Michigan Votes Forum

Introduced in the House on January 22, 2007, to impose a moratorium on allowing new landfills or landfill expansions in the state until 2012, with certain narrow exceptions

The vote was 85 in favor, 24 opposed and 1 not voting

(House Roll Call 143 at House Journal 43)

Click here to view bill details.

HOUSE BILL No. 4047 January 22, 2007, Introduced by Reps. Ebli, Angerer, Hopgood, Byrum, Corriveau, Kathleen Law, Valentine, Simpson, Byrnes, Alma Smith, Vagnozzi, Espinoza, Brown, Hammel, Bauer, McDowell, Hammon, Condino, Hood, Griffin, Spade, Dean, Melton, Sheltrown, Gonzales, Donigan and Young and referred to the Committee on Great Lakes and Environment. A bill to amend 1994 PA 451, entitled "Natural resources and environmental protection act," (MCL 324.101 to 324.90106) by adding section 11511c; and to repeal acts and parts of acts. THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF MICHIGAN ENACT: Sec. 11511c. (1) Notwithstanding any other provision of this part, and except as otherwise provided in this section, the department shall reject any application for a permit to construct a landfill submitted after December 31, 2005 and before the effective date of the amendatory act that added this section, and shall not accept an application for a permit to construct a landfill submitted on or after that effective date and before January 1, 2012. (2) The department may issue a permit for a design modification to an existing landfill if the modification does not result in a net increase in remaining disposal capacity calculated as provided under section 11507a. (3) The department may issue a permit to construct an expansion to an existing landfill if the applicant demonstrates that the landfill has less than 3 years of remaining disposal capacity calculated as provided under section 11507a and the application otherwise meets the requirements of this part. A permit issued under this subsection shall provide not more than a total of 8 years of remaining disposal capacity when added to the remaining disposal capacity existing prior to issuance of the permit. The amount of time of remaining disposal capacity shall be calculated based on the average of the 3 prior years of waste receipt as reported under section 11507a. (4) The department may issue a permit to construct a type III landfill that is a captive facility if the application otherwise meets the requirements of this part. (5) As used in this section, "captive facility" means that term as defined in section 11525a. (6) This section is repealed effective January 1, 2012.

Nice job!

Way to go!

!!!

Stop worrying about Wayne county people, and their over priced mini-farms (They really don't want to farm anyways). Just because they smell a little poo poo, doesn't mean we have to leglislate. Come on, I thought you were going to stop George Bush,and his buddies!! Stop him. lol.... Bye, I'm leaving with everybody else. Before I go, one suggestion- Cut a Tax, or cut a state job! Put us in line with the states that our taking our jobs.....try it. It couldn't hurt..Tell Jenny I said,"HI"

I consider most of Lansingistan to be a landfill, I just wish they would obey the laws because the obnoxious smell keeps getting worse. If these folks ever had to get a real job they would starve. Time for a PART TIME LEGISLATURE!

Look up. Where did you get this divine inspiration for this bill? I AM impressed.

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!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Kate - It's wonderful to see your staff so active posting here. They really should take credit by signing some of these comments, though. And you should post some signed comments yourself. C'mon - make your case, girl!

Teachers are children are watching on the internet and LCD players how these bills are going. Legislators will be going down in history one way or another how they vote. With technology the way it is, we will know EXACTLY who could have voted for or against things involving the environment and global warming. So joke all you want. It's a part of state curriculum to track bills and write papers on these issues. Educators take full advantage. Which way do you want to go down in history, legislators? Your face, name and votes are plastered all of the internet for better or worse. Something to consider. "Kate" is doing her job.

Anyone knocking "KATE" problem owns shares in a landfill business. Go bother someone else.

HOUSE BILL No. 4047 January 22, 2007, Introduced by Reps. Ebli, Angerer, Hopgood, Byrum, Corriveau, Kathleen Law, Valentine, Simpson, Byrnes, Alma Smith, Vagnozzi, Espinoza, Brown, Hammel, Bauer, McDowell, Hammon, Condino, Hood, Griffin, Spade, Dean, Melton, Sheltrown, Gonzales, Donigan and Young and referred to the Committee on Great Lakes and Environment. A bill to amend 1994 PA 451, entitled "Natural resources and environmental protection act," (MCL 324.101 to 324.90106) by adding section 11511c; and to repeal acts and parts of acts. THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF MICHIGAN ENACT: Sec. 11511c. (1) Notwithstanding any other provision of this part, and except as otherwise provided in this section, the department shall reject any application for a permit to construct a landfill submitted after December 31, 2005 and before the effective date of the amendatory act that added this section, and shall not accept an application for a permit to construct a landfill submitted on or after that effective date and before January 1, 2012. (2) The department may issue a permit for a design modification to an existing landfill if the modification does not result in a net increase in remaining disposal capacity calculated as provided under section 11507a. (3) The department may issue a permit to construct an expansion to an existing landfill if the applicant demonstrates that the landfill has less than 3 years of remaining disposal capacity calculated as provided under section 11507a and the application otherwise meets the requirements of this part. A permit issued under this subsection shall provide not more than a total of 8 years of remaining disposal capacity when added to the remaining disposal capacity existing prior to issuance of the permit. The amount of time of remaining disposal capacity shall be calculated based on the average of the 3 prior years of waste receipt as reported under section 11507a. (4) The department may issue a permit to construct a type III landfill that is a captive facility if the application otherwise meets the requirements of this part. (5) As used in this section, "captive facility" means that term as defined in section 11525a. (6) This section is repealed effective January 1, 2012.

Women. Speak at a workshop. I bet they've got your back. They might even give you their vote. SIGNED: A former AAUW member.

comment. Big mistake.

Published March 23, 2007 [ From Lansing State Journal ] House panel OKs Canadian trash plan Proposal to limit imported waste sent to full House By Ken Thomas Associated Press WASHINGTON - A House committee on Thursday approved a bill giving states the power to limit trash from Canada and other nations, advancing a priority for many Michigan lawmakers. "The unregulated flow of trash from Canada into Michigan and other states creates significant environmental and public health concerns," said Rep. Bart Stupak, D-Menominee. Members of the House Energy and Commerce Committee unanimously approved the bill on a voice vote, sending it to the full House. Advertisement A similar proposal was approved by the House last year but died in the Senate. Lawmakers said they hoped the committee's support, early in the session, would give Congress enough time to limit the dumping of waste in Michigan and elsewhere. The bill, sponsored by Rep. John Dingell, D-Dearborn, the committee's chairman, and Rep. Mike Rogers, R-Brighton, would let states limit the shipment and dumping of international municipal solid waste until the Environmental Protection Agency issues regulations on trash from Canada. Michigan receives about 350 truckloads of Canadian trash every day, prompting complaints from community residents who live in its wake. They contend it creates health hazards and unsafe roads while posing security risks because of the difficulties border officials face screening the trash. "Year after year, our neighbors to the north continue to bring trash through Detroit and Port Huron into Michigan's 56,000 square miles," Dingell said. "It is my opinion that the Canadians would do well to dispose of it in their own 4 million square miles rather than causing detriment to our roads and subjecting our citizens to further environmental and security risks." Ontario officials, following negotiations with Sens. Debbie Stabenow, D-Lansing, and Carl Levin, D-Detroit, and Dingell, agreed last year to phase out shipments of municipal trash from Toronto and other Ontario communities into Michigan by 2010. The plan includes a 40 percent decrease by the end of 2008. The agreement does not include industrial and commercial waste, which accounts for more than half of the Canadian trash entering Michigan each year. Republicans said last year that the agreement was nonbinding and only a legislative approach would reduce the influx of trash.

Opponents of landfill limits cite need for jobs in Michigan Bill sponsor: Main objective to reduce out-of-state trash By Tanya Bigham Capital News Service Opponents of recent proposals to limit new landfill construction and expansion argue the restrictions could end up hurting Michigan's economy. A need for jobs is one reason not to restrict landfills, said Mike Johnston, director of regulatory affairs for the Michigan Manufacturers Association. Increase cost Shrinking the space in landfills would increase the cost of waste disposal, which in turn would increase the cost of doing business in Michigan and deter new businesses from coming here, he said. Advertisement Among businesses that would be most affected by this proposal are manufacturers, including the auto industry, and builders, which both generate a lot of industrial waste, said Russ Harding, senior environmental policy analyst with the Mackinac Center for Public Policy in Midland. The center is a free market-oriented think tank. But the sponsor of the bill, Rep. Kate Ebli, D-Monroe, said the main objective is to decrease the amount of out-of-state and Canadian garbage imported into Michigan's landfills. One out of every three bags of waste dumped into Michigan's landfills arrives from outside of the state, she said. "We should not be the dumping ground for other people's trash. This is a beautiful state, and we need to be the magnet for 21st century jobs and not garbage," she said. Private businesses But Deb Muchmore, communications director for the Michigan Waste Industry Association, said that the public needs to know that most landfills are private businesses. The government shouldn't be able to tell someone that he or she can't expand their business, said Muchmore. Johnston agreed. "This is an assault by the government on the private sector," he said. "This problem will resolve itself." Muchmore said most of Michigan's 52 landfills already have pre-approved space designated for expansion. Recycling focus Hugh McDiarmid Jr., communication director of the Michigan Environmental Council, said that there should be more focus on creating and funding a robust recycling program to help reduce disposal amounts. The council is a coalition of environmental groups. A "tipping fee" that would increase the cost to dump would deter outside garbage, said McDiarmid. But the idea hasn't generated enough legislative support. ____END OF ARTICLE__________________________________________ Poster opinion: THIS ARGUMENT GOES RIGHT ALONG WITH, LET'S NOT END SLAVERY BECAUSE IT WILL HURT THE ECONOMY OF THE SOUTH AND INCONVENIENCE WHITE PEOPLE. lol

Get over it private business. You need to watch the LORAX a few more times. While you are taking your exotic vacations from profit from "trashing" Michigan, Michigan is becoming the "trash state." Surely we have more going for us than that. I'm sick of JOBS, JOBS, JOBS. "It's all about the jobs," as an excuse for EVERY action taken in this state. If the legislature would start cooperating, our economy would be OK. Don't think the citizens haven't noticed that hardly any bills have passed since you started fighting over the budget. It's time for Lansing to do THEIR jobs if they want to get re-elected.

I think the following comments are utter BULLSHIT: "The government shouldn't be able to tell someone that he or she can't expand their business, said Muchmore." "This is an assault by the government on the private sector," he said. "This problem will resolve itself." ------------------------------------------------- The only outcome will be that the business OWNERS will make a grand profit, send their children to private schools, move away after Michigan becomes the trash state, leaving the average citizen behind or moving, too. That is the only outcome in this "FREE MARKET" scenario. Pollution is EVERYONE'S BUSINESS. The upper class business owners with influence on government can't just reason their way out of this. We are all watching how this plays out and will vote accordingly.

HOUSE BILL No. 4047 January 22, 2007, Introduced by Reps. Ebli, Angerer, Hopgood, Byrum, Corriveau, Kathleen Law, Valentine, Simpson, Byrnes, Alma Smith, Vagnozzi, Espinoza, Brown, Hammel, Bauer, McDowell, Hammon, Condino, Hood, Griffin, Spade, Dean, Melton, Sheltrown, Gonzales, Donigan and Young and referred to the Committee on Great Lakes and Environment. A bill to amend 1994 PA 451, entitled "Natural resources and environmental protection act," (MCL 324.101 to 324.90106) by adding section 11511c; and to repeal acts and parts of acts. THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF MICHIGAN ENACT: Sec. 11511c. (1) Notwithstanding any other provision of this part, and except as otherwise provided in this section, the department shall reject any application for a permit to construct a landfill submitted after December 31, 2005 and before the effective date of the amendatory act that added this section, and shall not accept an application for a permit to construct a landfill submitted on or after that effective date and before January 1, 2012. (2) The department may issue a permit for a design modification to an existing landfill if the modification does not result in a net increase in remaining disposal capacity calculated as provided under section 11507a. (3) The department may issue a permit to construct an expansion to an existing landfill if the applicant demonstrates that the landfill has less than 3 years of remaining disposal capacity calculated as provided under section 11507a and the application otherwise meets the requirements of this part. A permit issued under this subsection shall provide not more than a total of 8 years of remaining disposal capacity when added to the remaining disposal capacity existing prior to issuance of the permit. The amount of time of remaining disposal capacity shall be calculated based on the average of the 3 prior years of waste receipt as reported under section 11507a. (4) The department may issue a permit to construct a type III landfill that is a captive facility if the application otherwise meets the requirements of this part. (5) As used in this section, "captive facility" means that term as defined in section 11525a. (6) This section is repealed effective January 1, 2012.

Kati is looking out for the future of Michigan. It's not all about jobs.

Hurt private lawfully operating business, citizens (for you government educated sheepl) because when you cut the supply of things the price goes up so you can all expect tax increases and it will not help make michganistan cleaner. landfills today look like hills and rolling meadows, if there wasn't a sign out front you wouldn't know what it was. Less Government + Less Regulations = More Prosperity

Because we are QUICKLY become the garbage state. I KNOW it would hurt landfill businesses, DUH. I think it's worth it. The profit of a FEW, compared to the best interest of the STATE as a whole. The days of PURE PROFIT are over. All of our actions, including that of private business, are connected as a GLOBAL society. See Global Warming. Out of state trash and out of country trash are the main issues, then (SORRY private business of landfills) we DO need to take a hard look at ourselves in terms of the amount of trash we produce. Sure being a businessman and drinking martinis off the profit of landfills is a lot more FUN to do, BUT not necessarily the WISE thing to do for the PEOPLE of the state of Michigan.

Stop being so selfish and look to the future for our children in Michigan. Long past time to clean up our act a bit in Michigan and stop centering our lives around the waste disposal habits of the Big 3. We need to stop being so dependent on them LONG TERM. This transition time is hard, BUT...

Go for it.

a good little socialist. Glad to see that the government indoctrination centers are still doing a good job. When you stop putting garbage at the curb you can spout all this bunny hugging nonsense, until then why don't you go to a landfill, check it out, do some investigating, my guess is that these places are cleaner than your house. "All of our actions, including that of private business, are connected as a GLOBAL society" WRONG This is the U.S. "See Global Warming." Talk about a money maker, heck algore built himself a castle off of sheeple like you that have drank the kool aid. Even The New York Times bridles at this. After Gore won the Academy Award for his film on climate change, the Times printed an article in which respected scientists -- not Republicans, not on oil company payrolls -- charged that Gore has vastly exaggerated the likelihood of catastrophic effects.

"look to the future for our children in Michigan" I see you are one of the few that believe two penny jenny is going to leave us anything for a future.

that you libs won't compare to slavery?????? "Poster opinion: THIS ARGUMENT GOES RIGHT ALONG WITH, LET'S NOT END SLAVERY BECAUSE IT WILL HURT THE ECONOMY OF THE SOUTH AND INCONVENIENCE WHITE PEOPLE. lol"

She believed it was important that schools educate their children about ecology and the environment. I am a product of Michigan schools and proud of it. I am sorry you think of the citizens of Michigan as sheeply. You yourself have a limited vocabulary since you use that word so frequently.

Isn't this bill just to limit landfill expansion? This is not the tipping fee increase ($7.25) we were promised! Where is that bill? Having a hard time getting support for that? Wonder why? Canadian trash trucks are, and will still continue to roll into Wayne Co. untill Federal legislaiton is passed to prevent it. Remember NAFTA (Thanks Slick Willie for that). No amount of legislation from the state will stop that. Dig a litte deeper than the surface and you'll see this for what it is....grandstanding. It was a "politically" popular issue in 2002 and still is...but not much action being taken. Unfortunaly, this is about getting relected, not about saving our environment. I just can't respect the work of a legislator who missed 123 votes in her fist few months of work...sorry we deserve more for our tax dollars. I want real results, not just talk.

Is this the same Rep. Ebli that wants to eliminate retirement and healthcare for state representatives AFTER she terms out? WOW! What a big sacrifice you are making... What a laugh!

went to school in this country before 1960 has forgotten more than they ever taught you. You learned about earth day, we learned about freedom and the constitution. We learned that God given rights can never be taken away while government given rights or "priviledges" as they started calling them in the first drivers ed courses can be taken at any time. Anything you do that doesn't affect the property or well being of others is none of the governments business but you young sheeple would give away all your freedoms for 125 cable channels, x-box and mtv. Most college grads today couldn't pass an 8th grade exam from 1955. The public indoctrination centers are doing exactly what they were intended to. You may wake up someday, or not.

you aced the spelling and grammar part of your finals. .....At least your self esteem is good. The real world is going to be a cruel place for you.

Isn't this the Rep. who missed 123 votes since taking office? Not sure I can respect anything that she has to say - she's not takign her job very seriously. Also, didn't she propose the eliminaiton of retirement and health care for state reps to take effect AFTER she terms out? WOW! Big sacrifice on her part - what a joke. More political hot air. Also, her $7.50 increase will cost taxpayers of Michigan, not Canadian's who have contracts for the next 5-years locked in. Thanks for raising our trash pick-up. Thanks - for nothing.

Sorry I can't take anything this legislator says seriously after she missed 123 votes since taking office. She also proposed that legislators loose their retirement and healthcare benefits to take effect AFTER she terms out...What a joke, a real sacrifice on her part. She's just another Lansing puppet for the Party, not a original thought in her head. Also, the bill to raise the tipping fees to $7.50 will cost Michigan taxpayers dearly at the curbside. Hope it passes so everyone can see it for the poorly concieved bill it is. Guess what the money raised from the tax increase will all got into the General Fund - not for townships or recycling , nice bait and switch on taxpayers. I am sure Kawami will appreciate more money for Detroit.

Rep. Coulouris, having reserved the right to explain his nay vote, made the following statement: "Mr. Speaker and members of the House: I voted 'Nay' on the amendment offered by Representative Law because I believe the amendment is unconstitutional insofar as it violates the commerce clause and treaties provisions of the United States Constitution."

Rep. Bieda, having reserved the right to explain his nay vote, made the following statement: "Mr. Speaker and members of the House: I have always strongly supported strict restrictions on the importation of trash. If it were to be accomplished as easily as stated in this amendment, it should have been adopted long ago. This amendment, offered for what appears to be blatant political purposes, is not the right way to go. Indeed even a marginal student finishing his or her first year of law school should readily recognize that this amendment is clearly unconstitutional under Article I, Section 8, Clause 3 of the United States Constitution. This clause, known as the Commerce Clause, empowers the United States Congress "To regulate Commerce with foreign Nations, and among the several States, and with the Indian Tribes." Interpretation of the sixteen words of the Commerce Clause has helped define the balance of power between the federal government and individual states. The Commerce Clause is an important source of powers delegated to Congress, and therefore its interpretation is very important in determining the scope of federal legislative power. Because this amendment would violate the Commerce Clause, its inclusion in this bill appears to be designed to destroy the entire bill, by adding language that would subject it to a successful constitutional challenge. I have never believed in playing these silly partisan games. Thus, while I will continue to work to address the trash problem, I will not support actions that clearly violate the United States Constitution."

Rep. Hoogendyk, having reserved the right to explain his protest against the passage of the bill, made the following statement: "Mr. Speaker and members of the House: Regarding passage of 4047, 4485, 4486. The trash industry is already heavily regulated. They have operated within the current regulatory framework. This act would violate private property laws by allowing DEQ officers to enter private property without notice, whenever they desire. This act could have a severe negative impact on current contracts with counties and cost counties a great deal of extra money. Provisions in the bill could lead to more landfills being sited in Michigan leading to an actual increase in out-of-state trash coming into the state. These bills undermine local authority and would lead to much higher prices for trash disposal. Many current projects could be compromised and the fees that end up going to infrastructure, parks and public safety could also be curtailed. Meanwhile, the real issue, importation of Canadian trash would not be addressed."

These landfills are not "lawful" by any means. Many of them, such as Carleton Farms, are out of compliance with state and federal regulations. But I forgot that the environment doesn't matter at the Mackinac Center because hybrid cars are a threat to Michigan's economy. You guys should really read the crap this place puts out.