2009 House Bill 5368 / 2010 Public Act 299

Restrict phosphorous fertilizer

Introduced in the House

Sept. 15, 2009

Introduced by Rep. Terry Brown (D-84)

To prohibit (with certain specified exceptions) spreading a fertilizer containing more than 0.5 percent of the plant nutrient “available phosphate” (p2o5) on a lawn, golf course or other grass. Also, to require “containment procedures” if such fertilizers are spread on an impervious surface.

Referred to the Committee on Great Lakes and Environment

Nov. 12, 2009

Reported without amendment

Without amendment and with the recommendation that the bill pass.

Sept. 23, 2010

Substitute offered by Rep. Arlan Meekhof (R-89)

To replace the previous version of the bill with one that revises various details, but does not change its substance. This version was subsequently superseded by another substitute with more changes.

The substitute failed by voice vote

Substitute offered by Rep. Terry Brown (D-84)

To replace the previous version of the bill with one that revises details but does not change the substance as previously described.

The substitute passed by voice vote

Amendment offered by Rep. Terry Brown (D-84)

To back up the effective date of the proposed restrictions, and impose certain standards on the soil tests and testers required by the bill.

The amendment passed by voice vote

Passed in the House 63 to 41 (details)

Received in the Senate

Sept. 28, 2010

Referred to the Committee on Natural Resources and Environmental Affairs

Nov. 10, 2010

Reported without amendment

With the recommendation that the substitute (S-2) be adopted and that the bill then pass.

Dec. 1, 2010

Substitute offered

To replace the previous version of the bill with one that would allow use as grass fertilizer of a finished sewage sludge product, organic manure, or manipulated manure, subject to certain conditions.

The substitute passed by voice vote

Dec. 2, 2010

Passed in the Senate 32 to 1 (details)

To prohibit (with certain specified exceptions) spreading a fertilizer containing more than 0.5 percent of the plant nutrient “available phosphate” (p2o5) on a lawn, golf course or other grass. Also, to allow the use as grass fertilizer of a finished sewage sludge product, organic manure, or manipulated manure, subject to certain conditions.

Received in the House

Dec. 2, 2010

Passed in the House 63 to 37 (details)

To concur with the Senate-passed version of the bill, which also would allow the use as grass fertilizer of a finished sewage sludge product, organic manure, or manipulated manure, subject to certain conditions.

Signed by Gov. Jennifer Granholm

Dec. 16, 2010