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.
March 17-19, 2014: House Votes
For votes of the full legislature, I will include a summary of each bill with the sponsor, the vote totals and the next step in the legislative process for the bill. If you would like to read more information about a given bill you can head to www.legislature.mi.gov.
Changes to the Military Relief Fund
HB 4811 – (Rep. Franz) – Passed: 110-0
Next: Sent to governor for signature
HB 4811 makes a number of changes to the Military Relief Fund that will increase access to the funds and further promote the availability of the funds.
Expanding the Grounds for Administrative Sanctions for Health Care Professionals
SB 575 – (Schuitmaker) – Passed: 110-0
SB 576 – (Schuitmaker) – Passed: 110-0
SB 577 – (Schuitmaker) – Passed: 109-1
SB 578 – (Schuitmaker) – Passed: 110-0
Next: Sent to Senate for reconsideration
SB 575 requires disciplinary subcommittee members to disclose potential conflicts of interest and recuse themselves from decision making when a conflict arises. SB 576 will create the Regulatory Boards and Commissions Ethics Act to establish conflict of interest standards and procedures for regulatory bodies in LARA. SB 577 adds areas that must be investigated by the disciplinary board if a licensed health care professional were to engage in certain activities. The bill also amends penalties and sanctions for violations. SB 578 outlines when a disciplinary subcommittee’s decision is final and subject to judicial review.
Revisions to Michigan’s Human Trafficking Statute
HB 5234 – (Jenkins) – Passed: 108-1
HB 5235 – (Hovey-Wright) – Passed: 108-1
Next: Sent to Senate for consideration
HBs 5234 and 5235 make various revisions and updates to Michigan’s Human Trafficking statute.
Amendment to a Statutory Reference to the Human Trafficking Chapter of the “Revised Judicature Act”
HB 5236 – (McBroom) – Passed: 110-0
Next: Sent to Senate for consideration
HB 5236 amends MCL 600.4701 of the “Revised Judicature Act” to amend a statutory reference to the Human Trafficking Chapter.
Amendment to a Reference to the Human Trafficking Law in the Crime Victim’s Rights Act
HB 5237 – (CAVANAGH) – Passed: 110-0
Next: Sent to Senate for consideration
HB 5237 amends a reference to the human trafficking law in the William Van Regenmorter Crime Victim’s Rights Act.
Requiring Individuals to Report Violations of the Human Trafficking Law
HB 5239 – (Kurtz) – Passed: 110-0
Next: Sent to Senate for consideration
HB 5239 would require individuals who are mandated by statute to report suspected child abuse or neglect to also report suspected violations of the human trafficking law.
Amending Regulations Concerning the Buying and Selling of Scrap Metal
HB 4593 – (Muxlow) – Passed: 98-12
Next: Sent to Conference Committee
HB 4593 amends regulations concerning the buying and selling of scrap metal, including amending the definition of scrap metal, requiring sellers to provide scrap metal dealers certain information at the time of purchases and the dealer to retain. The bill also requires that scrap metal dealers implement and maintain purchase records and make the records available for law enforcement purposes. The legislation also creates standards for how and when a scrap metal dealer may pay a seller, as well as a list of items a scrap metal dealer cannot purchase unless the seller has proper authorization. The bill also includes penalties for sellers and purchasers who buy or sell scrap metal that they know or should have known was stolen.
Increase in Judgeships in Macomb County
HB 5121 – (Walsh) – Passed: 104-6
Next: Sent to governor for signature
HB 5121 increases the number of circuit judgeships in 16th Judicial Circuit by four judges.
Increase in Judgeships in Oakland County
HB 5122 – (Kesto) – Passed: 103-7
Next: Sent to governor for signature
HB 5122 increases the number of circuit court judgeships in Oakland County by one.
Change in Judgeships in Certain Circuit Courts
HB 5123 – (Cotter) – Passed: 61-49
Next: Sent to governor for signature
HB 5123 increases the number of judgeships in the 17th circuit (Kent County) by one. It also eliminates one judge in the 5th circuit (Berrien County), 25th District (Cities of Ecorse, Lincoln Park, and River Rouge). It also consolidates the 28th District and the 33rd District Courts.
Consolidation in Judgeships in Certain Judicial Circuit Courts
HB 5124 – (Leonard) – Passed: 61-48
Next: Sent to governor for signature
HB 5124 consolidates four judges in the 3rd Judicial Circuit (Wayne County).
Elimination and Consolidation of Judges in Certain District Courts
HB 5125 – (Heise) – Passed: 72-38
Next: Sent to governor for signature
HB 5125 adds judges to the 63rd District (Kent County) and consolidates/eliminates judges from the 67th and 68th District Courts (Genesee County) and eliminates one judge from the 70th District (Saginaw County).
Expansion of Condemnation Authority for Pipelines Carrying CO2
HB 5255 – (Stallworth) – Passed: 67-43
Next: Sent to Senate for consideration
HB 5255 would expand condemnation authority for pipelines carrying CO2 for the purposes of enhanced oil recovery.
Addition of Carbon Dioxide and Enhanced Recovery Operation Terms
HB 5274 – (Pettalia) – Passed: 96-14
Next: Sent to governor for signature
HB 5274 is a bill to add the carbon dioxide and enhanced recovery operation terms found in House Bill 5254 to the rest of 1929 PA 16.
Reduction of the Severance Tax on Oil and Gas from “Enhanced Recovery Methods”
HB 4885 – (Nesbitt) – Passed: 82-28
Next: Sent to Senate for consideration
HB 4885 is a bill to reduce the severance tax on oil and gas produced by “enhanced recovery methods.”
Revision of the Licensing and License Renewal Process for Real Estate Brokers
SB 641 – (Kowall) – Passed: 110-0
Next: Sent to Senate for reconsideration
SB 641 revises the licensing and license renewal process for real estate brokers, associate real estate brokers, and real estate salespersons.
Amending Licensing Requirements for Barbers
HB 5396 – (LaFontaine) – Passed: 103-7
Next: Sent to Senate for consideration
SB 612 will amend the licensing requirements for barbers, including barbers applying for license from out-of-state, out-of-jurisdiction, or from another country.
Addition of a New Section to the Mental Health Code
HB 5332 – (Lori) – Passed: 110-0
Next: Sent to Senate for consideration
HB 5332 adds a new section to the Mental Health Code by requiring that the Department of Community Health (Department) shall establish a uniform substance use disorder credentialing program for state departments or agencies.
Allowing Renegotiation of a Loan from the Clean Michigan Initiative Bond Fund
SB 719 – (Booher) – Passed: 103-7
Next: Sent to Senate for reconsideration
SB 719 is a bill to allow the terms of an outstanding loan from the Clean Michigan Initiative Bond Fund to be renegotiated upon a demonstration of financial hardship by the loan recipient.
Amendments to the Uniform Commercial Code
HB 5119 – (VerHeulen) – Passed: 110-0
Next: Sent to Senate for consideration
HB 5119 would make various amendments to Article 4a of the Uniform Commercial Code (UCC) to apply it to a remittance transfer and provide that if there were an inconsistency between the article and the Electronic Fund Transfer Act, supremacy clause would apply and the Act would govern.
Removal of References to “Mentally Retarded” In Legislation
SB 805 – (Warren) – Passed: 110-0
SB 806 – (Caswell) – Passed: 110-0
SB 807 – (ANANICH) – Passed: 110-0
SB 808 – (Jones) – Passed: 110-0
SB 809 – (Jansen) – Passed: 110-0
SB 810 – (Johnson) – Passed: 110-0
SB 811 – (Moolenar) – Passed: 110-0
Next: Sent to governor for signature
The bills remove references to “mentally retarded” and replace them with terms deemed more appropriate.
Expansion of the Education Achievement Authority
HB 4369 – (Lyons) – Passed: 56-54
Next: Sent to Senate for reconsideration
HB 4369 establishes the right for entities functioning as a State School Reform/Redesign District to borrow money and issue notes on a short term basis, only for school operations, and in limited amounts.
Implementing a Formula to Determine the Total Cost of a FOIA Request
HB 4001 – (Shirkey) – Passed: 102-8
Next: Sent to Senate for consideration
HB 4001 amends the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) to implement a formula to determine the total cost of a FOIA request, put a cap on the cost of paper copies related to FOIA requests, expand the reduced rate for FOIA requests to certain nonprofit organizations, and allow an individual to appeal to the public body or the circuit court if he or she has a good-faith belief that the fee is unreasonable.
Proposal for a Balanced Budget Amendment to the U.S. Constitution
SJR V – (Challenge of the Chair’s Decision) – Passed: 59-51
SJR V – (Appeal of the Chair’s Decision) – Passed: 59-51
SJR V – (Green) – Passed: 77-32
Next: Sent to Senate for consideration
Senate Joint Resolution V (Green) urge Congress to call a convention for the purposes of proposing a balanced budget amendment to the United States Constitution.
Appointment of Delegates to an Article V Convention
HB 5380 – (Franz) – Passed: 62-47
Next: Sent to Senate for consideration
HB 5380 provides for the appointment of delegates to an Article V convention for proposing amendments to the United States Constitution.
Week of March 17, 2014: Committee Meetings
Energy and Technology
HB 5184 – (Rep. Shirkey) – Public utilities; electric utilities; cap on electric choice; modify, require certain utilities to file a plan with the public service commission, and require the purchase of alternative electric suppliers’ receivables.
Testimony Only
Appropriations: Subcommittee on Agriculture and Rural Development
- Public Testimony on Executive Budget Recommendation for FY 2014-15
- Testimony by Michigan Farm Bureau and Michigan Agri-Business Association
- HFA Decision Document
Regulatory Reform
HB 4997 – (Rep. Outman) – Tobacco; retail sales; sale of electronic cigarette or any oral device that provides vapor nicotine to minors; prohibit.
Reported favorably from committee 13-0-1
SB 667 – (Sen. Anderson) – Tobacco; other; electronic cigarettes; prohibit use of by minors.
Reported favorably from committee 13-0-1
SB 668 – (Sen. Jones) – Tobacco; retail sales; electronic cigarette; prohibit sale of to minors.
Reported favorably from committee 13-0-1
HB 5220 – (Rep. Kelly) – Occupations; accounting; licensure requirements for certain officers of public accounting firms; revise.
Testimony Only
Appropriations: Subcommittee on General Government
Discussion of FY 2014-15 budget:
- Economic Vitality Incentive Program
- County Revenue Sharing/County Incentive Program
Transportation and Infrastructure
SB 415 – (Sen. Brandenburg) – Use tax; rate; tax on jet fuel; exempt.
Testimony Only
SB 416 – (Sen. Brandenburg) – Sales tax; rate; tax on jet fuel; exempt.
Testimony Only
Appropriations: Subcommittees on School Aid and Education
Student Assessment Costs and Teacher Evaluation Costs
Health Policy
SB 446 – (Sen. Booher) – Health facilities; hospitals; requirements applicable to hospitals providing extended care services through swing beds; clarify.
Testimony Only
HB 4341 – (Rep. Lori) – Health; education; dead bodies donated to science; allow department to designate any accredited medical school in this state to accept.
Testimony Only
SB 805 – (Sen. Warren) – Mental health; other; reference to mentally retarded and mental retardation; modify.
Reported favorably from committee by a vote of 17-0
SB 806 – (Sen. Caswell) – Human services; adult foster care; reference to mentally retarded and mental retardation; modify.
Reported favorably from committee by a vote of 17-0
SB 807 – (Sen. Ananich) – Mental health; developmental disability; reference to mentally retarded and mental retardation in patient purchaser agreements; change to developmental disability.
Reported favorably from committee by a vote of 17-0
SB 808 – (Sen. Jones) – Mental health; developmental disability; reference to mental retardation in the nonprofit health care corporation reform act; change to developmental disability.
Reported favorably from committee by a vote of 17-0
SB 809 – (Sen. Jansen) – Mental health; other; reference to mentally retarded and mental retardation; change to intellectual disability.
Reported favorably from committee by a vote of 17-0
SB 810 – (Sen. Johnson) – Mental health; developmental disability; reference to mentally retarded and mental retardation; change to developmental disability.
Reported favorably from committee by a vote of 17-0
SB 811 – (Sen. Moolenaar) – Senior citizens; other; reference to mentally retarded and mental retardation; modify.
Reported favorably from committee by a vote of 17-0
Natural Resources
HB 5400 – (Rep. Schmidt) – Environmental protection; solid waste; low-hazard industrial waste, beneficial use by-products, and inert material; reduce regulation of.
Testimony Only
HB 5401 – (Rep. McBroom) – Environmental protection; cleanups; person who stores or uses inert materials and beneficial use by-products; exempt from liability.
Testimony Only
HB 5402 – (Rep. Potvin) – Agriculture; fertilizer; liming material licensing conditions; provide for beneficial use by-products and inert materials.
Testimony Only
Appropriations: Subcommittee on Transportation
- Governor’s FY 2014-15 Transportation Budget
- Testimony: Amtrak on state rail passenger programs
- HFA follow up on budget issue
Oversight
-
Testimony from the Michigan Department of Education on the Performance Audit of Early On, November 2013
-
Testimony from the Department of Military and Veterans Affairs on the Performance Audit of the Michigan Veterans Affairs Agency, December 2013
Joint Committee on Administrative Rules
Department of Treasury
Executive Director of the Michigan Gaming Control Board
Millionaire Party Rules
(2013-088TY) (JCAR 14-03)
Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs
Fireworks Safety General Rules
(2013-113 LR) (JCAR 14-5)
Agriculture
Date: Wednesday, March 19
Time: 9 a.m.
Location: Room 307, House Appropriations, State Capitol Building
Agenda:
HB 5195 – (Rep. LaFontaine) – Food; processors; wild game sausage; allow mixing of game from more than 1 owner and not butchered by a licensed food establishment if consumer is given written advisory.
Reported favorably from committee by a vote of 17-0
HB 5226 – (Rep. McBroom) – Natural resources; hunting; issuance of crop damage permits; expand to include bear.
Testimony Only
Appropriations: Subcommittee on Higher Education
- Testimony from Michigan Independent Colleges and Universities
- Testimony from Michigan Association of College Registrars and Admissions Officers on Michigan Transfer Agreement
Tax Policy
SB 821 – (Sen. Brandenburg) – Taxation; other; local community stabilization authority; create.
Reported favorably from committee by a vote of 13-0-2
SB 822 – (Sen. Hildenbrand) – Use tax; collections; collection of local use tax; increase amount allowable.
Reported favorably from committee by a vote of 9-0-6
SB 823 – (Sen. Proos) – Property tax; exemptions; voter approval for exemption eligibility; modify, and exclude certain utility personal property from eligibility for exemption.
Reported favorably from committee by a vote of 13-0-2
SB 824 – (Sen. Pappageorge) – State financing and management; authorities; process for transferring authority powers; revise, and provide other general amendments.
Reported favorably from committee by a vote of 15-0
SB 825 – (Sen. Robertson) – Use tax; distribution; enacting section 1 in enrolled HB 6026, 2012 PA 408; amend to reflect different contingencies.
Reported favorably from committee by a vote of 10-5
SB 826 – (Sen. Jansen) – Property tax; exemptions; enacting section 1 in enrolled SB 1069, 2012 PA 401; amend to reflect different contingencies.
Reported favorably from committee by a vote of 15-0
SB 827 – (Sen. Bieda) – Property tax; exemptions; enacting section 1 in enrolled SB 1070, 2012 PA 402; amend to reflect different contingencies.
Reported favorably from committee by a vote of 15-0
SB 828 – (Sen. Ananich) – Property tax; exemptions; enacting section 1 in enrolled SB 1071, 2012 PA 403; amend to reflect different contingencies.
Reported favorably from committee by a vote of 15-0
SB 829 – (Sen. Warren) – Taxation; excise taxes; tax on certain owners of exempt eligible personal property; create.
Reported favorably from committee by a vote of 15-0
SB 830 – (Sen. Nofs) – Taxation; specific tax; personal property exempt from the specific tax levied under the state essential services assessment act; create alternative specific tax.
Reported favorably from committee by a vote of 15-0
SB 611 – (Sen. Kowall) – Economic development; other; collection of interest on delinquent assessment; modify.
Testimony Only
SB 562 – (Sen. Schuitmaker) – Property tax; delinquent taxes; delinquent tax revolving fund; revise.
Testimony Only
Military and Veterans Affairs
SB 671 – (Sen. Moolenaar) – Occupations; licensing fees; waiver of initial application and initial registration and license fees for certain veterans; provide for.
Reported favorably from committee by a vote of 13-0
SB 672 – (Sen. Green) – Occupations; security guards; waiver of initial fees for security business and alarm licenses; authorize for certain veterans.
Reported favorably from committee by a vote of 13-0
HB 5248 – (Rep. Haines) – Occupations; dental assistants; use of certain military experience as the basis for waiver of certain fees for licensure as a dental assistant; authorize.
Reported favorably from committee by a vote of 13-0
Transportation and Infrastructure and Appropriations Subcommittee on Transportation
Presentation by Ralph Becker, Salt Lake City Mayor on economic benefits of transit
Presentation by the Congress for New Urbanism on the importance of walkable communities and benefits of multiple modes of transportation for urban development
Criminal Justice
HB 5230 – (Rep. Cavanagh) – Civil procedure; other; abatement of nuisances; allow abatement for property used for human trafficking and make other general amendments.
Testimony Only
HB 5233 – (Rep. Kesto) – Criminal procedure; forfeiture; forfeiture of property for certain human trafficking violations; provide for.
Reported favorably from committee by a vote of 8-1
SB 582 – (Sen. Marleau) – Crimes; weapons; penalties for intentionally discharging a firearm from vehicle or at a dwelling or a potentially occupied structure; increase under certain circumstances.
Reported favorably from committee by a vote of 10-0
SB 583 – (Sen. Ananich) – Criminal procedure; sentencing guidelines; sentencing guidelines for increased penalties for crime of intentionally discharging a firearm from a motor vehicle or at a dwelling or potentially occupied structure; enact.
Reported favorably from committee by a vote of 10-0
Commerce
SB 387 – (Sen. Schuitmaker) – Worker’s compensation; definitions; worker’s disability compensation act; expand employee definition to include reserve and auxiliary officers.
Testimony Only
HB 5216 – (Rep. Kesto) – Corrections; parole; issuance by department of corrections of certificate of employability to certain prisoners; allow.
Reported favorably by a vote of 16-0
HB 5217 – (Rep. Walsh) – Labor; other; limited liability for employers that employ individuals issued a certificate of employability; provide for.
Reported favorably by a vote of 12-0-5
HB 5218 – (Rep. Santana) – Occupations; individual licensing and regulation; prerequisite of “good moral character”; eliminate for occupational licensing purposes.
Reported favorably by a vote of 16-1
Education
HB 5196 – (Rep. Lori) – Education; curriculum; specific physical education requirements; provide for.
Testimony Only
SB 120 – (Sen. Colbeck) – Education; curriculum; certain American heritage instruction and documents; allow and prohibit censorship of.
Reported favorably from committee by a vote of 11-0-5
SB 121 – (Sen. Colbeck) – Education; curriculum; celebrate freedom week to be observed in all public schools; require.
Reported favorably from committee by a vote of 12-0-4
SB 423 – (Sen. Colbeck) – Education; school districts; instruction in certain United States historical information; require.
Reported favorably from committee by a vote of 11-0-5
Appropriations Subcommittee on Environmental Quality
DEQ Presentations:
- Leaking Underground Storage Tank Cleanup Program
- Hazardous Waste Program
Financial Liability Reform
HB 5380 – (Rep. Franz) – Legislature; other; qualifications, appointment, and duties of delegates to an article V convention; provide for.
Reported favorably from committee by a vote of 7-4
Appropriations Subcommittee on State Police
- Commercial Vehicle Enforcement Division
- Special Operations Division
Insurance
SB 820 – (Sen. Hune) – Health facilities; certificate of need; membership on the certificate of need commission; include a reference to a nonprofit mutual disability insurer.
Reported favorably from committee by a vote of 14-0
HB 5192 – (Rep. LaFontaine) – Insurance; life; use of certain preferred class structure mortality tables; allow under certain conditions.
Reported favorably from committee by a vote of 14-0