SB 505

SENATE BILL NO. 505
A bill to amend 1994 PA 451, entitled
"Natural resources and environmental protection
act,"
(MCL 324.101 to 324.90106) by adding part 151.
the people of the state of michigan enact:
PART 151
STATEWIDE MICROPLASTICS RESEARCH
AND MONITORING PLAN
Sec. 15101. (1)
The department, in consultation with other state departments and agencies and
interested entities, shall develop a statewide microplastics research and
monitoring plan to assess the occurrence of microplastics, including in plants
and animals, and the impact of microplastics on human and animal health, the
health of the Great Lakes, and the critical drinking water supply and identify
proposed solutions to address the impacts of microplastic materials, to the
extent feasible.
(2) The department may enter into 1 or more contracts with research institutions
in this state, including those associated with Grand Valley State University,
Michigan State University, the University of Michigan, Wayne State University,
and other academic and research institutions that have demonstrated expertise
relating to the effects of microplastic materials on the Great Lakes, for
research services that will contribute directly to the development of the statewide
microplastics research and monitoring plan.
(3) The statewide microplastics research and monitoring plan must
include, but is not limited to, all the following:
(a) Strategies for developing a comprehensive plan to identify and
evaluate the ecological, health, and economic impacts associated with microplastics
in the Great Lakes.
(b) Methods for sampling, detecting, and characterizing microplastics that
are consistent with recognized standards from scientific, peer-reviewed
research or relevant agencies, including, but not limited to, any of the
following:
(i) The
International Joint Commission.
(ii) The United
States Environmental Protection Agency.
(iii) The National
Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.
(iv) ASTM
International.
(c) A list of the baseline concentrations of microplastics in the Great
Lakes that includes, but is not limited to, all the following information:
(i) An assessment
of the associated environmental and human health impacts.
(ii) Solutions this
state can immediately implement.
(iii) Factors that
should be considered, such as microplastic particle age, size, shape, type, and
location.
(d) Research actions that are in alignment with best practices and
actions taken by other Great Lakes states and Canada.
(e) An investigation into the sources of microplastics and the
significance of pathways related to environmental and human health impacts of
microplastics.
(f) A list of long-term research objectives and strategies for reducing
microplastics in the Great Lakes, which must be updated annually and made available
to the public.
(g) An impact assessment framework for microplastics consistent with best
available science and research, and based on the best available information on
exposure of microplastics to organisms, including humans, through pathways identified
under subdivision (e).
(h) Approaches to reduce the introduction of microplastics into the
Great Lakes from significant pathways and sources, with an emphasis on the
sizes, shapes, and types of microplastics that are associated with significant
environmental and human health impacts.
(i) Recommendations for both of the following:
(i) Policy changes,
including statutory changes, or additional research that may be needed.
(ii) Solutions to
control microplastic introduction into the Great Lakes, such as source
elimination, pathway intervention, and public education and outreach.
(j) A timeline to implement the statewide microplastics research and
monitoring plan and reduce the impacts of microplastics on the Great Lakes.
(k) A list of potential barriers to implementation that includes
estimated costs and potential funding sources.
(4) To develop and implement the statewide microplastics research and
monitoring plan, the department may utilize existing information and leverage
ongoing federal efforts and efforts of this state and other states, when possible.
(5) Not later than July 1, 2026, the department shall submit the statewide
microplastics research and monitoring plan to the legislature. Not later than
January 30, 2029, the department shall submit a report to the legislature regarding
the implementation of the statewide microplastics research
and monitoring plan.
(6) To the extent that funds are available from bonds and other sources,
including federal funds, not later than July 1, 2028, the department shall
adopt and implement the statewide microplastics research and monitoring plan.
(7) As used in this section:
(a) "Department" means the department of environment, Great
Lakes, and energy.
(b) "International Joint Commission" means a binational
organization established by the governments of the United States and Canada
under the Boundary Waters Treaty of 1909, and whose responsibilities were
expanded under the Great Lakes Water Quality Agreement of 1972.
(c) "Microplastics" means a solid plastic particle that has at
least 3 dimensions and measures less than 5 millimeters in size and that may
contain chemical additives or other substances. Microplastics do not include
naturally occurring, non-chemically modified polymers.