2018 Senate Bill 1197 / Public Act 359

Authorize Straits of Mackinac pipeline and utility tunnel

Introduced in the Senate

Nov. 8, 2018

Introduced by Sen. Tom Casperson (R-38)

To give the Mackinac Bridge Authority the authority to install a utility tunnel under the Straits of Mackinac. This would contain a controversial oil pipeline, power lines and other utility infrastructure. The bill authorizes the Authority to borrow and levy user fees to build and operate the tunnel.

Referred to the Committee on Government Operations

Nov. 29, 2018

Reported without amendment

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

Received in the House

Dec. 4, 2018

Referred to the Committee on Government Operations

In the Senate

Dec. 5, 2018

Amendment offered

To revise details of various provisions and definitions, and clarify details related to the proposed new authority and the existing Mackinac Bridge Authority.

The amendment passed by voice vote

Passed in the Senate 25 to 13 (details)

To create a new Mackinac Straits Corridor Authority governed by a three member board appointed by the governor with the duty of entering into agreements for the construction, maintenance, operation, and decommissioning of a utility tunnel under the Straits of Mackinac, which among other things would contain a controversial oil pipeline. This is contingent on Gov. Rick Snyder finalizing a deal that has been in the works with Enbridge, the current oil pipeline owner, by the end of 2018.

In the House

Dec. 11, 2018

Reported without amendment

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

Substitute offered by Rep. Lee Chatfield (R-107)

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. Sam Singh (D-69)

To increase the financial assurance bond requirements on the owner of the controversial oil pipeline that will use the tunnel.

The amendment failed by voice vote

Amendment offered by Rep. Tim Sneller (D-50)

To require contractors on the proposed tunnel to pay wages based on union pay scales that local union officials represent as prevalent in the area (dubbed "prevailing wages").

The amendment failed by voice vote

Amendment offered by Rep. Sam Singh (D-69)

To require the existing oil and gas pipeline in the Straits of Mackinac to be decommissioned by July 1, 2024.

The amendment failed by voice vote

Amendment offered by Rep. Donna Lasinski (D-52)

To require 75 percent of employees on the proposed tunnel to be Michigan residents, and half to be from northern Michigan.

The amendment failed by voice vote

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

To require the proposed tunnel agreement to include a plan on "how to engage this state’s labor pool in the project, including the means and methods for recruitment, training, and utilization".

The amendment passed by voice vote

Passed in the House 74 to 34 (details)

To give the Mackinac Bridge Authority the authority to install a utility tunnel under the Straits of Mackinac. This would contain a controversial oil pipeline, power lines and other utility infrastructure. The bill authorizes the Authority to borrow and levy user fees to build and operate the tunnel.

Received in the Senate

Dec. 11, 2018

Passed in the Senate 25 to 12 (details)

To create a new Mackinac Straits Corridor Authority governed by a three member board appointed by the governor with the duty of entering into agreements for the construction, maintenance, operation, and decommissioning of a utility tunnel under the Straits of Mackinac, which among other things would contain a controversial oil pipeline. This is contingent on Gov. Rick Snyder finalizing a deal that has been in the works with Enbridge, the current oil pipeline owner, by the end of 2018.

Signed by Gov. Rick Snyder

Dec. 11, 2018