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HB 4742

Environmental protection: permits; denial of or imposition of additional conditions on; provide for when projects are located in environmentally overburdened communities, and repeal environmental permit review commission provisions. Amends secs. 1301, 1305, 1307 & 1311 of 1994 PA 451 (MCL 324.1301 et seq.); designates secs. 1301 - 1311 as subpt. 1; adds subpt. 2 to pt. 13 & repeals secs. 1313 - 1317 of 1994 PA 451 (MCL 324.1313 - 324.1317).

2025-2026 Regular Session Introduced by Joey Andrews and 26 co-sponsors

Allows denial or extra conditions on environmental permits for projects in environmentally overburdened communities.

bill electronically reproduced 07/22/2025
#civilrights:other #environmentalprotection:airpollution #environmentalprotection:permits #environmentalprotection:solidwaste #environmentalprotection:waterpollution #stateagencies(existing):boardsandcommissions
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Bill Summary · HB 4742

Summary — HB 4742 (2025)

Purpose

HB 4742 amends Part 13 (Permits) of the Natural Resources and Environmental Protection Act (1994 PA 451) to (1) provide that environmental permits for projects located in "environmentally overburdened communities" may be denied or issued with additional conditions, (2) reorganize existing provisions by designating sections 1301–1311 as Subpart 1 and adding a new Subpart 2, and (3) repeal provisions that create and govern the Environmental Permit Review Commission (sections 1313–1317).

Key provisions

  • Amends sections 1301, 1305, 1307, and 1311 of 1994 PA 451 to revise definitions and permit-processing rules and to place those sections in a new Subpart 1 of Part 13.
  • Adds a new Subpart 2 to Part 13 (text not fully reproduced in the excerpt) intended to authorize denial of, or imposition of additional conditions on, environmental permits when a project is located in an "environmentally overburdened community."
  • Repeals sections 1313–1317, removing the Environmental Permit Review Commission and related panel review processes contained in those sections.
  • Retains and (in the excerpt) re-states detailed definitions of “permit,” “department,” “director,” “application period,” and specific statutory processing deadlines for many permit types (e.g., 20–150 days depending on the permit and whether a hearing is held).

Permits covered

The bill’s definition of “permit” (as amended) expressly lists numerous permit types across air, water, waste, mining, fisheries, wildlife and other programs (examples include wetland permits, dredging, solid waste facility permits, landfill permits, mining permits, coastal/inland lakes project permits, dam permits, and many license/registration types). Where Subpart 2 applies, its standards would affect these listed permits when projects are sited in designated overburdened communities.

Who is affected

  • Permit applicants (private companies, developers, and other entities seeking the enumerated state permits).
  • State permitting agencies and the Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (DEGLE/DEQ referenced in statutory text) — which would have altered discretion and responsibilities.
  • Residents and local governments in communities designated as “environmentally overburdened,” potentially gaining stronger grounds for permit denial or additional mitigation conditions.
  • The Environmental Permit Review Commission and any stakeholders relying on that commission’s review process — the commission would be removed under the bill.

Procedural / timeline notes

  • Filed: March 13, 2025.
  • Committee activity: Subcommittee hearings and testimony in April 2025; reported favorably in early May 2025.
  • House action: Passed in the House (3rd reading) on May 15, 2025 (record votes and statements entered).
  • Administrative note: The bill text was electronically reproduced July 22, 2025 and referred to the House Committee on Natural Resources and Tourism (per the reproduction filing).

Potential impacts / considerations

  • Shifts decision-making authority: removes a centralized commission review process, increasing permitting authority and discretion of department directors and staff.
  • Environmental justice implications: would create a statutory path for denying or conditioning permits in overburdened communities, potentially strengthening protections for communities with disproportionate pollution burdens.
  • Regulatory and administrative effects: could increase permit denials, conditioned approvals, or litigation; may require agencies to define or identify “environmentally overburdened communities” and to develop implementing rules and guidance.
  • Applicants may face greater uncertainty or additional requirements for projects sited in affected communities.

Note: The publicly reproduced excerpt includes detailed amendments to definitions and processing deadlines but does not include the full text of the new Subpart 2 language; this summary reflects the bill’s stated purpose and the portions of the draft available in the provided materials.

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

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