November 9, 2017, Introduced by Senators ROBERTSON and BOOHER and referred to the Committee on Natural Resources.
A bill to amend 1994 PA 451, entitled
"Natural resources and environmental protection act,"
(MCL 324.101 to 324.90106) by adding part 26.
THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF MICHIGAN ENACT:
PART 26. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE ADVISORY BOARD
Sec. 2601. As used in this part, "board" means the
environmental science board created in section 2603.
Sec. 2603. (1) The environmental science advisory board is
created in the department of technology, management, and budget.
(2) The board shall consist of 9 individuals appointed by the
governor who have expertise in 1 or more of the following areas:
(a) Engineering.
(b) Environmental science.
(c) Economics.
(d) Chemistry.
(e) Geology.
(f) Physics.
(g) Biology.
(h) Human medicine.
(i) Statistics.
(j) Risk assessment.
(k) Other disciplines that the governor considers appropriate.
(3) A current legislator or a current employee of any office,
department, or agency of this state or of the federal government is
not eligible to serve as a member of the board.
Sec. 2605. (1) A member of the board shall serve for a term of
3 years, except that of the members first appointed, 3 shall serve
for a term of 2 years and 3 shall serve for a term of 1 year.
(2) A member of the board serves at the pleasure of the
governor. The governor may remove a member at any time, with or
without cause, and with or without prior notice. The governor shall
fill any vacancies on the board.
(3) If a vacancy occurs on the board, the governor shall make
an appointment for the unexpired term.
(4) The governor shall appoint a member of the board as
chairperson. The governor may appoint other members of the board to
other board offices. Officers of the board serve at the pleasure of
the governor.
(5) Members of the board shall serve without compensation but
may be reimbursed by this state for actual and necessary expenses
incurred in the performance of their official duties as members.
(6) A majority of the members of the board constitute a quorum
for the transaction of business at a meeting of the board. A
majority of the members of the board present and serving are
required for official action of the board.
(7) The business that the board may perform shall be conducted
at a public meeting of the board, respectively, held in compliance
with the open meetings act, 1976 PA 267, MCL 15.261 to 15.275.
(8) A writing prepared, owned, used, in the possession of, or
retained by the board in the performance of an official function is
subject to the freedom of information act, 1976 PA 442, MCL 15.231
to 15.246.
(9) The board may adopt operating procedures that are
consistent with this part.
(10) The board may incur expenses necessary to carry out its
duties under this part.
Sec. 2607. If requested by the board, a department, agency, or
office of state government may provide administrative, technical,
or legal staff to assist the board in the performance of its
duties.
Sec. 2609. (1) The board shall advise the governor on issues
affecting the protection of the environment or the management of
natural resources of this state. The board's duty to provide advice
is limited to the specific advice requested from time to time by
the governor. Any advice provided by the board is not legally
binding on or enforceable against any individual, governmental
entity, private entity, or other person.
(2) The board shall not review or advise on any application,
recommendation, or decision regarding a permit, license, or
environmental impact statement.
(3) Advice provided by the board shall be based on the
following factors:
(a) Objective reasoning.
(b) Sound science.
(c) Relative and realistic risk to human health and the
environment.
(d) Analogous practices used or positions taken by the federal
government and regulatory bodies in other states.
(e) Economic reasonableness.
Sec. 2611. (1) Upon receipt of a request from the governor to
provide advice on a particular issue, the chairperson of the board
shall convene a committee of the board consisting of members with
relevant expertise. The committee shall develop a plan for
formulating recommendations and make recommendations on the issue
to the board.
(2) The board shall deliberate on the recommendations made
under subsection (1) and provide written advice to the governor
regarding the governor's request.
(3) The board or any committee of the board may make
inquiries, develop studies, hold hearings, receive comments from
the public, and call upon experts who are not members of the board
to assist the board in its deliberations under this part.
(4) All departments, agencies, offices, officers, employees,
or contractors of this state, or any political subdivision of this
state, shall cooperate with the board or any committee of the
board, including, but not limited to, the following as requested by
the board or a committee of the board:
(a) Participating in meetings.
(b) Participating in inquiries or hearings.
(c) Providing any information.
(d) Providing access to documents, books, records, databases,
or other information.
(e) Any other assistance reasonably necessary and related to
the board's deliberations and duties under this part.
Enacting section 1. This amendatory act takes effect 90 days
after the date it is enacted into law.
Enacting section 2. This amendatory act does not take effect
unless all of the following bills of the 99th Legislature are
enacted into law:
(a) Senate Bill No.____ or House Bill No.____ (request no.
00927'17).
(b) Senate Bill No. 653.