APRIL 20, 2007

The Michigan Department of State is helping to preserve the Earth's natural resources this year after it successfully sought a change to a law that required printing 170 copies of all new regulations and providing them to lawmakers, Secretary of State Terri Lynn Land announced today in advance of Earth Day.

The law change means the state no longer needs to print hundreds of thousands of pages each year. In 2006 alone, more than 240,000 pages of new state regulations were provided to lawmakers. Prior to the change, regulations were filed with the department's Office of the Great Seal for printing and distribution. Now they are sent in electronic form.

"Earth Day is about reminding ourselves that we can do more to conserve our natural resources and leave a cleaner, safer world for future generations," Land said. "I'm proud of our efforts to reduce paper use and provide more information and services online. We are better serving our customers while reducing consumption of energy and natural resources."

In addition to the electronic distribution, lawmakers and interested citizens can view the rules online at the State Office of Administrative Hearings and Rules Web site at www.Michigan.gov/cis.

For more information about department services and branch office locations, visit www.Michigan.gov/sos.