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 16, 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.
Cap the fee county treasurers charge to provide electronic property records
HB 4075 (Rendon), RC 34, 3/17/15, Passed: 104-4
Next: Sent to the Senate for consideration
Many local realtor associations and listing services bulk purchase property tax records for their members. These records provide information such as special assessments and tax data, which help realtors list properties as well as enter into transactions for the purchase of properties for sale.
Allow for adoption agencies to deny services based on religious beliefs
HB 4188 (H-2) (LaFontaine), RC 35, 3/18/15, Passed: 65-44
HB 4198 (SANTANA), RC 36, 3/18/15, Passed: 65-44
HB 4190 (Leutheuser), RC 37, 3/18/15, Passed: 65-44
Next: Sent to the Senate for consideration
These bills create a new act that will prohibit requiring child placing agencies from providing services if providing those services would violate the agency’s sincerely held religious beliefs. HB 4189 and HB 4190 amend various codes to comply with the new act.
Allow notices of evictions to be served electronically
HB 4038 (H-2) (Forlini), RC 38, 3/18/15, Passed: 85-24
Next: Sent to the Senate for consideration
House Bill 4038 (H-2) (Forlini) would amend MCL 600.5718 of the “Revised Judicature Act of 1961” to allow a notice of eviction to be served electronically.
Changes to the Public Employee Retirement System Investment Act to be consistent with the Detroit Bankruptcy Plan of Adjustment
HB 4289 (Yonker), RC 39, 3/18/15, Passed: 108-1
This bill changes some terms in Section 13g of the Public Employee Retirement System Investment Act to make the Act consistent with the Detroit Bankruptcy Plan of Adjustment.
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Updates regulations regarding commercial driver’s license learner’s permits
SB 42 (Casperson), RC 40, 3/19/15, Passed: 105-2
Next: Returned to the Senate
Senate Bill 42 amends the Vehicle Code to do four distinct things: (1) update regulations regarding commercial driver’s license learner’s permits to be consistent with federal requirements; (2) clarify that a driver under Graduated Driver’s License (GDL) provisions would not be delayed in attaining a higher level license if involved in an accident not associated with a moving violation; (3) allow the Secretary of State to suspend the license of a driver under their 3-year probationary period without a review hearing, unless a hearing is requested; and (4) remove language prohibiting issuance of a personalized license plate with a message that could be considered “offensive to good taste and decency” due to a court decision invalidating the language.
Allow the State Treasurer to disclose the address of certain housing units exempt from property taxes under MSHDA
HB 4501 (Farrington), RC 24, 3/3/15, Passed: 110-0
Next: Sent to the Senate for consideration
House Bill 4051 amends the Revenue Act to allow the State Treasurer to disclose the address of housing units that are part of a housing project exempt from property taxes under the State Housing Development Authority Act or under the auspices of a Municipal Housing Commission, and whether the unit is subject to a service charge in lieu of property tax. The bill further allows the Treasurer to disclose the millage rates of property taxes.
Reestablish the teacher critical shortage list protocols
HB 4059 (H-2) (Hughes), RC 25, 3/5/15, Passed: 108-2
Next: Sent to the Senate for consideration
Re-establishes the teacher critical shortage list protocols which allow school districts to hire retired teachers in identified subject areas without the teacher being required to forfeit their pension benefits to take the position.
Week of March 16, 2015: Committee Meetings
Health Policy
Agenda:
Presentations by:
Michigan Pharmacists Association
National Association of Chain Drug Stores
Express Scripts
Criminal Justice
Agenda:
HB 4015 – (Rep. Kelly) – Crimes; other; resale of event tickets at higher or lower prices; allow.
Reported committee by a 5-3-0 vote
Testimony Only:
HB 4187 – (Rep. Durhal) – Crimes; malicious destruction; vandalizing, desecrating, or intentionally destroying certain public property on a highway, freeway, or interstate road; prohibit, and provide penalties.
Natural Resources
Agenda:
A presentation on invasive species in the Great Lakes coastal wetlands given by Central Michigan University’s Institute for Great Lakes Research.
Appropriations: Subcommittee on State Police
Agenda:
– Presentation by Ms. Dawn Brinningstaull, Director of the Criminal Justice Information Center (CJIC) describing the past and present operations of the CJIC and discussing recent and ongoing upgrades to CJIC IT systems
– Presentation by Capt. Joseph Gasper, Commander or the State Executive Security Division, describing the past and present operations of the Division
Appropriations: Subcommittee on Natural Resources
Agenda:
DNR Presentations: Law enforcement, Fisheries, and Great Lakes research vessel updates
Transportation and Infrastructure
Agenda:
Testimony only:
HB 4026 – (Rep. Kosowski) – State financing and management; purchasing; use of qualifications-based selection process when employing design professionals; require.
HB 4225 – (Rep. Somerville) – Highways; construction and repair; database for all road and bridge projects; establish
Transportation and Infrastructure
Agenda:
HB 4225 – (Rep. Somerville) – Highways; construction and repair; database for all road and bridge projects; establish.
Testimony Only
Commerce and Trade
Agenda:
Presentation by the Small Business Association of Michigan
Appropriations: Subcommittee on School Aid
Agenda:
Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics Education Programs
Appropriations: Subcommittee on Agriculture and Rural Development
Agenda:
Testimony Only:
HB 4094 – (Rep. Pscholka) – Appropriations; zero budget; department of agriculture and rural development; provide for fiscal year 2015-2016.
– Public Comment
Appropriations: Subcommittee on Human Services
Agenda:
– Foster Care Program Overview
– Kent County Performance-Based Funding Pilot Program
– Master Settlement Agreement
Appropriations: Subcommittee on Licensing and Regulatory Affairs
Agenda:
– Presentation by Mr. Kevin Elsenheimer, Deputy Director of the Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs (LARA), and Mr. Allan Pohl, Deputy Director of LARA, describing and discussing regulatory fee extensions, increases, decreases, and repeals assumed within the Executive Recommendation for the FY 2015-16 LARA budget
– Presentation by Mr. Edward Rodgers II, Director of the Bureau of Services for Blind People (BSBP), describing the organization and operation of the BSBP
Appropriations: Subcommittee on Community Colleges
Agenda:
– Community College Annexation of Non-Contiguous Areas
– Community College District Taxable Land
Appropriations
Agenda:
SB 18 – (Sen. Nofs) – Property; conveyances; certain land in Calhoun county; provide for conveyance after obtaining from United States.
Reported from committee by a 27-0-0 vote
SB 19 – (Sen. Nofs) – Property tax; assessments; definition of transfer of ownership; exclude certain transfers.
Reported from committee by a 27-0-0 vote
Testimony Only:
Administrative Transfer Request 2015-3
Legislative Transfer Request 2015-2
Families, Children, and Seniors
Agenda:
HB 4041 – (Rep. Pscholka) – Human services; services or financial assistance; family independence assistance program group’s compliance with compulsory school attendance; require in order to receive assistance.
Reported from committee by a 5-3-0 vote
Presentation by:
Dr. Phillip Knight, Food Bank Council of Michigan
Appropriations: Subcommittee on Education
Agenda:
– Public Testimony on Executive Budget Recommendation for FY 2015-16
– House Fiscal Agency Decision Document
Appropriations: Subcommittee on General Government
Agenda:
Performance Audit of the Brownfield Redevelopment Financing Program-Michigan Department of Environmental Quality, Michigan Strategic Fund, and Michigan Department of Treasury
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.
Testimony Only
Agriculture
Agenda:
HB 4017 – (Rep. Farrington) – Food; other; persons donating food to nonprofit organizations or corporations that distribute donated food; provide immunity for.
Reported from committee by a 17-0-0
Presentation by the Michigan Milk Producers Association, Ken Nobis, President
Presentation by the Michigan Agri-Business Association, Jim Byrum, on a recent visit to Cuba to assess trade opportunities
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-Michigan International Speedway and
John Bracey from the Michigan Council for Arts and Cultural Affairs
Appropriations: Subcommittee on Transportation
Agenda:
HB 4098 – (Rep. Pscholka) – Appropriations; zero budget; department of transportation; provide for fiscal year 2015-2016.
Testimony Only
– Testimony on Rail Freight and Rail Passenger Programs including Amtrak Service in Michigan
Regulatory Reform
Agenda:
Testimony Only:
HB 4245 – (Rep. Forlini) – Occupations; inspectors; registration as a building official, plan reviewer, or inspector; eliminate employment as a requirement for.
Presentation by:
Justin Winslow, Vice President – Government Affairs, Michigan Restaurant Association
Oversight and Ethics
Agenda:
HB 4070 – (Rep. Heise) – Public employees and officers; ethics; incompatible offices exception for public safety positions; create for small local units of government.
Testimony Only
Presentation from the Office of Internal Audit Services