2017 House Bill 4583 / Public Act 134

Use "orphaned" fuel tank cleanup revenue for other purposes

Introduced in the House

May 4, 2017

Introduced by Rep. Mary Whiteford (R-80)

To divert money from a 7/8 cent per gallon gas tax originally levied to pay for cleanups of leaking underground fuel tanks abandoned decades earlier where no known party is liable ("orphan sites"). The revenue from this tax was the target of an earlier 2004 <a href="http://www.michiganvotes.org/2004-HB-6074">fund raid</a> that earmarked most of the money for other state spending. This bill would also divert money to subsidies for current underground fuel tank owners who are liable for contamination that occurred before 2015; to developers of "brownfield" property with leaking tanks; and to local governments for cleanups related to past road work.

Referred to the Committee on Natural Resources

June 14, 2017

Reported without amendment

With the recommendation that the substitute (H-1) be adopted and that the bill then pass.

June 20, 2017

Amendment offered by Rep. Stephanie Chang (D-6)

To slightly expand one of the conditions of the proposed clean up cost reimbursements.

The amendment failed by voice vote

Amendment offered by Rep. Stephanie Chang (D-6)

To expand the things for which the legislature can reimburse local governments using money from a gas tax that (supposedly) is collected for underground fuel tank cleanups, in a manner that would essentially allow anything that a majority of the House and Senate want, with the governor's approval.

The amendment failed by voice vote

Amendment offered by Rep. Christine Greig (D-37)

To prohibit any leaking underground cleanup reimbursements from being authorized until the highest priority cleanups have all been completed.

The amendment failed by voice vote

Amendment offered by Rep. Bill Sowerby (D-31)

To revise net worth calculations in a provision related to financial responsibility requirements for certain fuel tank owners.

The amendment failed by voice vote

Passed in the House 61 to 46 (details)

Received in the Senate

June 21, 2017

Referred to the Committee on Natural Resources

Sept. 26, 2017

Reported without amendment

With the recommendation that the bill pass.

Oct. 10, 2017

Passed in the Senate 26 to 10 (details)

To divert money from a 7/8 cent per gallon gas tax originally levied to pay for cleanups of leaking underground fuel tanks abandoned decades earlier where no known party is liable ("orphan sites"). The revenue from this tax was the target of an earlier 2004 <a href="http://www.michiganvotes.org/2004-HB-6074">fund raid</a> that earmarked most of the money for other state spending. This bill would also divert money to subsidies for current underground fuel tank owners who are liable for contamination that occurred before 2015; to developers of "brownfield" property with leaking tanks; and to local governments for cleanups related to past road work.

Signed by Gov. Rick Snyder

Oct. 26, 2017