LANSING — House Bill 5103, presented to the House Rules Committee by Representative Van Orman, would authorize an expedited review process for emergency shoreline stabilization measures and allow certain temporary structures — notably sandbags installed during high water events — to remain in place where their removal could cause further erosion or immediate property loss.

Van Orman said homeowners faced extreme Great Lakes high‑water conditions in 2020 and struggled to secure timely permits from the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE) to place sandbags and similar stabilization measures. The legislation would permit landowners to submit stabilization plans for expedited EGLE review and would direct permit reviewers to “give deference to a landowner’s rights over public access rights” in the context of emergency stabilization, while preserving requirements to maintain walkability and public access where appropriate.

Committee members asked why deference to landowner rights was important; the sponsor reiterated the bill’s intent to prevent immediate property loss while ensuring plans protect public shoreline walkability. The committee recorded testimony and questions but did not take a committee vote on the bill during the hearing.

The transcript shows the sponsor clarified the bill would not automatically override local ordinances and that applicants would still submit plans to EGLE for review under the expedited process. The bill’s implementation would depend on EGLE rulemaking and on permit reviewers following any statutory deference specified in the final language.