to adopt the meeting minutes from October 18, 2023.
Representative McFall moved to adopt the meeting minutes from October 18, 2023. There being no objection, the motion prevailed by unanimous consent. The Chair laid HB 5216, HB 5218, HB 5219, HB 5220 and HB 5221 before the committee: HB 5216 (Rep. Scott) A bill to amend 1939 PA 3, entitled "An act to provide for the regulation and control of public and certain private utilities and other services affected with a public interest within this state; to provide for alternative energy suppliers; to provide for licensing; to include municipally owned utilities and other providers of energy under certain provisions of this act; to create a public service commission and to prescribe and define its powers and duties; to abolish the Michigan public utilities commission and to confer the powers and duties vested by law on the public service commission; to provide for the powers and duties of certain state governmental officers and entities; to provide for the continuance, transfer, and completion of certain matters and proceedings; to abolish automatic adjustment clauses; to prohibit certain rate increases without notice and hearing; to qualify residential energy conservation programs permitted under state law for certain federal exemption; to create a fund; to encourage the utilization of resource recovery facilities; to prohibit certain acts and practices of providers of energy; to allow for the securitization of stranded costs; to reduce rates; to provide for appeals; to provide appropriations; to declare the effect and purpose of this act; to prescribe remedies and penalties; and to repeal acts and parts of acts," by amending sections 6u and 10p (MCL 460.6u and 460.10p), section 6u as added and section 10p as amended by 2016 PA 341. HB 5218 (Rep. Hill) A bill to require certain reports be submitted to the Michigan public service commission; and to provide for the powers and duties of certain state and local governmental officers and entities. HB 5219 (Rep. Fitzgerald) A bill to amend 1939 PA 3, entitled "An act to provide for the regulation and control of public and certain private utilities and other services affected with a public interest within this state; to provide for alternative energy suppliers; to provide for licensing; to include municipally owned utilities and other providers of energy under certain provisions of this act; to create a public service commission and to prescribe and define its powers and duties; to abolish the Michigan public utilities commission and to confer the powers and duties vested by law on the public service commission; to provide for the powers and duties of certain state governmental officers and entities; to provide for the continuance, transfer, and completion of certain matters and proceedings; to abolish automatic adjustment clauses; to prohibit certain rate increases without notice and hearing; to qualify residential energy conservation programs permitted under state law for certain federal exemption; to create a fund; to encourage the utilization of resource recovery facilities; to prohibit certain acts and practices of providers of energy; to allow for the securitization of stranded costs; to reduce rates; to provide for appeals; to provide appropriations; to declare the effect and purpose of this act; to prescribe remedies and penalties; and to repeal acts and parts of acts," by amending sections 10p and 10t (MCL 460.10p and 460.10t), as amended by 2016 PA 341. HB 5220 (Rep. Andrews) A bill to amend 1939 PA 3, entitled "An act to provide for the regulation and control of public and certain private utilities and other services affected with a public interest within this state; to provide for alternative energy suppliers; to provide for licensing; to include municipally owned utilities and other providers of energy under certain provisions of this act; to create a public service commission and to prescribe and define its powers and duties; to abolish the Michigan public utilities commission and to confer the powers and duties vested by law on the public service commission; to provide for the powers and duties of certain state governmental officers and entities; to provide for the continuance, transfer, and completion of certain matters and proceedings; to abolish automatic adjustment clauses; to prohibit certain rate increases without notice and hearing; to qualify residential energy conservation programs permitted under state law for certain federal exemption; to create a fund; to encourage the utilization of resource recovery facilities; to prohibit certain acts and practices of providers of energy; to allow for the securitization of stranded costs; to reduce rates; to provide for appeals; to provide appropriations; to declare the effect and purpose of this act; to prescribe remedies and penalties; and to repeal acts and parts of acts," (MCL 460.1 to 460.11) by adding section 6y. HB 5221 (Rep. Neeley) A bill to amend 1939 PA 3, entitled "An act to provide for the regulation and control of public and certain private utilities and other services affected with a public interest within this state; to provide for alternative energy suppliers; to provide for licensing; to include municipally owned utilities and other providers of energy under certain provisions of this act; to create a public service commission and to prescribe and define its powers and duties; to abolish the Michigan public utilities commission and to confer the powers and duties vested by law on the public service commission; to provide for the powers and duties of certain state governmental officers and entities; to provide for the continuance, transfer, and completion of certain matters and proceedings; to abolish automatic adjustment clauses; to prohibit certain rate increases without notice and hearing; to qualify residential energy conservation programs permitted under state law for certain federal exemption; to create a fund; to encourage the utilization of resource recovery facilities; to prohibit certain acts and practices of providers of energy; to allow for the securitization of stranded costs; to reduce rates; to provide for appeals; to provide appropriations; to declare the effect and purpose of this act; to prescribe remedies and penalties; and to repeal acts and parts of acts," by amending sections 9d, 9q, and 9r (MCL 460.9d, 460.9q, and 460.9r), section 9d as added by 2010 PA 128, section 9q as amended by 2011 PA 274, and section 9r as added by 2009 PA 174. Chair Scott introduced the bill package and made a statement regarding the background of how the the bills came to be. At 9:10 AM, the Chair laid the committee at ease. At 9:10 AM, the Chair called the committee back to order. At 9:10 AM, the Chair laid the committee at ease. At 9:11 AM, Rep. Coleman called the committee back to order. Chair Helena Scott testified in support of HB 5216. Questions and discussion followed. Representative Andrews testified in support of HB 5219 and HB 5220. Questions and discussion followed. Representative Hill testified in support of HB 5218. At 9:21 AM, Rep. Coleman laid the committee at ease. At 9:22 AM, the Chair called the committee back to order. The following people submitted a card in opposition to HB 5219, but did not wish to speak: Stephanie Johnson, representing the Utility Workers Union of America. The following people submitted a card with a neutral position on HB 5216, HB 5218, HB 5219, HB 5220 and HB 5221, but did not wish to speak: Mike O'Brien, representing the I & M Power. The Chair laid SB 277 before the committee: SB 277 (Sen. McDonald Rivet) A bill to amend 1994 PA 451, entitled "Natural resources and environmental protection act," by amending sections 36101 and 36104a (MCL 324.36101 and 324.36104a), section 36101 as amended by 2016 PA 265 and section 36104a as added by 1996 PA 233, and by adding sections 36104c and 36104e. Senator McDonald Rivet testified in support of SB 277. Ed Rivet representing the Michigan Conservative Enrgy Forum testified in support of SB 277. Questions and discussion followed. The following people submitted a card with a neutral position on SB 277, but did not wish to speak: Andrew Vermeesch, representing the Michigan Farm Bureau. The following people submitted a card in support of SB 277, but did not wish to speak: Chris Semrinec, representing the Michigan League of Conservation Voters. Kathleen Angerer, representing the Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Develoment. Jim Murray, representing the Lightstar Renewables. Jim Murray, representing the Summit Ridge Energy. Carlee Knott, representing the Michigan Environmental Council. Justin Carpenter, representing the Michigan EIBC. Mike alaimo, representing the Michigan Chamber of Commerce. Courtney Bourgoin, representing the Evergreen Action. Amanda Stallings, representing the National Grid Renewables. Caroline Liethen, representing the Michigan Manufacturers Association.