ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE BOARD S.B. 874 (S-2): FLOOR ANALYSIS
Senate Bill 874 (Substitute S-2 as reported)
Sponsor: Senator Patricia L. Birkholz
Committee: Local, Urban and State Affairs
CONTENT
The bill would amend the Legislative Council Act to create the Michigan Legislative Environmental Science Board (MLESB), and require the MLESB to advise the Legislature on issues affecting the conservation of natural resources.
The MLESB would consist of nine members appointed by the Legislative Council with expertise in the following: engineering, ecological science, economics, chemistry, physics, biological sciences, human medicine, statistics, and risk management. Members would have to serve without compensation but could be reimbursed for their actual and necessary expenses incurred in the performance of their official duties as members of the Board. The Council would have to appoint the first Board members, and an executive director who would administer the MLESB, within 90 days after the bill's effective date.
Upon request of the Senate Majority Leader or the Speaker of the House of Representatives, the MLESB would have to advise the Legislature on issues affecting the conservation of the natural resources of the State. In its deliberations, the board would have to use sound, objective, scientific reasoning, and consider both economic reasonableness and relative risk to human health and the environment. As appropriate, the MLESB could make inquiries, studies, and investigations; hold hearings; and receive comments from the public.
All departments, boards, commissions, or officers of the State, or of any political subdivision of the State, would have to give the MLESB, or any member or representative of the Board, both of the following: assistance requested by the MLESB, or any Board member or representative, in the performance of the Board's duties, as far as it was compatible with the entity's or officer's duties; and, subject to confidentiality protections provided by law, free access to any books, records, or documents in the entity's or officer's custody relating to matters within the scope of the Board's inquiry, study, or investigation.
MCL 4.1102 et al. Legislative Analyst: Suzanne Lowe
FISCAL IMPACT
The bill would have no fiscal impact on State or local government.
Date Completed: 2-28-06 Fiscal Analyst: Stephanie Yu
floor\sb874 Analysis available @ http://www.michiganlegislature.org
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.
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. sb874/0506