In order to keep you and your neighbors better informed about the legislation we discuss, I am posting the agenda for any scheduled committee meetings at the beginning of the week and an update with any votes that were taken that week in committee or on the House floor. I hope you find this information helpful and please do not hesitate to contact me if I can be of further assistance. 

 

Week of March 23, 2015

 

Floor Votes

The following is a summary of legislation that recently passed the House. I have listed the analyst who worked on each issue and his/her telephone number. Feel free to contact staff directly with any questions or if you need additional information.

 

Provides greater departmental and local oversight of mobile home parks

HB 4054 (H-3) (SCHOR), RC 41, 3/24/15, Passed: 106-3

Next: Sent to the Senate for consideration

HB 4054 (H-3) (SCHOR) provides greater departmental and local oversight of mobile home parks, as well as improved remedies for health and safety violations.

 

Prohibit the use of an unmanned aerial or submersible vehicle to interfere with the taking of animal or fish

SB 54 (H-1) (Casperson), RC 42, 3/25/15, Passed: 110-0

SB 55 (S-1) (Pavlov), RC 43, 3/25/15, Passed: 110-0

Next: Returned to the Senate

Senate Bill 54 (H-3) (Casperson) amends the Natural Resources Environmental Protection Act, Part 401, by prohibiting the use of an unmanned vehicle, or an unmanned device that uses aerodynamic forces to achieve flight or that operates on the surface of the water or underwater to hinder or prevent the lawful taking of animal or fish. Senate Bill 55 (H-2) (Pavlov) amends the Natural Resources Environmental Protection Act to prohibit an individual from taking game or fish using an unmanned vehicle or an unmanned device that uses aerodynamic forces to achieve flight or that operates on the surface of the water or underwater.

 

Allow retired federal law enforcement officer to carry a concealed pistol in places listed as “no carry zones”

SB 53 (H-1) (Jones), RC 44, 3/25/15, Passed: 73-37

Next: Returned to the Senate

Senate Bill 53 (H-1) (Jones) would allow a concealed pistol license (CPL) holder, who is a retired federal law enforcement officer, to carry a concealed pistol in places listed as “no carry zones” under Michigan’s CPL law.

 

Repeal the ban on the scalping of tickets for entertainment events

HB 4015 (Kelly), RC 45, 3/25/15, Passed: 70-30

Next: Sent to the Senate for consideration

House Bill 4015 (Kelly) amends MCL 750.465 of the Michigan Penal Code to decriminalize the reselling of tickets for and at entertainment and sporting events for more than face value.

 

Update sentencing guidelines pertaining to changes of the definition of firearm in HB 4155

HB 4295 (DIANDA), RC 46, 3/25/15, Passed: 90-20

Next: Sent to the Senate for consideration

Update the sentencing guidelines to reflect changes anticipated in House Bill 4155, if enacted. HB 4155 (Cole) would amend several sections of the Michigan Penal Code to align Michigan’s definition of “firearm” with the federal definition of firearm and create special provisions for pneumatic guns.

 

Amendment to HB 4041

HB 4041 (Pscholka) RC 47, 3/25/15, Failed: 47-63

Rep. Liberati’s amendment would alter HB 4041 so that a student’s truancy would not result in removing the whole family from receiving FIP benefits. The FIP benefits would only be subtracted for the individual student.

 

Allow the Governor to request conveyance of certain swamplands in Clarence Township

SB 18 (Nofs), RC 48, 3/26/15, Passed: 108-2

Next: Retuned to the Senate

Senate Bill 18 (Nofs) allows the Governor to request conveyance of certain swamplands in Clarence Township (Calhoun County) from the United States to Michigan, to require the Department of Natural Resources (DNR) to determine the de facto owners of this property, and to convey a portion of the property to those de facto owners. Senate Bill 19 (S-1) (Nofs) is the complementary property tax pop-up exemption for land conveyances resulting from SB 18.

             

Require school attendance for all children in a FIP group in order to remain eligible for assistance

HB 4041 (Pscholka), RC 50, 3/26/15, Passed: 74-36

Next: Sent to the Senate for consideration

HB 4041 (Pscholka) requires school attendance for all children in a Family Independence Program (FIP) group in order to remain eligible for assistance.

 

Provide immunity for persons or corporations donating food to nonprofit organizations

HB 4017 (Farrington), RC 51, 3/26/15, Passed: 106-4

Next: Sent to the Senate for consideration

House Bill 4017 (H-1) (Farrington) would provide immunity, under certain circumstances, to donors and nonprofit organizations that collect and donate food to other nonprofit organizations or nonprofit corporations.

 

Allows certain veterans to use military experience to obtain licensure as a boiler operator

HB 4134 (Barrett), RC 52, 3/26/15, Passed: 110-0

Next: Sent to the Senate for consideration

House Bill 4134 (Barrett) amends the Boiler Act to allow a veteran to use his or her military experience to meet requirement for a license to inspect, install, or repair boilers, or register as a boiler operator.

             

Require universities to inform military members of their options for credit transfer and receiving credit for training

HB 4060 (Hughes), RC 53, 3/26/15, Passed: 110-0

Next: Sent to the Senate for consideration

Require state public universities to inform those who are currently serving or have served as a member of the military, National Guard, or the military reserves of the options relating to the transfer of military education and training for college credit.

             

Allow for proof of insurance to be shown electronically

HB 4193 (H-1) (Nesbitt), RC 54, 3/26/15, Passed: 108-2

Next: Sent to the Senate for consideration

HB 4193 would amend the Vehicle Code to allow for proof of insurance to be shown electronically.

 

Stop collection of a filing fee for the annual statement of foreign and alien insurers by DIFS

HB 4224 (Barrett), RC 55, 3/26/15, Passed: 105-5

Next: Sent to the Senate for consideration

HB 4224 would stop collection of a filing fee for the annual statement of foreign and alien insurers by the Department of Insurance and Financial Services (DIFS).

 

Change the method of wage garnishment in Michigan

HB 4119 (Garcia), RC 56, 3/26/15, Passed: 110-0

Next: Sent to the Governor’s office

HBs 4119 would change the way that wage garnishment is done in Michigan, specifically what is required when an order is directed to a third party (the garnishee/employer) to withhold periodic or non-periodic payment of assets.

 

Week of March 23, 2015: Committee Meetings

 

Appropriations: Subcommittee on Natural Resources 

Agenda:

HB 4091 – (Rep. Pscholka) – Appropriations; zero budget; department of natural resources; provide for fiscal year 2015-2016.

 

Health Policy

Agenda:

Presentations by:

Michigan Dental Association

Delta Dental

Council of Michigan Dental Specialties
 

Michigan Dental Hygienists’ Association

 

Criminal Justice

Testimony Only
HB 4247 – (Rep. Howrylak) – Animals; dogs; provision relating to collars, harnesses, and leashes on dogs in public places; repeal.

HB 4248 – (Rep. Afendoulis) – Crimes; other; provisions relating to the playing of “The Star-Spangled Banner”, use of contemptuous language under certain circumstances, use of indecent language in presence of women and children, and improper disposal of refrigerator; repeal.

HB 4249 – (Rep. Webber) – Crimes; trespassing; certain trespassing provisions; repeal.

HB 4250 – (Rep. VerHeulen) – Recreation; athletics and sports; prohibition against certain endurance contests such as walkathons; repeal.

HB 4251 – (Rep. LaFontaine) – Agriculture; animals; prohibition on sale of artificially colored baby chicks, rabbits, or ducklings; repeal.

 

Appropriations: Subcommittee on State Police

Agenda:

– Overview by Paul Holland of the House Fiscal Agency on the Chair’s recommendation for HB 4100 (H-1) Draft 1: FY 2015-16 Michigan State Police
appropriation bill

– Adoption of House Substitute H-1 Draft 1 for HB 410

 

Commerce and Trade

Agenda:

HB 4195 – (Rep. Pscholka) – Economic development; other; Michigan early stage venture corporation entering new investments or creating additional venture funds; prohibit.

Reported favorably from committee by a vote of 17-2

HB 4196 – (Rep. McCready) – Economic development; other; venture capital authority fund; sunset.
 

Reported favorably from committee by a vote of 17-2

HB 4365 – (Rep. Iden) – Michigan business tax; credits; cap on amount of venture capital voucher certificates; reduce.

Reported favorably from committee by a vote of 17-2

 

Appropriations: Subcommittee on School Aid  

Agenda:

Decisions on School Aid Budget for FY 2015-16:

HB 4089 – (Rep. Pscholka) – Appropriations; zero budget; school aid appropriations; provide for fiscal year 2015-2016.

 

Appropriations: Subcommittee on Community Health 

Agenda:

Decision-Making on:

HB 4114 – (Rep. Pscholka) – Appropriations; zero budget; department of community health; provide for fiscal year 2015-2016.

 

Appropriations: Subcommittee on Agriculture and Rural Development 

Agenda:

Decision Making on:

HB 4094 – (Rep. Pscholka) – Appropriations; zero budget; department of agriculture and rural development; provide for fiscal year 2015-2016.

 

Appropriations: Subcommittee on Human Services 

Agenda:

-HB 4109: FY 2015-16 Department of Human Resources Budget
-Subcommittee Chairman’s Recommendation

 

Judiciary

Agenda:

TESTIMONY ONLY:

SB 72 – (Sen. Jones) – Health; medical marihuana; authorization of medical marihuana in certain places; restrict

 

Appropriations: Subcommittee on Community Colleges

Agenda:

Chair’s Recommendation for FY 2015-16 Community Colleges Budget
 

Appropriations: Subcommittee on Licensing and Regulatory Affairs

Agenda:

– Overview by Paul Holland of the House Fiscal Agency on the Chair’s recommendation for HB 4106 (H-1) Draft 1: FY 2015-16 Licensing and Regulatory Affairs appropriation bill; and HB 4108 (H-1) Draft 1: FY 2015-16 Insurance and Financial Services appropriation bill

– Adoption of House Substitute H-1 Draft 1 for HB 4106

– Adoption of House Substitute H-1 Draft 1 for HB 4108

 

House Fiscal Agency Governing Committee

Agenda:

Quarterly report presented by Mary Ann Cleary, Director of the House Fiscal Agency.

 

Families, Children, and Seniors

Agenda:

Performance Audit of Adult Protective Services

 

Appropriations

Agenda:

Legislative Transfer 2015-2

HB 4363 – (Rep. Santana) – Occupations; mechanical contractors; certain fees under the Forbes mechanical contractors act; modify.

HB 4364 – (Rep. Santana) – Occupations; plumbers; certain fees under the state plumbing act; modify.

HB 4101 – (Rep. Pscholka) – Appropriations; zero budget; supplemental appropriations; provide for fiscal year 2014-2015

 

Appropriations: Subcommittee on Education

Agenda:

Decisions on Department of Education Budget for FY 2015-16:
-HB 4097: (Rep. Pscholka) Appropriations; zero budget; department of education; provide for fiscal year 2015-2016

 

Agriculture

Agenda:

Farm Bureau Introduction of President Carl Bednarski

Presentation by the Cherry Marketing Institute

HB 4175 – (Rep. Johnson) – Torts; liability; liability of persons under equine activity liability act; limit to willful or wanton acts under certain circumstances.

Reported favorably from committee by a vote of 11-4-2

 

Appropriations: Subcommittee on General Government

Agenda:

Report House Substitute for:

HB 4090 – (Rep. Pscholka) – Appropriations; zero budget; general government; provide for fiscal year 2015-2016

 

Financial Services

Agenda:

PRESENTATION BY:

Michigan Pawnbrokers Association

 

Tax Policy

Agenda:

SB 81 – (Sen. Brandenburg) – Property tax; principal residence exemption; eligibility to claim exemption on certain homes in foreclosure claimed by certain foreclosing entities; eliminate requirement to pay amount equivalent to school operating mills.

Reported favorably from committee by a vote of 11-2

HB 4173 – (Rep. Maturen) – Taxation; state real estate transfer; refunds and exemptions of real estate transfer tax; modify.

Testimony Only

HB 4064 – (Rep. Yanez) – Individual income tax; veterans; property tax credit; increase for certain qualified veterans.

Testimony Only

 

Financial Liability Reform

Agenda:

Testimony Only

HB 4325 – (Rep. Poleski) – Education; school districts; preplanned financial reporting; require for school districts as part of early warning system.

HB 4326 – (Rep. Poleski) – Education; financing; preliminary review to determine the existence of probable financial stress in school districts; require under certain conditions, and modify the state financial authority for certain school districts.

HB 4327 – (Rep. Pscholka) – Education; school districts; deficit elimination plan; provide for enhancement.

HB 4328 – (Rep. Lyons) – School aid; other; deficit elimination plan requirement; revise.

HB 4329 – (Rep. Somerville) – Education; financing; school district placement under control of an emergency manager for failure to comply with enhanced deficit elimination plan; provide for.

HB 4330 – (Rep. Kelly) – School aid; payments; reference to deficit elimination plan compliance in school aid act; update, include enhanced deficit elimination plans, and revise other reporting requirements.

HB 4331 – (Rep. Jacobsen) – Local government; financing; emergency municipal loan act; increase cap on emergency loans.

HB 4332 – (Rep. Garcia) – State financing and management; funds; surplus funds act; modify.

 

Tourism and Outdoor Recreation

Agenda:

Presentations- The Michigan Festival and Events Association and the National Cherry Festival

 

Local Government

Agenda:

HB 4168 – (Rep. Singh) – Property tax; other; requirement of hard copy of tax rolls; eliminate if maintained on computerized database.

Reported favorably from committee by a vote of 11-0

HB 4033 – (Rep. Heise) – Counties; other; sale or transfer of assets of a water supply system or sewage disposal system; require approval by a majority of entities served by the water supply system or sewage disposal system.

Testimony Only
 

Regulatory Reform

Agenda:

HB 4245 – (Rep. Forlini) – Occupations; inspectors; registration as a building official, plan reviewer, or inspector; eliminate employment as a requirement for.

Reported favorably from committee by a vote of 14-0

HB 4246 – (Rep. Farrington) – Administrative procedure; rules; adoption of rules by state agencies; prohibit from being more stringent than federal regulations

Testimony Only

 

Appropriations: Subcommittee on Transportation

Agenda:

Decision Making on:

HB 4098 – (Rep. Pscholka) – Appropriations; zero budget; department of transportation; provide for fiscal year 2015-2016

 

Appropriations: Subcommittee on Judiciary

Agenda:

Report House Substitute for:

HB 4105 – (Rep. Pscholka) – Appropriations; zero budget; judiciary; provide for fiscal year 2015-2016.

 

Appropriations: Subcommittee on Higher Education

Date: Thursday, March 26, 2015

Time 9 a.m.

Location: Room 352, House Appropriations, State Capitol Building

Agenda:

Chair’s Recommendation for FY 2015-16 Higher Education Budget

 

Appropriations: Subcommittee on Environmental Quality

Agenda:

HB 4093 – (Rep. Pscholka) – Appropriations; zero budget; department of environmental quality; provide for fiscal year 2015-2016.

Subcommittee Chairman’s Recommendation

 

Appropriations: Subcommittee on Military and Veterans Affairs  

Agenda:

Report House Substitute for:

HB 4104 – (Rep. Pscholka) – Appropriations; zero budget; department of military and veterans affairs; provide for fiscal year 2015-2016

 

Education

Agenda:

Presentations regarding 3rd grade reading proficiency by:

The Foundation for Excellence in Education

The Education Trust-Midwest

 

Government Operations

Agenda:

SB 160 – (Sen. Booher) – Cities; home rule; provision regarding financial recovery bonds; modify.

Reported favorably from committee by a vote of 4-0

 

Appropriations: Subcommittee on Corrections

Agenda:

Report House Substitute for:

HB 4096 – (Rep. Pscholka) – Appropriations; zero budget; department of corrections; provide for fiscal year 2015-2016.

 

Oversight and Ethics

Agenda:

HB 4182 – (Rep. Price) – Civil rights; open meetings; physical presence required for vote; clarify.

Performance Audit of the Office of Rail Michigan Department of Transportation

 

Workforce and Talent Development

Agenda:

PRESENTATIONS BY:

Oakland Community College

Michigan Association for College Admission Counseling