LANSING, MI (WKZO AM/FM) – The Michigan Senate on Wednesday, May 17 passed a bill sponsored by State Senator Sean McCann of Kalamazoo aimed at restoring state control of water quality protections.
Senate Bill 14 would repeal the prohibition on state agencies establishing rules that are stricter than federal regulations, allowing state government to set the highest standards possible for Michigan’s drinking water.
Public Act 602 of 2018 passed primarily along party lines during the Lame Duck session at the time and prohibits the state from setting standards that exceed federal regulations which often exclude stronger, well-established data unique to a given state.
Regarding the passing of Senate Bill 14, McCann said, “I was very concerned when the 2018 law passed because federal standards across the board are usually set to the lowest common denominator. Michigan, because of its unique place nestled in the heart of Great Lakes, needs the authority to set higher standards for the protection of our natural resources, especially water.”
