2018 Senate Bill 839 / Public Act 162

Revise mining permit amendment process

Introduced in the Senate

Feb. 22, 2018

Introduced by Sen. Tom Casperson (R-38)

To establish streamlined procedures and timetables for a mining company getting restrictions in its state operating permit revised, with many exceptions. This would specifically apply to the process state authorities use to determine that a permit amendment does not “result in environmental impacts that are materially increased or different” from those specified in the original permit. Among other things this refers to allowing a permittee “to relocate, reconfigure, or modify surface or underground facilities, buildings, or equipment, other than a tailings basin or a stockpile”.

Referred to the Committee on Natural Resources

March 8, 2018

Reported without amendment

With the recommendation that the bill pass.

March 22, 2018

Passed in the Senate 23 to 11 (details)

Received in the House

March 22, 2018

Referred to the Committee on Natural Resources

May 2, 2018

Reported without amendment

With the recommendation that the amendment be adopted and that the bill then pass.

In the Senate

May 15, 2018

Amendment offered

To revise the procedures and conditions on requests for permit changes the bill would authorize.

The amendment failed by voice vote

In the House

May 15, 2018

Amendment offered by Rep. Sara Cambensy (D-109)

To revise procedural details and add items that must be disclosed in a request to make the changes the bill would allow.

The amendment passed by voice vote

Passed in the House 64 to 44 (details)

To establish streamlined procedures and timetables for a mining company getting restrictions in its state operating permit revised, with many exceptions. This would specifically apply to the process state authorities use to determine that a permit amendment does not “result in environmental impacts that are materially increased or different” from those specified in the original permit. Among other things this refers to allowing a permittee “to relocate, reconfigure, or modify surface or underground facilities, buildings, or equipment, other than a tailings basin or a stockpile”.

Motion to reconsider by Rep. Dan Lauwers (R-81)

The vote by which the passed the bill.

The motion passed by voice vote

Received

Passed in the House 63 to 45 (details)

To establish streamlined procedures and timetables for a mining company getting restrictions in its state operating permit revised, with many exceptions. This would specifically apply to the process state authorities use to determine that a permit amendment does not “result in environmental impacts that are materially increased or different” from those specified in the original permit. Among other things this refers to allowing a permittee “to relocate, reconfigure, or modify surface or underground facilities, buildings, or equipment, other than a tailings basin or a stockpile”.

Received in the Senate

May 16, 2018

Passed in the Senate 25 to 12 (details)

To concur with the House-passed version of the bill.

Signed by Gov. Rick Snyder

May 23, 2018