SCR24, As Adopted by Senate, February 23, 2016

            Senator Meekhof offered the following concurrent resolution:

            Senate Concurrent Resolution No. 24.

            A concurrent resolution to create the Joint Select Committee on the Flint Water Public Health Emergency.

            Whereas, It is the inherent responsibility of the Legislature to oversee the operations of the executive branch and ensure the effective implementation and operation of state government programs. The Michigan Legislature passed the Safe Drinking Water Act in 1976 to grant the executive branch the power to ensure safe public drinking water for Michigan residents; and

            Whereas, In April 2014, the city of Flint began drawing its drinking water from the Flint River as a temporary water source while a new pipeline was being constructed to obtain water from Lake Huron through the Karegnondi Water Authority. In late 2014, total trihalomethanes above federal and state drinking water standards were detected in drinking water. Thereafter, elevated blood lead levels were discovered in citizens, including children, within the city of Flint; and

            Whereas, In response to state of emergency declarations by the city of Flint and Genesee County, Governor Rick Snyder declared a state of emergency on January 5, 2016 and requested a presidential disaster declaration. On January 16, 2016, President Barack Obama issued a presidential emergency declaration; and

            Whereas, There are multiple ongoing investigations into the actions leading to the public health emergency in the city of Flint, the response to the emergency, and the future steps that can be taken to ensure safe, clean drinking water for state residents; now, therefore, be it

            Resolved by the Senate (the House of Representatives concurring), That there be created the Joint Select Committee on the Flint Water Public Health Emergency. The joint select committee shall consist of three members of the Senate appointed by the Senate Majority Leader, one from the Senate Democratic Caucus recommended by the Senate Minority Leader and two from the Senate Republican Caucus, and three members of the House of Representatives appointed by the Speaker of the House, one from the House Democratic Caucus recommended by the House Minority Leader and two from the House Republican Caucus. The Senate Majority Leader shall designate the chairperson of the joint select committee, and the Speaker of the House shall designate the vice chairperson; and be it further

            Resolved, That the joint select committee shall examine the status and efficacy of governmental actions in response to the public health emergency in the city of Flint and Genesee County. In carrying out its duties, the joint select committee shall receive reports and information related to the public health emergency in the city of Flint and Genesee County. The joint select committee shall report to the Legislature a summary of the reports it has received and recommendations on further appropriate actions the Legislature may take to address the Flint water public health emergency and to prevent similar emergencies in other communities in the state.