The bill amends the Natural Resources and Environmental Protection Act to establish 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 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 evaluating ecological and economic impacts, methods for sampling and characterizing microplastics, and a list of baseline concentrations in the Great Lakes.

Additionally, the plan will outline long-term research objectives, approaches to reduce microplastic introduction, and recommendations for policy changes and public education. The department is required to submit the plan to the legislature by July 1, 2026, and a report on its implementation by January 30, 2029. The bill emphasizes leveraging existing information and federal efforts, and it mandates the adoption and implementation of the plan by July 1, 2028, contingent on available funding. The definition of microplastics is also clarified, specifying that they are solid plastic particles measuring less than 5 millimeters, excluding naturally occurring polymers.

Statutes affected:
Senate Introduced Bill: 324.101, 324.90106