New law allows submerged log recovery to promote economic growth

House Bill 4554, sponsored by state Rep. Greg MacMaster, allows the Department of Environmental Quality to resume the licensing and regulation of submerged log recovery from the Great Lakes. It also establishes a permit application fee for submerged log removal from the bottomland of an inland lake.

Revenue from the fees will support environmental protection programs.  The bill is now Public Act 218.

The governor also signed four other bills today.

H.B. 4061, sponsored by state Rep. Douglas Geiss, allows the sampling of home-brewed beer, wine or cider at a micro-brewer, brew pub or on-premises licensee, under certain circumstances. The bill provides an opportunity for home-brewers to meet at licensed establishments and learn more about beer, wine, brewing and winemaking to help improve their skills and provide an atmosphere that will allow small businesses to grow. The bill is now P.A. 219.

H.B. 4452, sponsored by state Rep. Ken Yonker, amends the Michigan Employment Security Act to prohibit the payment of unemployment benefits to employees of educational institutions for weeks of unemployment between academic years or terms, if there is a reasonable assurance of employment in the next year or term. The bill is in response to a growing number of individuals working for educational institutions and who are employed by third-party contractors. The bill is now P.A. 216.

H.B. 4881, sponsored by state Rep. Kenneth Horn, repeals Sections 819 and 824 of the Revised Judicature Act regarding the election and responsibilities of a state presiding probate judge. This bill follows the recent Judicial Resources Recommendations report. The bill is now P.A. 217.

H.B. 4875, sponsored by state Rep. Andrea LaFontaine, eliminates the requirement for a secondary liner and leachate collection system at research, demonstration and development project landfills. These landfills use innovative methods to dispose of solid waste. Michigan's requirement for secondary liners exceeds the federal government's requirement for this type of project. The new law will bring more landfills into the program and reduce construction costs of new facilities. The bill is now P.A. 215.

For more information, visit www.legislature.mi.gov.

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