Michigan Tax Alert: Your state senator just proposed a tax increase!

Americans for Prosperity (AFP) is the nation’s premier grassroots organization committed to advancing every individual’s right to economic freedom and opportunity. AFP believes reducing the size and scope of government is the best safeguard to ensuring individual productivity and prosperity for all Americans. AFP educates and engages citizens in support of restraining state and federal government growth, and returning government to its constitutional limits.

All Republicans? What the hell?

THROW THE RINOS OUT!!!!

Michigan is already nearly in a depression. Yes, vote the B...... out! RINOs too!

ping

Amen to that...I feel even more betrayed and confused.....I
think we need a 3rd party.

If you would like to be added or dropped from the Michigan ping list, please freepmail me.

I think we need a 3rd party.

What, in Michigan? I'd settle for a second party. Right now all we have are republicrats.

It gets better. On the Left Coast, where I've been ever since I was relocated (by family) from MI, and in particular the Peoples' Soviet of Washington, the inspections used to be only for the first chamber of the septic tank. Now it's both, and a few years ago we had to rip up a whole lot of concrete to make the second tank accessible.

We have to pay the fees for all these inpections.

SENATE BILL No. 45

January 27, 2009, Introduced by Senators BIRKHOLZ, ALLEN, PAPPAGEORGE and KAHN and referred to the Committee on Natural Resources and Environmental Affairs.

A bill to amend 1994 PA 451, entitled

“Natural resources and environmental protection act,”

(MCL 324.101 to 324.90106) by adding part 50.

THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF MICHIGAN ENACT:

PART 50 ON-SITE WASTEWATER TREATMENT SYSTEMS

Sec. 5001. As used in this part:

(a) “Advisory council” means the on-site wastewater treatment

system advisory council created in section 5010.

(b) “Alternative system” means an on-site wastewater treatment

system that is not a conventional system and provides for an

equivalent or better degree of protection for public health and the

environment, through uniform distribution of effluent to the final

disposal system or enhanced treatment prior to final disposal, or a

combination of these methods.

(c) “Conventional system” means an on-site wastewater

treatment system for treating sanitary sewage that utilizes a

septic tank and that provides nonuniform distribution of effluent

to subsurface soil.

(d) “Department” means the department of environmental

quality.

(e) “Inspector” means an employee of an authorized local

health department or other individual certified under section 5007

to conduct inspections of conventional systems or alternative

systems, or both.

(f) “Local health department” means a local health department

as defined in section 1105 of the public health code, 1978 PA 368,

MCL 333.1105.

(g) “On-site wastewater treatment system” means a system

relying on natural processes or mechanical components to collect,

treat, and discharge or reclaim wastewater from 1 or more dwellings

or buildings, including individual systems, community systems, and

commercial systems that use subsurface dispersal.

(h) “Sanitary sewage” means water and contaminants discharged

from sanitary conveniences, including bathroom, kitchen, and

household laundry fixture of dwellings, office buildings,

industrial plants, commercial buildings, and institutions. Sanitary

sewage does not include commercial laundry wastes and wastes from

industrial and commercial processes.

(i) “Technical committee” means the alternative system

technical advisory committee established in section 5011.

Sec. 5002. Beginning January 1, 2010, if a person enters into

a contract for the performance of an inspection of a conventional

system or an alternative system, that person shall contract for

that inspection with a certified inspector.

Sec. 5003. Beginning January 1, 2010, the owner of the

following on-site wastewater treatment systems shall obtain an

inspection of the on-site wastewater treatment systems by an

inspector at least every 10 years:

(a) A conventional system or an alternative system that

provides for uniform distribution of effluent only, that was

permitted for use by a local health department on or after January

1, 2010.

(b) A conventional system or an alternative system that

provides for uniform distribution of effluent only that has been

determined by a local health department to pose a threat to public

health or safety.

(c) A conventional system or an alternative system that

provides for uniform distribution of effluent only, that has been

inspected on or after January 1, 2010.

Sec. 5004. In conducting an inspection of a conventional

system, an inspector shall do all of the following:

(a) Locate, expose, open, and inspect the septic tank

associated with the system.

(b) Observe the surrounding area looking for surface drainage

problems or evidence of a drain field malfunction.

(c) Check for locations of an illicit discharge such as to a

waterway, wetland, ditch, or subsurface drain.

(d) Locate the drain field.

(e) Assess whether the system is exhibiting any of the

following:

(i) Evidence of backup of sewage into a structure.

(ii) Evidence of a discharge of effluent onto the ground or

into a water body.

(iii) A liquid level in the septic tank that is above the

outlet.

(iv) A structural failure of the septic tank.

Sec. 5005. In conducting an inspection of an alternative

system, an inspector shall assess both of the following:

(a) Whether the alternative system is functioning in the

manner that it was designed to function.

(b) Whether the alternative system is causing a threat to

public health or safety.

Sec. 5006. (1) The department, in consultation with the

advisory council, shall develop and make available on its website

an inspection report form for use in documenting the results of an

inspection of a conventional system and a report form for use in

documenting the results of an inspection of an alternative system.

(2) An inspector who conducts an inspection of an on-site

wastewater treatment system shall prepare an inspection report that

describes the results of the inspection. The inspector shall

provide a copy of the inspection report to the owner of the on-site

wastewater treatment system and the local health department with

jurisdiction over the location of the on-site wastewater treatment

system.

(3) Local health departments shall collaborate on establishing

compatible formats for maintaining records of inspection reports.

Sec. 5007. (1) Except as provided in subsection (2), beginning

January 1, 2010, an individual shall not conduct an inspection of a

conventional system or an alternative system unless the individual

has been certified by a local health department, the department, or

an organization approved by the department to conduct inspections

of conventional systems or alternative systems, as applicable. The

department shall approve a local health department or an

organization that provides certification for inspectors if the

department determines that the organization requires minimum levels

of education and experience in order to conduct the inspections and

requires an appropriate level of continuing education.

(2) A person who, prior to January 1, 2010, was determined to

be qualified to conduct inspections of conventional systems or

alternative systems by a local health department shall be

considered to be certified under subsection (1) to conduct

inspections for which the person is qualified within the territory

of that local health department.

Sec. 5008. (1) Beginning July 1, 2010, a person shall not

install an alternative system unless that type of alternative

system has been approved for use in this state by the department.

(2) A person may apply for approval of a particular type of

alternative system under subsection (1) by submitting an

application to the department in a format and containing the

information required by the department. Within 30 days of receipt

of an application, the department shall review an application and

determine whether it is administratively complete. Within 60 days

after receipt of an administratively complete application, the

department shall approve or disapprove a particular type of

alternative system for use in this state. In reviewing an

application under this section, the department shall rely upon

relevant guidance documents prepared by the technical committee. If

the department approves the use of an alternative system, the

department shall identify the appropriate characteristic soils,

site conditions, and operating conditions in which the alternative

system may be used. The department shall also determine the

frequency of inspections that are required for the alternative

system. The department may charge a fee for the review of

applications under this section.

(3) Unless a person has obtained a groundwater discharge

permit under part 31 for the use of an alternative system, the

person shall not install an alternative system unless he or she has

received a permit from the local health department in which the

alternative system is proposed to be located. If a local health

department administers an alternative system permit program within

its jurisdiction, the local health department shall approve the

installation of an alternative system if all of the following

conditions are met:

(a) The type of alternative system has been approved for use

by the department.

(b) The soils, site conditions, and operating conditions at

the location are appropriate for the use of the alternative system

as established by the department.

(c) The alternative system will be subject to inspections by

an inspector certified to inspect alternative systems or the

department in accordance with requirements of the department.

Sec. 5009. (1) The department may collaborate with interested

organizations such as the Michigan 4-H youth conservation council

and the Michigan state university extension in reviewing existing

educational materials and approving or developing additional

educational materials, including a multimedia educational campaign,

regarding the proper maintenance of on-site wastewater treatment

systems and the consequences to public health and the environment

from the failure to properly maintain on-site wastewater treatment

systems. The department may make these educational materials

available for copying and distribution to owners of on-site

wastewater treatment systems and to septage waste servicers and

inspectors. The department shall also make the educational

materials available on the department’s website.

(2) The department may specifically identify 1 or more sets of

educational materials that may be distributed by inspectors at the

time that they conduct inspections under this part.

Sec. 5010. (1) The on-site wastewater treatment system

advisory council is created within the department.

(2) The advisory council shall consist of the following

members:

(a) Four members appointed by the senate majority leader as

follows:

(i) A representative of a local health department who is

directly involved in daily inspections and site visits.

(ii) A director of environmental health in a local health

department.

(iii) A licensed professional engineer who is involved in

designing on-site wastewater treatment systems.

(iv) An engineer or soil scientist staff member from a college

or university.

(b) Four members appointed by the speaker of the house of

representatives as follows:

(i) An operator of an on-site wastewater treatment system.

(ii) A contractor who installs on-site wastewater treatment

systems.

(iii) A manufacturer’s representative or equipment distributor

of components commonly used in on-site wastewater treatment

systems.

(iv) A representative of an organization of licensed

residential home builders.

(c) Four members appointed by the governor as follows:

(i) A representative of an organization of licensed real estate

agents.

(ii) A resident of a residential community that is served by a

community on-site wastewater treatment system.

(iii) A representative of a local unit of government.

(iv) A representative of an environmental or conservation

association.

(3) The members first appointed to the advisory council shall

be appointed within 60 days after the effective date of the

amendatory act that added this section.

(4) Members of the advisory council shall serve for terms of 4

years or until a successor is appointed.

(5) A vacancy on the advisory council shall be filled for the

unexpired term in the same manner as the original appointment.

(6) A member of the advisory council may be removed for

incompetency, dereliction of duty, malfeasance, misfeasance, or

nonfeasance in office, or any other good cause.

(7) The first meeting of the advisory council shall be called

by the department. At the first meeting, the advisory council shall

elect from among its members a chairperson and other officers as it

considers necessary or appropriate. After the first meeting, the

advisory council shall meet at least quarterly, or more frequently

at the call of the chairperson or if requested by 5 or more

members.

(8) A majority of the members of the advisory council

constitute a quorum for the transaction of business at a meeting of

the advisory council. A majority of the members present and serving

are required for official action of the advisory council.

(9) The business that the advisory council may perform shall

be conducted at a public meeting of the advisory council held in

compliance with the open meetings act, 1976 PA 267, MCL 15.261 to

15.275.

(10) A writing prepared, owned, used, in the possession of, or

retained by the advisory council in the performance of an official

function is subject to the freedom of information act, 1976 PA 442,

MCL 15.231 to 15.246.

(11) Members of the advisory council shall serve without

compensation. However, members of the advisory council may be

reimbursed for their actual and necessary expenses incurred in the

performance of their official duties as members of the advisory

council.

(12) The advisory council shall do all of the following:

(a) Within 1 year after the effective date of the amendatory

act that added this section, review and make recommendations on the

establishment and funding for a statewide database to document the

locations of on-site wastewater treatment systems and problems

associated with them that may adversely affect the waters of the

state.

(b) Study and make recommendations for a statewide sewage

code.

(c) Study and make recommendations for a certification program

for inspectors.

(d) Study and make recommendations for additional regulations

to further improve water quality related to the use of on-site

wastewater treatment systems.

(e) Study and make recommendations for training or

certification of installers of on-site wastewater treatment

systems.

Sec. 5011. (1) The alternative system technical advisory

committee is created within the department.

(2) The technical committee shall consist of the following

members:

(a) Two members appointed by the senate majority leader as

follows:

(i) A representative of a local health department who is

directly involved in daily inspections and site visits.

(ii) A director of environmental health in a local health

department.

(b) Two members appointed by the speaker of the house of

representatives as follows:

(i) A licensed professional engineer who is involved in

designing on-site wastewater treatment systems.

(ii) An engineer or soil scientist staff member from a college

or university.

(c) Three members appointed by the governor as follows:

(i) An operator of an on-site wastewater treatment system.

(ii) A contractor who installs on-site wastewater treatment

systems.

(iii) A manufacturer’s representative or equipment distributor

of components commonly used in on-site wastewater treatment

systems.

(d) A representative of the department.

(3) The members first appointed to the technical committee

shall be appointed within 60 days after the effective date of the

amendatory act that added this section.

(4) Members of the technical committee shall serve for terms

of 4 years or until a successor is appointed.

(5) A vacancy on the technical committee shall be filled for

the unexpired term in the same manner as the original appointment.

(6) A member of the technical committee may be removed for

incompetency, dereliction of duty, malfeasance, misfeasance, or

nonfeasance in office, or any other good cause.

(7) The first meeting of the technical committee shall be

called by the department. At the first meeting, the technical

committee shall elect from among its members a chairperson and

other officers as it considers necessary or appropriate. After the

first meeting, the technical committee shall meet at least

quarterly, or more frequently at the call of the chairperson or if

requested by 4 or more members.

(8) A majority of the members of the technical committee

constitute a quorum for the transaction of business at a meeting of

the technical committee. A majority of the members present and

serving are required for official action of the technical

committee.

(9) The business that the technical committee may perform

shall be conducted at a public meeting of the technical committee

held in compliance with the open meetings act, 1976 PA 267, MCL

15.261 to 15.275.

(10) A writing prepared, owned, used, in the possession of, or

retained by the technical committee in the performance of an

official function is subject to the freedom of information act,

1976 PA 442, MCL 15.231 to 15.246.

(11) Members of the technical committee shall serve without

compensation. However, members of the technical committee may be

reimbursed for their actual and necessary expenses incurred in the

performance of their official duties as members of the technical

committee.

(12) The technical committee shall do both of the following:

(a) Not later than 1 year after the effective date of the

amendatory act that added this section, prepare and recommend to

the department guidance documents for the use of alternative system

technologies.

(b) Study and make recommendations to the department on a

maintenance and inspection protocol for alternative systems.

Sec. 5012. A person who violates this part is responsible for

a state civil infraction and may be ordered to pay a civil fine of

not more than $500.00.

Bill Number: SB 45 Bill Sponsors: Sen. Patty Birkholz (R-24), Sen. Jason Allen (R-37), Sen. John Pappageorge (R-13), Sen. Roger Kahn (R-32) -- This bill creates a new government bureaucracy to oversee the ongoing inspections of septic tanks. Home and business owners would be responsible to pay the fee for these inspections. The cost of new construction would also increase as a result of the additional fee. The taxpayer would also be on the hook to pay for the newly created On-site Wastewater Treatment System Advisory Council and the Alternative System Technical Advisory Committee.

A year or two ago there was some meme-building going on in the local garbage wrapper regarding the coming "crisis" of clogged, malfunctioning, and failing private septic tank/drain field systems. A lawyer wrote the piece, surprise surprise. This would be a small fee compared with building out municipal sewer systems to serve outlying property. My surviving parent was on the hook $30,000 for the frontage fee (paid interest one year, then paid it off the next, mainly I think to release the lien, but also because the longterm savings interest rates have fallen so much), plus some thousands to have the new line laid to the house.

The crew who laid the city's sewer and water mains were *mostly* English-speaking.

Amen to that...I feel even more betrayed and confused.....I
think we need a 3rd party.

****

Who knows there just might be one if enough join Project 912?

A new movement is swelling in the United States as a reaction to the economic crisis and it is headed by Glenn Beck. Called the 912 Project, Glenn Beck’s policy emphasizes the importance of 9 principles and 12 values that he says have been lost in the USA today.

Glenn Beck claims that 12 core values are essential to a strong country and that these values have been lost in a cloud of greed and corruption. According to Beck Americans have lost their way and that the 12 values must be restored before things can get better.

http://www.nowpublic.com/culture/912-project-glenn-beck-preaches-9-principles-and-12-values

I think this is the Michigan grassroot for Project 9/12
http://conservativechloemichigan.blogspot.com/2009/03/912-project.html

You fail to understand...these people are the real face of the republican party...it is WE, the conservatives, who are the RINO’s, because we do not believe what they do, and that makes me a damn proud RINO...

Well at least in Michigan. Thankfully not all Republicans are as stupid as the ones in Michigan.

Let me throw a few names at you, just for fun....bush 1, bush 2, gingrich, mccain, steele, snowe, collins, spectre.......and this is just the beginning...WE are the RINO’s......this partial list is the real face of the republican party......