The bill amends the Natural Resources and Environmental Protection Act, focusing on the management and funding of underground storage tank systems and the refined petroleum fund. It introduces new definitions, such as "federally recognized tribe," and clarifies existing terms like "approved claim" and "claimant." Key changes include the establishment of the refined petroleum fund within the state treasury, which will be used for corrective actions, the legacy release program, and administrative costs, while ensuring that funds do not lapse at the end of the fiscal year. The bill also sets a cap of $5,000,000 annually for petroleum product inspection programs and allocates $3,000,000 for the bureau of fire services. Additionally, it modifies eligibility criteria for financial assistance, requiring claims to be filed within 24 months of reporting a confirmed release and introducing a tiered deductible structure.

Further amendments streamline the claims process, allowing for the assignment of approved claims to new claimants and detailing the requirements for indemnification requests related to accidental releases. The bill enhances the authority of the attorney general and county prosecutors to seek compliance with information requests, establishing civil fines for noncompliance and outlining the distribution of these fines. It also introduces stricter penalties for fraudulent practices related to claims and invoices, including potential felony charges. Overall, the bill aims to improve the efficiency, accountability, and oversight of environmental protections related to underground storage tanks in Michigan.

Statutes affected:
House Introduced Bill: 324.21502, 324.21510