Protecting and Promoting Your Interests

MAA Testifies in Support of SB 1210

On November 29, 2018, MAA President, Doug Needham, along with MAA General Counsel, Ken Vermeulen, testified in front of the Senate Natural Recourses Committee expressing their support of Senate Bill 1210. 
 
It was conveyed throughout their testimony, that this bill will set clear and consistent regulations to ensure continued access to natural aggregates that form the building blocks of Michigan’s infrastructure.
 
In addition to providing the committee with a legal historical summary, MAA mentioned that municipalities that are prodded on by effective activist groups continue to engage in a variety of tactics that have resulted in both the prevention of new mines and increased costs in mining operations throughout Michigan.  This has been done through aggressive mining ordinances and by imposing standards that unrealistically limit the miner’s capability to meet the needs of the marketplace.
 
During testimony, MAA mentioned that due to these increasingly effective opposition groups, Michigan is about to face a deficit of availability to natural aggregates.  This is despite the fact that we have a physical abundance of aggregate material located within our state
 
In opposition to the bill, the following organizations testified: Michigan Township Association, Michigan Environmental Council, and various representatives including trial attorneys from Metamora Township.
 
In an effort to move this bill efficiently and effectively during the remainder of the 2018 legislative session, MAA has worked with both the senate and the house to introduce the same bill in both chambers so that it can be moved in a timely manner.  The senate version is SB 1210 and the house version is HB 6530.  Both bills contain the same language.  Next week, MAA is planning to testify in support of HB 6530 in front of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee.
 
Therefore, please continue to contact your representatives and urge them to support SB 1210 and HB 6530.
 
Find your Senator by clicking here
 
Find your Representative by clicking here
 
Please discuss and share MAA’s “White Paper” (click here) with your representative.
 
Click here to download a copy of SB 1210
 
Click here to download a copy of HB 6530
 
Please follow-up with Doug Needham, MAA President at (517) 896-6186 cell and let him know the details of your discussions.