In order to help make our state government more transparent and accessible to my constituents, each week that there is session I am going to post to my website a synopsis of the work each House committee will do for the week. This will include the time and location for the meeting as well as any bills or presentations the committee will hear. Each agenda item will include the bill number, the sponsor, and a brief summary of the legislation. If you would like to read in greater detail about any of these bills, you can read them in their full-text at www.legislature.mi.gov.
Please also note that you and your neighbors are welcome to observe any committee meeting or legislative session. Most House committee meetings are in the House Office Building (124 N. Capitol Ave. in Lansing) but some convene in the Capitol across the street.
As your elected officials, it is our job to conduct legislative business with efficiency and transparency. I hope you find these posts helpful and please do not hesitate to contact me if you have any additional questions or concerns.
Week of Feb. 9, 2015: Committee Meetings
Natural Resources and Appropriations: Subcommittee on Natural Resources
Date: Tuesday, Feb. 10, 2015
Time 9 a.m.
Location: Room 352, State Capitol Building
Agenda:
Michigan Natural Resources Trust Fund presentation by Department of Natural Resources
Wildlife Council presentation by Department of Natural Resources
Appropriations: Subcommittee on State Police
Date: Tuesday, Feb. 10, 2015
Time 9 a.m.
Location: Room 308, House Office Building
Agenda:
MSP staff from the Biometric and Identification Division and Forensic Science Division describe their past and present operations and discuss:
– Recent and ongoing upgrades to MSP IT systems,
– Current condition of MSP laboratories
– Backlog of evidence requiring forensic analysis
Criminal Justice
Date: Tuesday, Feb. 10, 2015
Time 9 a.m.
Location: Room 327, House Office Building
Agenda:
Overview of the Criminal Justice System
Health Policy
Date: Tuesday, Feb. 10, 2015
Time: 9 a.m.
Location: Room 519, House Office Building
Agenda:
Presentations By:
Michigan State Medical Society
Michigan Osteopathic Association
Michigan Optometric Association
Michigan Association of Chiropractors
Michigan Nurses Association
Criminal Justice
Date: Tuesday, Feb. 10, 2015
Time: 9 a.m.
Location: Room 327, House Office Building
Agenda:
Overview of Criminal Justice System
Transportation and Infrastructure
Date: Tuesday, Feb. 10, 2015
Time: 10:30 a.m.
Location: Room 521, House Office Building
Agenda:
Discussion with Kirk Steudle, Director Michigan Department of Transportation
Appropriations: Subcommittee on Agriculture and Rural Development
Date: Tuesday, Feb. 10, 2015
Time: Noon
Location: Room 307, House Office Building
Agenda:
House Fiscal Agency overview of the FY 2014-15 MDARD budget
Communications and Technology
Date: Tuesday, Feb. 10, 2015
Time: Noon
Location: Room 519, House Office Building
Agenda:
Presentation by the Michigan Public Service Commission
Communications and Technology
Date: Tuesday, Feb. 10, 2015
Time: Noon
Location: Room 519, House Office Building
Agenda:
PRESENTATION BY:
Michigan Supreme Court Chief Justice Robert P. Young
Judiciary
Date: Tuesday, Feb. 10, 2015
Time: Noon
Location: Room 521, House Office Building
Agenda:
HB 4076 – (Rep. Rendon) – Weapons; firearms; reference to certain repealed definition in the penal code; eliminate.
HB 4151 – (Rep. Pettalia) – Weapons; firearms; 1959 PA 186; repeal.
HB 4152 – (Rep. Sheppard) – Weapons; firearms; definition of firearm in MCL 8.3t; modify.
HB 4153 – (Rep. Franz) – Weapons; firearms; definition of firearm in MCL 752.841; modify.
HB 4154 – (Rep. Brett Roberts) – Weapons; firearms; definition of firearm in natural resources and environmental protection act; modify.
HB 4155 – (Rep. Cole) – Weapons; firearms; definition of firearm in the Michigan penal code; modify.
HB 4156 – (Rep. Barrett) – Weapons; firearms; definition of firearm in 1927 PA 372; modify.
HB 4159 – (Rep. Johnson) – Weapons; licensing; waiver for certain individuals to carry weapon in weapon-free zones; expand to include certain corrections, probation, and parole officers.
HB 4160 – (Rep. Johnson) – Weapons; other; brandishing a firearm; exempt certain actions.
HB 4161 – (Rep. Hughes) – Weapons; other; definition of brandish; provide for.
SB 34 – (Sen. Green) – Weapons; licensing; concealed pistol licensing boards; eliminate, and transfer duties to the department of state police and county clerks.
SB 35 – (Sen. Green) – Criminal procedure; sentencing guidelines; reference in sentencing guidelines; update.
Appropriations: Subcommittee on Licensing and Regulatory Affairs
Date: Tuesday, Feb. 10, 2015
Time: 3 p.m.
Location: Room 424, State Capitol Building
Directors of LARA and DIFS to provide an overview of departmental organization, responsibilities, policies, programs, and procedures
Financial Liability Reform
Date: Wednesday, Feb. 11, 2015
Time: 9:30 a.m.
Location: Room 521, House Office Building
Agenda:
HB 4059 – (Rep. Hughes) – Retirement; public school employees; retirant employed at a reporting unit under certain circumstances without forfeiting retirement allowance or health care coverage; eliminate sunset.
Families, Children and Seniors
Date: Wednesday, Feb. 11, 2015
Time: 9 a.m.
Location: Room 327, House Office Building
Agenda:
Presentations By:
Nick Lyon- Interim Director, Department of Human Services
Scott Dzurka- President and CEO, United Way’s Michigan Association of United Ways
Agriculture
Date: Wednesday, Feb. 11, 2015
Time: 10:30 a.m.
Location: Room 519, House Office Building
Agenda:
Presentation from
Jamie Clover Adams, Director
Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (MDARD)
Tax Policy
Date: Wednesday, Feb. 11, 2015
Time: 10:30 a.m.
Location: Room 521, House Office Building
Agenda:
HB 4018 – (Rep. Farrington) – Sales tax; definitions; definition of prewritten computer software; revise.
HB 4019 – (Rep. Farrington) – Use tax; definitions; definition of prewritten computer software; revise.
HB 4051 – (Rep. Farrington) – Taxation; administration; disclosure of certain tax-exempt property; provide for.
Financial Services
Date: Wednesday, Feb. 11, 2015
Time: 10:30 a.m.
Location: Room 326, House Office Building
Agenda:
PRESENTATION BY:
Michigan Department of Insurance and Financial Services
Tourism and Outdoor Recreation
Date: Wednesday, Feb. 11, 2015
Time: Noon
Location: Room 326, House Office Building
Agenda:
A presentation given by Michigan Farm Bureau and Michigan Agritourism Association.
Appropriations: Subcommittee on Military and Veterans Affairs
Date: Thursday, Feb. 12, 2015
Time: 9 a.m.
Location: Room 424, State Capitol Building
Agenda:
Presentation given by the Department of Military and Veterans Affairs
Appropriations: Subcommittee on Environmental Quality
Date: Thursday, Feb. 12, 2015
Time: 9 a.m.
Location: Room 426, State Capitol Building
Agenda:
– Departmental overview presentation by the Department of Environmental Quality
– Executive Budget Recommendation presentation by the Department of Environmental Quality
Insurance
Date: Thursday, Feb. 12, 2015
Time: 9 a.m.
Location: Room 519, House Office Building
Agenda:
Presentation by the Department of Insurance and Financial Services
on Insurance Basics