HB 5985 Summary

• Amends the Pipeline Safety Act of 1929 to establish comprehensive regulation of crude oil, petroleum products, and carbon dioxide substance pipelines by the Michigan Public Service Commission.

• Requires pipeline operators to obtain construction and operating permits from the commission and demonstrate that pipelines will not pose threats to public health, safety, welfare, or the environment.

• Mandates pipeline owners/operators to post contact information for reporting releases, provide federal inspection reports to the commission and Department of Environmental Quality, and immediately notify state agencies of federal warnings or citations.

• Imposes annual pipeline impact fees on owners/operators for each mile of pipeline in Michigan, with 50% distributed to affected counties for emergency management and fire prevention duties and 50% to the state general fund.

• Requires pipeline easement offers on agricultural property to include detailed information about construction impacts, drainage tile and topsoil restoration guarantees, appraisal methods, crop productivity loss estimates, and landowner rights under condemnation law.