2005 Senate Bill 71: Require septic inspection on property transfer

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Introduced by Sen. Patricia Birkholz (R) on January 25, 2005, to require county septic system inspections and approvals before any real property can be transferred. The bill would require the Department of Environmental Quality to develop a model county ordinance establishing standards for septic systems, and appropriates $5 million to reimburse counties for the inspections and other activities related to this expanded regulation.
- Referred to the Senate Natural Resources & Environmental Affairs Committee on January 25, 2005.

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1) Septic System & Ground Water by Mike Hignite on March 4, 2005
Problems:
1. Inspection only done on sale. What about a bad septic system for someone living in the same house for thirty years?
2. Inspection of a septic system is complex. There is tank inspection, tile field inspection and ground perk/suitablity issues. A licensed pump-out expert may be able to do one, a soils engineer the others. Are you planning on requiring this on every sale? Who pays? Seller, buyer, county, all taxpayers? If I as a buyer am concerned, then I can require it as part of the purchase agreement and home inspection.
3. Again, I ask, has there been a huge social problem caused by septic system failure in Michigan? Where is the public benefit? Or is it simply another chance to raise revenue for the state/county?
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2) yes inspect our septic systems by Anonymous Citizen on March 3, 2005
Septic systems will be a significant environmental challenge to the states groundwater quality.
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3) No new sewer regs by Mike Hignite on January 31, 2005
Given the low quality of county inspections, I see no reason to add a new requirement to have a county inspect and approve septic tanks and CHARGE A FEE other than to slow down sales of real estate, and increase tax revenues to local government.

NO NEW TAXES!!!
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