Weekly/biweekly Michigan legislative activism thread December 7, 2012

Senate Bill 313: Limit auto insurance medical charges
Introduced by Sen. Marty Knollenberg (R) on May 5, 2015, to limit the amount that hospitals and doctors may charge for treatment covered by automobile insurance personal injury protection (PIP) benefits. The bill would prohibit charging more than the amount a provider “customarily” receives for the same services under rates negotiated with insurers for regular health coverage. This is one of several bills that would authorize cost controls on the unlimited PIP benefits mandated by Michigan’s no fault insurance law.
http://www.michiganvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=169493

Senate Bill 314: Authorize truck weight limit exceptions for maple sap haulers
Introduced by Sen. Wayne Schmidt (R) on May 5, 2015, to include maple syrup sap in the definition of agricultural products hauled by a truck that may exceed axle-weight limits by 10 percent when being moved from the field to storage.
http://www.michiganvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=169494

Senate Bill 315: Make homosexuals a civil rights law “protected class”
Introduced by Sen. Rebekah Warren (D) on May 5, 2015, to add “sexual orientation” and “gender identity or expression” to the characteristics that define membership in a protected class, against whom it is a crime to discriminate under the state’s Elliott-Larsen civil rights law. This would make it a crime to deny employment, housing, use of public accommodations, public services, and educational facilities to another person on the basis of a perception that the person has a particular sexual orientation or gender identity.
http://www.michiganvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=169495

Senate Bill 316: Revise workers comp hearing detail
Introduced by Sen. Rick Jones (R) on May 7, 2015, to clarify the application of an exemption to the state Open Meetings Act that applies to hearings on the merits of a worker’s compensation case by the administrative appeals board that hears these cases.
http://www.michiganvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=169496

Senate Bill 317: Accelerate vehicle trade-in “sales tax on the difference”
Introduced by Sen. David Robertson (R) on May 7, 2015, to eliminate the 24-year phase-in of a 2013 law that exempted from sales tax the value of a trade-in when buying a motor vehicle, titled watercraft or recreational vehicle, and instead grant the full exemption beginning Oct. 1, 2015.
http://www.michiganvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=169497

Senate Bill 318: Establish annual state “Fred Korematsu Day”
Introduced by Sen. Marty Knollenberg (R) on May 7, 2015, to designate January 30 as “Fred Korematsu Day” in the state of Michigan. Korematsu was an American-born citizen of Japanese descent who resisted the internment of Japanese Americans in World War II.
http://www.michiganvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=169498

House Bill 4540: Exempt critical infrastructure information from FOIA
Introduced by Rep. Kurt Heise (R) on May 5, 2015, to exempt public records related to critical energy infrastructure and government or private cybersecurity systems from disclosure under the state Freedom of Information Act.
http://www.michiganvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=169500

House Bill 4541: Increase Michigan education savings plan balance cap
Introduced by Rep. Anthony Forlini (R) on May 5, 2015, to increase from $235,000 to $500,000 the maximum balance allowed in Michigan “section 529” education savings plans for a particular beneficiary.
http://www.michiganvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=169502

House Bill 4542: Create college saving plan for disabled students
Introduced by Rep. Anthony Forlini (R) on May 5, 2015, to authorize a new “ABLE” tax advantaged education savings plan for beneficiaries who are disabled. Mirroring the federal law that created them, under House Bill 4544 balances and distributions from a student’s account would not be included in gross income for purposes of caps on various scholarship and aid programs.
http://www.michiganvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=169503

House Bill 4543: Create college saving plan for disabled students
Introduced by Rep. Anthony Forlini (R) on May 5, 2015, to authorize an income tax deduction of $5,000 for an individual, $10,000 for a joint account, for contributions to the “ABLE” education savings accounts that House Bill 4542 would authorize.
http://www.michiganvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=169504

House Bill 4544: Create college saving plan for disabled students
Introduced by Rep. Nancy Jenkins (R) on May 5, 2015, to prohibit the state from considering contributions, distributions, earnings or balances in a student’s ABLE education savings account (see House Bill 4542) in the calculation used to determine financial eligibility for various welfare-related benefits.
http://www.michiganvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=169505

House Bill 4545: Appropriations: K-12 School Aid budget
Introduced by Rep. Al Pscholka (R) on May 5, 2015, to provide a “template” or “place holder” for a partial school aid budget for the fiscal year that begins Oct. 1, 2015. This bill contains no appropriations, but may be amended at a later date to include them. Bills like this are “procedural” in nature and intended to facilitate eventual passage or adjustment of a real budget based on amounts and conditions approved by the House and Senate.
http://www.michiganvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=169506

House Bill 4546: Appropriations: Supplemental school aid budget
Introduced by Rep. Al Pscholka (R) on May 5, 2015, to provide a template or “place holder” for a potential supplemental school aid appropriation for Fiscal Year 2015-2016. This bill contains no appropriations, but may be amended at a later date to include them.
http://www.michiganvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=169507

House Bill 4547: Mandate recording of child abuse/neglect interviews
Introduced by Rep. Thomas Hooker (R) on May 5, 2015, to require interviews of children by government officials in alleged or suspected neglect or abuse cases to be recorded on video.
http://www.michiganvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=169508

House Bill 4548: Revise child abuse/neglect interview details
Introduced by Rep. Robert Kosowski (D) on May 5, 2015, to allow the child interview video recordings mandated by House Bill 4547 to be used in a hearing on an alleged or suspected neglect or abuse case. The bill would also increase the penalty for a person who improperly and intentionally releases such a recording, authorizing up to one year in prison.
http://www.michiganvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=169509

House Bill 4549: Revise child abuse/neglect interview details
Introduced by Rep. Harvey Santana (D) on May 5, 2015, to allow the child interview video recordings mandated by House Bill 4547 to be used in proceedings on an alleged or suspected neglect or abuse case. The bill would also increase the penalty for a person who improperly and intentionally releases such a recording, authorizing up to one year in prison.
http://www.michiganvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=169510

House Bill 4550: Revise vulnerable adult abuse law
Introduced by Rep. Derek Miller (D) on May 5, 2015, to define as fourth degree vulnerable adult abus acts by a caregiver that create an “unreasonable risk or harm or injury to a vulnerable adult” even if no harm results.
http://www.michiganvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=169511

House Bill 4551: Authorize energy efficient new home purchase tax breaks
Introduced by Rep. Derek Miller (D) on May 5, 2015, to authorize a $5,000 individual income tax credit for a person who buys a new home that has been deemed a “green structure” by a particular private entity specified in the bill (“Green Built Michigan”), and a $2,000 credit for an addition or renovation that meets the criteria established by this entity, or by a similar entity that has been empowered with this authority by the state Department of Labor and Economic Growth. The credit would not be “refundable” (that is, would not be a potential cash subsidy), but the amount exceeding the person’s tax liability could be “carried forward” and used against future years’ tax liability.
http://www.michiganvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=169512

House Bill 4552: Impose additional training mandate on high school counselors
Introduced by Rep. Brett Roberts (R) on May 5, 2015, to mandate that middle school and high school counselors must take and pass a separate 45-hour course on the college admissions process and counseling, in addition to other existing licensure requirements. There would be an exception for current counselors who have at least three years experience in this particular area.
http://www.michiganvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=169513

House Bill 4553: Revise Personal Property Tax reform details
Introduced by Rep. David Maturen (R) on May 5, 2015, to revise details of the personal property tax reforms approved by voters in August 2014, which lowered or eliminated this tax for industrial firms and most small businesses, but not for larger commercial enterprises. This bill is part of a package comprised of House Bills 4553 to 4558, and would revise business reporting requirements and extend the new law’s tax exemptions to personal property not yet in use. The “personal property tax” is property taxes that are imposed on business tools and equipment.
http://www.michiganvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=169514

House Bill 4554: Revise Personal Property Tax reform details
Introduced by Rep. David Maturen (R) on May 5, 2015, to revise details of the personal property tax reforms approved by voters in August 2014, which lowered or eliminated this tax for industrial firms and most small businesses, but not for larger commercial enterprises. This bill is part of a package comprised of House Bills 4553 to 4558, and would revise the basis on which a so-called “alternative services” tax is levied, which was a device used to shift the burden of this business tax cut from local governments to the state. The “personal property tax” is property taxes that are imposed on business tools and equipment.
http://www.michiganvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=169515

House Bill 4555: Revise Personal Property Tax reform details
Introduced by Rep. Ken Yonker (R) on May 5, 2015, to revise details of the personal property tax reforms approved by voters in August 2014, which lowered or eliminated this tax for industrial firms and most small businesses. This bill is part of a package comprised of House Bills 4553 to 4558, and would revise the basis on which a so-called “alternative services” tax is levied, which is a device the 2014 reform to shift the burden of this business tax cut from local governments to the state. The “personal property tax” is property taxes that are imposed on business tools and equipment.
http://www.michiganvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=169516

House Bill 4556: Revise Personal Property Tax reform details
Introduced in the House on May 5, 2015, to revise details of the personal property tax reforms approved by voters in August 2014, which lowered or eliminated this tax for industrial firms and most small businesses. This bill is part of a package comprised of House Bills 4553 to 4558, and would revise details of a “Local Community Stabilization Authority,” which is a device the 2014 reform used to shift the burden of this business tax cut from local governments to the state. The “personal property tax” is property taxes that are imposed on business tools and equipment.
http://www.michiganvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=169517

House Bill 4557: Revise Personal Property Tax reform details
Introduced by Rep. Jim Townsend (D) on May 5, 2015, to revise details of the personal property tax reforms approved by voters in August 2014, which lowered or eliminated this tax for industrial firms and most small businesses. This bill is part of a package comprised of House Bills 4553 to 4558, and amends details of the law that authorizes local governments to grant property tax abatements to particular businesses so that it conforms with the 2014 reforms. The “personal property tax” is property taxes that are imposed on business tools and equipment.
http://www.michiganvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=169518

House Bill 4558: Revise Personal Property Tax reform details
Introduced by Rep. Jim Townsend (D) on May 5, 2015, to revise details of the personal property tax reforms approved by voters in August 2014, which lowered or eliminated this tax for industrial firms and most small businesses. This bill is part of a package comprised of House Bills 4553 to 4558, and amends details of the law that authorizes local governments to grant “industrial facility” tax breaks to particular businesses so that it conforms with the 2014 reforms. The “personal property tax” is property taxes that are imposed on business tools and equipment.
http://www.michiganvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=169519

House Bill 4559: Prohibit independent Strategic Fund revenue sources and spending
Introduced by Rep. Martin Howrylak (R) on May 7, 2015, to longer allow the Michigan Strategic Fund to collect the revenue paid to the state through Indian casino gaming compacts. This is the agency under which various entities such as the Michigan Economic Development Corporation and local versions of it deliver direct and indirect subsidies to particular companies or developers selected by agency staffers and political appointees on the different program’s boards. Under the bill, all revenue and assets of the Strategic Fund would be “declared public money and assets” and only disbursed through an appropriations bill passed by the legislature.
http://www.michiganvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=169520

House Bill 4560: Use some auto injury reserve fund money for roads
Introduced by Rep. Peter Lucido (R) on May 7, 2015, to take $1 billion from the insurance claims reserve fund of the Michigan Catastrophic Claims Association (MCCA), and use it for road repair projects. The bill would direct the MCCA to replace this money from future customer insurance bills, and from growth in reserve fund investments. The MCCA is the reinsurance provider that covers unlimited vehicle crash medical claims when they go above $500,000, coverage that is mandated by the state no-fault auto insurance law.
http://www.michiganvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=169521

House Bill 4561: Increase juror compensation
Introduced by Rep. Peter Lucido (R) on May 7, 2015, to increase juror compensation to $45 a day after the first day of jury duty (instead of the current $40), and similar increases for first days and half days.
http://www.michiganvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=169522

House Bill 4562: Redesignate a road
Introduced by Rep. Jon Bumstead (R) on May 7, 2015, to designate a portion of M-37 in Newaygo County as the “Brian Derks Memorial Highway”.
http://www.michiganvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=169523

House Bill 4563: Authorize townships contracting for domestic violence victim services
Introduced by Rep. Eric Leutheuser (R) on May 7, 2015, to authorize townships to issue contracts to nonprofit entities to deliver specified services to victims of domestic violence.
http://www.michiganvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=169524

House Bill 4564: Simplify rules on transporting a firearm in a vehicle
Introduced by Rep. Scott Dianda (D) on May 7, 2015, to remove various rules on transporting a firearm in various containers or places in a vehicle, and instead simply require that it be unloaded.
http://www.michiganvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=169525

House Bill 4565: Simplify rules on transporting a firearm in a vehicle
Introduced by Rep. Scott Dianda (D) on May 7, 2015, to remove various rules on transporting a firearm in various containers or places in a vehicle, and instead simply require that it be unloaded.
http://www.michiganvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=169526

House Bill 4566: Earmark some sales tax to roads
Introduced by Rep. Phil Potvin (R) on May 7, 2015, to earmark part of the sales tax revenue collected on gasoline purchases to road projects, based on a formula specified in the bill.
http://www.michiganvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=169527

House Bill 4567: Let public schools engage in commercial business
Introduced by Rep. Bradford Jacobsen (R) on May 7, 2015, to establish that property owned or leased by a public school is considered “exempt and immune” from local zoning ordinances, and establish very broad definitions of “school building” and “school purpose.” “School purpose” would be defined as “any purpose that may provide a benefit to a public school or its governing board, including…a benefit of a commercial or financial nature”.
http://www.michiganvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=169528

House Bill 4568: Let Secretary of State keep using some fees for administration
Introduced by Rep. Al Pscholka (R) on May 7, 2015, to extend until Oct. 1, 2019 the authority of the Secretary of State to charge for various commercial services and use that money to administer the department.
http://www.michiganvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=169529

House Bill 4569: Let Secretary of State keep using some fees for administration
Introduced by Rep. Al Pscholka (R) on May 7, 2015, to extend until Oct. 1, 2019 the authority of the Secretary of State use specified fees it collects to administer the department.
http://www.michiganvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=169530

Senate Bill 1: Repeal “prevailing wage” law
Passed 22 to 15 in the Senate on May 14, 2015, to revise the state school code so that it conforms with the proposal in Senate Bill 3 to repeal the so-called “prevailing wage” law that prohibits awarding government contracts to contractors who submit the lowest bid unless the contractor pays wages based on union-devised pay scales.
See Who Voted “Yes” and Who Voted “No” at http://www.michiganvotes.org/RollCall.aspx?ID=713733

Senate Bill 2: Repeal “prevailing wage” law
Passed 22 to 15 in the Senate on May 14, 2015, to revise a law that authorizes Detroit to create an entity to distribute selective corporate and developer tax breaks and subsidies so that it conforms with the proposal in Senate Bill 3 to repeal the so-called “prevailing wage” law, which prohibits awarding government contracts to contractors who submit the lowest bid unless the contractor pays wages based on union-devised pay scales.
See Who Voted “Yes” and Who Voted “No” at http://www.michiganvotes.org/RollCall.aspx?ID=713734

Senate Bill 3: Repeal “prevailing wage” law
Passed 22 to 15 in the Senate on May 14, 2015, to repeal the state “prevailing wage” law, which prohibits awarding government contracts to contractors who submit the lowest bid unless the contractor pays wages based on pay scales that local union officials represent as prevalent in a particular area, but which tend to be above the market rate. The Senate added a modest appropriation, which has the effect of making the bill “referendum-proof”.
See Who Voted “Yes” and Who Voted “No” at http://www.michiganvotes.org/RollCall.aspx?ID=713736

Senate Bill 139: Authorize fundraising “bake sales” in schools
Passed 66 to 43 in the House on May 13, 2015, to require the Michigan Department of Education (MDOE) to set rules that permit no less than two days a week on which schools could hold fundraising sales of food or beverages that do not meet mandated school lunch nutritional standards. Also, to require schools to notify parents a week ahead of such sales. The bill was introduced in response to federal and MDOE restrictions and bans on the sales.
See Who Voted “Yes” and Who Voted “No” at http://www.michiganvotes.org/RollCall.aspx?ID=713671

Senate Bill 152: Revise boxing and “mixed martial arts” regulation
Passed 37 to 0 in the Senate on May 14, 2015, to revise details of a comprehensive regulatory regime imposed by a 2004 law on professional boxing and “mixed martial arts” competitions. Among other things the bill would index to inflation the license fees imposed on contestants, referees, judges, physicians, matchmakers, timekeepers, contestants, and promoters, without further authorization from the legislature for any increases.
See Who Voted “Yes” and Who Voted “No” at http://www.michiganvotes.org/RollCall.aspx?ID=713745

Senate Bill 154: Revise boxing and “mixed martial arts” regulation
Passed 37 to 0 in the Senate on May 14, 2015, to establish sentencing guidelines for violations of the prohibited conduct in “mixed martial arts” competitions proposed or amended by Senate Bill 152, which revises boxing and “mixed martial arts” regulations.
See Who Voted “Yes” and Who Voted “No” at http://www.michiganvotes.org/RollCall.aspx?ID=713746

Senate Bill 165: Authorize pedal-powered beer bars
Passed 37 to 0 in the Senate on May 14, 2015, to establish in statute that a “commercial quadricycle,” which is a pedal-powered mobile beer bar, is not considered a “motor vehicle” even if it has auxiliary power, and instead would be subject to the less onerous regulations imposed on “low-speed vehicles,” or if operated on a sidewalk, the regulations imposed on “Segways.” Under this and Senate Bill 166 passengers would be allowed to have open beer or wine containers, but the driver would be required to have a blood alcohol level of zero.
See Who Voted “Yes” and Who Voted “No” at http://www.michiganvotes.org/RollCall.aspx?ID=713743

Senate Bill 244: Increase fine for illegally shooting game animals
Passed 37 to 0 in the Senate on May 13, 2015, to increase the amount of restitution a person must pay for illegally shooting certain game or protected animals. Among others the bill would impose a $5,000 fine for illegally killing an elk or moose, $3,500 for a bear, $1,500 for an eagle, etc.
See Who Voted “Yes” and Who Voted “No” at http://www.michiganvotes.org/RollCall.aspx?ID=713644

Senate Bill 245: Increase illegal game killing penalties
Passed 37 to 0 in the Senate on May 13, 2015, to increase the number of years an individual is banned from hunting for illegally shooting, buying or selling a deer, bear, elk, moose, etc. Under current law the suspension is for three years, and the bill would change this to up to 15 years depending on the species.
See Who Voted “Yes” and Who Voted “No” at http://www.michiganvotes.org/RollCall.aspx?ID=713645

Senate Bill 246: Increase illegal game killing penalties
Passed 37 to 0 in the Senate on May 13, 2015, to establish sentencing guidelines for the increased penalties proposed by Senate Bills 244 and 245 for illegally shooting, buying or selling certain game or protected animals.
See Who Voted “Yes” and Who Voted “No” at http://www.michiganvotes.org/RollCall.aspx?ID=713646

Senate Bill 251: Establish less formal court procedures for some juvenile crimes
Passed 37 to 0 in the Senate on May 14, 2015, to establish a parallel court “consent calendar” process for criminal cases involving juveniles that are not serious enough warrant removing the juvenile from parental custody, but only if the parents or guardian and the prosecutor agree. Procedures for such cases would be less formal than for regular criminal cases, and access to case records would be restricted.
See Who Voted “Yes” and Who Voted “No” at http://www.michiganvotes.org/RollCall.aspx?ID=713740

Senate Bill 270: Authorize out of state guardian or conservator
Passed 37 to 0 in the Senate on May 14, 2015, to give Michigan courts the authority to appoint a guardian or conservator for a minor or incapacitated individual who is not a Michigan resident if the person “is present or has a significant connection” to the state as defined in the bill.
See Who Voted “Yes” and Who Voted “No” at http://www.michiganvotes.org/RollCall.aspx?ID=713741

Senate Bill 281: Require audit of 36th district court pension underfunding surcharge
Passed 37 to 0 in the Senate on May 14, 2015, to allow a bailiff of the 36th district court to be removed from office for inability to perform essential functions of the office. This is the former Detroit “Recorders Court,” and the law that replaced it with the 36th district court had provisions establishing that the current bailiffs could keep their jobs but would not be replaced, and could only be removed for malfeasance.
See Who Voted “Yes” and Who Voted “No” at http://www.michiganvotes.org/RollCall.aspx?ID=713742

Senate Bill 304: Clarify scrap metal seller detail
Passed 37 to 0 in the Senate on May 14, 2015, to clarify that the ban imposed by a 2014 law on scrap metal dealers paying cash for purchases of certain items does not apply to the portion of a purchase comprised of other items.
See Who Voted “Yes” and Who Voted “No” at http://www.michiganvotes.org/RollCall.aspx?ID=713747

House Bill 4076: Revise firearms transport law detail
Passed 37 to 0 in the Senate on May 13, 2015, to revise a reference in the state penal code to reflect recent changes in the law governing transportation of firearms in a vehicle.
See Who Voted “Yes” and Who Voted “No” at http://www.michiganvotes.org/RollCall.aspx?ID=713643

House Bill 4101: Try to “buy-back” state venture capital investment guarantees
Passed 107 to 1 in the House on May 14, 2015, to appropriate $45 million in an effort to buy-back at a discount some $50 million worth of investor return guarantees investor the state gave out under an “early stage venture capital investment” scheme authorized by a 2003 law.
See Who Voted “Yes” and Who Voted “No” at http://www.michiganvotes.org/RollCall.aspx?ID=713772

House Bill 4162: Remove some licensure restrictions on residential lift installers
Passed 27 to 10 in the Senate on May 13, 2015, to exempt residential lift installers from the comprehensive licensure and regulatory regime that applies to regular elevator contractors. Instead, installers would have to be certified by the lift’s manufacturer and carry a $2 million liability insurance policy. This would greatly increase the number of professionals allowed to install stairway chairlifts and platform lifts in private residences for elderly or handicapped individuals.
See Who Voted “Yes” and Who Voted “No” at http://www.michiganvotes.org/RollCall.aspx?ID=713647

House Bill 4163: Remove some licensure restrictions on residential lift installers
Passed 27 to 10 in the Senate on May 13, 2015, to permit a licensed residential home builder to install residential stairway lifts without being subjected to the much more rigorous licensure provisions that apply to elevator contractors. The residential contractor would have carry $2 million in liability insurance and be certified by the manufacturer of the lifts, which are one-story stair-climbing machines for elderly or handicapped individuals. See also House Bill 4162.
See Who Voted “Yes” and Who Voted “No” at http://www.michiganvotes.org/RollCall.aspx?ID=713648

House Bill 4601: Increase gas and diesel tax
Introduced by Rep. David E. Rutledge (D) on May 14, 2015, to gradually increase the tax on gasoline and diesel from 19 cents and 15 cents per gallon respectively to 34 cents per gallon by 2018.
http://www.michiganvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=169602

House Bill 4605: House GOP road funding package
Introduced by Rep. Al Pscholka (R) on May 14, 2015, to earmark a portion of state income tax revenue to road funding, starting with $192 million in 2016 and increasing to $717 million in 2019. The 2019 level would then be indexed to inflation in future years.
http://www.michiganvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=169606

House Bill 4606: House GOP road funding package
Introduced by Rep. Phil Potvin (R) on May 14, 2015, to earmark a portion of annual state sales tax revenue (around $130 million) to road funding.
http://www.michiganvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=169608

House Bill 4607: House GOP road funding package (corporate subsidies repeal)
Introduced by Rep. Peter Pettalia (R) on May 14, 2015, to no longer spend $75 million annually on various direct and indirect subsidies granted to corporations and developers under the “21st Century Jobs Fund” rubric, and instead use this money on road repairs and improvements.
http://www.michiganvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=169609

House Bill 4608: House GOP road funding package (corporate subsidies repeal)
Introduced by Rep. Lee Chatfield (R) on May 14, 2015, to no longer channel $60 million in payments from Indian casinos to the “Michigan Strategic Fund,” which is the entity under which the state’s various corporate subsidy programs are organized, and instead use this money for road repairs and improvements.
http://www.michiganvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=169610

House Bill 4609: House GOP road funding package (EITC repeal)
Introduced by Rep. Jeff Farrington (R) on May 14, 2015, to eliminate the state earned income tax credit, which grants recipients an amount equal to 6 percent of the federal EITC. The EITC is a refundable tax credit (or “reverse income tax”) that sends checks to low income workers, totalling around $115 million annually. This is part of a House Republican road funding package, that earmarks more money to roads from the same state “general fund” from which EITC payments are paid.
http://www.michiganvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=169611

House Bill 4610: House GOP road funding package
Introduced by Rep. Aaron Miller (R) on May 14, 2015, to establish that if a township contributes 50 percent or more to the cost of a road project, it can require the county road commission to contract for the work through competitive bidding.
http://www.michiganvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=169612

House Bill 4611: House GOP road funding package
Introduced by Rep. Edward Canfield (R) on May 14, 2015, to require road agencies to seek competitive bids for road maintenance projects greater than $100,000.
http://www.michiganvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=169613

House Bill 4612: House GOP road funding package
Introduced by Rep. Eric Leutheuser (R) on May 14, 2015, to impose an annual vehicle registration surtax of $100 on gas-electric hybrid-drive vehicles, $200 on hybrid trucks over 8,000 pounds, $225 on electric cars and plug-in hybrids, and $400 on electric trucks over 8,000 pounds (if any are produced).
http://www.michiganvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=169614

House Bill 4613: House GOP road funding package
Introduced by Rep. Dan Lauwers (R) on May 14, 2015, to require local road agencies to get a contractor’s warranty on all road projects that cost more than $1 million.
http://www.michiganvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=169615

House Bill 4614: House GOP road funding package
Introduced by Rep. Andrea LaFontaine (R) on May 14, 2015, to revise details of the Michigan version of the “Streamlined Sales Tax” project being pursued this and most states with the goal of taxing out-of-state purchase, so that it conforms with the proposal in House Bill 4615 to extend motor fuel taxes to natural gas burned in Michigan by trucks that was purchased in other states, and to extend the sales tax credit interstate truckers are allowed on fuel purchased in this state.
http://www.michiganvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=169616

House Bill 4615: House GOP road funding package
Introduced by Rep. Rob VerHeulen (R) on May 14, 2015, to increase the current 15 cents per gallon diesel fuel tax to 19 cents per gallon, and then increase it each year by 5 percent or the rate of inflation, whichever is less. Also, to apply this tax to natural gas or other “alternative fuels” burned by vehicles, at a rate equivalent to their diesel fuel energy equivalent.
http://www.michiganvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=169617

House Bill 4616: House GOP road funding package
Introduced by Rep. Michael McCready (R) on May 14, 2015, to increase the current 15 cent per gallon motor carrier fuel tax imposed on interstate truckers to 19 cents per gallon, and revise it to conform with the extension of this tax to natural gas and other “alternative fuels” burned by interstate trucks, both of which mirror the proposals in House Bill 4615 to raise and extend the tax on regular in-state diesel purchases.
http://www.michiganvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=169618

Senate Bill 319: Repeal school “adequacy study” mandate
Introduced by Sen. Mike Shirkey (R) on May 12, 2015, to repeal a law passed on the last day of the 2013-2014 Legislature that requires the state to pay a contractor to study and report on how much money per student is needed to teach public school students sufficiently well to meet state graduation requirements. Reportedly this law was passed to get Democratic votes on a sales tax increase measure that became part of the failed 2015 Proposal 1 road funding ballot initiative.
http://www.michiganvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=169553

Senate Bill 320: Revise nurse scope of practice
Introduced by Sen. Mike Kowall (R) on May 7, 2015, to revise the scope of practice allowed for certified registered nurse anesthetists, by allowing these professionals to anesthetize patients without the direct supervision of an anesthetist who is a medical doctor.
http://www.michiganvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=169499

Senate Bill 321: Revise Bay County judge details
Introduced by Sen. Michael Green (R) on May 12, 2015, to not reduce the number of judges in the 18th judicial circuit (Bay County) by one as prescribed by current law, and instead decrease by one the number of judges in the 74th district court, which also covers Bay County.
http://www.michiganvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=169554

Senate Bill 322: Eliminate sunset on road commission eliminations
Introduced by Sen. Dale W. Zorn (R) on May 12, 2015, to eliminate a Jan. 1, 2015 sunset on a 2011 law that provides procedures for eliminating a county road commission and transferring its duties to the county board.
http://www.michiganvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=169555

Senate Bill 323: Eliminate sunset on road commission eliminations
Introduced by Sen. Dale W. Zorn (R) on May 12, 2015, to eliminate a Jan. 1, 2015 sunset on a 2011 law that provides procedures for eliminating a county road commission and transferring its duties to the county board.
http://www.michiganvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=169556

Senate Bill 324: Require local agency policies for police involved in a death
Introduced by Sen. Coleman Young, II (D) on May 12, 2015, to require local police and sheriff departments to have a policy on deaths that involve a law enforcement officer. This would have to include requiring an investigation by two officers who are not employed by the same agency.
http://www.michiganvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=169557

Senate Bill 325: Authorize police body camera pilot program
Introduced by Sen. Coleman Young, II (D) on May 12, 2015, to authorize grants that Wayne County law enforcement agencies could apply for that would provide police body cameras, with the information collected used to establish a statewide policy and rules for this. The bill prescribes various requirements and restrictions on the use of police body cameras. See also House Bill 4229.
http://www.michiganvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=169558

Senate Bill 326: Establish B-24 Liberator as symbolic “state airplane”
Introduced by Sen. Rebekah Warren (D) on May 12, 2015, to establish that the B-24 Liberator flown by he U.S. Army Air Force and Navy in WW II shall be deemed the “official airplane” of the state of Michigan. The B-24 was a sophisticated four-engine bomber produced in huge numbers by the Ford Motor Company on an unprecedented mile-length assembly line at the purpose-built Willow Run plant in Wayne County.
http://www.michiganvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=169559

Senate Bill 327: Create annual “Korean American Day”
Introduced by Sen. Rebekah Warren (D) on May 12, 2015, to enact a new law that would establish Jan. 13 of each year as “Korean American Day”.
http://www.michiganvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=169560

Senate Bill 328
Introduced by Sen. Tonya Schuitmaker (R) on May 12, 2015, Authorize more State Police officer grades to create two new grades of State Police officer, called inspector and recruit. The current grades are colonel, lieutenant colonel, major, captain, lieutenant, sergeant and trooper.
http://www.michiganvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=169561

Senate Bill 329: Authorize correction of Flint mayor election error
Introduced by Sen. Jim Ananich (D) on May 12, 2015, to revise the state election law to allow several candidates for the mayor of Flint to be placed on the ballot even though they missed the candidate filing deadline, reportedly because the Flint city clerk office posted a wrong filing deadline on the city website.
http://www.michiganvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=169562

Senate Bill 330: Preempt local employer labor law mandates
Introduced by Sen. John Proos (R) on May 13, 2015, to prohibit local governments from imposing any contractual, zoning, permitting, licensing, or other conditions on an employer’s or employee’s full freedom to act under federal labor laws. This includes an employer’s or employee’s right to express views on unionization and other labor issues, to have secret ballots and other procedural protections in unionization votes, to not have to deliver employee information to unions, and more.
http://www.michiganvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=169563

Senate Bill 331: Ban buying used rims, wheels and tires for cash
Introduced by Sen. Rick Jones (R) on May 14, 2015, to prohibit licensed used vehicle parts dealers from paying cash to an individual for used tires, wheels and rims. Only payments by traceable checks, electronic transfers, etc. would be allowed.
http://www.michiganvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=169564

Senate Bill 332: Reduce minor-in-possession of alcohol sanctions
Introduced by Sen. Rick Jones (R) on May 14, 2015, to remove the misdemeanor penalties for a second violation minor-in-possession of alcohol law, but not on a third violation, which carries a potential 60 day jail sentence for failing to abide by sanctions imposed for previous violations and other conditions. The bill also revises certain permissible police actions such as giving chemical breath tests to minors an officer suspects are in violation.
http://www.michiganvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=169565

Senate Bill 333: Suspend drivers license for third “minor in possession” violation
Introduced by Sen. Rick Jones (R) on May 14, 2015, to suspend the drivers license of a minor for a third violation of the state minor-in-possession of alcohol law.
http://www.michiganvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=169566

Senate Bill 334: Revise child abuse reporting mandate
Introduced by Sen. Judy Emmons (R) on May 14, 2015, to revise the law that requires certain health care professionals, social workers and other designated professionals to report suspected child abuse, so that a report filed via an online reporting system the bill would require the state to create would complete the duty to report.
http://www.michiganvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=169567

Senate Bill 335: Require sending suspicious death DNA to national center
Introduced by Sen. Judy Emmons (R) on May 14, 2015, to require county medical examiners take DNA and fingerprint samples from the body of an unidentified person who died under suspicious circumstances, and report this to an national crime information center.
http://www.michiganvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=169568

Senate Bill 336: Authorize “Amber Alert” type system for at-large cop killer
Introduced by Sen. Tonya Schuitmaker (R) on May 14, 2015, to establish procedures for rapidly disseminating useful information to radio and television stations when a person suspected of killing or seriously injuring a police officer is on the loose and dangerous. This would be called a “blue alert”.
http://www.michiganvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=169569

Senate Bill 337: Preempt local employer mandates
Introduced by Sen. Peter MacGregor (R) on May 14, 2015, to preempt local governments, public schools, state colleges and universities, and other governmental authorities from imposing mandatory wage, benefit, or leave time requirements on employers that exceed those required by state or federal law.
http://www.michiganvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=169570

House Bill 4571: Revise electric generation plant property tax detail
Introduced by Rep. Aric Nesbitt (R) on May 12, 2015, to place in statute a definition of “turbine” for purposes of local property tax breaks on electric generating plant systems authorized by an industrial development and plant rehabilitation law.
http://www.michiganvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=169572

House Bill 4572: Revise electric generation plant property tax detail
Introduced by Rep. Aric Nesbitt (R) on May 12, 2015, to place in statute a definition of “turbine” for purposes of “personal property tax” exemptions authorized for electric generating plants.
http://www.michiganvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=169573

House Bill 4573: Revise electric generation plant property tax detail
Introduced by Rep. Aric Nesbitt (R) on May 12, 2015, to place in statute a definition of “turbine” for purposes of limits on the state school property tax and electric generation plants.
http://www.michiganvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=169574

House Bill 4574: Let veterans ride city buses for free
Introduced by Rep. Robert Kosowski (D) on May 12, 2015, to require local bus agencies to let veterans and active duty military ride buses for free, if they get a state military transportation card the bill would authorize.
http://www.michiganvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=169575

House Bill 4575: Establish process to combine Upper and Lower Peninsula power grids
Introduced by Rep. Triston Cole (R) on May 12, 2015, to establish a process for the state to choose an electric utility power line operator that would connect the Upper and Lower Peninsulas into a single electric grid. This relates to recent conflicts involving Wisconsin utilities and plants that serve central and western U.P. customers.
http://www.michiganvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=169576

House Bill 4576: Establish B-24 Liberator as symbolic “state airplane”
Introduced by Rep. David E. Rutledge (D) on May 12, 2015, to establish that the B-24 Liberator flown by he U.S. Army Air Force and Navy in WW II shall be deemed the “official airplane” of the state of Michigan. The B-24 was a sophisticated four-engine bomber produced in huge numbers by the Ford Motor Company on an unprecedented mile-length assembly line at the purpose-built Willow Run plant in Wayne County.
http://www.michiganvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=169577

House Bill 4577: Revise seasonal restricted commercial driver licenses
Introduced by Rep. Dan Lauwers (R) on May 12, 2015, to allow holders of unexpired seasonal restricted commercial driver licenses to renew their license once a year. These licenses are issued for agricultural activities in the spring and fall and have a maximum duration of 180 days.
http://www.michiganvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=169578

House Bill 4578: Authorize school recreation millages
Introduced by Rep. Phil Potvin (R) on May 12, 2015, to revise the law which authorizes recreational authorities to be created by several local governments, so that the districts could be organized by a school district. The authorities have the power to levy up to one-mill of property tax for swimming pools, recreation centers, public auditoriums, public conference centers, and parks, upon the approval of voters in each municipality in which the school district is located. The law itself is silent on whether the recreational facilities of an authority may be located at a school, or may be school facilities themselves, but it does require them to be open to the public.
http://www.michiganvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=169579

House Bill 4579: Revise workers comp law to accommodate Amish
Introduced by Rep. Ken Goike (R) on May 12, 2015, to revise the state’s injured worker compensation law to accommodate Amish-owned businesses, which do not use this system.
http://www.michiganvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=169580

House Bill 4580: Let local governments selectively revoke selective property tax breaks
Introduced by Rep. Andy Schor (D) on May 12, 2015, to allow local governments to revoke certain property tax breaks selectively granted to particular corporations or developers if the beneficiary does not abide by the terms of the tax break agreement, or is judged to no longer meet the criteria under which the tax break was authorized.
http://www.michiganvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=169581

House Bill 4581: Revise liquor control regulation detail
Introduced by Rep. Kathy Crawford (R) on May 12, 2015, to eliminate a $7.50 cap on the per case distribution fee that can be charged for liquor distributed to retailers by an “authorized distribution agent,” which is the term applied to the private companies authorized to warehouse and distribute hard liquor in Michigan.
http://www.michiganvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=169582

House Bill 4582: Authorize interstate medical licensure compact
Introduced by Rep. Jim Tedder (R) on May 12, 2015, to revise the licensing process for Michigan physicians so that it conforms with provisions in the interstate medical licensure compact proposed by House Bill 4583.
http://www.michiganvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=169583

House Bill 4583: Authorize interstate medical licensure compact
Introduced by Rep. Jim Tedder (R) on May 12, 2015, to authorize Michigan’s participation in an interstate medical licensure compact that would establish “a streamlined process that allows physicians to become licensed in multiple states.” Among other things this would make it easier for residents to access innovative “telemedicine” health care delivery services.
http://www.michiganvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=169584

House Bill 4584: Revise foreign money judgments recognition law
Introduced by Rep. Thomas Hooker (R) on May 12, 2015, to amend a uniform foreign-country money judgments recognition law, so that it explicitly excludes foreign defamation lawsuit judgements for speech covered by the “free speech defense act” proposed by House Bill 4585.
http://www.michiganvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=169585

House Bill 4585: Authorize a state “free speech defense act”
Introduced by Rep. Thomas Hooker (R) on May 12, 2015, to adopt a “free speech defense act” that would prohibit Michigan courts from enforcing a libel judgement issued by a court in a country that does not practice specified due process safeguards, or that upholds a cause deemed “repugnant to the public policy of this state.” Similar laws adopted by other states are seen as a response to so-called “libel tourism,” and in particular to perceived Islamicist persecution.
http://www.michiganvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=169586

House Bill 4586: Lower allowable truck weights
Introduced by Rep. George T. Darany (D) on May 12, 2015, to lower the maximum gross weight for vehicles on Michigan roads from 164,000 pounds to 120,000 pounds.
http://www.michiganvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=169587

House Bill 4587: Authorize sanctions for bad faith patent infringement claim
Introduced by Rep. Mike Callton (R) on May 12, 2015, to authorize damages for the target of a patent infringement claim that is made in bad faith. Damages of up to $50,000 or triple the actual loss would be authorized, plus legal costs. If the target demonstrates a “reasonable likelihood” that the claim is made in bad faith then the court could order the claim seeker to post a bond equal to the target’s likely legal expenses.
http://www.michiganvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=169588

House Bill 4588: Expand private college security force powers
Introduced by Rep. Kurt Heise (R) on May 13, 2015, to permit a member of the private college security forces to exercise full “peace officer” (police officer) powers outside the college’s grounds in cases of “hot pursuit” of an individual suspected of violating the law, or in cooperation with regular police officers, subject to various restrictions.
http://www.michiganvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=169589

House Bill 4589: Authorize correction of Flint mayor election error
Introduced by Rep. Sheldon Neeley (D) on May 13, 2015, to revise the state election law to allow several candidates for the mayor of Flint to be placed on the ballot even though they missed the candidate filing deadline, reportedly because the Flint city clerk office posted a wrong filing deadline on the city website.
http://www.michiganvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=169590

House Bill 4591: Impose state permit/license mandate on all private gun purchases
Introduced by Rep. Jim Townsend (D) on May 13, 2015, to revise references in the state penal code to reflect the firearms purchase permit/license regime proposed by House Bill 4590.
http://www.michiganvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=169592

House Bill 4592: Impose state permit/license mandate on all private gun purchases
Introduced by Rep. Jim Townsend (D) on May 13, 2015, to revise the state sentencing guidelines to reflect the increase firearm purchase “permit” requirements proposed by House Bill 4590.
http://www.michiganvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=169593

House Bill 4593: Exempt veterans from CPL fees
Introduced by Rep. Holly Hughes (R) on May 13, 2015, to exempt veterans from paying the concealed pistol license application and licensing fee.
http://www.michiganvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=169594

House Bill 4594: Expand public school non-enrolled student offerings to kindergarten
Introduced by Rep. Edward McBroom (R) on May 13, 2015, to include kindergarten offerings under a law that allows a school district to offer part of its curricula to a private school or home-schooled student, and collect some state school aid money for the additional children who may participate.
http://www.michiganvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=169595

House Bill 4595: Establish annual state “Fred Korematsu Day”
Introduced by Rep. Sam Singh (D) on May 13, 2015, to designate January 30 as “Fred Korematsu Day” in the state of Michigan. Korematsu was an American-born citizen of Japanese descent who resisted the internment of Japanese Americans in World War II.
http://www.michiganvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=169596

House Bill 4596: Revise incumbent judge reelection filing detail
Introduced by Rep. Lisa Lyons (R) on May 13, 2015, to revise the candidate committee “statement of organization” form filed by incumbent judges running for reelection, so that it presumes the committee will not spend more than $1,000, which exempts the campaign from state campaign finance disclosure mandates. Under current law, a committee that plans to raise and spend less than $1,000 must file a separate form to get this exemption.
http://www.michiganvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=169597

House Bill 4597: Revise incumbent judge reelection filing detail
Introduced by Rep. Lisa Lyons (R) on May 13, 2015, to revise the candidate committee “statement of organization” form filed by incumbent judges running for reelection, so that it presumes the committee will not spend more than $1,000, which exempts the campaign from state campaign finance disclosure mandates. Under current law, a committee that plans to raise and spend less than $1,000 must file a separate form to get this exemption.
http://www.michiganvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=169598

House Bill 4598: Impose licensure on midwives
Introduced by Rep. Edward McBroom (R) on May 14, 2015, to impose a state licensure mandate on midwives (as distinct from “nurse midwives), including regulations and license fees.
http://www.michiganvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=169599

House Bill 4599: Allow enforceable funeral arrangements in wills and advance directives
Introduced by Rep. Andy Schor (D) on May 14, 2015, to allow an individual to designate in a will or other advance directive a person to serve as a “funeral representative” to execute the decedent’s funeral arrangement directions, including the disposition of his or her remains.
http://www.michiganvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=169600

House Bill 4600
Introduced by Rep. Hank Vaupel (R) on May 14, 2015, Allow non-treatment instructions on drivers license to allow an individual to have a machine-readable “do not resuscitate” (DNR) and “no heroic measures” (NHM)designation placed on their drivers license when a new digitized license is introduced in 2018.
http://www.michiganvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=169601

Senate Bill 86: Authorize more local “pension obligation bonds”
Passed 109 to 1 in the House on May 20, 2015, to extend for three years the Dec. 31, 2015 sunset on a law passed in 2012 to allow local governments to borrow money to cover unfunded employee pension liabilities, which is allowed only if the local has closed its traditional “defined benefit” pension system to new employees. The law also allows locals to incur long term debt to pay for future retiree health insurance costs, which unlike pensions are not legally enforceable obligations. This would be the second extension of this deadline.
See Who Voted “Yes” and Who Voted “No” at http://www.michiganvotes.org/RollCall.aspx?ID=714132

Senate Bill 103: Reduce “student growth” portion of teacher rating criteria
Passed 22 to 15 in the Senate on May 20, 2015, to delay until the 2018-19 school year the final deadline to establish a teacher “effectiveness” rating system, and reduce from 50 percent to 40 percent the amount of the assessments based on actual state test results of students in a teacher’s classroom, with various exceptions. A school would be prohibited from assigning students to a class in the same subject for two years in a row taught by a teacher rated “ineffective” in that subject two years in a row, but new students could still be assigned. Rigorous evaluation standards prescribed by a 2011 law have been subject to intense resistance and lobbying by the public school establishment, which has a strong presence in every legislative district.
See Who Voted “Yes” and Who Voted “No” at http://www.michiganvotes.org/RollCall.aspx?ID=714081

Senate Bill 213: Repeal duplicative worker injury notification requirement
Passed 37 to 0 in the Senate on May 20, 2015, to repeal a requirement in state law that employers notify regulators within eight hours of a fatality, or any hospitalization of three or more employees suffering injury from the same accident or illness from exposure to the same employment-related health hazard. The bill asserts that employers would still be subject to an identical federal requirement.
See Who Voted “Yes” and Who Voted “No” at http://www.michiganvotes.org/RollCall.aspx?ID=714083

Senate Bill 221: Authorize multi-state distance learning compact
Passed 110 to 0 in the House on May 20, 2015, to authorize the state Department of Education to enter a multistate higher education compact, or enter “reciprocal agreements with public educational agencies in other states” that have the same purpose, which is essentially to hold institutions that provide distance learning courses accountable for basic contractual obligations to students, and provide an administrative process to enforce these obligations. Colleges and universities that want to be “authorized” under this arrangement would have to pay annual fees of $2,000.
See Who Voted “Yes” and Who Voted “No” at http://www.michiganvotes.org/RollCall.aspx?ID=714133

Senate Bill 231: Ban selling “e-cigarettes” to minors
Passed 37 to 0 in the Senate on May 20, 2015, to ban selling or giving minors electronic vapor cigarettes, or any product or device that delivers nicotine. Violations would be a misdemeanor with a $50 fine, which would also applies to giving a minor regular cigarettes.
See Who Voted “Yes” and Who Voted “No” at http://www.michiganvotes.org/RollCall.aspx?ID=714084

Senate Bill 240: Ban powdered alcohol
Passed 37 to 0 in the Senate on May 20, 2015, to ban the sale, use or possession of “powdered alcohol” in Michigan.
See Who Voted “Yes” and Who Voted “No” at http://www.michiganvotes.org/RollCall.aspx?ID=714085

House Bill 4052: Preempt local employer wage, benefit or labor law mandates
Passed 57 to 52 in the House on May 20, 2015, to preempt local governments, public schools, state colleges and universities, and other governmental authorities from imposing mandatory wage, benefit, or leave time requirements on employers that exceed those required by state or federal law. Also, to prohibit locals from imposing any contractual, zoning, permitting, licensing, or other conditions on an employer’s or employee’s full freedom to act under state or federal labor laws. This includes an employer’s or employee’s right to express views on unionization and other labor issues, to have secret ballots and other procedural protections in unionization votes, to not have to deliver employee information to unions, and more.
See Who Voted “Yes” and Who Voted “No” at http://www.michiganvotes.org/RollCall.aspx?ID=714114

House Bill 4070: Revise “incompatible offices” detail
Passed 101 to 9 in the House on May 20, 2015, to revise the law on incompatible public offices to allow a person elected or appointed to a public office in a community with less than 30,000 people to also serve as a firefighter, police chief, fire chief, police officer, or public safety officer, as long as the individual is not involved in negotiating government employee union contracts.
See Who Voted “Yes” and Who Voted “No” at http://www.michiganvotes.org/RollCall.aspx?ID=714134

House Bill 4075: Cap fees for electronic copy of electronic county documents
Passed 37 to 0 in the Senate on May 20, 2015, to cap the fees county treasurers can charge to furnish requested transcripts and records in electronic form when these are already stored in electronic form, at 25 cents per page and a maximum of $1,500 per request.
See Who Voted “Yes” and Who Voted “No” at http://www.michiganvotes.org/RollCall.aspx?ID=714082

House Bill 4212: Eliminate sunset on road commission eliminations
Passed 70 to 40 in the House on May 20, 2015, to eliminate a Jan. 1, 2015 sunset on a 2011 law that provides procedures for eliminating a county road commission and transferring its duties to the county board.
See Who Voted “Yes” and Who Voted “No” at http://www.michiganvotes.org/RollCall.aspx?ID=714130

House Bill 4215: Eliminate sunset on road commission eliminations
Passed 70 to 40 in the House on May 20, 2015, to eliminate a Jan. 1, 2015 sunset on a 2011 law that provides procedures for eliminating a county road commission and transferring its duties to the county board.
See Who Voted “Yes” and Who Voted “No” at http://www.michiganvotes.org/RollCall.aspx?ID=714131

House Bill 4553: Revise Personal Property Tax reform details
Passed 109 to 1 in the House on May 20, 2015, to revise details of the personal property tax reforms approved by voters in August 2014, which lowered or eliminated this tax for industrial firms and most small businesses, but not for larger commercial enterprises. This bill is part of a package comprised of House Bills 4553 to 4558, and would revise business reporting requirements and extend the new law’s tax exemptions to personal property not yet in use. The “personal property tax” is property taxes that are imposed on business tools and equipment.
See Who Voted “Yes” and Who Voted “No” at http://www.michiganvotes.org/RollCall.aspx?ID=714124

House Bill 4554: Revise Personal Property Tax reform details
Passed 109 to 1 in the House on May 20, 2015, to revise details of the personal property tax reforms approved by voters in August 2014, which lowered or eliminated this tax for industrial firms and most small businesses, but not for larger commercial enterprises. This bill is part of a package comprised of House Bills 4553 to 4558, and would revise the basis on which a so-called “alternative services” tax is levied, which was a device used to shift the burden of this business tax cut from local governments to the state. The “personal property tax” is property taxes that are imposed on business tools and equipment.
See Who Voted “Yes” and Who Voted “No” at http://www.michiganvotes.org/RollCall.aspx?ID=714125

House Bill 4555: Revise Personal Property Tax reform details
Passed 109 to 1 in the House on May 20, 2015, to revise details of the personal property tax reforms approved by voters in August 2014, which lowered or eliminated this tax for industrial firms and most small businesses. This bill is part of a package comprised of House Bills 4553 to 4558, and would revise the basis on which a so-called “alternative services” tax is levied, which is a device the 2014 reform to shift the burden of this business tax cut from local governments to the state. The “personal property tax” is property taxes that are imposed on business tools and equipment.
See Who Voted “Yes” and Who Voted “No” at http://www.michiganvotes.org/RollCall.aspx?ID=714126

House Bill 4556: Revise Personal Property Tax reform details
Passed 109 to 1 in the House on May 20, 2015, to revise details of the personal property tax reforms approved by voters in August 2014, which lowered or eliminated this tax for industrial firms and most small businesses. This bill is part of a package comprised of House Bills 4553 to 4558, and would revise details of a “Local Community Stabilization Authority,” which is a device the 2014 reform used to shift the burden of this business tax cut from local governments to the state. The “personal property tax” is property taxes that are imposed on business tools and equipment.
See Who Voted “Yes” and Who Voted “No” at http://www.michiganvotes.org/RollCall.aspx?ID=714127

House Bill 4557: Revise Personal Property Tax reform details
Passed 109 to 1 in the House on May 20, 2015, to revise details of the personal property tax reforms approved by voters in August 2014, which lowered or eliminated this tax for industrial firms and most small businesses. This bill is part of a package comprised of House Bills 4553 to 4558, and amends details of the law that authorizes local governments to grant property tax abatements to particular businesses so that it conforms with the 2014 reforms. The “personal property tax” is property taxes that are imposed on business tools and equipment.
See Who Voted “Yes” and Who Voted “No” at http://www.michiganvotes.org/RollCall.aspx?ID=714128

House Bill 4558: Revise Personal Property Tax reform details
Passed 106 to 4 in the House on May 20, 2015, to revise details of the personal property tax reforms approved by voters in August 2014, which lowered or eliminated this tax for industrial firms and most small businesses. This bill is part of a package comprised of House Bills 4553 to 4558, and amends details of the law that authorizes local governments to grant “industrial facility” tax breaks to particular businesses so that it conforms with the 2014 reforms. The “personal property tax” is property taxes that are imposed on business tools and equipment.
See Who Voted “Yes” and Who Voted “No” at http://www.michiganvotes.org/RollCall.aspx?ID=714129

Senate Bill 103: Reduce “student growth” portion of teacher rating criteria
The amendment failed 15 to 22 in the Senate on May 20, 2015, to make doing teacher evaluations contingent on adopting detailed and restrictive standards for teacher evaluators and systems.
See Who Voted “Yes” and Who Voted “No” at http://www.michiganvotes.org/RollCall.aspx?ID=714078

Senate Bill 338: Mandate nursing homes have private examination rooms
Introduced by Sen. John Proos (R) on May 19, 2015, to mandate that nursing homes and homes for the aged provide private examination rooms for on-site medical or dental treatment if these services are offered.
http://www.michiganvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=169633

Senate Bill 339: Regulate “large scale breeding kennels”
Introduced by Sen. Steve Bieda (D) on May 19, 2015, to regulate and impose additional record keeping requirements on “large scale breeding kennels,” defined as ones where more at least 15 female dogs are housed for purposes of breeding. Also, to prohibit the sale or import into the state of a puppy or kitten less than eight weeks old that has been separated from its mother, add additional vaccination requirements and a “pet health certificate” requirement on dog and cat sales and transfers, and more.
http://www.michiganvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=169634

Senate Bill 340: Increase penalties for tobacco sales to minors
Introduced by Sen. Steve Bieda (D) on May 19, 2015, to increase the penalties for selling tobacco to minors, from $50 to $100 for a first offense, and $500 for a subsequent offense. The increased penalties would also apply to a minor who tries to buy or who possesses tobacco.
http://www.michiganvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=169635

Senate Bill 341: Impose motor fuel tax on alternative fuels
Introduced by Sen. Mike Shirkey (R) on May 19, 2015, to apply the state gasoline tax to compressed natural gas or hydrogen fuel used to power vehicles, and the diesel tax to liquid natural gas vehicles, at rates equivalent to their equivalent energy per unit according to a formula the bill would prescribe.
http://www.michiganvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=169636

Senate Bill 342: Impose vehicle registration tax surcharge on alternative fuel vehicles
Introduced by Sen. Mike Shirkey (R) on May 19, 2015, to impose an annual vehicle registration surtax of $75 on electric cars or plug-in hybrids, a $200 annual surtax on electric trucks over 8,000 lbs., a $25 annual surtax on gasoline/electric hybrid-drive cars, and a $100 surtax on trucks with that power source.
http://www.michiganvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=169637

Senate Bill 343: Prorate unfunded university pension “catch up” costs
Introduced by Sen. Tonya Schuitmaker (R) on May 20, 2015, to establish a methodology for assessing to state universities a share of the annual amount required to “catch up” on unfunded pension liabilities. The bill would assess both universities and K-12 school districts with a share of the “catch up” costs based on how much of the unfunded liability was incurred on behalf of their employee over the years, using a formula the bill proposes for determining the value of past and future pension fund contributions, and the projected cost of future pension benefit payments.
http://www.michiganvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=169638

Senate Bill 344: Revise gas station liquor license provision
Introduced by Sen. Dave Hildenbrand (R) on May 20, 2015, to allow the owner of a gas station that has a license to sell beer and wine to operate a second location under the same license.
http://www.michiganvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=169639

Senate Bill 345: Revise gas station liquor license provision
Introduced by Sen. Goeff Hansen (R) on May 20, 2015, to allow the owner of a gas station that has a license to sell beer and wine to operate a second location under the same license.
http://www.michiganvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=169640

Senate Bill 346: Require auto insurers sell coverage to medical marijuana users
Introduced by Sen. Coleman Young, II (D) on May 21, 2015, to repeal a provision of the insurance code that allows auto insurers to choose not to provide coverage for medical marijuana users.
http://www.michiganvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=169641

Senate Bill 347: Mandate auto insurers cut rates and more
Introduced by Sen. Coleman Young, II (D) on May 21, 2015, to mandate that auto insurers adopt a pricing model prescribed by the bill that encompasses returns on a company’s other lines of business, and then cut rates by 20 percent. The bill would also impose a “post and hold” type of rate regulation on auto insurance insurers in which rate changes would have to be approved by state regulators and then could not be changed for year; restrict premium differences based on where a vehicle is garaged; and more.
http://www.michiganvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=169642

Senate Bill 348: Impose ban on mining landfills
Introduced by Sen. Jim Ananich (D) on May 21, 2015, to impose the equivalent of a “deed restriction” on property used as a landfill, that would prohibit ever mining the property for purposes of land reclamation, to recover soil or recyclables from the landfill, to increase its life or capacity; etc.
http://www.michiganvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=169643

Senate Bill 349: Revise delinquent property tax procedure detail
Introduced by Sen. Jim Stamas (R) on May 21, 2015, to revise the requirement that county treasurers notify a delinquent property owner on a specific date that foreclosure and forfeiture proceedings will begin. Instead, the bill would allow this notice to be sent anytime in the 60 days before specified date.
http://www.michiganvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=169644

Senate Bill 350: Revise carrier pigeon licensure mandate
Introduced by Sen. Hoon-Yung Hopgood (D) on May 21, 2015, to prohibit a person from getting a state-mandated carrier pigeon license if his or her facilities do not meet regulations imposed by the local government, but preempt locals from banning carrier pigeons outright.
http://www.michiganvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=169645

Senate Bill 351: Ban divorce lawyer “ambulance chasing”
Introduced by Sen. Rick Jones (R) on May 21, 2015, to prohibit a lawyer from soliciting business from a party to a divorce action within 21 days after proof of service in the action was filed with the court, punishable by fines of $1,000, and $5,000 for subsequent violations.
http://www.michiganvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=169646

Senate Bill 352: Authorize “designated caregivers” for hospital patients
Introduced by Sen. Margaret O’Brien (R) on May 21, 2015, to require hospitals to give a patient the opportunity to designate a friend or family member as the individual’s “designated caregiver.” Hospitals would have to notify this person when the patient is transferred or released, consult with them about the discharge plan, instruct them about the patient’s needs after discharge, etc..
http://www.michiganvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=169647

Senate Bill 353: Expand autism insurance mandate
Introduced by Sen. Margaret O’Brien (R) on May 21, 2015, to revise the mandate imposed on health insurers to include autism treatment in all policies, so that it would require policies to pay for “access to in-network participating diagnosis and treatment providers a reasonable distance” from the person’s home.
http://www.michiganvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=169648

House Bill 4617: Impose ban on ever mining landfills
Introduced by Rep. Pam Faris (D) on May 19, 2015, to impose the equivalent of a “deed restriction” on property used as a landfill, that would prohibit ever mining the property for purposes of land reclamation, to recover soil or recyclables from the landfill to increase its life or capacity; etc.
http://www.michiganvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=169649

House Bill 4618: Expand Viet Nam veteran grant eligibility to post-Viet Nam veterans
Introduced by Rep. Vanessa Guerra (D) on May 19, 2015, to extend a state grant that was given to Viet Nam era veterans under a 1974 law, so that the award would also be given to individuals who were in the military between September 1, 1973 and May 7, 1975. The last U.S. combat troops were withdrawn from Viet Nam in August, 1972.
http://www.michiganvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=169650

House Bill 4619: Ban state contracts with firms that collect bulk “metadata” on residents
Introduced by Rep. Cindy Gamrat (R) on May 19, 2015, to prohibit giving state contracts to companies that participate in the bulk collection of electronic data and “metadata” on residents without informed consent or a warrant.
http://www.michiganvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=169651

House Bill 4620: Revise property tax exemption appeal detail
Introduced by Rep. David Pagel (R) on May 19, 2015, to revise a state (property) Tax Tribunal law to conform with property tax exemption appeal provisions proposed by House Bill 4621.
http://www.michiganvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=169652

House Bill 4621: Revise property tax exemption appeal detail
Introduced by Rep. David Pagel (R) on May 19, 2015, to permit but not require county treasurers to reconsider past denials of homeowner’s claim to certain property tax exemptions if the individual has successfully appealed a later denial to the Michigan Tax Tribunal.
http://www.michiganvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=169653

House Bill 4622: Authorize PPOs for human trafficking
Introduced by Rep. Marcia Hovey-Wright (D) on May 19, 2015, to explicitly authorize personal protection orders for victims of human trafficking. Specifically, the bill adds human trafficking crimes to the statute that authorizes PPOs.
http://www.michiganvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=169654

House Bill 4623: Allow no-reason absentee voting
Introduced by Rep. Marilyn Lane (D) on May 19, 2015, to eliminate the requirement that a person give a specific reason for requesting an absentee ballot.
http://www.michiganvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=169655

House Bill 4624: Repeal county and legislative candidate filing fee refunds
Introduced by Rep. Marilyn Lane (D) on May 19, 2015, to repeal an election law provision that allows unsuccessful primary election candidates for the legislature or certain county offices to get their $100 candidate filing fee refunded.
http://www.michiganvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=169656

House Bill 4625: Revise Medicaid nursing home detail
Introduced by Rep. Marilyn Lane (D) on May 19, 2015, to establish that if an individual’s application for Medicaid nursing home benefits is not approved or denied within 45 days, the applicant will be considered approved. If the person is eventually determined to be ineligible, benefits would cease but no retroactive “claw back” would be authorized of amounts already paid.
http://www.michiganvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=169657

House Bill 4626: Revise nursing home Medicaid detail
Introduced by Rep. Marilyn Lane (D) on May 19, 2015, to revise the rules for Medicaid nursing home reimbursements to grant up to three months of retroactive Medicaid benefits after a current nursing home resident applies, and if the individual’s assets exceeded eligibility limits, allow the person to retroactively reduce their assets by buying a prepaid funeral contract whose value does not exceed specified limits.
http://www.michiganvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=169658

House Bill 4627: Revise Medicaid nursing home benefit detail
Introduced by Rep. Marilyn Lane (D) on May 19, 2015, to make nursing home services provided at an adult foster care facility eligible for Medicaid benefits.
http://www.michiganvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=169659

House Bill 4628: Mandate auto insurance refund for expired “points” surcharge
Introduced by Rep. Marilyn Lane (D) on May 19, 2015, to require auto insurance companies to give customers a credit for higher premium amounts that were originally charged because of traffic violation “points” incurred by a policy holder, and which the company continued to charge after those “points” expired.
http://www.michiganvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=169660

House Bill 4629: Repeal “bond” requirement to contest civil asset forfeiture
Introduced by Rep. Peter Lucido (R) on May 20, 2015, to repeal a requirement for property owner whose property has been seized by police and is subject to “civil forfeiture” to provide a cash “bond” to contest the taking, and if unsuccessful to pay all the expenses of the proceedings. Under civil forfeiture laws, police can seize any property that may be associated with a crime using extremely broad definition, and then keep the property even if the owner is never convicted or even charged with a crime.
http://www.michiganvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=169661

House Bill 4630: Repeal striking workers replacement ad disclosure mandate
Introduced by Rep. Amanda Price (R) on May 20, 2015, to repeal a law that prohibits an employer from soliciting or advertising for replacements for striking workers unless the solicitation discloses that there is a strike.
http://www.michiganvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=169662

House Bill 4631: Revise electric choice detail
Introduced by Rep. Amanda Price (R) on May 20, 2015, to prohibit the Public Service Commission from assessing customers of electricity purchased from an “alternative” generator under the state’s limited electricity customer choice law from being charged for a portion of the “stranded” costs associated with a regulated electric utility retiring a facility.
http://www.michiganvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=169663

House Bill 4632: Revise school district annexation detail
Introduced by Rep. Gretchen Driskell (D) on May 20, 2015, to revise details of the process by which one school district can annex another with the approval of the voters in the district to be annexed.
http://www.michiganvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=169664

House Bill 4633: Revise carrier pigeon licensure mandate
Introduced by Rep. Julie Plawecki (D) on May 21, 2015, to prohibit a person from getting a state-mandated carrier pigeon license if his or her facilities do not meet regulations imposed by the local government, but preempt locals from banning carrier pigeons outright.
http://www.michiganvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=169665

House Bill 4634: Revise vehicle registration “late fee”
Introduced by Rep. Ben Glardon (R) on May 21, 2015, to not impose an extra fee on vehicle registration renewals after the previous registration had expired if within 120 days the owner brings evidence to a Secretary of State branch office that the vehicle had been in storage.
http://www.michiganvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=169666

House Bill 4635: Extend “commercial rehabilitation” tax break law
Introduced by Rep. Kathy Crawford (R) on May 21, 2015, to extend for another five years a Dec. 31, 2015 sunset on a “commercial rehabilitation act” that authorizes property tax breaks for redevelopment projects involving commercial property selected by local governments.
http://www.michiganvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=169667

House Bill 4636: Clarify self-storage rental insurance regulation
Introduced by Rep. Bruce Rendon (R) on May 21, 2015, to establish that a person whose only sale of insurance is for property stored in a self-service storage facility is not required to obtain an insurance agent license. An earlier version of this bill was vetoed in 2014.
http://www.michiganvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=169668

Senate Bill 100: Revise property tax appeal details
Passed 109 to 0 in the House on May 27, 2015, to repeal a law making prepayment of a disputed tax levy, plus penalties and interest, a prerequisite for protesting the validity of a tax levy to the state Court of Claims. Also, to extend from 35 days to 60 days the deadline for a taxpayer to appeal a levy to the state Tax Tribunal.
See Who Voted “Yes” and Who Voted “No” at http://www.michiganvotes.org/RollCall.aspx?ID=714380

Senate Bill 304: Clarify scrap metal seller detail
Passed 69 to 40 in the House on May 27, 2015, to clarify that the ban imposed by a 2014 law on scrap metal dealers paying cash for purchases of certain items does not apply to the portion of a purchase comprised of other items.
See Who Voted “Yes” and Who Voted “No” at http://www.michiganvotes.org/RollCall.aspx?ID=714381

Senate Bill 309: Revise condominium subdivision details
Passed 37 to 0 in the Senate on May 27, 2015, to revise details of the signatures and cover sheet contents that are required for a condominium subdivision survey plan, so that among other things they reflect mandates imposed by the state licensure law that covers architects and engineers.
See Who Voted “Yes” and Who Voted “No” at http://www.michiganvotes.org/RollCall.aspx?ID=714371

House Bill 4467: Allow more dangerous prisoners at Baldwin private prison
Passed 23 to 14 in the Senate on May 27, 2015, to allow more dangerous adult prisoners to be held at a privately owned and managed prison whose previous contract with the state to house juvenile prisoners was revoked by Gov. Jennifer Granholm in 2005. Since then the prison has contracted with other states to house their prisoners, although it is closed now.
See Who Voted “Yes” and Who Voted “No” at http://www.michiganvotes.org/RollCall.aspx?ID=714377

House Bill 4541: Increase Michigan education savings plan balance cap
Passed 107 to 2 in the House on May 27, 2015, to increase from $235,000 to $500,000 the maximum balance allowed in Michigan “section 529” education savings plans for a particular beneficiary. See also House Bills 4542 to 4544, which create a new type of such account.
See Who Voted “Yes” and Who Voted “No” at http://www.michiganvotes.org/RollCall.aspx?ID=714383

House Bill 4542: Create college saving plan for disabled students
Passed 108 to 1 in the House on May 27, 2015, to authorize a new “ABLE account” tax advantaged savings plan to cover education and living expenses for beneficiaries who are disabled. Mirroring the federal law that created these accounts, under House Bill 4544 balances and distributions from a beneficiary’s account would not be included in gross income or assets for purposes of caps limiting various state aid programs. House Bill 4541 would increase the maximum balance allowed in these and other “529” savings plans to $500,000.
See Who Voted “Yes” and Who Voted “No” at http://www.michiganvotes.org/RollCall.aspx?ID=714384

House Bill 4543: Create college saving plan for disabled students
Passed 108 to 1 in the House on May 27, 2015, to authorize an income tax deduction of $5,000 for an individual, $10,000 for a joint account, for contributions to a disabled person’s “ABLE” education and living expense savings account that House Bill 4542 would authorize.
See Who Voted “Yes” and Who Voted “No” at http://www.michiganvotes.org/RollCall.aspx?ID=714385

House Bill 4544: Create college saving plan for disabled students
Passed 108 to 1 in the House on May 27, 2015, to prohibit the state from considering contributions, distributions, earnings or balances in a disabled person’s ABLE education and living expense savings account (see House Bill 4542) in the calculation used to determine financial eligibility for various welfare-related benefits.
See Who Voted “Yes” and Who Voted “No” at http://www.michiganvotes.org/RollCall.aspx?ID=714386

Senate Bill 354: Impose “drug formulary” insurance restrictions
Introduced by Sen. David Robertson (R) on May 27, 2015, to mandate that health insurance policies that provide reimbursement for prescription drugs included in a specified “formulary” list must establish an “exceptions” policy, impose maximum customer copay requirements, and more.
http://www.michiganvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=169706

Senate Bill 355: Revise college scholarship “promise zone” detail
Introduced by Sen. Goeff Hansen (R) on May 27, 2015, to establish that if a local government dissolves a tax increment financing authority (TIFA) it created to subsidize college for students in low educational attainment “promise zone” under a 2008 law, the Department of Treasury can authorize a new zone, and the dissolved one would not count toward the statewide limit of 10 such zones included in the 2008 law.
http://www.michiganvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=169707

House Bill 4637: Regulate Uber, Lyft, etc.; preempt local bans
Introduced by Rep. Tim Kelly (R) on May 26, 2015, to establish a regulatory framework that would enable “transportation network companies” like Uber and Lyft to operate in this state, including a preemption on local government regulations or bans. The companies would have to get a permit from the Department of Transportation and carry liability insurance as specified in the bill. Drivers would have to get a background check and be at least 21 years old. Vehicles would have to get an annual inspection by a licensed mechanic and bear signs. Riders would have be given specified information and options, including a photo image of the driver when they request a ride, and systems to protect their personal information. Street hailing and the use of cab stands by the vehicles would be prohibited.
http://www.michiganvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=169685

House Bill 4638: Regulate Uber, Lyft, etc.
Introduced by Rep. Aric Nesbitt (R) on May 26, 2015, to exempt “transportation network companies” like Uber and Lyft from restrictive state regulations on “limousine” services. See also House Bill 4637.
http://www.michiganvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=169686

House Bill 4639: Regulate Uber, Lyft, etc.
Introduced by Rep. Brandt Iden (R) on May 26, 2015, to permit auto insurance companies to exclude from coverage an owner’s use of a vehicle to provide “transportation network company” services like those provided by companies like Uber and Lyft. See also House Bill 4637.
http://www.michiganvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=169687

House Bill 4640: Regulate Uber, Lyft, etc.
Introduced by Rep. Tom Barrett (R) on May 26, 2015, to exclude passengers using “transportation network companies” like Uber and Lyft from unlimited personal injury protection (PIP) coverage under the driver’s no-fault insurance policy unless no other insurer covers the liability, in the same manner that bus and taxi riders are excluded. The no-fault law prescribes a “priority” list of which insurer will cover injuries in such cases. See also House Bill 4637, which among other things prescribes insurance requirements for these services.
http://www.michiganvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=169688

House Bill 4641: Regulate Uber, Lyft, etc.
Introduced by Rep. Phil Phelps (D) on May 26, 2015, to exempt drivers for “transportation network companies” like Uber and Lyft from having to get a chauffer’s license, and define vehicle insurance coverage requirements and limits for them. See also House Bill 4637.
http://www.michiganvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=169689

House Bill 4642: Revise veterans trust fund administrative details
Introduced by Rep. Nancy Jenkins (R) on May 26, 2015, to revise administration details of a state veterans trust fund that provides grants to veterans to cover unexpected personal and household emergencies.
http://www.michiganvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=169690

House Bill 4643: Establish legal recourse for target of illegal union picket
Introduced by Rep. Gary Glenn (R) on May 26, 2015, to revise a law that makes it illegal to picket a business for purposes of blocking access to individuals doing or seeking work there. The bill would allow an employer to ask for a court injunction to stop the picketing, and a union that disobeyed the injunction could be fined $10,000 per day, and $1,000 for individuals.
http://www.michiganvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=169691

House Bill 4644: Revise dissolved school district property requirements
Introduced by Rep. Tim Kelly (R) on May 26, 2015, to require the school districts that absorbed the property and students of the fiscally failed and dissolved Buena Vista district to make a good faith effort to sell or lease school buildings they received before demolishing them, and require money from the property sales to be applied to the outstanding Buena Vista debt.
http://www.michiganvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=169692

House Bill 4645: Revise property transfer taxable value detail
Introduced by Rep. Tim Kelly (R) on May 26, 2015, to exempt from the Proposal A property tax assessment “pop up” the transfer of residential property to or from the owner of a closely held corporation to a spouse or close relative. Under the “pop up,” the “state equalized value” (market value) of transferred property becomes the basis for its property tax assessment, rather than the capped “taxable value” of the previous owner.
http://www.michiganvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=169693

House Bill 4646: Ban local government contracts to campaign contributors
Introduced by Rep. Jim Townsend (D) on May 26, 2015, to prohibit local governments from awarding contracts worth $25,000 or more to a vendor who made a political contribution of at least $100 in the previous 12-month period to an elected officeholder.
http://www.michiganvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=169694

House Bill 4647: Authorize Boy Scouts income tax checkoff
Introduced by Rep. Phil Potvin (R) on May 26, 2015, to allow an individual to choose to automatically contribute $5 or more from his or her state income tax refund to a state “Scouts Fund.” House Bill 4648 would convert an existing state “Girl Scouts Fund” into a Scouts Fund to benefit both organizations.
http://www.michiganvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=169695

House Bill 4648: Authorize Boy Scouts income tax checkoff
Introduced by Rep. Phil Potvin (R) on May 26, 2015, to revise a state “Girl Scouts Fund” created to receive contributions made through the tax checkoff authorized by a 2010 law, so that the checkoff would also apply to Boy Scout contributions (see House Bill 4647), and then distribute the money raised from the checkoffs to both the Michigan Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts.
http://www.michiganvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=169696

House Bill 4649: Rename a highway
Introduced by Rep. Bradford Jacobsen (R) on May 26, 2015, to designate a portion of M-24 in Oakland County as the “Gold Star Memorial Highway”.
http://www.michiganvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=169697

House Bill 4650: Mandate investigation of confirmed public school student transfers
Introduced by Rep. Derek Miller (D) on May 26, 2015, to establish that if a child transfers away from a public school district, and the district does not receive a request from another school for the student’s records within two weeks, it must notify police and child welfare officials, who would be required to investigate the child’s well being.
http://www.michiganvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=169698

House Bill 4651: Make operating a motorcycle without license a misdemeanor
Introduced by Rep. Julie Plawecki (D) on May 26, 2015, to make operating a motorcycle without a motorcycle “indorsement” on the operator’s drivers license a misdemeanor punishable by a $500 fine and three months in jail for a first offense, and up to a year for subsequent offenses.
http://www.michiganvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=169699

House Bill 4652: Ban employment decisions based on credit history
Introduced by Rep. Henry Yanez (D) on May 26, 2015, to prohibit an employer from making employment decisions based on an individual’s credit history, unless a good credit history is an established bona fide occupational requirement of a particular position.
http://www.michiganvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=169700

House Bill 4653: Authorize use of drivers license photos for CPL license
Introduced by Rep. Triston Cole (R) on May 26, 2015, to allow the Secretary of State to provide access to digitized drivers license photographs to the State Police for purposes of using this photo on an individual’s concealed pistol license.
http://www.michiganvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=169701

House Bill 4654: Expand “conditional” liquor license eligibility
Introduced by Rep. Ray Franz (R) on May 27, 2015, to expand the scope of a 2013 law authorizing a temporary or “conditional” liquor license within 20 days of an applicant who meets specified criteria. The bill would expand those criteria, which involve specific business-related circumstances.
http://www.michiganvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=169702

House Bill 4655: Increase unemployment benefits
Introduced by Rep. George T. Darany (D) on May 27, 2015, to repeal the 2011 law that reduced from 26 weeks to 20 weeks the maximum period a person is eligible for state unemployment benefits. That law was part of a package responding to a $3.8 billion debt this state had had incurred due to borrowing from the federal government to pay benefits boosted by higher unemployment levels and a 2002 law that increased benefit payments.
http://www.michiganvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=169703

House Bill 4656
Introduced by Rep. Joel Johnson (R) on May 27, 2015, Require drain work notifications to property owners to require drain commissions to send a written notice to a property owner when commission employees or contractors will be coming onto the person’s property to do maintenance work on the “drain” (networks of ditches that remove surplus water from land).
http://www.michiganvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=169704

House Bill 4657: Mandate environmental assessments for new schools
Introduced by Rep. Stephanie Chang (D) on May 27, 2015, to prohibit building a new school unless a preliminary assessment is done to discover whether any hazardous substances are on the property, and if this indicates there are, to undertake the extensive cleanup procedures specified under state environmental law. The bill also adds a variety of public notice requirements.
http://www.michiganvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=169705

Senate Bill 133: Appropriations: 2015-2016 “Omnibus” budget
Passed 22 to 16 in the Senate on June 3, 2015, the non-education portion of the state government budget for the fiscal year that begins on Oct. 1, 2015. This would appropriate $38.623 billion, compared to $37.378 billion originally appropriated the previous year. Of this, $17.425 billion comes from state tax, fee and other revenue, compared to $17.553 billion the previous year. The rest of this budget is federal money ($21.199 billion, compared to $19.825 billion the previous year). The education portion of the budget (K-12, community colleges and state universities) is in House Bill 4115. Altogether, the legislature proposes to spend , $54.443 billion next year, vs. $53.129 originally approved for the current year.
See Who Voted “Yes” and Who Voted “No” at http://www.michiganvotes.org/RollCall.aspx?ID=714543

Senate Bill 133: Appropriations: 2015-2016 “Omnibus” budget
Passed 70 to 39 in the House on June 3, 2015, the non-education portion of the state government budget for the fiscal year that begins on Oct. 1, 2015. This would appropriate $38.623 billion, compared to $37.378 billion originally appropriated the previous year. Of this, $17.425 billion comes from state tax, fee and other revenue, compared to $17.553 billion the previous year. The rest of this budget is federal money ($21.199 billion, compared to $19.825 billion the previous year). The education portion of the budget (K-12, community colleges and state universities) is in House Bill 4115. Altogether, the legislature proposes to spend , $54.443 billion next year, vs. $53.129 originally approved for the current year.
See Who Voted “Yes” and Who Voted “No” at http://www.michiganvotes.org/RollCall.aspx?ID=714639

Senate Bill 329: Authorize correction of Flint mayor election error
Passed 95 to 14 in the House on June 3, 2015, to revise the state election law to allow several candidates for the mayor of Flint to be placed on the ballot even though they missed the candidate filing deadline, reportedly because the Flint city clerk office posted a wrong filing deadline on the city website.
See Who Voted “Yes” and Who Voted “No” at http://www.michiganvotes.org/RollCall.aspx?ID=714644

House Bill 4115: Appropriations: “Omnibus” education budget
Passed 24 to 14 in the Senate on June 3, 2015, the K-12 school aid, community college and university budgets for the fiscal year that begins Oct 1, 2015. A separate budget authorizes the rest of state government spending (Senate Bill 133). This bill would appropriate $13.896 billion for K-12 public schools, compared to $13.870 billion originally appropriated for the prior year. It also appropriates $1.534 billion for state universities, compared to $1.516 billion the prior year. Community colleges would get $388 million, vs. $365 million the prior year. All told it comes to $15.819 billion for education, and with Senate Bill 133, $54.443 in total state government spending for the next fiscal year, compared to $53.129 originally approved for the current year.
See Who Voted “Yes” and Who Voted “No” at http://www.michiganvotes.org/RollCall.aspx?ID=714599

House Bill 4115: Appropriations: “Omnibus” education budget
Passed 99 to 10 in the House on June 3, 2015, the K-12 school aid, community college and university budgets for the fiscal year that begins Oct 1, 2015. A separate budget authorizes the rest of state government spending (Senate Bill 133). This bill would appropriate $13.896 billion for K-12 public schools, compared to $13.870 billion originally appropriated for the prior year. It also appropriates $1.534 billion for state universities, compared to $1.516 billion the prior year. Community colleges would get $388 million, vs. $365 million the prior year. All told it comes to $15.819 billion for education, and with Senate Bill 133, $54.443 in total state government spending for the next fiscal year, compared to $53.129 originally approved for the current year.
See Who Voted “Yes” and Who Voted “No” at http://www.michiganvotes.org/RollCall.aspx?ID=714638

House Bill 4226: Expand technology business subsidies
Passed 79 to 30 in the House on June 3, 2015, to increase from three to nine the number of areas in which “certified technology parks” (previously dubbed “smart zones”) are allowed to expand by creating a “satellite” zone. These entities use “tax increment financing” to provide infrastructure or other subsidies to technology-based businesses. Like the better-known Downtown Development Authorities, they collect the extra local property tax revenue that (hopefully) results from property value increases generated by their selective subsidies and projects.
See Who Voted “Yes” and Who Voted “No” at http://www.michiganvotes.org/RollCall.aspx?ID=714642

House Bill 4434: Exempt Kent County from higher foster care payment share
Passed 38 to 0 in the Senate on June 3, 2015, to make subject to annual appropriations a provision that requires the Department of Human Services to pay all of a $3 per day per child per day rate increase for private providers of foster care services, rather than half the amount.
See Who Voted “Yes” and Who Voted “No” at http://www.michiganvotes.org/RollCall.aspx?ID=714600

House Bill 4449
Passed 20 to 18 in the Senate on June 3, 2015, to extend and increase air pollution discharge permit fees imposed on industrial facilities.
See Who Voted “Yes” and Who Voted “No” at http://www.michiganvotes.org/RollCall.aspx?ID=714547

House Bill 4451: Increase and/or extend government license and permit fees
Passed 22 to 16 in the Senate on June 3, 2015, to increase license fees imposed on manufacturers and distributors of commercial animal feed, revise inspection procedures and make other changes to this regulatory regime.
See Who Voted “Yes” and Who Voted “No” at http://www.michiganvotes.org/RollCall.aspx?ID=714544

House Bill 4470: Increase and/or extend government license and permit fees
Passed 21 to 17 in the Senate on June 3, 2015, to increase various state license fees imposed on food establishments including grocery stores, warehouses, processors, etc.
See Who Voted “Yes” and Who Voted “No” at http://www.michiganvotes.org/RollCall.aspx?ID=714595

House Bill 4568: Let Secretary of State keep using some fees for administration
Passed 21 to 17 in the Senate on June 3, 2015, to extend until Oct. 1, 2019 the authority of the Secretary of State to charge for various commercial services and use that money to administer the department.
See Who Voted “Yes” and Who Voted “No” at http://www.michiganvotes.org/RollCall.aspx?ID=714597

House Bill 4569: Let Secretary of State keep using some fees for administration
Passed 21 to 17 in the Senate on June 3, 2015, to extend until Oct. 1, 2019 the authority of the Secretary of State to use various fees it collects to administer the department.
See Who Voted “Yes” and Who Voted “No” at http://www.michiganvotes.org/RollCall.aspx?ID=714598

House Bill 4596: Revise incumbent judge reelection filing detail
Passed 109 to 0 in the House on June 3, 2015, to revise the candidate committee “statement of organization” form filed by incumbent judges running for reelection, so that it presumes the committee will not spend more than $1,000, which exempts the campaign from state campaign finance disclosure mandates. Under current law, a committee that plans to raise and spend less than $1,000 must file a separate form to get this exemption.
See Who Voted “Yes” and Who Voted “No” at http://www.michiganvotes.org/RollCall.aspx?ID=714640

House Bill 4597: Revise incumbent judge reelection filing detail
Passed 109 to 0 in the House on June 3, 2015, to revise the candidate committee “statement of organization” form filed by incumbent judges running for reelection, so that it presumes the committee will not spend more than $1,000, which exempts the campaign from state campaign finance disclosure mandates. Under current law, a committee that plans to raise and spend less than $1,000 must file a separate form to get this exemption.
See Who Voted “Yes” and Who Voted “No” at http://www.michiganvotes.org/RollCall.aspx?ID=714641

Senate Bill 328: Authorize more State Police officer grades
Passed 35 to 0 in the Senate on June 4, 2015, to create two new grades of State Police officer, called “inspector” and “recruit.” The current grades are colonel, lieutenant colonel, major, captain, lieutenant, sergeant and trooper.
See Who Voted “Yes” and Who Voted “No” at http://www.michiganvotes.org/RollCall.aspx?ID=714659

House Bill 4499: Increase civil asset forfeiture burden of proof
Passed 104 to 5 in the House on June 4, 2015, to require a more rigorous “clear and convincing evidence” burden of proof standard in a law that gives government the power to seize and sell an owner’s property if it is deemed a “nuisance” due to being associated with criminal activity. Under current law property may be taken under the least rigorous “preponderance of the evidence” standard. Other bills in the package (House Bills 4499 to 4507) make the same change to other criminal statutes and require more disclosures by agencies.
See Who Voted “Yes” and Who Voted “No” at http://www.michiganvotes.org/RollCall.aspx?ID=714786

House Bill 4500: Require police civil asset forfeiture disclosures
Passed 107 to 2 in the House on June 4, 2015, to amend the state law authorizing sanctions and remedies for identity theft to conform with the criminal asset forfeiture disclosures proposed by House Bill 4504.
See Who Voted “Yes” and Who Voted “No” at http://www.michiganvotes.org/RollCall.aspx?ID=714788

House Bill 4504: Require police civil asset forfeiture disclosures
Passed 107 to 2 in the House on June 4, 2015, to require law enforcement agencies to file annual reports on the number of civil asset forfeiture proceedings concluded, pending or “negotiated.” The reports would have to disclose the alleged violation; whether any person was charged or convicted; a description of the property; its value; whether there was a plea or other agreement; the property’s final disposition; whether the seizure was based on arrangements with federal, state or local agencies (“adoptive” seizure); how much the agency realized from the sale of the forfeited property; and more. The State Police would be required to compile these disclosures and post a report on the internet.
See Who Voted “Yes” and Who Voted “No” at http://www.michiganvotes.org/RollCall.aspx?ID=714790

House Bill 4505: Increase civil asset forfeiture burden of proof
Passed 103 to 6 in the House on June 4, 2015, to require a more rigorous “clear and convincing” burden of proof standard in the law that gives police agencies the power to seize and sell a person’s property if it may be connected with an illegal drug crime, even if the person is not charged or convicted. Under current law property may be taken under the least rigorous “preponderance of the evidence” standard. Other bills in the package (House Bills 4499 to 4507) make the same change to other criminal statutes and require more disclosures by agencies.
See Who Voted “Yes” and Who Voted “No” at http://www.michiganvotes.org/RollCall.aspx?ID=714787

House Bill 4506: Require police civil asset forfeiture disclosures
Passed 107 to 2 in the House on June 4, 2015, to amend the illegal drug law provisions of the Public Health Code to incorporate the requirements proposed by House Bill 4504 that law enforcement agencies file detailed annual reports on the number of criminal asset forfeiture proceedings they were involved in.
See Who Voted “Yes” and Who Voted “No” at http://www.michiganvotes.org/RollCall.aspx?ID=714791

House Bill 4507: Require police civil asset forfeiture disclosures
Passed 108 to 1 in the House on June 4, 2015, to amend the law that gives government the power to seize and sell a person’s property if it is deemed a “nuisance” because is connected with unlawful activity, so that it reflects the requirements proposed by House Bill 4504 that law enforcement agencies file detailed annual reports on the number of criminal asset forfeiture proceedings they were involved in.
See Who Voted “Yes” and Who Voted “No” at http://www.michiganvotes.org/RollCall.aspx?ID=714792

House Bill 4508: Limit civil asset forfeiture in minor marijuana crime
Passed 81 to 28 in the House on June 4, 2015, to revise illegal drug laws to establish that a vehicle used to transport one ounce or less of marijuana purchased for personal use is not subject to civil asset forfeiture provisions that give police agencies the power to seize and sell a person’s property even if the person is not charged or convicted of a crime.
See Who Voted “Yes” and Who Voted “No” at http://www.michiganvotes.org/RollCall.aspx?ID=714793

House Joint Resolution O: Make university boards subject to open records and meetings laws
Introduced by Rep. Martin Howrylak (R) on April 9, 2015, to place before voters in the next general election a constitutional amendment that would make the governing boards of state universities subject to the state Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) and the Open Meetings Act.
http://www.michiganvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=169174

Senate Bill 356: Revise procedures for dissolving fiscally failed school district
Introduced by Sen. Kenneth Horn (R) on June 3, 2015, to allow the school districts that absorbed portions of the Buena Vista school district in Saginaw County, which was dissolved in 2012 after becoming fiscally unviable, to levy property taxes to pay off some of debt the failed district incurred to cover operational expenses, subject to restrictions specified in the bill (and in the state constitution). See also Senate Bill 173 and House Bill 4644.
http://www.michiganvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=169721

Senate Bill 357: Establish drunk driver vehicle interlock device regulatory regime
Introduced by Sen. Tonya Schuitmaker (R) on June 3, 2015, to revise a state vehicle service and repair regulation law so it conforms with the proposal in Senate Bill 176 to establish regulations, procedures and fees for drunk driver vehicle interlock device installers.
http://www.michiganvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=169722

Senate Bill 358: Revise teacher certificate detail for out-of-state teachers
Introduced by Sen. Goeff Hansen (R) on June 3, 2015, to give the state Superintendent of Public Instruction more discretion in defining the “ongoing professional learning requirements” that a person with at least three years teaching experience in another state must also have received as a condition for getting a Michigan teaching certificate.
http://www.michiganvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=169720

Senate Bill 359: Create college saving plan for disabled students
Introduced by Sen. Rebekah Warren (D) on June 3, 2015, to prohibit the state from considering contributions, distributions, earnings or balances in a disabled person’s ABLE education and living expense savings account (see Senate Bill 361) in the formula used to determine financial eligibility for Medicaid benefits.
http://www.michiganvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=169723

Senate Bill 360: Create college saving plan for disabled students
Introduced by Sen. Rebekah Warren (D) on June 3, 2015, to increase from $235,000 to $500,000 the maximum balance allowed in Michigan “section 529” education savings plans for a particular beneficiary. This is part of a legislative package comprised of Senate Bills 359 to 362 and House Bills 4542 to 4544, which create a new type of such account.
http://www.michiganvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=169724

Senate Bill 361: Create college saving plan for disabled students
Introduced by Sen. Rebekah Warren (D) on June 3, 2015, to authorize a new “ABLE account” tax advantaged savings plan to cover education and living expenses for beneficiaries who are disabled. Mirroring the recent federal law that created these accounts, under House Bill 4544 and Senate Bill 359 balances and distributions from a beneficiary’s account would not be included in gross income or assets for purposes of caps limiting various state aid programs. Senate Bill 360 would increase the maximum balance allowed in these and other “529” savings plans to $500,000.
http://www.michiganvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=169725

Senate Bill 362: Create college saving plan for disabled students
Introduced by Sen. Jack Brandenburg (R) on June 3, 2015, to authorize a state income tax deduction of $5,000 for an individual, $10,000 for a joint account, for contributions to a disabled person’s “ABLE” education and living expense savings account that Senate Bill 361 would authorize.
http://www.michiganvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=169726

Senate Bill 363: Revise fees to build private harbor
Introduced by Sen. Tom Casperson (R) on June 3, 2015, to waive any lease charges to the state that might otherwise be owed by an waterfront property owner who erects breakwaters that create a private harbor, if the harbor is not used for commercial purposes, and if distressed mariners can seek refuge in it during a storm.
http://www.michiganvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=169727

Senate Bill 364: Exempt trigger locks from sales tax
Introduced by Sen. Tonya Schuitmaker (R) on June 3, 2015, to exempt trigger locks, gun safes and lockboxes, and other home firearm safety devices from sales tax.
http://www.michiganvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=169728

Senate Bill 365: Exempt trigger locks from use tax
Introduced by Sen. Tonya Schuitmaker (R) on June 3, 2015, to exempt trigger locks, gun safes and lockboxes, and other home firearm safety devices from use tax.
http://www.michiganvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=169729

Senate Bill 366: Impose regulation on government record services
Introduced by Sen. Curtis Hertel, Jr. (D) on June 3, 2015, to impose regulations, disclosure requirements, price caps and more on businesses that solicit a fee for providing copies of various government records.
http://www.michiganvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=169730

Senate Bill 367: Authorize a “Thin Blue Line” specialty license plate
Introduced by Sen. Mike Nofs (R) on June 4, 2015, to authorize a “Thin Blue Line” specialty license plate, with the net revenue going to the “Thin Blue Line” organization, to be used solely to assist and support the families of injured or deceased law enforcement officers within the state.
http://www.michiganvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=169731

Senate Bill 368: Revise income tax on pension income detail
Introduced by Sen. Kenneth Horn (R) on June 4, 2015, to slightly expand the scope of a state income tax exemption for pension income collected by person who worked for a government agency whose employees were not covered by Social Security (which means they paid no payroll tax and received no Social Security credits while employed there).
http://www.michiganvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=169732

Senate Bill 369: Authorize alcohol manufacturer retail shop tax breaks
Introduced by Sen. Wayne Schmidt (R) on June 4, 2015, to exempt from use tax the tools and equipment purchased by a brewer, winemaker or distilled liquor maker to create products it sells directly to customers at its own locations.
http://www.michiganvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=169733

Senate Bill 370: Authorize alcohol manufacturer retail shop tax breaks
Introduced by Sen. Jack Brandenburg (R) on June 4, 2015, to exempt from sales tax the tools and equipment purchased by a brewer, winemaker or distiller create products it sells directly to customers at its own locations.
http://www.michiganvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=169734

Senate Bill 371: Ban intent to sell ivory and rhinoceros horn products
Introduced by Sen. Steve Bieda (D) on June 4, 2015, to ban the importation, sale, purchase, barter, or possession with intent to sell of ivory or rhinoceros horns and products, subject to fines $5,000 or double the value of the products for second offenses.
http://www.michiganvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=169735

Senate Bill 372: Revise firefighter certification detail
Introduced by Sen. Dale W. Zorn (R) on June 4, 2015, to waive a state firefighter certification testing requirement for a person from another state where this certification is based on the same national standards.
http://www.michiganvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=169737

Senate Bill 373: Increase mandated minimum wage for tipped employees
Introduced by Sen. Coleman Young, II (D) on June 4, 2015, to mandate that employers pay workers who receive tips a base wage that is the same as the minimum wage mandated for non-tipped workers. Under current law the base rate for tipped employees is 38 percent of the minimum wage for other workers, but a tipped-worker’s employer must still pay the difference between this amount and the regular amount if tips come up short. The current regular minimum wage is $8.15 per hour, which rises to $9.25 in 2018.
http://www.michiganvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=169738

Senate Bill 374: Change “venereal disease” references to “sexually transmitted infection”
Introduced by Sen. Curtis Hertel, Jr. (D) on June 4, 2015, to change references to “venereal disease” in the state Health Code to “sexually transmitted infection.” The code has separate references to viral diseases like AIDS.
http://www.michiganvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=169739

Senate Bill 375: Change “venereal disease” references to “sexually transmitted infection”
Introduced by Sen. Peter MacGregor (R) on June 4, 2015, to change references to “venereal disease” in the state Health Code to “sexually transmitted infection.” The code has separate references to viral diseases like AIDS.
http://www.michiganvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=169740

Senate Bill 376: Change “venereal disease” references to “sexually transmitted infection”
Introduced by Sen. David Knezek (D) on June 4, 2015, to change references to “venereal disease” in the state Health Code to “sexually transmitted infection.” The code has separate references to viral diseases like AIDS.
http://www.michiganvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=169741

Senate Bill 377: Change “venereal disease” references to “sexually transmitted infection”
Introduced by Sen. Wayne Schmidt (R) on June 4, 2015, to change references to “venereal disease” in the state Health Code to “sexually transmitted infection.” The code has separate references to viral diseases like AIDS.
http://www.michiganvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=169742

Senate Bill 378: Change “venereal disease” references to “sexually transmitted infection”
Introduced by Sen. Margaret O’Brien (R) on June 4, 2015, to change references to “venereal disease” in the state Health Code to “sexually transmitted infection.” The code has separate references to viral diseases like AIDS.
http://www.michiganvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=169743

Senate Bill 379: Change “venereal disease” references to “sexually transmitted infection”
Introduced by Sen. Rebekah Warren (D) on June 4, 2015, to change references to “venereal disease” in the state Health Code to “sexually transmitted infection.” The code has separate references to viral diseases like AIDS.
http://www.michiganvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=169744

Senate Bill 380: Change “venereal disease” references to “sexually transmitted infection”
Introduced by Sen. Jim Marleau (R) on June 4, 2015, to change references to “venereal disease” in the state Health Code to “sexually transmitted infection.” The code has separate references to viral diseases like AIDS.
http://www.michiganvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=169745

Senate Bill 381: Change “venereal disease” references to “sexually transmitted infection”
Introduced by Sen. Coleman Young, II (D) on June 4, 2015, to change references to “venereal disease” in the state Health Code to “sexually transmitted infection.” The code has separate references to viral diseases like AIDS.
http://www.michiganvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=169746

House Bill 4658: Revise claims against the state procedures
Introduced by Rep. Michael McCready (R) on June 2, 2015, to revise the procedures used by both a plaintiff and a state agency for the plaintiff to collect on a successful judgement or allowance of a claim against the state.
http://www.michiganvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=169747

House Bill 4659: Require local zoning board approval of new school site
Introduced by Rep. Michael McCready (R) on June 2, 2015, to require the local government zoning board to approve the site of any new school.
http://www.michiganvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=169748

House Bill 4660: Eliminate obsolete or useless government reports
Introduced by Rep. Tom Leonard (R) on June 2, 2015, to eliminate a requirement that the state insurance commission prepare an annual report on Health Maintenance Organization enrollment figures, copays and more.
http://www.michiganvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=169749

House Bill 4661: Eliminate obsolete or useless government reports
Introduced by Rep. Lana Theis (R) on June 2, 2015, to eliminate a requirement that the state insurance commission prepare an annual report on the medical malpractice insurance market and claim experience in Michigan.
http://www.michiganvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=169750

House Bill 4662: Eliminate obsolete or useless government reports
Introduced by Rep. Hank Vaupel (R) on June 2, 2015, to eliminate a requirement that the state insurance commission prepare an annual report on the state of competition in the commercial liability insurance market.
http://www.michiganvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=169751

House Bill 4663: Eliminate obsolete or useless government reports
Introduced by Rep. Jim Runestad (R) on June 2, 2015, to eliminate a requirement that the state insurance commission compile an annual report on details and the number of health insurance policies with a coverage period of less than six months.
http://www.michiganvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=169752

House Bill 4664: Eliminate obsolete or useless government reports
Introduced by Rep. Ray Franz (R) on June 2, 2015, to eliminate a requirement that the state insurance commission prepare an annual report on the degree of competition in the worker’s compensation insurance market statewide.
http://www.michiganvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=169753

House Bill 4665: Eliminate obsolete or useless government reports
Introduced by Rep. Robert Wittenberg (D) on June 2, 2015, to eliminate a requirement that providers of liability insurance covering a municipality or other government entity submit certain periodic reports to the state, and that the state insurance commission compile these into other reports.
http://www.michiganvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=169754

House Bill 4666: Eliminate obsolete or useless government reports
Introduced by Rep. Derek Miller (D) on June 2, 2015, to eliminate statutory references to the municipal claims reports that House Bill 4665 would eliminate.
http://www.michiganvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=169755

House Bill 4667: Eliminate obsolete or useless government reports
Introduced by Rep. Robert Kosowski (D) on June 2, 2015, to eliminate a requirement that the state insurance commission prepare an annual report on the availability of liquor licensee liability insurance.
http://www.michiganvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=169756

House Bill 4668: Eliminate obsolete or useless government reports
Introduced by Rep. Andrea LaFontaine (R) on June 2, 2015, to eliminate a provision that allows the liquor control commission to waive a requirement that liquor license applicants and renewals have proof of liability insurance, if the annual insurance availability report that House Bill 4667 would repeal indicated that it wasn’t available.
http://www.michiganvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=169757

House Bill 4669: Allow sports betting in Detroit casinos
Introduced by Rep. Robert Kosowski (D) on June 2, 2015, to allow sports betting in Detroit casinos.
http://www.michiganvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=169758

House Bill 4670: Allow horse race betting in Detroit casinos
Introduced by Rep. Robert Kosowski (D) on June 2, 2015, to allow simulcast horse race betting in Detroit casinos.
http://www.michiganvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=169759

House Bill 4671: Ban welfare-related prescription drug benefits for illegal drug violator
Introduced by Rep. Joel Johnson (R) on June 2, 2015, to prohibit giving an individual convicted of an illegal drug crime prescription drugs under the state’s medical welfare programs, including Medicaid.
http://www.michiganvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=169760

House Bill 4672: Ban smoking in car with minor
Introduced by Rep. Sam Singh (D) on June 2, 2015, to ban smoking in a vehicle with a minor present, subject to a $500 fine.
http://www.michiganvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=169761

House Bill 4673: Prescribe requirements for removing “squatters” from property
Introduced by Rep. LaTanya Garrett (D) on June 2, 2015, to prohibit a property owner from attempting to evict “squatters” from the property unless he or she is accompanied by a law enforcement officer who has been provided with proof that the person entering the premises is the owner.
http://www.michiganvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=169762

House Bill 4674: Revise mental health outpatient treatment procedures
Introduced by Rep. Tom Leonard (R) on June 2, 2015, to revise rules and procedures for assisted outpatient treatment under Michigan’s mental health assistance programs.
http://www.michiganvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=169763

House Bill 4675: Authorize removal of individual records from pistol purchase database
Introduced by Rep. Lee Chatfield (R) on June 2, 2015, to establish that if an individual requests his or her information be removed from a state “pistol entry database,” the State Police must remove that information within 14 days, and notify the individual by first-class mail that this has been done. Until a 2012 repeal, individuals were required to get a “purchase permit” from local police to buy a pistol. The current law no longer requires this for pistols purchased from a federally licensed firearms dealer, who run all purchases through a national “instant background check” database instead.
http://www.michiganvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=169764

House Bill 4676: Revise sentencing guideline references
Introduced by Rep. Tom Barrett (R) on June 2, 2015, to update references to specific criminal statutes in the state sentencing guidelines law to reflect various revisions to the state criminal code.
http://www.michiganvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=169765

House Bill 4677: Revise agricultural property splits
Introduced by Rep. David Maturen (R) on June 2, 2015, to permit agricultural property that is eligible for certain property tax breaks to be split into smaller parcels, with some of the land removed from agricultural use (with its associated tax breaks) and some of it remaining agricultural (and keeping the tax breaks).
http://www.michiganvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=169766

House Bill 4678: Give state flag to deceased legislators’ survivors
Introduced by Rep. Fred Durhal, III (D) on June 3, 2015, to create a new law called the “Legislative Funeral Act” that would require the state to give a state flag to the survivor of a current or former legislator who dies.
http://www.michiganvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=169767

House Bill 4679: Restrict injection well placement
Introduced by Rep. Bill LaVoy (D) on June 3, 2015, to prohibit locating an “injection” well for disposing of hazardous material, or for storing other material (potentially including carbon dioxide), in a region determined to have “Karst geology”.
http://www.michiganvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=169768

House Bill 4680: Extend prison industry law
Introduced by Rep. David Pagel (R) on June 4, 2015, to extend for five years a law that allows a private business to market textiles produced cut and sewn by state prisoners if this does not compete with any other products made in Michigan.
http://www.michiganvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=169769

House Bill 4681: Authorize property tax “user fee” in specified situation
Introduced by Rep. Scott Dianda (D) on June 4, 2015, to permit local governments to impose a “user fee” on property owners as a means of collecting revenue that exceeds the amount the state property tax assessment laws provide, if the property taxes previously paid by the owner were based on an assessment methodology that valued the property as if it was vacant and available for purchase, when it was actually occupied being used for a “substantial business purpose”.
http://www.michiganvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=169770

House Bill 4682: Give veterans hunting lottery preference
Introduced by Rep. Robert Kosowski (D) on June 4, 2015, to give veterans preference in getting those hunting permits that are allocated through a lottery process.
http://www.michiganvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=169771

House Bill 4683: Create regional electric utility “integrated resource plans”
Introduced by Rep. Scott Dianda (D) on June 4, 2015, to require the state Public Services Commission to create “integrated resource plans” for electric power generation in the different regions of the state as specified in the bill.
http://www.michiganvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=169772

House Bill 4684: Revise road funding allocations
Introduced by Rep. Andy Schor (D) on June 4, 2015, to “flip” the allocation of state road repair funding from 39.1 percent for state highways and 21.8 percent for cities and villages, to 39.1 percent for cities and villages and 21.8 percent for state highways. Counties would continue to get the same amount as currently, 39.1 percent.
http://www.michiganvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=169773

House Bill 4685: Revise sales tax on motor fuel detail
Introduced by Rep. Earl Poleski (R) on June 4, 2015, to revise details of the sales tax “prepayments” made by gasoline and diesel fuel refiners, wholesalers, distributors, etc., when these involve “bulk transfers” between such entities. Under current law most sales tax on fuel is not paid by consumers and collected by retailers “at the pump,” but is collected when the fuel is transferred to a distributor.
http://www.michiganvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=169774

House Bill 4686: Revise city sidewalk liability
Introduced by Rep. Harvey Santana (D) on June 4, 2015, to establish that a municipality being sued for an injury related to a sidewalk “discontinuity” may any use any common law defense available to regular people, including that the condition was “open and obvious.” Current law limits local government defenses in these suits.
http://www.michiganvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=169775

House Bill 4687: Eliminate cap on teacher certificate test fee
Introduced by Rep. Adam Zemke (D) on June 4, 2015, to eliminate a $50 cap on the amount the state can charge for taking a test required to obtain a state teacher certificate and related subject area “endorsements”.
http://www.michiganvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=169776

Senate Bill 217: Revise forest property tax break details
Passed 89 to 20 in the House on June 9, 2015, to clarify eligibility details related to changes made by a 2013 law in forest property tax breaks.
See Who Voted “Yes” and Who Voted “No” at http://www.michiganvotes.org/RollCall.aspx?ID=714871

Senate Bill 305: Preempt local knife regulations
Passed 27 to 10 in the Senate on June 9, 2015, to preempt local governments from enacting or enforcing an ordinance or rule relating to the transportation, possession, carrying, sale, transfer, purchase, gift, devise, licensing, registration, or use of a knife or knife-making components.
See Who Voted “Yes” and Who Voted “No” at http://www.michiganvotes.org/RollCall.aspx?ID=714819

Senate Bill 321: Revise Bay County judge details
Passed 38 to 0 in the Senate on June 10, 2015, to not reduce the number of judges in the 18th judicial circuit (Bay County) by one as prescribed by current law, and instead decrease by one the number of judges in the 74th district court, which also covers Bay County.
See Who Voted “Yes” and Who Voted “No” at http://www.michiganvotes.org/RollCall.aspx?ID=714899

Senate Bill 336: Authorize “Amber Alert” type system for at-large cop killer
Passed 38 to 0 in the Senate on June 10, 2015, to establish procedures for rapidly disseminating useful information to radio and television stations when a person suspected of killing or seriously injuring a police officer is on the loose and dangerous. This would be called a “blue alert”.
See Who Voted “Yes” and Who Voted “No” at http://www.michiganvotes.org/RollCall.aspx?ID=714900

Senate Bill 351: Ban divorce lawyer “ambulance chasing”
Passed 36 to 2 in the Senate on June 10, 2015, to prohibit a lawyer from soliciting business from a party to a divorce action within 21 days after proof of service in the action was filed with the court, punishable by fines of $1,000, and $5,000 for subsequent violations.
See Who Voted “Yes” and Who Voted “No” at http://www.michiganvotes.org/RollCall.aspx?ID=714901

House Bill 4188: Let adoption agencies refuse adoptions that violate moral convictions
Passed 26 to 12 in the Senate on June 10, 2015, to specify in statute that a “child placing agency” (private adoption agency or foster care service) is not required to assist or participate in an adoption or placement that violates its written religious or moral convictions, including adoptions of a child by a homosexual. Also, to prohibit a state agency from discriminating or taking an “adverse action” against an adoption agency for this reason.
See Who Voted “Yes” and Who Voted “No” at http://www.michiganvotes.org/RollCall.aspx?ID=714911

House Bill 4189: Let adoption agencies refuse adoptions that violate moral convictions
Passed 26 to 12 in the Senate on June 10, 2015, to specify in statute that a “child placing agency” (private adoption or foster care agency) is not required to assist or participate in an adoption or placement that violates its written religious or moral convictions, including adoptions of a child by a homosexual. Also, to prohibit a state agency from discriminating or taking an “adverse action” against an agency for this reason.
See Who Voted “Yes” and Who Voted “No” at http://www.michiganvotes.org/RollCall.aspx?ID=714912

House Bill 4190: Let adoption agencies refuse adoptions that violate moral convictions
Passed 26 to 12 in the Senate on June 10, 2015, to prohibit a state agency from discriminating or taking an “adverse action” against an adoption agency that refuses to assist or participate in an adoption or placement that violates its written religious or moral convictions. Specifically, to establish that an adoption agency that adopts this written policy is still eligible for required state licenses.
See Who Voted “Yes” and Who Voted “No” at http://www.michiganvotes.org/RollCall.aspx?ID=714913

House Bill 4245: Revise building code officials registration detail
Passed 38 to 0 in the Senate on June 10, 2015, to establish that employment by a government building code enforcing agency is not required for “registration” as a building official, plan reviewer, or inspector.
See Who Voted “Yes” and Who Voted “No” at http://www.michiganvotes.org/RollCall.aspx?ID=714896

House Bill 4447: Increase and/or extend government license and permit fees
Passed 32 to 6 in the Senate on June 10, 2015, to increase the license fees for hospitals, clinics, nursing homes and other health care facilities. Also, to extend a “Michigan Medicaid Quality Assurance Assessment” (MMQAA) tax on nursing homes for another four years, which is a bed tax used to “game” the federal Medicaid matching funds formula to generate more federal money for Michigan’s medical welfare programs.
See Who Voted “Yes” and Who Voted “No” at http://www.michiganvotes.org/RollCall.aspx?ID=714902

House Bill 4468: Authorize regional airport authorities
Passed 38 to 0 in the Senate on June 10, 2015, to authorize the establishment of regional airport authorities to manage the business operations of local airports. This is primarily directed at creating an authority for the Gerald R. Ford International Airport in Kent County, but it would apply statewide.
See Who Voted “Yes” and Who Voted “No” at http://www.michiganvotes.org/RollCall.aspx?ID=714897

House Bill 4605: House GOP road funding package
Passed 62 to 47 in the House on June 10, 2015, to earmark a portion of state income tax revenue to road funding, starting with $192 million in 2016 and increasing to $717 million in 2019.
According to the House Fiscal Agency, this and other bills in the House package would generate an additional $1.163 billion in annual road repair funding by 2019 with just $119 million in tax increases. Given projected under the road funding package the amount of general fund dollars available for other (non-road) spending would increase by $355 million in 2019, versus an increase of $1.137 billion without the package. The road package includes House Bills 4605 to 4615.
See Who Voted “Yes” and Who Voted “No” at http://www.michiganvotes.org/RollCall.aspx?ID=714964

House Bill 4606: House GOP road funding package
Passed 64 to 45 in the House on June 10, 2015, to earmark a portion of the annual state sales tax revenue that comes from fuel purchases (around $127 million in 2019) to road funding. See also House Bill 4605.
See Who Voted “Yes” and Who Voted “No” at http://www.michiganvotes.org/RollCall.aspx?ID=714965

House Bill 4607: House GOP road funding package (corporate subsidies repeal)
Passed 60 to 49 in the House on June 10, 2015, to no longer spend $75 million annually on various direct and indirect subsidies granted to corporations and developers under the “21st Century Jobs Fund” rubric, and instead use this money on road repairs and improvements (but not on city bus subsidies and other transit spending).
See Who Voted “Yes” and Who Voted “No” at http://www.michiganvotes.org/RollCall.aspx?ID=714966

House Bill 4608: House GOP road funding package (corporate subsidies repeal)
Passed 59 to 50 in the House on June 10, 2015, to no longer channel $60 million in payments from Indian casinos to the “Michigan Strategic Fund,” which is the entity under which the state’s various corporate subsidy programs are organized, and instead use this money for road repairs and improvements (but not city bus subsidies and other transit spending). Also, to establish as the “intent of the legislature” that the MSF continue to spend at least $29 million annually from its other revenue sources on the “Pure Michigan” advertising campaign.
See Who Voted “Yes” and Who Voted “No” at http://www.michiganvotes.org/RollCall.aspx?ID=714968

House Bill 4609: House GOP road funding package (EITC repeal)
Passed 57 to 52 in the House on June 10, 2015, to eliminate the state earned income tax credit, which grants recipients an amount equal to 6 percent of the federal EITC. The EITC is a refundable tax credit (or “reverse income tax”) that sends checks to low income workers, totaling around $115 million annually. This is part of a House package that generates $1.163 billion more for annual road repairs by 2019, mostly by reprioritizing current state spending.
See Who Voted “Yes” and Who Voted “No” at http://www.michiganvotes.org/RollCall.aspx?ID=714969

House Bill 4610: House GOP road funding package
Passed 63 to 46 in the House on June 10, 2015, to establish that if a township contributes 50 percent or more to the cost of a road project, it can require the county road commission to contract for the work through competitive bidding.
See Who Voted “Yes” and Who Voted “No” at http://www.michiganvotes.org/RollCall.aspx?ID=714970

House Bill 4611: House GOP road funding package
Passed 65 to 44 in the House on June 10, 2015, to clarify and revise details of ambiguous sections of a law that appears to require road agencies to seek competitive bids for projects greater than $100,000.
See Who Voted “Yes” and Who Voted “No” at http://www.michiganvotes.org/RollCall.aspx?ID=714971

House Bill 4612: House GOP road package - hybrid and electric car surcharge
Passed 59 to 50 in the House on June 10, 2015, to impose an annual vehicle registration surtax of $30 on gas-electric hybrid-drive cars, and $100 on pure electric (battery) cars.
See Who Voted “Yes” and Who Voted “No” at http://www.michiganvotes.org/RollCall.aspx?ID=714972

House Bill 4613: House GOP road funding package
Passed 100 to 9 in the House on June 10, 2015, to require local road agencies to get a contractor’s warranty on all road projects that cost more than $2 million “where possible.” The bill would also earmark some annual revenue for grade crossing surface work, and revise details of how money from various road funding sources can be used.
See Who Voted “Yes” and Who Voted “No” at http://www.michiganvotes.org/RollCall.aspx?ID=714974

House Bill 4614: House GOP road funding package
Passed 59 to 50 in the House on June 10, 2015, to revise details of the Michigan version of the “Streamlined Sales Tax” project being pursued this and most states with the goal of taxing out-of-state purchase, so that it conforms with the proposal in House Bill 4615 to extend motor fuel taxes to natural gas burned in Michigan by trucks that was purchased in other states, and to extend the sales tax credit interstate truckers are allowed on fuel purchased in this state.
See Who Voted “Yes” and Who Voted “No” at http://www.michiganvotes.org/RollCall.aspx?ID=714975

House Bill 4615: House GOP road package - diesel fuel tax increase
Passed 58 to 51 in the House on June 10, 2015, to increase the current 15 cents per gallon diesel fuel tax to 19 cents per gallon, and index future diesel and gasoline tax rates to inflation. Also, to tax natural gas and other “alternative fuels” burned by vehicles at an equivalent rate. This is part of a House package that by 2019 generates $1.163 billion more for road repairs by reprioritizing current spending, except for this bill’s $78 million tax increase.
See Who Voted “Yes” and Who Voted “No” at http://www.michiganvotes.org/RollCall.aspx?ID=714976

House Bill 4616: House GOP road funding package
Passed 58 to 51 in the House on June 10, 2015, to increase the current 15 cent per gallon motor carrier fuel tax imposed on interstate truckers to 19 cents per gallon, and revise it to conform with the extension of this tax to natural gas and other “alternative fuels” burned by interstate trucks, both of which mirror the proposals in House Bill 4615 to raise and extend the tax on regular in-state diesel purchases.
See Who Voted “Yes” and Who Voted “No” at http://www.michiganvotes.org/RollCall.aspx?ID=714977

Senate Bill 382: Provide insurance to dependents of disabled public safety officer
Introduced by Sen. Morris Hood, III (D) on June 9, 2015, to require the state to provide the spouse and dependents of a firefighter, law enforcement officer or emergency first responder who becomes permanently disabled in the line of duty with the same health insurance that retired State Police officers get.
http://www.michiganvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=169780

Senate Bill 383: Impose licensure on midwives
Introduced by Sen. Michael Green (R) on June 9, 2015, to impose a state licensure mandate on midwives (as distinct from “nurse midwives”), including regulations and license fees.
http://www.michiganvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=169781

Senate Bill 384: Authorize establishment of welfare agency police force
Introduced by Sen. Peter MacGregor (R) on June 9, 2015, to give the Department of Human Services (the state welfare agency) the authority to appoint agents with the same powers as peace (police) officers and limited arrest powers.
http://www.michiganvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=169782

Senate Bill 385: Authorize establishment of welfare agency police force
Introduced by Sen. Rick Jones (R) on June 9, 2015, to exempt the state welfare agency police proposed by Senate Bill 384 from the “gun-free zone” restrictions in the state’s concealed pistol license law.
http://www.michiganvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=169783

Senate Bill 386: Let courts take traffic offenses “under advisement”
Introduced by Sen. Tom Casperson (R) on June 9, 2015, to allow courts to take traffic offenses “under advisement,” meaning they would not have to report a conviction to the Secretary of State (with the drivers license sanctions that may ensue) if a driver has no more offenses for a specified period. This would not apply to commercial drivers.
http://www.michiganvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=169784

Senate Bill 387: Restrict injection well placement
Introduced by Sen. Dale W. Zorn (R) on June 9, 2015, to prohibit locating an “injection” well for disposing of hazardous material, or for storing other material (potentially including carbon dioxide), in a region determined to have “Karst geology”.
http://www.michiganvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=169785

Senate Bill 388: Institute Headlee Amendment unfunded mandate restrictions
Introduced by Sen. Tom Casperson (R) on June 9, 2015, to prohibit a state agency from imposing any new increase in local government services or activities unless the legislature has appropriated money to pay for it. The bill would also create a “fiscal note” process to quantify how much the mandate will cost. This and Senate Bills 389 and 390 are intended to bring the state into compliance with the Headlee amendment provision prohibiting the state from imposing unfunded mandates on local governments.
http://www.michiganvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=169786

Senate Bill 389: Institute Headlee Amendment unfunded mandate restrictions
Introduced by Sen. Mike Kowall (R) on June 9, 2015, to prohibit a state agency from mandating any new increase in local government services or activities unless the legislature has appropriated money to pay for it. Along with Senate Bill 388, this bill would establish an administrative process to restrict such impositions.
http://www.michiganvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=169787

Senate Bill 390: Institute Headlee Amendment unfunded mandate restrictions
Introduced by Sen. David Robertson (R) on June 9, 2015, to explicitly give local governments standing to sue the state under the Headlee Amendment’s unfunded mandate ban in the state constitution.
http://www.michiganvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=169788

Senate Bill 391: Increase minimum wage mandate on employers
Introduced by Sen. Bert Johnson (D) on June 10, 2015, to make it unlawful to employ a worker for less than $9.30 an hour beginning in Sept. 1, 2015, and increase this in steps to $15.00 in 2018. The current state minimum wage mandate hourly employees not covered by a federal wage mandate is $8.15 an hour, increasing to $9.25 an hour in 2018, and then index it to inflation.
http://www.michiganvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=169790

Senate Bill 392: Revise commercial van and bus regulations
Introduced by Sen. Rick Jones (R) on June 11, 2015, to authorize a single comprehensive regulatory regime on commercial bus and van (limousine) services whose vehicles seat 15 or more passengers.
http://www.michiganvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=169820

Senate Bill 393: Increase vehicle dealer license plate fees
Introduced by Sen. Morris Hood, III (D) on June 11, 2015, to increase the fees for vehicle “dealer” plates and similar “special” plates.
http://www.michiganvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=169821

Senate Bill 394: Revise rental housing inspection regulations
Introduced by Sen. David Robertson (R) on June 11, 2015, to revise local government rental housing registration and inspection details. Among other things the bill would allow but not require local enforcement agencies in communities of a certain size to mandate that landlords must register themselves and their rental units.
http://www.michiganvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=169822

Senate Bill 395: Authorize home accessibility improvements tax credit
Introduced by Sen. Vincent Gregory (D) on June 11, 2015, to authorize an income tax credit of up to $5,000 for a person who purchases or retrofits a residence with modifications that make it accessible for a disabled individual. This would not apply to an owner’s rental property.
http://www.michiganvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=169823

Senate Bill 396: Increase vehicle weitht and size violation penalties
Introduced by Sen. Hoon-Yung Hopgood (D) on June 11, 2015, to increase fines for overweight and oversized vehicles.
http://www.michiganvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=169824

Senate Bill 397: Ban employers asking about employee contraceptive use
Introduced by Sen. Jim Ananich (D) on June 11, 2015, to prohibit employers from asking employees or job applicants about their use or nonuse of contraceptive.
http://www.michiganvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=169825

Senate Bill 398: Create government sickle cell awareness campaign
Introduced by Sen. Jim Ananich (D) on June 11, 2015, to require the Department of Community Health to create a sickle cell disease public awareness campaign and to “coordinate services available” from state, federal, and voluntary sickle cell disease programs.
http://www.michiganvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=169826

House Bill 4688: Authorize penalties for not reporting child’s death
Introduced by Rep. John Bizon (R) on June 9, 2015, to make it a felony punishable by up to four years in prison to fail to immediately report the death of a child for which a person is responsible, or fail to report that a child is missing within 48 hours.
http://www.michiganvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=169791

House Bill 4689: Authorize penalties for not reporting child’s death
Introduced by Rep. John Bizon (R) on June 9, 2015, to establish sentencing guidelines for the crime proposed by House Bill 4688 of failing report a missing child or death of a child in a timely manner.
http://www.michiganvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=169792

House Bill 4690: Mandate reduced class size in failing schools
Introduced by Rep. Erika Geiss (D) on June 9, 2015, to require failing schools to reduce class sizes to a maximum of 17 in grades K to 3, and 25 in grades 9 to 12.
http://www.michiganvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=169793

House Bill 4691: Ban selling human breast milk online
Introduced by Rep. Erika Geiss (D) on June 9, 2015, to ban the sale of human breast milk over the internet. See also House Bill 4206.
http://www.michiganvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=169794

House Bill 4692: Mandate public school African-American history teaching
Introduced by Rep. Sherry Gay-Dagnogo (D) on June 9, 2015, to require public schools to provide instruction at all grade levels in African-American history.
http://www.michiganvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=169795

House Bill 4693: Ban local “promise zone” grants to students at certain state universities
Introduced by Rep. Sherry Gay-Dagnogo (D) on June 9, 2015, to prohibit local government scholarships financed by a “promise zone” tax increment financing scheme for students who attend a state college or university that does not automatically accept any student with a grade point average in the top 15 percent of his or her high school class. This is a method by which some states have gotten around bans on using race as a factor in college admissions.
http://www.michiganvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=169796

House Bill 4694: Restrict injection well placement
Introduced in the House on June 9, 2015, to prohibit locating an “injection” well for disposing of hazardous material, or for storing other material (potentially including carbon dioxide), in a region determined to have “Karst geology”.
http://www.michiganvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=169797

House Bill 4695: Authorize load limit exceptions for potable water haulers
Introduced by Rep. Jason Sheppard (R) on June 9, 2015, to allow an exception to seasonal road weight limit restrictions for trucks hauling drinking water.
http://www.michiganvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=169798

House Bill 4696: Ban city unions bargaining for Detroit police “automatic entitlement” to better terms
Introduced by Rep. Fred Durhal, III (D) on June 9, 2015, to prohibit Detroit and its government employee unions from bargaining over an “automatic entitlement to more favorable terms and conditions of employment” like one the bill implies was granted to the city’s police union.
http://www.michiganvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=169799

House Bill 4697: Ban no-exception school expulsion policies
Introduced by Rep. Jeff Irwin (D) on June 9, 2015, to prohibit school districts from adopting a policy that requires a student to be expelled for certain violations and does not give school officials discretion in enforcing it, except as required by state law.
http://www.michiganvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=169800

House Bill 4698: Authorize drivers license, state ID gender change
Introduced by Rep. Brain Banks (D) on June 9, 2015, to require the Secretary of State to change the gender indicated on the drivers license of a person who requests this if the individual has obtained a “sex change” operation, or produces a court order authorizing the change in designation, or other official identification to that effect.
http://www.michiganvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=169801

House Bill 4699: Authorize drivers license, state ID gender change
Introduced by Rep. Brain Banks (D) on June 9, 2015, to require the Secretary of State to change the gender indicated on the state identification card of a person who requests this if the individual has obtained a “sex change” operation, or produces a court order authorizing the change in designation, or other official identification to that effect.
http://www.michiganvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=169802

House Bill 4700: Mandate companies with state contracts disclose employee compensation details
Introduced by Rep. Martin Howrylak (R) on June 9, 2015, to revise a 2012 law requiring the state to post an online a searchable database containing the details of all agency purchases, contracts and grants, by adding a provision adding the number jobs maintained or created and their wage rates to the required disclosures.
http://www.michiganvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=169803

House Bill 4701: Mandate contractors disclose company finance details
Introduced by Rep. Scott Dianda (D) on June 9, 2015, to require a state agency that contracts with a vendor for services exceeding $500,000 to require the vendor to turn over its financial, operational, and accounting records related to the contract, and then post these on the agency’s website.
http://www.michiganvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=169804

House Bill 4702: Mandate pre-privatization “impact studies”
Introduced by Rep. Edward McBroom (R) on June 9, 2015, to require a state agency seeking to privatize any state services to conduct a pre-privatization “impact study” and submit it to the legislature. This would have to include the overall effects on state and local employment, incomes, government welfare expenses, other businesses, tax revenues, agriculture and manufacturing.
http://www.michiganvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=169805

House Bill 4703: Prescribe privatization contract criteria
Introduced by Rep. John Kivela (D) on June 9, 2015, to require state contracts for services, including privatization contracts, to provide specific performance criteria and cost parameters, and provisions that let the state cancel the contract if these aren’t met.
http://www.michiganvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=169806

House Bill 4704: Restrict privatization of state services
Introduced by Rep. Pam Faris (D) on June 9, 2015, to prohibit the privatization of government services unless an agency conducts a pre-privatization cost-benefit analysis and submits it to the legislature, and unless current government employees are given an opportunity to bid on the privatized service.
http://www.michiganvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=169807

House Bill 4705: Restrict privatization of state services
Introduced by Rep. Peter Lucido (R) on June 9, 2015, to require vendors who want to bid on state service contracts to submit a sworn statement that the vendor is in compliance with all local, state, and federal laws and regulations, and allow an agency to cancel the contract if a vendor is in violation of this requirement.
http://www.michiganvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=169808

House Bill 4706: Let state enforce city income taxes
Introduced by Rep. Wendell Byrd (D) on June 10, 2015, to authorize cities and the state Department of Treasury to enter agreements under which the Department could use its full state income tax enforcement powers to enforce the city’s income tax.
http://www.michiganvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=169809

House Bill 4707: Remove criminal penalties from dog law
Introduced by Rep. Peter Lucido (R) on June 11, 2015, to repeal the criminal penalties in the law that requires dogs to be licensed and authorizes other regulations on dog owners, and increase the civil penalties (fines) this law authorizes.
http://www.michiganvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=169827

House Bill 4708: Remove criminal penalties from dog law
Introduced by Rep. Peter Lucido (R) on June 11, 2015, to repeal the criminal penalties in the law that prohibits dog owners from allowing their animals to “run at large,” and increase the civil penalty (fine) this law authorizes to $500.
http://www.michiganvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=169828

House Bill 4709: Reword ban on displaying a “human monstrosity”
Introduced by Rep. John Bizon (R) on June 11, 2015, to eliminate the reference to a “human monstrosity” in a law that makes it a misdemeanor for a doctor to exhibit a disfigured individual for other than scientific purposes.
http://www.michiganvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=169829

House Bill 4710: Remove criminal penalties from camping law
Introduced by Rep. Andrea LaFontaine (R) on June 11, 2015, to repeal the criminal penalties in the law that requires a person camping on state land to post a registration card registration card with his or her name, address, arrival date and departure date. Violations would instead be a civil offense punishable by a $500 fine.
http://www.michiganvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=169830

House Bill 4711: Repeal obsolete penalties and prohibitions
Introduced by Rep. Michael Webber (R) on June 11, 2015, to repeal a law empowering courts to specify that a prison sentence should include solitary confinement or hard labor, and another law authoring criminal penalties for rebuilding a selling an electric storage battery without disclosing this on the packaging in letters of a specified size.
http://www.michiganvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=169831

House Bill 4712: Expand scope of practice for chiropractors
Introduced by Rep. Kathy Crawford (R) on June 11, 2015, revise the scope of practice restrictions for licensed physical therapists to also authorize chiropractors to perform the save functions.
http://www.michiganvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=169832

House Bill 4713: Require “culpable mental state” for criminal conviction
Introduced by Rep. Edward McBroom (R) on June 11, 2015, to establish that if a law does not indicate whether a “culpable mental state” (“men’s rea”) is required to establish guilt, the presumption will be that this is required, meaning that prosecutors must show that the defendant violated the law “purposely, knowingly or recklessly.” This would not be the case if a law imposes a “strict liability” standard. Under current law, many complex “administrative” offenses authorize criminal penalties for actions that a regular person would not know are illegal.
http://www.michiganvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=169833

House Bill 4714: Require more corporate subsidy cost disclosures
Introduced by Rep. Jim Runestad (R) on June 11, 2015, to require the Department of Treasury to notify the legislature of the number of claimants for tax credits granted under the Michigan Economic Growth Authority law (which was repealed in 2011), listed by size of the final liability to the state and the amount of foregone taxes attributable to particular firms. It was recently revealed that tax breaks and subsidies granted under this program represent a nearly $10 billion unfunded liability that will not be extinguished almost nearly 20 years. Under current law, information on which companies were granted these special deals and the terms of their agreements is kept secret.
http://www.michiganvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=169834

House Bill 4715: Ban employers asking about employee contraceptive use
Introduced by Rep. Marcia Hovey-Wright (D) on June 11, 2015, to prohibit employers from asking employees or job applicants about their use or nonuse of contraceptive.
http://www.michiganvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=169835

Senate Bill 21: Increase some State Police pensions
Passed 38 to 0 in the Senate on June 17, 2015, to revise wording in a provision of the State Police pension law so it conforms with Senate Bill 22, which increases some pensions.
See Who Voted “Yes” and Who Voted “No” at http://www.michiganvotes.org/RollCall.aspx?ID=715330

Senate Bill 22: Increase some State Police pensions
Passed 38 to 0 in the Senate on June 17, 2015, to increase the annual pension benefits to at $16,000 for certain State Police employees who retired and were collecting pension payments before October 1, 1986.
See Who Voted “Yes” and Who Voted “No” at http://www.michiganvotes.org/RollCall.aspx?ID=715331

House Bill 4052: Preempt local employer wage, benefit or labor law mandates
Passed 22 to 16 in the Senate on June 17, 2015, to preempt local governments, public schools, state colleges and universities, and other governmental authorities from imposing mandatory wage, benefit, leave time, apprenticeship and other requirements on employers which exceed those required by state or federal law. The vote occurred after the House removed a provision making the bill retroactive and described as a “catch-all” provision restricting any local regulation on “the relationship” between employers and employees rather than just specified mandates.
See Who Voted “Yes” and Who Voted “No” at http://www.michiganvotes.org/RollCall.aspx?ID=715329

House Bill 4052: Preempt local employer wage, benefit or labor law mandates
Passed 59 to 51 in the House on June 16, 2015, to preempt local governments, public schools, state colleges and universities, and other governmental authorities from imposing mandatory wage, benefit, leave time, apprenticeship and other requirements on employers which exceed those required by state or federal law. The vote occurred after the House removed a provision making the bill retroactive and described as a “catch-all” provision restricting any local regulation on “the relationship” between employers and employees rather than just specified mandates.
See Who Voted “Yes” and Who Voted “No” at http://www.michiganvotes.org/RollCall.aspx?ID=715229

House Bill 4496: Liberalize school debt repayment requirements
Passed 38 to 0 in the Senate on June 17, 2015, to ease certain restrictions on school districts refinancing loans (bonds) covered by a state School Bond Loan Fund program. A Senate Fiscal Agency explains this complicated program and the revisions the bill proposes.
See Who Voted “Yes” and Who Voted “No” at http://www.michiganvotes.org/RollCall.aspx?ID=715332

House Bill 4496: Liberalize school debt repayment requirements
Passed 108 to 1 in the House on May 21, 2015, to ease certain restrictions on school districts refinancing loans (bonds) covered by a state School Bond Loan Fund program. A Senate Fiscal Agency explains this complicated program and the revisions the bill proposes.
See Who Voted “Yes” and Who Voted “No” at http://www.michiganvotes.org/RollCall.aspx?ID=714188

House Bill 4497: Liberalize school debt repayment requirements
Passed 38 to 0 in the Senate on June 17, 2015, to eliminate a requirement that school districts must pay back their debt to a state School Bond Loan Fund by a “final repayment date” determined for each district by the state treasurer. The requirement was instituted by a 2005 law to fix the problem of districts extending debt on old projects by combining with additional borrowing for new projects. See also House Bill 4496.
See Who Voted “Yes” and Who Voted “No” at http://www.michiganvotes.org/RollCall.aspx?ID=715333

House Bill 4637: Regulate Uber, Lyft, etc.; preempt local bans
Passed 71 to 39 in the House on June 17, 2015, to establish a regulatory framework that would enable “transportation network companies” like Uber and Lyft to operate in this state, including a preemption on local government regulations or bans. The companies would have to get a permit from the Department of Transportation and carry liability insurance as specified in the bill. Drivers would have to carry insurance that gives passengers the unlimited medical coverage required by the state no-fault law. Drivers would have to get a background check and be at least 21 years old. Vehicles would have to get an annual inspection by a licensed mechanic and bear signs. Riders would have be given specified information and options, including a photo image of the driver when they request a ride, and systems to protect their personal information. Street hailing and the use of cab stands by the vehicles would be prohibited.
See Who Voted “Yes” and Who Voted “No” at http://www.michiganvotes.org/RollCall.aspx?ID=715375

House Bill 4638: Regulate Uber, Lyft, etc.
Passed 73 to 37 in the House on June 17, 2015, to exempt “transportation network companies” like Uber and Lyft from restrictive state regulations on “limousine” services. See also House Bill 4637.
See Who Voted “Yes” and Who Voted “No” at http://www.michiganvotes.org/RollCall.aspx?ID=715386

House Bill 4639: Regulate Uber, Lyft, etc.
Passed 73 to 37 in the House on June 17, 2015, to permit auto insurance companies to exclude from coverage an owner’s use of a vehicle to provide “transportation network company” services like those provided by companies like Uber and Lyft. See also House Bill 4637.
See Who Voted “Yes” and Who Voted “No” at http://www.michiganvotes.org/RollCall.aspx?ID=715387

House Bill 4640: Regulate Uber, Lyft, etc.
Passed 70 to 40 in the House on June 17, 2015, to establish that passengers using “transportation network companies” like Uber and Lyft would be covered by the same type of insurance as passengers in taxicabs. This means the unlimited personal injury protection (PIP) coverage required by the state no-fault insurance law would not be provided by the driver’s policy unless the passenger’s own auto insurance (if any) covered the risk. See also House Bill 4637.
See Who Voted “Yes” and Who Voted “No” at http://www.michiganvotes.org/RollCall.aspx?ID=715388

House Bill 4641: Regulate Uber, Lyft, etc.
Passed 74 to 36 in the House on June 17, 2015, to exempt drivers for “transportation network companies” like Uber and Lyft from having to get a chauffer’s license, and define vehicle insurance coverage requirements and limits for them. See also House Bill 4637 and 4339.
See Who Voted “Yes” and Who Voted “No” at http://www.michiganvotes.org/RollCall.aspx?ID=715389

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