The bill amends the Natural Resources and Environmental Protection Act by adding Part 151, which establishes a statewide microplastics research and monitoring plan. The Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy is tasked with developing this plan in consultation with other state agencies and research institutions. The plan aims to assess the occurrence and impact of microplastics on human and animal health, the Great Lakes ecosystem, and drinking water supplies. It will include strategies for identifying and evaluating the ecological, health, and economic impacts of microplastics, as well as methods for sampling and characterizing these materials according to recognized scientific standards.

Additionally, the plan will outline long-term research objectives, potential barriers to implementation, and recommendations for policy changes and solutions to control microplastic introduction into the Great Lakes. The department is required to submit the completed plan to the legislature by July 1, 2026, and a report on its implementation by January 30, 2029. The bill emphasizes the importance of leveraging existing information and federal efforts to develop and implement the plan, with a target for adoption and implementation by July 1, 2028, contingent on available funding.

Statutes affected:
Senate Introduced Bill: 324.101, 324.90106