Bill would require statewide emergency material and supplies reserve
LANSING, Mich., May 15, 2020 — State Rep. John Cherry (D-Flint) recently introduced House Bill 5746, the Emergency Materials and Supplies Reserve Act, aimed at ensuring Michigan is adequately prepared for future crises. The bill would require the State Police to stockpile certain materials and supplies for use during a declared state of disaster or emergency; as well as create the “Strategic Preparedness Fund” in order to purchase necessary supplies and maintain local manufacturing capacity that may be needed in responding to a crisis.
“Looking back over the past five months it is absolutely clear that our nation was not prepared to respond to the emergency that we are facing today. That unpreparedness has resulted in a far worse situation than we would have otherwise faced,” Cherry said. “This legislation will allow our state to have the materials and supplies to confront emergencies immediately, regardless of the preparedness of our nation as a whole. There is no better time to create a material and supply reserve than when so many Michigan companies have mobilized to produce emergency materials. This bill will ensure necessary resources are available, so our communities can weather future crises.”
HB 5746 would also require that all materials purchased for the stockpile be manufactured in Michigan or the broader United States whenever possible. The bill has been referred to the House Committee on Appropriations.
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