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 consultation with various state departments, agencies, and research institutions. The plan will assess the occurrence of microplastics in the environment, particularly in the Great Lakes, and evaluate their impacts on human and animal health, as well as 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 particles, and a comprehensive list of baseline concentrations of microplastics in the Great Lakes. The bill mandates that the department submit the research and monitoring plan to the legislature by July 1, 2026, and a subsequent report on its implementation by January 30, 2029. Additionally, the department is encouraged to utilize existing information and federal efforts to support the development and implementation of the plan, which must be adopted by July 1, 2028, if funding is available.

Statutes affected:
House Introduced Bill: 324.101, 324.90106