CLEAN CORPORATE CITIZEN PROGRAM S.B. 354 (S-3) & 355: FLOOR ANALYSIS
Senate Bill 354 (Substitute S-3 as reported)
Senate Bill 355 (as reported without amendment)
Sponsor: Senator Laura M. Toy (S.B. 354)
Senator Bill Hardiman (S.B. 355)
Committee: Economic Development, Small Business and Regulatory Reform
CONTENT
Senate Bill 354 (S-3) would add Part 14 (Clean Corporate Citizens) to the Natural Resources and Environmental Protection Act (NREPA) to establish a program in which an establishment could obtain a "clean corporate citizen" designation from the Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ). The bill would do the following:
-- Repeal administrative rules that provide for an existing clean corporate citizen (C3) program.
-- Require the DEQ, during the first year of a person's initial C3 designation, to waive the first $500 of the total of all permit, license, or other fees that the person otherwise would have to pay to the Department.
-- Provide that a C3 would receive benefits set forth in rules promulgated under the Safe Drinking Water Act, parts of the Public Health Code governing radiation control and medical waste, and particular articles and chapters of NREPA.
-- Require a C3 to meet environmental management system requirements.
-- Disqualify an establishment from C3 designation for violations of applicable environmental requirements, under certain circumstances.
-- Require a C3 to submit a statement regarding compliance with environmental requirements and to address any cited violations.
-- Require a C3 to adopt a philosophy of pollution prevention, and establish and maintain a pollution prevention program.
-- Establish an application process, which would include public notice and an opportunity for public comment.
-- Establish requirements for retaining a C3 designation.
-- Require the DEQ to terminate a C3 designation under certain circumstances.
-- Allow a person operating an establishment in Michigan to reapply for C3 designation at any time.
-- Specify that Part 14 could not be construed in a manner that authorized any violation of State or Federal law.
-- Prohibit the DEQ from promulgating rules concerning the C3 program.
The bill would define "clean corporate citizen" as a person who operated an establishment that had demonstrated environmental stewardship and a strong environmental ethic by voluntarily meeting the criteria set forth in Part 14.
Senate Bill 355 would amend the Safe Drinking Water Act to specify that the Act would be subject to Part 14 of NREPA. The bill is tie-barred to Senate Bill 354.
Proposed MCL 324.1401-324.1423 (S.B. 354) Legislative Analyst: Suzanne Lowe
MCL 325.1023 (S.B. 355)
FISCAL IMPACT
The bills would result in a loss of $55,000 to the State. The bills would add a benefit for participants in the Clean Corporate Citizen program by requiring the DEQ to waive $500 of the total permit, license, or other fees in the initial year of C3 designation. There are 110 C3 facilities under the current program. If additional facilities were encouraged to attain a C3 designation, there would be a loss of $500 per facility and, in the long term, there would be beneficial impacts on the environment from reduced pollution, waste disposal, and cleanup activities.
Date Completed: 4-28-05 Fiscal Analyst: Jessica RunnelsAnalysis was prepared by nonpartisan Senate staff for use by the Senate in its deliberations and does not constitute an official statement of legislative intent. sb354&355/0506