WeVote
Log In

Bill

Bill

HB 4366

Criminal procedure: sentencing guidelines; sentencing guidelines for certain excess discharges into waters of the state; modify. Amends sec. 13c, ch. XVII of 1927 PA 175 (MCL 777.13c).

2025-2026 Regular Session Introduced by Greg Alexander and 23 co-sponsors

Michigan bill HB 4366 establishes new criminal sentencing guidelines for illegal water discharges to ensure consistent penalties for environmental crimes affecting the state's waterways.

bill electronically reproduced 04/22/2025
#criminalprocedure:sentencingguidelines #environmentalprotection:waterpollution
0
WeVote Research Nonpartisan
Bill Summary · HB 4366

Legislative bill overview

HB 4366 modifies Michigan's criminal sentencing guidelines to establish new sentencing parameters for individuals convicted of illegal excess discharges into the state's waters. The bill amends the sentencing guidelines framework under Michigan's Public Acts, specifically the criminal code section governing sentencing recommendations for environmental crimes.

Why is this important

Water pollution violations can harm public health, damage ecosystems, and affect Michigan's tourism and fishing industries. Clear sentencing guidelines ensure consistent judicial punishment for environmental crimes and signal the state's commitment to protecting its significant water resources, which include the Great Lakes and thousands of inland lakes.

Potential points of contention

  • Sentencing severity: Unclear whether the new guidelines increase, decrease, or maintain current penalties for water pollution—this affects whether prosecutors and environmental advocates view the measure as adequately protective or whether defendants' rights advocates see it as overly punitive
  • Definition scope: The bill's effectiveness depends on how "excess discharges" are legally defined—overly broad definitions could capture accidental pollution, while narrow ones might not address intentional violations
  • Enforcement implications: Establishing stricter sentencing guidelines only matters if state agencies have adequate resources to detect, investigate, and prosecute violations; unclear if this bill includes funding mechanisms

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

Sign in to ask a question.