The proposed bill aims to amend the Natural Resources and Environmental Protection Act by adding a new part focused on a statewide microplastics research and monitoring plan. The Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy is tasked with developing this plan in collaboration with other state agencies and research institutions. The plan will assess the occurrence and impact of microplastics on human and animal health, the Great Lakes ecosystem, and drinking water supplies. It will also identify potential solutions to mitigate these impacts.

Key components of the plan include strategies for evaluating the ecological and economic effects of microplastics, methods for sampling and characterizing these materials, and a comprehensive list of baseline concentrations in the Great Lakes. The bill outlines the need for a timeline for implementation, annual updates, and a report to the legislature by specified deadlines. Additionally, it emphasizes the importance of leveraging existing information and federal efforts to enhance the effectiveness of the research and monitoring initiatives.

Statutes affected:
House Introduced Bill: 324.101, 324.90106