Memorializing life of Janie Lou White

2025 Regular Session Introduced by Jay Taylor

Designates March 22, 2025 as Michigan Water Day to recognize water stewardship and urge protection of Great Lakes and groundwater, boosting awareness and investment.

Completed legislative action

Main purpose

SR 23 is a Senate resolution designating March 22, 2025 (United Nations World Water Day) as “Michigan Water Day.” The resolution affirms Michigan’s stewardship responsibilities for freshwater resources, promotes public awareness of water protection and conservation, and urges continued enforcement and investment in policies that protect Great Lakes and groundwater resources.

Key findings and policy messages in the resolution

Recognizes March 22 as World Water Day and highlights the 2025 theme of glacier preservation and sustainable management of meltwater.

Notes that the Great Lakes were shaped by glaciers and contain roughly 20% of the world’s surface freshwater (not locked in glaciers). Michigan’s jurisdiction includes approximately 38,000 square miles of Great Lakes surface water and bottomlands.

Affirms water as a human right, emphasizes the cultural and spiritual significance of water to Indigenous communities, and stresses the need for sustainability and respect for natural resources.

Calls attention to past surface- and groundwater contamination in Michigan and the need for continued state and federal investment in water infrastructure to ensure safe, affordable access to water and sanitation.

Urges vigilance against threats to Great Lakes water from outside (e.g., transfers or diversions) and specifically recommends strict enforcement of the Great Lakes–St. Lawrence River Basin Water Resources Compact (2008).

Supports continued investment in groundwater data collection, monitoring, and long‑term conservation measures.

Encourages residents to prevent pollution, conserve water, and celebrate and honor Michigan’s water resources on Michigan Water Day.

Directs that a copy of the resolution be transmitted to the nonprofit For Love of Water (FLOW).

Legal effect and impact

SR 23 is a commemorative, non‑binding Senate resolution (honorific). It does not create new legal obligations, appropriations, or regulatory authority.

Its principal impacts are symbolic and political: signaling legislative priorities, encouraging public awareness and agency attention, and supporting advocacy for enforcement and investment in water protection and infrastructure.

Stakeholders likely affected (influence rather than mandated obligations) include state agencies (environment, natural resources, public health, infrastructure planning), local governments, Indigenous communities, water utilities, conservation groups, and the general public.

Sponsors and procedural timeline (selected)

Sponsors/Authors: Senators Sam Singh (primary), with Senators Bayer, Chang, Geiss, McMorrow, Santana listed as offering the enrolled resolution.

Introduced/Filed: March 2025 (introduced in Senate March 14–19, 2025).

Adopted by the Senate: March 19, 2025 (rules suspended; vote recorded in legislative history).

Enrolled & transmitted: Enrolled, signed by Senate leadership and transmitted in April 2025; copy directed to For Love of Water.

Bottom line

SR 23 formally recognizes Michigan Water Day (March 22, 2025), affirms water protection and conservation priorities (including enforcement of the Great Lakes Compact and investment in groundwater monitoring), and serves as a policy statement to promote public awareness and legislative attention to Michigan’s freshwater resources.

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