2025 House Bill 4314

Environmental protection: water pollution; removal of surface debris without a permit; allow.

A bill to amend 1994 PA 451, entitled “Natural resources and environmental protection act,” by amending section 32512 (MCL 324.32512), as amended by 2012 PA 247.

Official record

Mackinac Center Analysis

The bill amends rules on what can be done to waterways, specifically removing the need for a permit to remove debris or vegetation (with or without machine use), so long as it doesn't impact the lakebed. The bill also removes exceptions for the St. Clair flats.

Introduced in the House

April 16, 2025

Introduced by Rep. Alicia St. Germaine (R-62) and 26 co-sponsors

Co-sponsored by Reps. Mike Harris (R-52), Bill Schuette (R-95), Jay DeBoyer (R-63), Joseph Pavlov (R-64), Jamie Thompson (R-28), Rylee Linting (R-27), Angela Rigas (R-79), Timothy Beson (R-96), Mike Mueller (R-72), Bradley Slagh (R-85), Joey Andrews (D-38), John Roth (R-104), Matt Maddock (R-51), Jimmie Wilson (D-32), Ken Borton (R-105), David Martin (R-68), Tom Kunse (R-100), Jerry Neyer (R-92), Joseph Aragona (R-60), Gina Johnsen (R-78), Jason Morgan (D-23), Cameron Cavitt (R-106), Ron Robinson (R-58), Parker Fairbairn (R-107), Gregory Alexander (R-98) and Curtis VanderWall (R-102)

Referred to the Committee on Natural Resources and Tourism

Nov. 12, 2025

Reported without amendment

Dec. 10, 2025

Passed in the House 87 to 11 (details)

Motion to give immediate effect by Rep. Brian BeGole (R-71)

The motion prevailed by voice vote

Received in the Senate

Dec. 16, 2025

Referred to the Committee on Energy and Environment