Senate Bill 414: Road funding package - income tax earmark
Passed 27 to 11 in the Senate on July 1, 2015, to earmark $350 million from state income tax collections to road funding in the next fiscal year, and $700 million in subsequent years. The bill would also place in statute a scheme to potentially roll back future income tax rates if the amount of revenue deposited into the general fund in a given year grew faster than inflation.
Note that the legislature controls the level of these deposits, and can reduce them by redirecting revenue elsewhere, or depositing money into the state rainy day fund. So even if overall state tax collections do increase more than inflation, income tax rate reductions would essentially be at the discretion of each legislature, as under current law..
See Who Voted “Yes” and Who Voted “No” at http://www.michiganvotes.org/RollCall.aspx?ID=716225
House Bill 4319: Revise stop at railroad crossings law detail
Passed 38 to 0 in the Senate on July 1, 2015, to revise the law that requires a vehicle to stop at railroad crossings. Currently, this does not apply if a track is “abandoned,” and the bill would expand this to one that is “inactive,” which means the track has been covered or removed and all signs, signals, and other warning devices have been removed.
See Who Voted “Yes” and Who Voted “No” at http://www.michiganvotes.org/RollCall.aspx?ID=716212
House Bill 4320: Revise stop at railroad crossings law detail
Passed 38 to 0 in the Senate on July 1, 2015, to authorize posting signs that say “exempt” at inactive railroad crossings where the tracks have been removed or covered up, which would mean school buses are not required to stop. See also House Bill 4319.
See Who Voted “Yes” and Who Voted “No” at http://www.michiganvotes.org/RollCall.aspx?ID=716213
House Bill 4610: Road funding package - local contract practices
Passed 27 to 11 in the Senate on July 1, 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=716228
House Bill 4611: Road funding package - local contract practices
Passed 27 to 11 in the Senate on July 1, 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=716229
House Bill 4612: Road funding package - hybrid and electric car surcharge
Passed 21 to 17 in the Senate on July 1, 2015, to impose an annual vehicle registration surtax of $30 on gas-electric hybrid-drive cars, and $100 on pure electric (battery) cars. Other bills in this package would tax “alternative” fuels like compressed or liquefied natural gas at rates comparable to gasoline and diesel taxes.
See Who Voted “Yes” and Who Voted “No” at http://www.michiganvotes.org/RollCall.aspx?ID=716227
House Bill 4613: Road funding package - income tax earmark details
Passed 28 to 10 in the Senate on July 1, 2015, to limit to road projects only - and not public transportation - the state income tax revenue that House Bill 4614 would earmark for road repairs. The bill would also limit use of this money to cover administrative expences, require local road agencies to get a contractor’s warranty on all road projects that cost more than $1 million, earmark some annual revenue for railroad 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=716226
House Bill 4614: House GOP road funding package - alternative fuels tax details
Passed 20 to 18 in the Senate on July 1, 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=716230
House Bill 4615: Increase motor fuel tax
Passed 19 to 19 in the Senate on July 1, 2015, to increase the current gasoline and diesel fuel tax to 34 cents per gallon, an increase of 15 cents and 19 cents, respectively. The increase would come in three annual steps beginning Oct. 1, 2015, and would also be indexed to inflation. When combined with the 6 percent sales this would give Michigan the second highest gas tax in the nation, and one 15 cents higher than nearby states. The bill would also tax natural gas and other “alternative fuels” burned by vehicles at an equivalent rate.
See Who Voted “Yes” and Who Voted “No” at http://www.michiganvotes.org/RollCall.aspx?ID=716223
House Joint Resolution Y: Replace House and Senate with unicameral legislature
Introduced by Rep. Martin Howrylak (R) on July 15, 2015, to place before voters in the next general election a Constitutional amendment to establish a nonpartisan unicameral legislature (instead of a separate House and Senate) with 110 districts apportioned on the basis of formulas specified in the resolution. Legislators would have four year terms and term limits would be repealed.
http://www.michiganvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=170039
House Joint Resolution Z: Ban Obamacare exchange
Introduced by Rep. Todd Courser (R) on July 15, 2015, to prohibit creating a state based version of the health insurance exchanges that are part of the federal health care law.
http://www.michiganvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=170040
House Bill 4760: Impose regulations, fees on puppy breeders
Introduced by Rep. Sarah Roberts (D) on July 14, 2015, to impose detailed regulations and a $500 annual inspection fee (in addition to existing license fees) on “large scale commercial breeding kennels,” defined as ones where at least 15 female dogs are housed for purposes of breeding. This bill imposes the inspection fees and House Bill 4761 imposes the regulations.
http://www.michiganvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=170045
House Bill 4761: Impose regulations, fees on puppy breeders
Introduced by Rep. Christine Greig (D) on July 14, 2015, o impose detailed regulations on the care of dogs kept in “large scale commercial breeding kennels,” defined as ones where at least 15 female dogs are housed for purposes of breeding. Violations could be prosecuted as a criminal misdemeanor. Among other restrictions the bill would ban breeders from having more than 50 adult female dogs. House Bill 4760 would impose $500 annual inspection fees.
http://www.michiganvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=170007
House Bill 4762: Impose annual mileage tax on all vehicles
Introduced by Rep. Robert Kosowski (D) on July 14, 2015, to impose a new tax of $50 for every 10,000 miles a car, truck or motorcycle is driven, in addition to current vehicle registration (license plate) taxes. Owner would be required to appear annually in person at a Secretary of State office to pay the tax, and the SOS would have to verify and keep records of the mileage driven, which implies that the vehicle would have to be brought in also.
http://www.michiganvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=170008
House Bill 4763: Authorize state poet laureate
Introduced by Rep. Sarah Roberts (D) on July 14, 2015, to authorize the appointment by each governor of a state poet laureate, who would serve at the pleasure of the governor (meaning the governor could withdraw the appointment at any time). The bill authorizes no compensation, but does allow government money to be used to reimburse the individual’s travel expenses. The bill has 41 cosponsors from both parties.
http://www.michiganvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=170009
House Bill 4764: Repeal ban on abortion coverage through federal health care law exchange
Introduced by Rep. Sarah Roberts (D) on July 14, 2015, to repeal the 2013 law initiated by a petition from the people and enacted by a legislative majority to prohibit health insurance policies sold through the federal health care law’s “exchange” from including abortion coverage, which requires individuals to use their own money to purchase a policy “rider” covering abortion if this is what they want.
http://www.michiganvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=170010
House Bill 4765: Allow adoption of dog-fight dogs
Introduced by Rep. Michael McCready (R) on July 14, 2015, to revise a law that bans breeding, buying or selling an animal that has been trained or used for fighting, or its offspring, so as to allow for adoption of these animals if the shelter or agency responsible for the animal finds that it is fit for placement and does not pose a threat to public safety.
http://www.michiganvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=170011
House Bill 4766: Authorize a state “teen court”
Introduced by Rep. Andrea LaFontaine (R) on July 14, 2015, to authorize a “teen court” for teenagers between the ages of 13 and 17 who are charged with certain criminal misdemeanors. If a youth accepted responsibility for the crime met the conditions and terms imposed by the court then the charges would be dismissed and the record of the proceedings would not become a public record, although records would be visible to law enforcement officials.
http://www.michiganvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=170012
House Bill 4767: Expand meth-related pseudoephedrine restrictions
Introduced by Rep. John Kivela (D) on July 14, 2015, to authorize up to one year in prison and a $1,000 fine for attempting to persuade a person to purchase ephedrine or pseudoephedrine while knowing that it will be used to manufacture methamphetamine. Current penalties apply only if the attempt succeeds in persuading someone.
http://www.michiganvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=170013
House Bill 4768: Expand meth-related pseudoephedrine restrictions
Introduced by Rep. John Kivela (D) on July 14, 2015, to establish sentencing guidelines for the penalties proposed by House Bill 4767 for attempting to persuade a person to purchase ephedrine or pseudoephedrine to manufacture methamphetamine.
http://www.michiganvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=170014
House Bill 4769: Increase meth production penalties near school
Introduced by Rep. Edward McBroom (R) on July 14, 2015, to increase the penalties for manufacturing methamphetamine near a school or library.
http://www.michiganvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=170015
House Bill 4770: Transfer Detroit water and sewer system to regional “alliance”
Introduced by Rep. Kurt Heise (R) on July 14, 2015, to transfer governance of the Detroit water and sewer system to a regional “alliance” controlled by a nine-member board with three members appointed by the Detroit mayor or council, three appointed by the governor (two of these from outside Detroit), and one each by the Wayne, Oakland and Macomb county executives. House Bill 4771 would give the state Public Service Commission the power to regulate the entity’s rates and fees.
http://www.michiganvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=170016
House Bill 4771: Give state PSC oversight over city water/sewer systems
Introduced by Rep. Kurt Heise (R) on July 14, 2015, to extend the jurisdiction of the state Public Service Commission to include regulating the rates and fees of the Detroit water and sewer system. See also House Bill 4770.
http://www.michiganvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=170017
House Bill 4772: Scale back firearm purchase and carry restrictions
Introduced by Rep. Cindy Gamrat (R) on July 14, 2015, to repeal state laws that restrict or require permits for law abiding citizens’ to purchase, transport and carry firearms openly or concealed.
http://www.michiganvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=170018
House Bill 4773: Scale back firearm purchase and carry restrictions
Introduced by Rep. Cindy Gamrat (R) on July 14, 2015, to revise statutory references to reflect the proposal in House Bill 4772 to scale back firearms purchase and carry restrictions.
http://www.michiganvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=170019
House Bill 4774: Scale back firearm purchase and carry restrictions
Introduced by Rep. Cindy Gamrat (R) on July 14, 2015, to revise references in the state’s game and fishing law to reflect the proposal in House Bill 4772 to scale back firearms purchase and carry restrictions.
http://www.michiganvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=170020
House Bill 4775: Scale back firearm purchase and carry restrictions
Introduced by Rep. Cindy Gamrat (R) on July 14, 2015, to revise references in the state’s sentencing guidelines law to reflect the proposal in House Bill 4772 to scale back firearms purchase and carry restrictions.
http://www.michiganvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=170021
House Bill 4776: Scale back firearm purchase and carry restrictions
Introduced by Rep. Cindy Gamrat (R) on July 14, 2015, to revise references in the state’s corrections code to reflect the proposal in House Bill 4772 to scale back firearms purchase and carry restrictions.
http://www.michiganvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=170022
House Bill 4777: Scale back firearm purchase and carry restrictions
Introduced by Rep. Cindy Gamrat (R) on July 14, 2015, to revise references in the state’s sentencing guidelines law to reflect the proposal in House Bill 4772 to scale back firearms purchase and carry restrictions.
http://www.michiganvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=170023
House Bill 4778: Scale back firearm purchase and carry restrictions
Introduced by Rep. Cindy Gamrat (R) on July 14, 2015, to essentially repeal the law that prohibits law abiding citizens’ from acquiring a pistol without a pistol license. Pistol purchase permit requirements were repealed by a 2012 law for purchases from federal firearms dealers, but still apply to purchases from an individual.
http://www.michiganvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=170024
House Bill 4779: Allow registered-by-mail to vote absentee in first election
Introduced by Rep. Jeremy Moss (D) on July 14, 2015, to allow a person to vote by absentee ballot in the first election after registering to vote by mail. Current law requires that such voters show up in person the first time that they vote in a new jurisdiction, but they may vote by absentee ballot in all subsequent elections.
http://www.michiganvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=170025
House Bill 4780: Prohibit fuel sale cash discounts
Introduced by Rep. John Chirkun (D) on July 14, 2015, to prohibit gas stations from offering discounts for cash payment, or posting prices based on a discount-for-cash price.
http://www.michiganvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=170026
House Bill 4781: Require school internet filters and “digital citizenship” promotion
Introduced by Rep. Robert Kosowski (D) on July 14, 2015, to require public schools to have internet filters that prevent students from viewing “harmful content” on school computers. Also, to require schools to promote “digital citizenship,” defined as “norms of appropriate, responsible, and healthy behavior related to the use of a telecommunications access device or other technology, including digital literacy, ethics, etiquette, and security”.
http://www.michiganvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=170027
House Bill 4782: Require insurance for ORV shoulder riding
Introduced by Rep. Joel Johnson (R) on July 14, 2015, to require off road vehicle users who drive on the shoulder of a road to have the same kind of liability insurance that ORV dealers must have when they rent out an ORV or let someone take a test drive. (Or alternatively, have a regular auto insurance policy that covers the liability.) Shoulder-riding was permitted in some counties by a 2008 law and expanded by a 2013 law.
http://www.michiganvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=170028
House Bill 4783: Increase landfill permit violation penalties
Introduced by Rep. Al Pscholka (R) on July 14, 2015, to increase the fines imposed on landfill operators for not meeting state environmental law standards or requirements in their operating permits to $75,000 per day for second or subsequent violations, and $25,000 per day the first time.
http://www.michiganvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=170029
House Bill 4784: Build veterans monument on Capitol grounds
Introduced by Rep. Pam Faris (D) on July 14, 2015, to authorize construction of a monument on the state Capitol grounds honoring military veterans.
http://www.michiganvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=170030
House Bill 4785: Waive certain vehicle title fees for disabled veterans
Introduced by Rep. Pam Faris (D) on July 14, 2015, to waive the vehicle title transfer tax for the sale of a handicap accessible vehicle by one disabled veteran to another disabled veteran.
http://www.michiganvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=170031
House Bill 4786: Mandate that businesses, gated communities allow process server entry
Introduced by Rep. Mike Callton (R) on July 14, 2015, to mandate that businesses and gated residential communities must allow entry by legal action process servers. A 2013 law also exempted process servers from trespassing laws.
http://www.michiganvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=170032
House Bill 4787: Authorize enhanced penalties for abortion coercion
Introduced by Rep. Amanda Price (R) on July 14, 2015, to authorize enhanced penalties for threatening or committing a “stalking” or assaultive crime with the intent to coerce a pregnant female to have an abortion, or taking other coercive actions with that goal. The bill authorizes additional fines of $5,000 to $10,000 on top of penalties imposed for the underlying crimes.
http://www.michiganvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=170033
House Bill 4788: Authorize enhanced penalties for abortion coercion
Introduced by Rep. Amanda Price (R) on July 14, 2015, to establish sentencing guidelines for the enhanced coerced abortion penalties proposed by House Bill 4787.
http://www.michiganvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=170034
House Bill 4789: Mandate notice to employee of employer discipline records
Introduced by Rep. George T. Darany (D) on July 14, 2015, to mandate that employers send a notice to and get a receipt from an employee who has been the subject of a disciplinary report, reprimand letter or other record of disciplinary action if this will be retained in the employer’s records.
http://www.michiganvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=170035
House Bill 4790: Expand non-enrolled public school student offerings to kindergarten
Introduced by Rep. Edward McBroom (R) on July 15, 2015, to include kindergarten offerings under a law that allows a school district to offer some classes to a private school or home-schooled student, and collect some state school aid money for the additional children who may participate. See also House Bill 4594.
http://www.michiganvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=170036
House Bill 4791: Mandate schools post policy on student-teacher social media interaction
Introduced by Rep. Adam Zemke (D) on July 15, 2015, to require public schools to adopt and post a policy regulating social media interaction between students and school employees.
http://www.michiganvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=170037
House Bill 4792: Let out of state team phycisians practice while in Michigan
Introduced by Rep. Robert Wittenberg (D) on July 15, 2015, to establish that a physician licensed in another state can provide medical care to a member of an athletic team under an agreement with that team while the team is in Michigan, subject to various restrictions.
http://www.michiganvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=170038