State Sen. Rosemary Bayer (D-West Bloomfield) and state Reps. Sharon MacDonell (D-Troy), Jenn Hill (D-Marquette), and Donavan McKinney (D-Detroit) have jointly introduced legislation aiming to eliminate so-called “polluter panels” in Michigan.

“Michigan’s natural resources are a gift that should be appreciated and preserved for future generations,” Hill said. “When corporate polluters are allowed to regulate themselves, they usually favor industry interests over the interests of the people. This legislation will remove that bureaucratic burden, streamline the regulatory process and help us preserve the fresh air, clean water and beautiful landscapes of our state.”

House Bill 4826, sponsored by MacDonell, would strip one of the panels, the Environmental Rules Review Committee (ERRC), from statute, removing this unnecessary and harmful impediment to EGLE’s rulemaking process. McKinney and Hill sponsored HBs 4824 and 4825 — the package would remove references to the ERRC from other sections of state law.

Bayer introduced Senate Bills 393 and 394 to abolish two other boards, the Environmental Permit Review Board and Environmental Science Advisory Board. She says both have also interfered with EGLE’s mission.

“These boards and commissions are currently not serving any value to the state and have been a major roadblock in Michigan’s ability to keep up with the changing environmental regulatory landscape in a timely manner,” Bayer said. “Removing them will allow our state to respond quickly in the rulemaking process to protect our citizens and environment from a variety of issues, including PFAS.”