MichiganDam owners would register dams and submit safety plans
If linked House Bill 5485 becomes law, dam owners would register on a staggered schedule and give state officials information about dam safety and upkeep.
What it does
Dam owners would register on a staggered schedule and give the state information about each dam, its condition, upkeep, and plans to address safety problems.
Owners would submit engineer-prepared inspections on a state schedule. High- and significant-hazard dams would also receive a broad safety review at least once every 10 years.
Argument forThe information owners submit could help state officials identify safety problems and track plans to fix them before a dam fails.
Argument againstOwners could face substantial work and expense to document dam conditions, prepare safety plans, and show how they will pay for long-term upkeep.
More detail
Dam owners would register their dams with the department and submit ownership, condition, funding, and safety information. The process covers dam owners in Michigan. The department would assign dams to registration rounds based partly on hazard classification and other relevant factors. The department would deny an application that does not sufficiently show that people, property, and natural resources are protected. The department could revoke a registration for violations, changed dam conditions, or certain safety orders, after notice and an opportunity for a hearing. The first round would begin six months after the act takes effect. The department would divide registrations into five rounds, each lasting no more than two years. A registration would last 10 years.
Owners would submit engineer-prepared inspection reports, and certain dams would also need a broad safety review. Inspection reports cover dams in all hazard classes. Broad safety reviews are required for high- and significant-hazard dams and may be required for low-hazard dams. The department could require a broad safety review for a low-hazard dam. The department could order a more detailed investigation at the owner's expense if an inspection report shows it is needed. The department would set the inspection schedule and notify owners when reports are due. Broad safety reviews would be submitted at least once every 10 years.
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Where it stands
- Introduced
- Passed Senate
- Passed House
- To Governor
- Became Law
Looking ahead
No hearings or votes scheduled.
History
- 2026
- Oct 1ORDERED ENROLLEDTo Governor
- Vote recorded ROLL CALL: ROLL CALL # 260 YEAS 34 NAYS 2 EXCUSED 2 NOT VOTING 0. Result: pass.Upper
- Oct 1TITLE AMENDMENT AGREED TO
- Oct 1GIVEN IMMEDIATE EFFECT
- Oct 1ROLL CALL: ROLL CALL # 260 YEAS 34 NAYS 2 EXCUSED 2 NOT VOTING 0
- Oct 1HOUSE SUBSTITUTE (H-1) CONCURRED IN
- Oct 1RULES SUSPENDED FOR IMMEDIATE CONSIDERATION
- Oct 1HOUSE AMENDED TITLE
- Oct 1PASSED BY HOUSE WITH SUBSTITUTE (H-1) WITH IMMEDIATE EFFECT
- Sep 22returned to Senate
- Vote recorded passed; given immediate effect Roll Call #366 Yeas 96 Nays 7 Excused 0 Not Voting 7. Result: pass.Lower
- Sep 22title amended
- Sep 22passed; given immediate effect Roll Call #366 Yeas 96 Nays 7 Excused 0 Not Voting 7Passed House
- Sep 22read a third timeMinor
- Sep 22placed on immediate passage
- Sep 22placed on third reading
- Sep 22substitute (H-1) adopted
- Sep 22read a second timeMinor
- Sep 22placed on second reading
- Sep 22motion to discharge committee approved
- Sep 22rule suspended
- Jul 3referred to Committee on Natural Resources and TourismMinor
- Jul 3read a first timeMinor
- Jul 2received on 07/02/2026Minor
- Vote recorded PASSED ROLL CALL # 173 YEAS 22 NAYS 15 EXCUSED 1 NOT VOTING 0. Result: pass.Upper
- Jul 2PASSED ROLL CALL # 173 YEAS 22 NAYS 15 EXCUSED 1 NOT VOTING 0Passed Senate
- Jul 2SUBSTITUTE (S-2) OFFERED
- Jul 1PLACED ON ORDER OF THIRD READING WITH SUBSTITUTE (S-1)
- Jul 1SUBSTITUTE (S-1) CONCURRED IN
- Jul 1REPORTED BY COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE FAVORABLY WITH SUBSTITUTE (S-1)Minor
- Jun 23REFERRED TO COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE WITH SUBSTITUTE (S-1)Minor
- Jun 23REPORTED FAVORABLY WITH SUBSTITUTE (S-1) 6/18/2026Minor
- May 7REFERRED TO COMMITTEE ON ENERGY AND ENVIRONMENTMinor
- May 7INTRODUCED BY SENATOR MALLORY MCMORROWIntroduced
- Oct 1ORDERED ENROLLEDTo Governor
Environment & Energy