Signed by Governor Tim Pawlenty

Vote Smart's Synopsis:

Vote to pass a bill that limits the volume of water withdrawn from the Great Lakes.

Highlights:

- Allows more authority to the Great Lakes Commission, which includes the states of Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Minnesota, New York, Ohio, Wisconsin, Pennsylvania, and the Canadian provinces of Ontario and Québec (sec 9.4). - Requires all participating states to pass identical legislation, and this legislation must then be ratified by the United States Congress before going into effect (sec 9.4). - Mandates that within two years each state and province in the compact present an annual report of their conservation efforts to the Great Lakes – St. Lawrence River Basin Water Resources Council [sec 4.2 (2)]. - Requires that within five years all withdrawals of at least three million gallons of water or more in a thirty day time period be registered within the state [sec 4.1 (3)]. - Opens all meetings and minutes to the public (sec 6.1). - Requires all grievances with actions taken under the compact to be brought before the interstate council [sec 7.3 (1)]. - Expands states' ability to collectively gather data on water consumption and conservation (sec 4.1). - Requires open communication between the states and federally recognized tribes [sec 5.1 (1)].

Full Bill Text