Summary of Bill HB 5485 (Michigan, 2025-2026)
Overview
- Bill title: Natural resources: inland lakes; dam safety regulations; provide for.
- Jurisdiction: Michigan
- Session: 2025-2026
- Chief sponsor: Representative Bill Schuette
- Co-sponsors: Mike Hoadley; Matt Bierlein; Tom Kunse; Jason Woolford; Jerry Neyer; Amos O’Neal; Tim Kelly; Timmy Beson; David Martin
- Introduced/referred: Introduced 1/29/2026; first reading 1/29/2026; referred to the Committee on Natural Resources and Tourism
- Action history highlights: Bill electronically reproduced 1/29/2026
Note: The bill amends a broad set of provisions within the Inland Lakes and Dam Safety framework established by 1994 PA 451 (Michigan Compiled Laws 324.31502 et seq.), and adds several new sections (designated with “a” or new numeric identifiers). The intent appears to strengthen or reform regulations related to inland lakes and dam safety, though the precise provisions require reading the statutory text.
Purpose and Intent
- To update and expand dam safety and inland lake regulatory provisions in Michigan.
- To create or modify statutory requirements governing the safety, operation, inspection, and oversight of dams and potentially associated activities on inland lakes.
- To introduce new sections (designated with “a”) that likely add specific duties, standards, reporting requirements, or enforcement mechanisms related to dam safety and inland lake management.
Key Provisions and Changes (Expected focal areas based on bill’s scope)
Given the bill’s scope to amend numerous sections of the inland lakes and dam safety statute and to add new sections, the likely areas of substantive change include:
- Dam safety standards and inspections
- Revised or enhanced dam design criteria, safety thresholds, and inspection frequency.
- Expanded reporting requirements for dam owners and public authorities.
- Public safety and notification
- Provisions governing hazard potential classifications, emergency action plans, and public safety measures around dams and associated lakes.
- Regulatory authority and enforcement
- Clarified or expanded powers for state or local agencies to regulate dam safety, issue permits, and enforce compliance.
- Permitting and construction/repair requirements
- New or revised permit processes for construction, modification, or removal of dams and related structures.
- Inland lake management and recreation
- Impact on lake access, use restrictions, and management practices intended to balance safety with recreational use.
- Authority-conferring sections (new sections 31506a, 31509a, 31509b, 31517a, 31518a, 31518b, 31518c, 31518d, 31528a, 31528b)
- These new sections likely establish specific duties, timelines, or procedural steps, and possibly create new reporting, eligibility, or funding mechanisms related to inland lakes and dam safety.
Important: The exact text of amendments and new sections will determine the precise substantive changes, including any new definitions, standards, timelines, penalties, or funding mechanisms.
Who Would Be Affected
- Dam owners and operators of inland lakes within Michigan.
- Local governments and tribal authorities involved in dam oversight or land and water use around inland lakes.
- State agencies responsible for natural resources, dam safety, and inland lake management.
- Public safety officials and emergency management personnel responsible for hazard mitigation and response around dam facilities.
- Residents and recreational users of inland lakes who may be subject to updated safety or usage regulations.
Procedural and Timeline Aspects
- Timing: The bill was introduced and referred to the Natural Resources and Tourism Committee on January 29, 2026.
- Process: As a bill aiming to amend many sections and add new ones, it will undergo committee hearings, potential amendments, and votes in the Michigan House, and possibly the Senate, before any potential enactment.
- Implementation horizon: If enacted, new sections (31506a, 31509a/b, 31517a, etc.) would come into effect per the bill’s effective date, which would be specified within the enacted text (often a specified date or upon the bill’s signing).
Considerations for Readers
- The bill’s broad amendments suggest a comprehensive modernization of Michigan’s dam safety and inland lake regulatory framework.
- Readers should examine the final text of the amendments and new sections to understand specific requirements, exemptions, penalties, funding provisions, and transitional provisions.
- Stakeholders (dam owners, local officials, and lake communities) should monitor committee hearings for potential amendments and indicative fiscal impacts.
