MI SB0529

Establishes a 15-member response activity review panel appointed by the director to advise on technical and scientific disputes regarding environmental response activities and underground storage tank assessments.

Panel members must have professional engineering/geology licenses with 6 years experience, or bachelor's degree in engineering/science with 10 years experience, or master's degree with 8 years experience, and cannot be current state employees or have significant financial ties to the department.

Allows owners and operators to petition for review of department decisions on corrective actions, soil screening target levels, and penalties by submitting a $3,500 fee, with disputes heard by 5 panel members selected for relevant expertise.

Permits contested case hearings under the administrative procedures act for owners and operators challenging corrective action decisions, proposed site standards, and audit results, excluding issues already addressed by the response activity review panel.

Allows appeals to circuit court of final agency decisions to affix a placard or issue administrative orders for underground storage tank systems, with courts able to set aside decisions that violate law, exceed authority, lack substantial evidence, or constitute abuse of discretion.