An Act to create 20.370 (9) (pq), 20.465 (3) (v), 20.465 (3) (w), 20.465 (3) (x), 23.199, 25.17 (1) (gg), 25.34 and 323.65 of the statutes; Relating to: creating a hazard mitigation revolving loan program, creating a Great Lakes erosion control revolving loan program, providing an exemption from emergency rule procedures, granting rule-making authority, and making an appropriation. (FE)
Summary
AB209 would create two revolving loan programs aimed at reducing damage from environmental and weather-related risks. First, it authorizes the Department of Military Affairs’ Division of Emergency Management to seek federal funding under the federal STORM Act and, if an agreement is reached with FEMA, to establish a hazard mitigation revolving loan program for local governments. The program would be housed in a new nonlapsible trust fund, with federal money supplemented by a required 10% transfer from the state general fund, and loan repayments recycled back into the program.
Second, the bill requires the Department of Natural Resources to create and administer a Great Lakes erosion control revolving loan program for municipalities and homeowners on the shores of Lake Michigan and Lake Superior whose buildings are threatened by shoreline erosion. The bill appropriates $5 million for this program, increases DNR’s authorized staffing by 0.5 FTE, and directs DNR to write rules setting eligibility criteria and income limits. It also allows DNR to use emergency rulemaking procedures so the program can begin before permanent rules are finalized.
Impact
AB209 would add new statutory authority for two state-administered revolving loan programs and create a new nonlapsible trust fund for hazard mitigation loans. It would amend state appropriations and fund structure provisions, authorize DMA to participate in a federal hazard-mitigation financing program, and require DNR to administer a separate shoreline-erosion loan program funded through a $5 million appropriation. The bill would also expand DNR’s position authority and temporarily relax emergency rulemaking requirements for implementation.
Sentiment
The bill appears to have been framed as a practical response to climate, erosion, and disaster-resilience concerns, with a focus on helping local governments and affected property owners finance protective projects. The available record does not include committee testimony or recorded votes, but the bill’s introduction and structure suggest support for proactive mitigation and infrastructure protection. Its final status indicates it did not ultimately become law, as it failed to pass pursuant to Senate Joint Resolution 1.
Contention
The main points of potential contention are fiscal and policy-related: the bill requires a state general fund transfer equal to 10% of federal hazard-mitigation funds, creates a new ongoing loan program and trust fund, and provides a $5 million appropriation for shoreline erosion loans. Another likely issue is the scope of beneficiaries, since the erosion program is limited to properties on Lake Michigan and Lake Superior and includes income-based eligibility rules. The emergency-rule provision may also draw attention because it bypasses the usual finding-of-emergency requirement, though the bill limits that authority to the period before permanent rules take effect.
Crossfiled
An Act to create 20.370 (9) (pq), 20.465 (3) (v), 20.465 (3) (w), 20.465 (3) (x), 23.199, 25.17 (1) (gg), 25.34 and 323.65 of the statutes; Relating to: creating a hazard mitigation revolving loan program, creating a Great Lakes erosion control revolving loan program, providing an exemption from emergency rule procedures, granting rule-making authority, and making an appropriation. (FE)
Creating a hazard mitigation revolving loan program, creating a Great Lakes erosion control revolving loan program, providing an exemption from emergency rule procedures, granting rule-making authority, and making an appropriation. (FE)
Creating a Mississippi River erosion control revolving loan program, extending the time limit for emergency rule procedures, providing an exemption from emergency rule procedures, granting rule-making authority, and making an appropriation. (FE)
Creating a Mississippi River erosion control revolving loan program, extending the time limit for emergency rule procedures, providing an exemption from emergency rule procedures, granting rule-making authority, and making an appropriation. (FE)
Hunting of sandhill cranes, programs related to sandhill crane damage, providing an exemption from emergency rule procedures, granting rule-making authority, and making an appropriation. (FE)
Hunting of sandhill cranes, programs related to sandhill crane damage, providing an exemption from emergency rule procedures, granting rule-making authority, and making an appropriation. (FE)