[{"_1":2,"_100":-5,"_101":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,76,88],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},"mediaId",6537857,"mediaKeyId","3426035-6903148aab91b10090ef094041c42192","parentId",3426035,"title","Sponsors and industry push rollback of groundwater discharge fee increases; EGLE warns of staff, service impacts","audioSeconds",3712,"startMs",518000,"endMs",4230000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3426035-6903148aab91b10090ef094041c42192&start=518&end=4230","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3426035-6903148aab91b10090ef094041c42192/thumbnail_518000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6537857/Michigan/Sponsors-and-industry-push-rollback-of-groundwater-discharge-fee-increases-EGLE-warns-of-staff-service-impacts","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6537857-5ebcc0a669e408862d4f6769101e0fe0/orig.mp4?Expires=1770763878&Signature=oA~NDRQhqO~AQLNFv9Ero-~aQMU0gb-zqfajbzErAkFOt2qqD~UYvjLM05RveEjy2uXHwZMRBBqsHZGngdVFfNu-GucuWpcQuTn7dQWnBbr5dxIDL9mVwU61yeY79cVPUrjwNiti~XH1IJFVGedxnIhIxj9Djy6e5NU5-BgM7Pb8k15nHzk--~svhyvdkYuXNE14AoWj98T~WQdR2eOGQL~ouTJso1xHp673iQoC5U3gFpiL0toLqqB8QPyjzL5RLJidoKhnI9eLOVBg5TSTDT3EATs0T36jmG5NpXuLNeU1~KFUc12SxnwyqFcTMnYI~F4wcA25LJVM3hRWQIJECQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Michigan Legislature","date","2025-05-21T00:00:00Z","article","Representatives sponsoring House Bills 4192 and 4193 told the House Committee on Natural Resources and Tourism that a 2023 change to groundwater discharge permit fees has sharply increased costs for small manufactured-housing communities and campgrounds and that the Legislature should restore parity with small municipalities.

Representative Van Werkom, one of the sponsors of HB4192, said the rule change reclassified many manufactured-housing communities, RV parks and campgrounds into the highest fee category. \"As of 2023, EGLE redefined their fee structure to classify manufactured housing communities, RV parks, and campgrounds as group 1 ... doubling their fees and lumping them into the same class as large corporations, cities, and groups with significantly higher volumes of wastewater,\" Van Werkom said. Representative Snyder, the co-sponsor for HB4193, said the bills would let communities with fewer than 1,000 sites or residents be treated like municipalities of the same size and pay the lower group‑2 annual fee of $1,800 instead of the group‑1 fee of $7,500.

Why it matters: Sponsors and industry witnesses told the committee that 33 manufactured-housing communities and five campgrounds (38 total facilities, by one account) now pay the higher group‑1 rate and that the spike in fees falls disproportionately on small, privately owned communities. John Lindley, president and CEO of the Michigan Manufactured Housing Association and the Michigan Association of RVs and Campgrounds, said he was \"surprised two years ago in January when I received an invoice for our annual discharge permit that was more than double what I expected.\" Phil Klein, owner of Klein's Resort in Three Rivers, described his property and said the resort operates for about 400 residents and 85 seasonal campsites and was classified in group 1 because of an older lagoon system.

EGLE opposition and fiscal/operational impacts: Sydney Hart, legislative liaison for the Department of Environment, Great Lakes and Energy, and Phil Arderoff, assistant division director in EGLE's Water Resources Division, testified in opposition. Hart said groundwater discharge permits \"are required under Michigan law to ensure that our wastewater is treated and discharged in a manner that's protective of public health and environment.\" She told the committee the October 2023 fee changes were the sole funding source for the groundwater discharge program and estimated the two bills would reduce department revenue by roughly $188,000 (HB4192) and $28,000 (HB4193), a combined loss of about $216,000, which EGLE said equates to roughly 1 to 2 staff positions. \"Any revenue loss diminishes EGLE's ability to uphold environmental protections and public health standards,\" Hart said.

Committee questions and areas of disagreement: Members pressed EGLE on the 2023 process, stakeholder outreach and what the fees fund. EGLE said the group categories date to 2004 and that the October 2023 fee changes were adopted as part of a budget implementation measure; the department acknowledged limited stakeholder engagement before the changes and offered to convene stakeholders going forward to seek a revenue-neutral solution. Committee members repeatedly asked EGLE about vacancy rates, backlog, permitting timelines and whether reduced staff would slow permits and inspections; EGLE answered that the program has vacancies and that losing positions would reduce the division's ability to review permits and perform inspections in a timely manner.

Points of quantification and competing estimates: Sponsors and industry witnesses said 38 facilities pay the higher group‑1 rate and that those facilities contributed a disproportionate share of the recent increase (figures cited included roughly $200,000 of the approximately $680,000 in increased fee revenue). EGLE provided a slightly different breakdown (33 mobile home communities and five campgrounds) and tied the higher fee revenues to four specific staff positions: two in the permits section, one in enforcement and one in a district office. The committee and witnesses discussed historical rates: group‑1 was described as rising from about $3,650 to $7,500; group‑2 rose from $1,500 to $1,800; smaller groups saw 20% increases.

Next steps: EGLE told the committee it will convene stakeholders within about a month to discuss alternatives that would leave the department \"whole\" (revenue-neutral) while addressing the sponsors' concerns; no vote was taken on HB4192 or HB4193 during this hearing. Committee members requested additional data, including counts of affected facilities, comparisons with neighboring states, and precise vacancy numbers in EGLE's water resources program. Sponsors and industry groups said they were open to alternative fee mechanisms but urged relief for affected small communities.

Ending: The committee heard both technical and lived-experience testimony and left proponents and the department with follow-up work: EGLE to provide further data and convene stakeholders, and the sponsors to consider alternatives that preserve program funding while addressing equity concerns for small private communities.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Natural Resources and Tourism - 5/21/2025","oneSentenceSummary","Representatives sponsoring House Bills 4192 and 4193 told the House Committee on Natural Resources and Tourism that 2023 changes to groundwater discharge permit fees unfairly raised costs for some manufactured-housing communities and campgrounds and asked lawmakers to restore a lower fee classification for sites with fewer than 1,000 residents or sites.","taxTitle","2025 House Legislature MI, Michigan","taxId",77683,"location","Michigan","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":81,"_47":82,"_49":83,"_51":84,"_53":85,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":86,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":87,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6537847,"Committee approves reporting of bill to remove pheasant-stamp sunset",69,308000,377000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3426035-6903148aab91b10090ef094041c42192&start=308&end=377","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3426035-6903148aab91b10090ef094041c42192/thumbnail_308000.jpg","/articles/6537847/Michigan/Committee-approves-reporting-of-bill-to-remove-pheasant-stamp-sunset","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6537847-81088042e6657cfa1a5daeb996996929/orig.mp4?Expires=1770763878&Signature=aMemirAe~-Gp9wZSrMeFKn5OFtTzTtz3TnZZgZeHa~FrozDwmgVhsiXKbBbWDSOLWWZzRjEXnEs6n1LXFH2N5dJCCLALJAIf79zMKZ~YlPL7H17AcUT~AF2~O4mxzKBByj~Yz3SwkGCJjfjQRoFuISF0PbLTngXgULxS4ByTDWGDAvhD1Bqeu101soNZaDvKM5YlhOXlS59DDEz3Ab01fFnOi580vGk4eChw4~SDA~lwXaJG8qlgtSDUtchQ~yZp3trOBK22mF0gH7RLZDCcql62SzoiJ3kQZNgSwrTnA41Lt6A7oPlZWnfklBV72FadIIWOVXQptOFE5GmQS~yDtg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The House Committee on Natural Resources and Tourism approved a motion to report House Bill 4401, a bill described in committee as removing the pheasant stamp sunset.

Chair Martin noted the committee had heard testimony the previous week on the bill, which Representative Jay Green sponsored. After asking whether there were further questions, Representative Johnson moved to report HB4401 with recommendation. The clerk took the role and the chair announced the result: \"you have 16 yeas, 0 nays, and 0 passed. The motion does prevail.\" The committee approved the minutes by unanimous consent earlier in the meeting; the committee moved the bill forward by voice/roll call as recorded.

Why it matters: The committee's action forwards the measure removing the statutory sunset on the pheasant stamp to the next stage of the legislative process; committee members offered no further debate at this hearing.

Ending: The committee continued with its agenda after recording the roll call; no amendments or conditions to the motion were recorded at this hearing.","House Committee on Natural Resources and Tourism approved by unanimous consent to report House Bill 4401, a measure described as removing the pheasant-stamp sunset; clerk recorded 16 yeas and the motion prevailed.",{"_33":89,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":90,"_41":91,"_43":92,"_45":93,"_47":94,"_49":95,"_51":96,"_53":97,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":98,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":99,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6537853,"Committee adopts H‑1 substitute for bill creating elective firearm safety program in schools; reported out with recommendation",94,381000,475000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3426035-6903148aab91b10090ef094041c42192&start=381&end=475","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3426035-6903148aab91b10090ef094041c42192/thumbnail_381000.jpg","/articles/6537853/Michigan/Committee-adopts-H1-substitute-for-bill-creating-elective-firearm-safety-program-in-schools-reported-out-with-recommendation","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6537853-b419b846d6b2168dcd9a168f37412d31/orig.mp4?Expires=1770763878&Signature=nMQYETtctz3mWVUaVW~lN-4wTWPnQDZKsU1OQ9pxm~ACdNMsbh4hQhCOh36Y8DdogL5FJZFR~PQHbiiymfjRIakZE~u0aa1qD8HCH1Bbxk35GEA6CGmJ-C6bll8VYmC18esmE8fxvrzQ-yC-8YDM6ilbLF3Zh6QCPZ96Kf6KxMgCBfsZ~3uP6Y21ZzHZ3qgNEvf8wgPFHhJaTBzpIyFYHNgwBI3LqgsMsBx-~s0cT8PJcARrUeOFB4e2OA8P~fE~RQ1g9MykixG3LsNld6HQBjKoY7cikOHNgKW1iMrR6H3Dg3cYDy88Vq~DDSB2WqBdKtOWA7ob86EZQCA51JFnGw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The House Committee on Natural Resources and Tourism adopted an H‑1 substitute and voted to report House Bill 4285, a measure that would create an elective firearm safety program for Michigan schools, at a committee hearing.

Representative Vanderwall introduced changes captured in the H‑1 substitute, telling the committee the amendment moves the program's implementation date from June 1 to Sept. 1 to allow more lead time and gives flexibility for the Department of Natural Resources to change class-hour requirements without the statute locking in a precise number of hours.

\"A couple changes ... just to move the date of implementation since June 1 is just a couple days away, to September 1,\" Vanderwall said. He added the substitute allows flexibility on class hours so the state is not \"locked into exact hour requirements.\" The committee adopted the H‑1 substitute by roll call (14 yeas, 0 nays, 2 pass). The committee then voted to report HB4285 as H‑1 (14 yeas, 0 nays, 2 pass).

Why it matters: The measure creates an elective firearm-safety option for schools; sponsors and committee members framed the amendments as timing and technical changes rather than policy changes to the program's substantive elements. The department referenced by the bill—the Department of Natural Resources—was discussed in the context of being able to set class requirements under the substitute.

Roll calls and outcome: The clerk recorded the substitute-adoption roll call and the subsequent motion to report the bill; in both votes the clerk announced \"14 yeas, 0 nays and 2 pass,\" and the committee chair declared the substitute adopted and the motion to report prevailed.

Ending: The bill was forwarded with the committee's recommendation; committee discussion focused on implementation timing and administrative flexibility and there was no further substantive debate recorded at this hearing.","The House Committee on Natural Resources and Tourism adopted an H‑1 substitute and reported House Bill 4285, which creates an elective firearm safety program for Michigan schools, after brief discussion and sponsor explanations of timing and hour‑requirement flexibilities.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Sponsors and industry push rollback of groundwater discharge fee increases; EGLE warns of staff, service impacts

Committee approves reporting of bill to remove pheasant-stamp sunset

Committee adopts H‑1 substitute for bill creating elective firearm safety program in schools; reported out with recommendation