Senate Bill 298: Expand scope of service dog law
Introduced by Sen. David Knezek (D) on April 28, 2015, to expand the scope of a law that originally permitted places of public accommodation to allow seeing-eye dogs, and later was amended to require this and expanded to include other specific types of “service dogs.” This bill would expand this law, and a related one prescribing penalties for harassing or injuring a service dog, to include service animals employed by individuals with a broad range of physical or mental impairments included a general definition the bill proposes.
http://www.michiganvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=169419
Senate Bill 299: Expand scope of service dog law
Introduced by Sen. Margaret O’Brien (R) on April 28, 2015, to revise the law that exempts seeing-eye and other service dogs from canine license fees, so that it reflects the proposal in Senate Bill 298 to expand the range of disabilities covered by this and related service animal laws.
http://www.michiganvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=169420
Senate Bill 300: Repeal preemption of local fireworks regulations
Introduced by Sen. Morris Hood, III (D) on April 28, 2015, to repeal the provisions of a 2012 law that legalized the sale and use of “consumer fireworks” which restricted the authority of local governments to regulate fireworks use.
http://www.michiganvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=169421
Senate Bill 301: Impose recycling mandate on cell phone and tablet makers
Introduced by Sen. Rebekah Warren (D) on April 28, 2015, to expand a 2008 law law that imposed a new regulatory regime mandating that manufacturers of computers and related equipment take back used units and recycle the parts, so that it also applies to cell phones and tablet computers.
http://www.michiganvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=169422
Senate Bill 302: Restore ban on nude entertainment in liquor license law
Introduced by Sen. Rick Jones (R) on April 28, 2015, to ban fully nude performers at “topless” bars. This relates to a 2007 federal appeals court ruling that struck down Michigan’s previous law banning fully nude performers in bars, holding it was a violation of the First Amendment. The bill would specifically ban a performance that “exposes to public view the pubic region, anus, or genitals”.
http://www.michiganvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=169423
Senate Bill 303: Authorize putting municipal cemetery reserves in stocks
Introduced by Sen. Marty Knollenberg (R) on April 29, 2015, to permit municipalities that own a cemetery to invest up to 60 percent of their “perpetual care and maintenance” reserve funds in equities (stocks) via a high rated equity mutual fund.
http://www.michiganvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=169426
Senate Bill 304: Clarify scrap metal seller detail
Introduced by Sen. Mike Kowall (R) on April 29, 2015, to clarify that the ban imposed by a 2014 on scrap metal dealers paying cash for purchases of certain items does not apply to the portion of a purchase comprised of other items.
http://www.michiganvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=169427
Senate Bill 305: Revise state knife regulations
Introduced by Sen. Michael Green (R) on April 29, 2015, to repeal the law banning folding knives that can be opened by a “mechanical contrivance,” and also to preempt local government regulations on knives. The ban was originally targeted at “switchblades,” but many knives used by sportsmen and other legitimate users now have features that could fall under it.
http://www.michiganvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=169428
Senate Bill 306: Authorize joining multistate “Compact for a Balanced Budget”
Introduced by Sen. Michael Green (R) on April 29, 2015, to authorize Michigan’s membership in a “Compact for a Balanced Budget.” This would use the device of a multistate compact to submit an application to Congress calling for an Article V “convention to propose amendments to the U.S. Constitution.” This would be limited to proposing an amendment prohibiting Congress from increasing the national debt without the approval of a majority of state legislatures.
http://www.michiganvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=169429
Senate Bill 307: Establish sentencing guidelines for car insurance kickback ban
Introduced by Sen. Coleman Young, II (D) on April 30, 2015, to establish sentencing guidelines for a law that prohibits soliciting, paying, or receiving a kickback or bribe in connection with a claim for automotive repair.
http://www.michiganvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=169456
Senate Bill 308: Authorize “black Greek letter organizations” specialty plate
Introduced by Sen. Coleman Young, II (D) on April 30, 2015, to authorize a specialty license plate honoring several African American fraternities and sororities specified in the bill, with the premium revenue going to the United Negro College Fund.
http://www.michiganvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=169457
Senate Bill 309: Revise condominium subdivision details
Introduced by Sen. Jim Stamas (R) on April 30, 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 details of the state licensure law that covers architects and engineers.
http://www.michiganvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=169458
Senate Bill 310: Ban employer sanctions for emergency CAP service
Introduced by Sen. Patrick Colbeck (R) on April 30, 2015, to prohibit an employer from discriminating against, disciplining or discharging an employee who is absent from work due to serving with the Civil Air Patrol during an emergency declared by the governor.
http://www.michiganvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=169459
Senate Bill 311: Ban new charter schools without “certificate of need”
Introduced by Sen. Hoon-Yung Hopgood (D) on April 30, 2015, to prohibit any new charter schools from opening unless the state Board of Education grants a “certificate of need” as defined in the bill. Among other things this would require consideration of a new charter school’s “impact on existing public schools” nearby. The bill also impose more rigorous performance and oversight regulations and procedures on charter schools and the entities that authorize them (usually state universities).
http://www.michiganvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=169460
Senate Bill 312: Sell-off property of terminated charter school
Introduced by Sen. Jim Ananich (D) on April 30, 2015, to establish a process for the reversion to the state of property and assets owned by charter school whose authorization is terminated or revoked. The property would be sold and the proceeds distributed as specified in the bill. The bill would also turn over student records of a terminated charter to its authorizing entity (usually a state university), and require the authorizer to post specified details of the termination on the internet.
http://www.michiganvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=169461
House Bill 4520: Establish rental unit bedbug procedures
Introduced by Rep. Brandt Iden (R) on April 28, 2015, to prohibit a landlord from renting a unit that he or she knows is infested with bedbugs; prohibit tenants from moving infested items into a unit or attempting to apply pest control treatments themselves; and require tenants to grant reasonable access to professional pest management personnel and comply with the control protocols established by the landlord. Tenants who cause an infestation would be responsible for treatment costs, and landlords would have limited liability for items damaged by treatment.
http://www.michiganvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=169440
House Bill 4521: Authorize official service dog ID, tag and vest
Introduced by Rep. Tom Barrett (R) on April 28, 2015, to require the Department of Civil Rights to create an identification card, tag, and vest for a service animal (for example a seeing-eye dog) that is used by a person with a disability, which would demonstrate that the person with their animal is allowed to enter public accommodations where dogs are usually not allowed. The bill would also authorize service dog users to submit complaints the department via an existing 800-number “hotline.” See also House Bill 4527.
http://www.michiganvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=169441
House Bill 4522: Expand legislative subpoena power
Introduced by Rep. Martin Howrylak (R) on April 28, 2015, to give the legislature the same power to subpoena and investigate records of local governments, authorities, school districts and community colleges that it now has for records of state departments, boards, institutions, and agencies. See also House Bill 4523.
http://www.michiganvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=169442
House Bill 4523: Expand legislative subpoena power
Introduced by Rep. Edward McBroom (R) on April 28, 2015, to expand the power of the legislature to compel testimony and order records be provided so that it applies to “any person or entity” involved in a matter before a legislative committee. See also House Bill 4522.
http://www.michiganvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=169443
House Bill 4524: Restrict human lice treatments containing lindane
Introduced by Rep. Winnie Brinks (D) on April 28, 2015, to prohibit the sale or use of human lice treatments containing lindane unless it is prescribed by a physician.
http://www.michiganvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=169444
House Bill 4525: Require government hotline for rights complaints
Introduced by Rep. Winnie Brinks (D) on April 28, 2015, to require the state Department of Civil Rights to maintain a dedicated phone line and electronic method (website) for individuals to anonymously report alleged violations of the state civil rights act.
http://www.michiganvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=169445
House Bill 4526: Revise substitute teacher requirements
Introduced by Rep. Alberta Tinsley Talabi (D) on April 28, 2015, to require substitute teachers in public schools to have at least 10 hours of training in classroom management, instructional techniques, school policies, techniques for working with disabled students and with students granted “individualized education plan” exemption from regular graduation credit requirements. Under current law a substitute teacher must have at least 90 semester hours of college course credit.
http://www.michiganvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=169446
House Bill 4527: Revise service dog regulations
Introduced by Rep. David E. Rutledge (D) on April 28, 2015, to authorize criminal penalties of up to 90 days in jail for falsely claiming to have a disability that makes a person eligible for the service animal identification, tag and vest authorized by House Bill 4521. Also, to expand the range of disabilities that makes a person eligible to bring a service animal (such as a seeing-eye dog) into a place of public accommodation where animals are usually not allowed.
http://www.michiganvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=169447
House Bill 4528: Require reporting of state payments to local governments
Introduced by Rep. Pam Faris (D) on April 28, 2015, to require the state’s comprehensive annual financial report (CAFR) to itemize all payments to each local government during the year.
http://www.michiganvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=169448
House Bill 4529: Authorize local “pension obligation bonds”
Introduced by Rep. Larry Inman (R) on April 28, 2015, to make permanent a law passed in 2012 to allow local governments to borrow money to cover unfunded employee pension liabilities, which is allowed if the local has closed its traditional “defined benefit” pension system to new employees. Under current law this permission will expire on Dec. 31, 2015.
http://www.michiganvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=169449
House Bill 4530: Establish official state bug
Introduced by Rep. Edward McBroom (R) on April 28, 2015, to establish that henceforth, as a matter of law and statute, the ladybug, and no other bug, shall be the official insect of the state of Michigan. The bill does not specify any particular variety of ladybug (family coccinellidae), of which there are more than 5,000 worldwide.
http://www.michiganvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=169450
House Bill 4531: Impose licensure on “naturopathic physicians”
Introduced by Rep. Lisa Lyons (R) on April 28, 2015, to impose licensure and regulation on “naturopathic physicians,” with license fees, education requirements, and more. The bill defines “naturopathic” medicine as “a system of practice that is based on the natural healing capacity of individuals”.
http://www.michiganvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=169451
House Bill 4532: Revise insurance regulation detail
Introduced by Rep. Lisa Lyons (R) on April 28, 2015, to revise the regulations, and extend a 2 percent tax that applies to policies sold by out-of-state insurance companies not registered in Michigan, to so-called “surplus lines” insurance, which describes a relatively small number of policies sold to cover unusual or very high risk items or activities.
http://www.michiganvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=169452
House Bill 4533: Create new online child abuse offenders registry
Introduced by Rep. Robert Kosowski (D) on April 29, 2015, to create an online public registry of individuals convicted of child abuse crimes, similar to the existing sex offenders registry. The bill prescribes registration requirements, procedures, fees, penalties and more.
http://www.michiganvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=169434
House Bill 4534: Mandate “vessel under tow” flag
Introduced by Rep. Klint Kesto (R) on April 29, 2015, to require a vessel under tow to display at all times a bright orange or red flag at least 12 inches by 12 inches in size that is visible from all directions.
http://www.michiganvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=169435
House Bill 4535: Revise pistol purchase detail
Introduced by Rep. Lana Theis (R) on April 29, 2015, to exempt law enforcement officers from the law that prohibits purchasing a pistol from an individual unless a person gets a “purchase permit” from local police. A 2012 law repealed this requirement for pistols bought by civilians from a federally licensed firearms dealer.
http://www.michiganvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=169436
House Bill 4536: Authorize wrongful imprisonment compensation
Introduced by Rep. Stephanie Chang (D) on April 29, 2015, to authorize payment by the state of civil damages to a person wrongfully imprisoned for a crime he or she did not commit. The damages would be $60,000 for each year of wrongful imprisonment, plus “economic damages” including lost wages, plus reasonable attorney fees.
http://www.michiganvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=169437
House Bill 4537: Ban employer sanctions for emergency CAP service
Introduced by Rep. Andrea LaFontaine (R) on April 30, 2015, to prohibit an employer from discriminating against, disciplining or discharging an employee who is absent from work due to serving with the Civil Air Patrol during an emergency declared by the governor.
http://www.michiganvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=169467
House Bill 4538: Make homosexuals a civil rights law “protected class”
Introduced by Rep. Jon Hoadley (D) on April 30, 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=169468
House Bill 4539: Sell-off property of terminated charter school
Introduced by Rep. Charles Brunner (D) on April 30, 2015, to establish a process for the reversion to the state of property and assets owned by charter school whose authorization is terminated or revoked. The property would be sold and the proceeds distributed as specified in the bill. The bill would also turn over student records of a terminated charter to its authorizing entity (usually a state university), and require the authorizer to post specified details of the termination on the internet.
http://www.michiganvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=169469
No wolf hunt?