposition to HB 6229 and HB 6230, but did not
wish to speak:
Jason Hayes, representing the Mackinac Center for Public Policy.
Representative Xiong moved to report out HB 6229 with recommendation. The motion
prevailed 6-2-0:
FAVORABLE ROLL CALL
Yeas: Reps. Pohutsky, Hill, Arbit, McFall, Paiz, Xiong.
Nays: Reps. Martin, Prestin.
Pass: None.
Representative McFall moved to adopt substitute (H-1) to HB 6230. The motion prevailed 6-
2-0:
FAVORABLE ROLL CALL
Yeas: Reps. Pohutsky, Hill, Arbit, McFall, Paiz, Xiong.
Nays: Reps. Martin, Prestin.
Pass: None.
Representative McFall moved to report out HB 6230 with recommendation, as substitute (H-
1). The motion prevailed 6-2-0:
FAVORABLE ROLL CALL
Yeas: Reps. Pohutsky, Hill, Arbit, McFall, Paiz, Xiong.
Nays: Reps. Martin, Prestin.
Pass: None.
The Chair laid HB 5923 before the committee:
HB 5923
(Rep. Miller)
A bill to amend 1994 PA 451, entitled "Natural
resources and environmental protection act," by
amending sections 11109, 11132, and 11514b
(MCL 324.11109, 324.11132, and 324.11514b),
section 11109 as added by 2018 PA 689, section
11132 as added by 2018 PA 688, and section
11514b as amended by 2022 PA 245.
Jackson Pahle, representing the Office of Representative Miller, and Kevin McNamara,
representing Van Buren Township, testified in support of HB 5923. Questions and discussion
followed.
Jeneen Rippey, representing herself, testified in opposition of HB 5923.
The following people submitted a card in support of HB 5923, but did not wish to speak:
Samantha Pickering, representing the Michigan Environmental Council.
Tim Minotas, representing the Sierra Club Michigan Chapter.
The following people submitted a card in opposition to HB 5923, but did not wish to speak:
Marcus Keech, representing the Grand Rapids Chamber.
Tim Langholz, representing the National Federation of Independent Business.
Kevin Kendall, representing the Michigan Waste and Recycling Association.
Jami Des Chenes, representing the Michigan Chemistry Council.
Mike Wikowski, representing the Michigan Manufactures Association.
Representative Paiz moved to adopt substitute (H-1) to HB 5923. The motion prevailed 6-0-
2:
FAVORABLE ROLL CALL
Yeas: Reps. Pohutsky, Hill, Arbit, McFall, Paiz, Xiong.
Nays: None.
Pass: Reps. Martin, Prestin.
Representative Hill moved to report out HB 5923 with recommendation, as substitute (H-1).
The motion prevailed 6-2-0:
FAVORABLE ROLL CALL
Yeas: Reps. Pohutsky, Hill, Arbit, McFall, Paiz, Xiong.
Nays: Reps. Martin, Prestin.
Pass: None.
There being no further business before the committee, Chair Pohutsky adjourned the meeting
at 11:40 AM.
Representative Laurie Pohutsky, Chair
Legan Rose
Committee Clerk
LRose@house.mi.gov