Advocacy News – Feb. 23, 2024
What happened: This week, the Michigan Senate voted out House Bills (HB) 4824 and 4826 eliminating the Environmental Rules Review Committee (ERRC). The ERRC was one of two oversight panels designed to increase transparency and accountability in the environmental rules-making process. The bills were voted out along party lines and now head to the Governor, who is expected to sign them into law. The MI Chamber opposed passage of the bills as creating the panel was one of the organization’s priorities in 2018.
The ERRC was made up of 12 stakeholders to review all proposed rules by the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE) to ensure all stakeholders have been properly consulted and that the agency followed the law. The ERRC’s role is advisory; it’s purpose is to review and make a recommendation to the Governor on whether a rule should move forward. The 12 stakeholders comprised six individuals from varying business sectors, and six non-business or public representatives.
Why it matters: Getting a regulatory decision right, while ensuring key stakeholder’s voices are heard, is exactly what government is supposed to do — and there are multiple important benefits from a more robust review and understanding of a proposed rule and its impact.
What we’re saying: The MI Chamber believes the review process worked as intended and that the elimination of the ERRC is one more example of legislation that erodes stakeholder input and the integrity of the policymaking process.
For questions or more information, contact Mike Alaimo at malaimo@michamber.com.