Michigan Lawmakers Introduce Bills Targeting Cumulative Pollution in Overburdened Communities

Michigan lawmakers have introduced bipartisan legislation to address rising housing costs and environmental health concerns. Senate Bills 344 and 345 propose expanding the Homestead Property Tax Credit by raising property value caps and income eligibility limits, allowing more homeowners and renters, particularly older adults, to access relief amid increasing property taxes. Meanwhile, Senators Stephanie Chang and Donovan McKinney have introduced the Protecting Overburdened Communities Act (SB 479 and HB 4742), which would require the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE) to consider the cumulative health impacts of multiple pollution sources rather than evaluating them individually. This legislation aims to protect vulnerable communities disproportionately affected by pollution by allowing EGLE to deny permits that would worsen environmental health risks, incorporating social and economic factors into permit decisions, and enhancing public notice requirements. Environmental justice advocates and groups have expressed strong support for these measures, emphasizing the need for comprehensive regulation to ensure clean air and equitable health protections across the state. Similar cumulative impact laws have been adopted in several other states, underscoring a growing recognition of the complex nature of pollution and its effects on community health.