State Rep. Brad Paquette, of Niles, introduced a plan that would modify the state’s emergency manager law. The plan is part of a larger bipartisan reform package addressing the safety and security of Michigan’s drinking water supply.

The bills put forward by Paquette build on the recommendations suggested by a 2016 legislative committee. The plan replaces the single-person emergency management structure with a three-person committee made up of one local government operations expert, one local ombudsman, and one financial expert.

“I am proud to stand behind this bipartisan effort to keep our state’s drinking water and recreational water ways safe for Michigan families for generations to come,” Paquette said. “This update to the state’s emergency manager law creates a more open and transparent committee structure that gives local communities more of a voice in the process. It will also help Michigan families restore trust that their water is safe to drink and that their local government is being held accountable to manage their public water resources safely and effectively.”

In addition to Paquette’s plan— House Bills 4756-4758— the package includes House Bills 4742-4769. The 30-bill reform proposal looks at water quality across the board: from improving municipal safeguards and oversight to tightening up environmental protection and conservation.

Ensuring safe drinking water has become a top concern across the state due to the condition of our state’s water infrastructure systems and the detection of PFAS contamination at more than 1,100 sites, said Paquette.

House Bills 4756-4758 has been referred to the House Committee on Government Operations for further consideration.