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• Introduced by Sen. Roger Kahn (R) on February 25, 2010, to restore the “groundwater dispute resolution program” repealed by House Bill 5222 (now Public Act 176 of 2009). This provision was originally legislated in 2003, which authorized $1,000 per day fines and gave the Department of Environmental Quality expanded powers in this area. A much more extensive groundwater use regulatory regime authorized by legislation passed in 2008 remains in effect.
  • Referred to the Senate Natural Resources & Environmental Affairs Committee on February 25, 2010.
    • Reported in the Senate on April 27, 2010, with the recommendation that the bill pass.
  • Amendment offered by Sen. Liz Brater (D) on September 28, 2010, to ban the extraction of natural gas using "hydraulic fracturing" ("fracking"). This new technique has revolutionized gas extraction in the United States, more than doubling the amount of known domestic reserves. The amendment failed 16 to 21 in the Senate on September 28, 2010.
    Who Voted "Yes" and Who Voted "No"
  • Amendment offered by Sen. Liz Brater (D) on September 28, 2010, to require natural gas drillers who "hydraulic fracturing" ("fracking") to give notice to state environmental regulators, and describe in the notice the chemicals they will use. The amendment failed 16 to 21 in the Senate on September 28, 2010.
    Who Voted "Yes" and Who Voted "No"
  • Amendment offered by Sen. Liz Brater (D) on September 28, 2010, to prohibit the extraction of natural gas using "hydraulic fracturing" unless a driller applies for permission and is granted a permit by state environmental regulators. This new technique has revolutionized gas extraction in the United States, more than doubling the amount of known domestic reserves. The amendment failed 16 to 21 in the Senate on September 28, 2010.
    Who Voted "Yes" and Who Voted "No"
  • Amendment offered by Sen. Liz Brater (D) on September 28, 2010, to establish that if any of the chemicals used to extract natural gas using "hydraulic fracturing" are found in nearby groundwater, there is a rebuttable presumption that the gas driller is liable. The amendment failed 15 to 22 in the Senate on September 28, 2010.
    Who Voted "Yes" and Who Voted "No"
• Passed 28 to 9 in the Senate on September 28, 2010.
  Who Voted "Yes" and Who Voted "No"
• Received in the House on September 29, 2010.
  • Referred to the House Great Lakes and Environment Committee on September 29, 2010.