Act No. 247

Public Acts of 2004

Approved by the Governor

July 22, 2004

Filed with the Secretary of State

July 23, 2004

EFFECTIVE DATE: October 1, 2004

STATE OF MICHIGAN

92ND LEGISLATURE

REGULAR SESSION OF 2004

Introduced by Rep. Gleason

ENROLLED HOUSE BILL No. 4729

AN ACT to amend 1994 PA 451, entitled "An act to protect the environment and natural resources of the state; to codify, revise, consolidate, and classify laws relating to the environment and natural resources of the state; to regulate the discharge of certain substances into the environment; to regulate the use of certain lands, waters, and other natural resources of the state; to prescribe the powers and duties of certain state and local agencies and officials; to provide for certain charges, fees, and assessments; to provide certain appropriations; to prescribe penalties and provide remedies; to repeal certain parts of this act on a specific date; and to repeal certain acts and parts of acts," (MCL 324.101 to 324.90106) by adding section 3313.

The People of the State of Michigan enact:

Sec. 3313. (1) A person who commits a violation of this part that does not result in harm to or pose a substantial threat to natural resources, the environment, or human health is guilty of a misdemeanor punishable by a fine of not more than $500.00 for each violation. A law enforcement officer may issue and serve an appearance ticket upon a person for that violation pursuant to sections 9a to 9g of chapter IV of the code of criminal procedure, 1927 PA 175, MCL 764.9a to 764.9g.

(2) A person who commits a violation of this part that results in harm to or poses a substantial threat to natural resources, the environment, or human health, or a corporate officer who had advance knowledge of such a violation of this part but failed to prevent the violation, is guilty of a misdemeanor and may be imprisoned for not more than 6months and shall be fined not less than $1,000.00 or more than $2,500.00.

(3) A person who commits a violation described in subsection (2) after a first conviction for such a violation is guilty of a misdemeanor and may be imprisoned for not more than 1 year and shall be fined not less than $2,500.00 or more than $5,000.00.

(4) A person who commits a violation of this part that results in serious harm to or poses an imminent and substantial threat to natural resources, the environment, or human health and who knew or should have known that the violation could have such a result is guilty of a misdemeanor and may be imprisoned for not more than 1 year and shall be fined not less than $5,000.00 or more than $10,000.00.

(5) A person who commits a violation described in subsection (4) after a first conviction for such a violation is guilty of a misdemeanor and may be imprisoned for not more than 2 years and shall be fined not less than $7,500.00 or more than $15,000.00.

(6) A person who knowingly makes a false statement, representation, or certification in an application for a permit or a certificate of coverage or in a report required by a permit or certificate of coverage issued under or rule promulgated under this part is guilty of a misdemeanor and shall be fined not less than $1,000.00 or more than $2,500.00.

(7) A person who commits a violation described in subsection (6) after a first conviction for such a violation is guilty of a misdemeanor and may be imprisoned for not more than 1 year and shall be fined not less than $2,000.00 or more than $5,000.00.

(8) The attorney general may commence a civil action for appropriate relief for a violation of this part, including a permanent or temporary injunction restraining a violation or ordering restoration of natural resources affected by a violation and a civil fine of not more than $25,000.00. The action may be commenced in the circuit court for the county of Ingham or the county in which the violation occurred.

(9) If a person knowingly commits a violation of this part, the department may revoke a permit or certificate of coverage issued to the person under this part.

Enacting section 1. This amendatory act takes effect October 1, 2004.

Enacting section 2. This amendatory act does not take effect unless House Bill No. 4730 of the 92nd Legislature is enacted into law.

This act is ordered to take immediate effect.

Clerk of the House of Representatives

Secretary of the Senate

Approved

Governor