USE OF MERCURY IN SCHOOLS



Senate Bill 1262 (Substitute H-1)

Addendum to SFA analysis (10-4-00)


Sponsor: Sen. Shirley Johnson

Senate Committee: Education

House Committee: Education



ADDENDUM TO SENATE FISCAL AGENCY ANALYSIS OF SB 1262 DATED 7-27-00:


HOUSE COMMITTEE ACTION:


The House Committee on Education adopted a substitute, Substitute H-1, which would have the effect of extending the mercury elimination program to nonpublic schools.


Under the House committee substitute, after December 31, 2004, public and nonpublic schools would be prohibited from purchasing, storing, or using free flowing elemental mercury for any experiment, display, or other purpose, including use of an instrument that contains mercury such as a thermometer, barometer, or sphygmomanometer, or manometer containing mercury. If no reasonably acceptable mercury-free alternative existed, then an instrument could be used that contained the lowest mercury content available on the market. Finally, public and nonpublic schools would be required to dispose of mercury and instruments containing mercury in a way that is acceptable under state and federal law.


POSITIONS:


The Department of Environmental Quality supports the bill. (10-3-00)


The Michigan Education Association supports the bill. (10-3-00)


The Michigan United Conservation Clubs supports the bill. (10-3-00)











Analyst: J. Hunault



This analysis was prepared by nonpartisan House staff for use by House members in their deliberations, and does not constitute an official statement of legislative intent.