ADOPT-A-RIVER LITTER INFO - S.B. 853 (S-1): FLOOR ANALYSIS

sans-serif">Senate Bill 853 (Substitute S-1 as reported)

Sponsor: Senator Cameron S. Brown

Committee: Natural Resources and Environmental Affairs

CONTENT

The bill would amend Part 359 (Adopt-A-River Program) of the Natural Resources and Environmental Protection Act to require the Department of Natural Resources (DNR) to provide Travel Michigan with information the DNR received from volunteer groups conducting litter cleanup efforts under the Adopt-A-River program. Travel Michigan would have to compile this information and use it in developing and administering an antilitter marketing program (which Senate Bill 856 would require).

Currently, Part 359 requires the DNR to provide volunteer groups with data information sheets and request the groups to record on the sheets the types of trash collected during the groups’ cleanup efforts. The bill would require the DNR, instead to provide volunteer groups with a method for them to record the types and amount of trash collected.

The bill is tie-barred to Senate Bill 856, which would require the Michigan Department of Transportation to conduct a comprehensive study of the State’s litter problems, and would require Travel Michigan to develop and administer a marketing program designed to reduce the incidence of littering. Senate Bill 853 (S-1) also is tie-barred to Senate Bill 721, which would impose a $3-per-ton surcharge on solid waste disposed of in landfills, and Senate Bill 790, which would establish a Recycling Advisory Council and an Office of the Statewide Recycling Coordinator.

MCL 324.35903 - Legislative Analyst: Suzanne Lowe

FISCAL IMPACT

The bill would revise a system of reporting litter and waste collected by volunteer groups participating in the Adopt-a-River program. The reporting provisions for volunteer groups would not have a significant fiscal impact on State or local government, although there could be some administrative costs associated with compiling the data.

Date Completed: 12-16-03 - Fiscal Analyst: Jessica RunnelsFloor\sb853 - Bill Analysis @ www.senate.michigan.gov/sfa

This analysis was prepared by nonpartisan Senate staff for use by the Senate in its deliberations and does not constitute an official statement of legislative intent.