ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION FUND

House Bill 6612 without amendment

Sponsor:  Rep. Doug Bennett

Committee:  Great Lakes and Environment

Complete to 11-13-08

A SUMMARY OF HOUSE BILL 6612 AS REPORTED FROM COMMITTEE

Current law authorizes allocating 25 percent of the civil fines collected each year under Parts 31 (Water Resources Protection), 111 (Hazardous Waste Management), and 115 (Solid Waste Management) of the Natural Resources and Environmental Protection Act up to a maximum of $150,000 per fiscal year to the Environmental Education Fund created by the statute, upon appropriation.

The bill would raise this maximum to $250,000, subject to appropriation.  The bill would also name the Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) as the administrator of the fund for auditing purposes and delete an obsolete reference to a defunct educational advisory committee. 

Committee testimony indicated that the DEQ runs Earth Day events and provides environmental education materials to schools with funds allocated under this provision.

MCL 324.2505

FISCAL IMPACT:

This bill would increase the amount of money available for environmental education from $150,000 to $250,000, subject to appropriation.    This bill would also clarify the responsibilities of the Department of Environmental Quality for administrative purposes. 

POSITIONS:

            The Department of Environmental Quality supports the bill.  (11-12-08)

                                                                                           Legislative Analyst:   Shannan Kane

                                                                                                  Fiscal Analyst:   Kirk Lindquist

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