Weekly/biweekly Michigan legislative activism thread December 7, 2012

Make Michigan a "right-to-work" state: Passed 58 to 52 in the House To prohibit employers from enforcing a union contract provision that compels employees to join or financially support a union as a condition of employment. The bill also includes a $1 million appropriation to make it "referendum-proof." All Democrats voted "no" and all Republicans voted "yes" except for Reps. Forlini, Goike, Horn, McBroom, Somerville and Zorn.

, Make Michigan a "right-to-work" state: Passed 22 to 16 in the Senate The Senate vote on the same "right-to-work" measure described above. All Democrats voted "no" and all Republicans voted "yes" except for Sens. Casperson, Green, Nofs and Rocca.

, Extend "right-to-work" to government and school employees: Passed 22 to 4 in the Senate To prohibit Michigan governments and schools from enforcing a union contract provision that compels employees to join or financially support a union as a condition of employment.

, Subsidize new Red Wings Stadium: Passed 27 to 11 in the Senate To allow property tax revenue "captured" by the Detroit "Downtown Development Authority" to pay the debt on money borrowed to provide taxpayer subsidies for a particular developer's new sports stadium and associated projects (Mike Ilitch). The bill would also exempt DDAs from property and other taxes, and revise details of public officials' appointments to DDA boards.

, Create Detroit streetlight authority: Passed 25 to 13 in the Senate To authorize a Detroit streetlight authority with the power to borrow money to restore the city's streetlights, 70 percent of which are reportedly out. The bill requires passage of House Bill 5705, which would let Detroit earmark current utility tax revenue to pay off the new debt, and Senate Bill 970, which would suspend a required city income tax reduction until the new debt is paid off. It also allows Detroit's city unions to bargain for the unionization of the authority's employees.

, Create Detroit regional mass transit authority: Passed 57 to 50 in the House To create a new Detroit area regional transportation authority covering Macomb, Oakland and Wayne counties, and potentially others. Among other powers, the authority could levy property taxes (special assessments) and higher local vehicle registration taxes if approved by a majority of voters in the region, meaning a particular community could not “opt out” of the tax increase. The authority would be specifically authorized to create “rolling rapid transit” corridors along some streets and highways, potentially with dedicated lanes that other motorists could not use. It would be run by a board appointed by the counties and the City of Detroit.

, Authorize Detroit regional transit vehicle registration tax: Passed 57 to 50 in the House To give the regional transit authority proposed by Senate Bill 909 (above) the power to impose a higher vehicle registration tax in the region to pay for buses and other public transportation. A vote of the people would be required, but if approved region-wide the tax would still be imposed on individual communities that vote against it (no local "opt-out").

, Ban abortion coverage from "Obamacare“ exchange: Passed 27 to 11 in the Senate To prohibit health insurance acquired (and subsidized) through an “exchange” created under the federal health care law from including coverage for elective abortion.

, Give county officials power to halt recall as "non-factual": Passed 65 to 43 in the House To require county election commissions to determine whether the reasons for a recall petition are stated both "factually and clearly." Under current law, they must simply determine whether the recall language is clear. Note: This may violate Article 8, Section 8 of Michigan's constitution, which asserts that recallers don't have to justify their reasons, but only make them clear.

, Require parental permission to place student with "ineffective" teacher: Passed 60 to 49 in the House To require a public school district to get the written consent of a parent or guardian before placing a child in a classroom with a teacher who is rated “ineffective” under a new state rating system.

Authorize “essential services” tax on industrial plants: Passed 57 to 52 in the House To give local governments the power to impose targeted property taxes on industrial and commercial property deemed by the bill to be “especially benefited” by fire, police and ambulance services. This would replace some of the revenue from proposed reductions in the property tax imposed on business tools and equipment ("personal property tax").

, Repeal BCBS tax exemption, regulate like other insurers: Passed 61 to 49 in the House To convert Blue Cross Blue Shield into a “nonprofit mutual insurance company” (technically "owned" by the policy holders), make it subject to the same regulations as regular health insurers, and no longer exempt BCBS from state and local taxes.

, Give special treatment to firms submitting to “environmental leader” process: Passed 65 to 43 in the House To give certain businesses special treatment in awarding state contracts, eligibility for government subsidies, environmental permit and inspection mandates, and more, if the firm submits itself to a government “environmental leader” designation process. This would require a company to demonstrate that it has no outstanding permit violations or serious past ones, adopt certain practices not required by law, submit to certain additional reporting mandates, participate in “workshops,” etc.

Senate Bill 541: Require drivers license organ donor invitations
Introduced by Sen. John Proos (R) on October 6, 2015, to require the Secretary of State to specifically inquire orally or in writing whether a drivers license or renewal applicant wishes to participate in an organ donor registry.
http://www.michiganvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=170375

Senate Bill 542: Ban state advertising for Medicaid signups
Introduced by Sen. Tonya Schuitmaker (R) on October 6, 2015, to prohibit state departments from spending money to advertise or encourage individuals to enroll in the state medical welfare program labeled the “Healthy Michigan Plan,” which is Michigan’s version of the federal health care law’s Medicaid expansion.
http://www.michiganvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=170376

Senate Bill 543: Authorize foster care scholarships tax checkoff
Introduced by Sen. Peter MacGregor (R) on October 6, 2015, to allow an individual to choose to automatically contribute $5 or more from his or her state income tax refund to provide college scholarships to children in foster care.
http://www.michiganvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=170377

Senate Bill 544: Authorize foster care scholarships tax checkoff
Introduced by Sen. Marty Knollenberg (R) on October 6, 2015, to allow an individual to choose to automatically contribute $5 or more from his or her state income tax refund to provide college scholarships to children in foster care.
http://www.michiganvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=170378

Senate Bill 545: Ban “open carry” in prohibited concealed pistol carry areas
Introduced by Sen. Rebekah Warren (D) on October 7, 2015, to add public libraries to a provision that prohibits regular citizens who have met the qualification and received a concealed pistol permit from carrying a pistol in specified places. Also, to ban “open carry” (versus concealed carry) of firearms in those specified places.
http://www.michiganvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=170379

Senate Bill 546: Ban “open carry” in prohibited concealed pistol carry areas
Introduced by Sen. Curtis Hertel, Jr. (D) on October 7, 2015, to establish sentencing guidelines for violation of the firearms “open carry” ban prohibitions proposed by Senate Bill 545.
http://www.michiganvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=170380

Senate Bill 547: Allow different state ID and voter registration addresses
Introduced by Sen. Rebekah Warren (D) on October 7, 2015, to allow a person to have a different address on their drivers license or state-issued identification card than the one at which they are registered to vote.
http://www.michiganvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=170381

Senate Bill 548: Allow different drivers license and voter registration addresses
Introduced by Sen. Rebekah Warren (D) on October 7, 2015, to allow a person to have a different address on their drivers license than the one at which they are registered to vote.
http://www.michiganvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=170382

Senate Bill 549: Ban drones over Capitol
Introduced by Sen. Rick Jones (R) on October 7, 2015, to make it a criminal misdemeanor punishable by 93 days in jail and a $500 fine to fly a drone above the state Capitol grounds.
http://www.michiganvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=170383

Senate Bill 550: Allow state scholarships for religious training
Introduced by Sen. Dale W. Zorn (R) on October 7, 2015, to eliminate a prohibition on allowing students in theology or divinity programs to receive state college scholarships.
http://www.michiganvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=170384

Senate Bill 551: Allow enforceable funeral arrangements in wills
Introduced by Sen. Tonya Schuitmaker (R) on October 7, 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=170385

Senate Bill 552: Increase groundwater discharge permit fees
Introduced by Sen. Michael Green (R) on October 6, 2015, to increase groundwater discharge permit fees, and revise some details of this regulatory regime on enterprises that discharge wastewater onto the ground or into groundwater. The bill would authorize a different fee category for car washes, laundromats, seasonal RV parks and camps, and certain other small commercial facilities.
http://www.michiganvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=170412

Senate Bill 553: Authorize school district withdrawal from ISD
Introduced by Sen. Rick Jones (R) on October 6, 2015, to allow a regular school district to withdraw from an Intermediate School District, and require the ISD to rebate most of the revenue it gets from the state and federal governments for students in the departing district to that district, with some also rebated to taxpayers.
http://www.michiganvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=170413

Senate Bill 554: Track completion of mandated “continuing education” courses
Introduced by Sen. Tonya Schuitmaker (R) on October 6, 2015, to allow the state to contract with a private company to provide an electronic tracking service to track the continuing education course completions of licensed health care providers for whom these courses are mandated.
http://www.michiganvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=170414

Senate Bill 555: Track completion of mandated “continuing education” courses
Introduced by Sen. Tonya Schuitmaker (R) on October 6, 2015, to allow the state to contract with a private company to provide an electronic tracking system to track the continuing education course completions of individuals whose occupations are subject to a government licensure mandate that imposes a continuing education requirement.
http://www.michiganvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=170415

Senate Bill 556: Extend “commercial rehabilitation” tax break law
Introduced by Sen. Kenneth Horn (R) on October 6, 2015, to extend indefinitely a “commercial rehabilitation act” that authorizes property tax breaks for rehab projects involving commercial property that are selected by local government officials. Under current law the program will sunset on Dec. 31, 2015.
http://www.michiganvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=170416

House Bill 4936: Require teacher training in school safety and security
Introduced by Rep. Gretchen Driskell (D) on October 6, 2015, to revise a 15 day “intensive professional development induction into teaching” course that new teachers are required to take, so it would include training on school safety and security issues.
http://www.michiganvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=170364

House Bill 4937: Exempt local governments from fines for self-reported environment violations
Introduced by Rep. Joel Johnson (R) on October 6, 2015, to exempt local governments that self-report violations of state environmental regulations from fines imposed for those violations.
http://www.michiganvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=170365

House Bill 4938: Exempt National Guard members from certain lawsuits
Introduced by Rep. Ray Franz (R) on October 6, 2015, to make members of the National Guard immune from lawsuits seeking compensation for damage caused by their participation in a “tactical exercise,” which is defined elsewhere in statute as a “coordinated, planned action” with law enforcement to deal with specified public safety threats or emergencies, and training related to these.
http://www.michiganvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=170366

House Bill 4939: Mandate EMTs and ambulance at “high contact” school sports
Introduced by Rep. Harvey Santana (D) on October 6, 2015, to require emergency medical personnel and an ambulance to be present at all high-contact public school sporting events.
http://www.michiganvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=170367

House Bill 4940: Authorize toll road and bridge “public/private partnerships”
Introduced by Rep. Marilyn Lane (D) on October 6, 2015, to authorize the state Department of Transportation to enter “public/private partnerships” for roads, bridges and other facilities, potentially including additional toll-charging lanes on freeways. The state could borrow against future revenues (“sell bonds”) to pay for these projects, which would be owned by the state, with the private vendor collecting user fees.
http://www.michiganvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=170368

House Bill 4941: Require utilities get competitive bids on new generation
Introduced by Rep. Gary Glenn (R) on October 6, 2015, to require electric utilities to obtain competitive bids for all large generation capacity acquisitions, projects or contracts, and prescribe standards and procedures for this.
http://www.michiganvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=170369

House Bill 4942: Authorize “gun violence restraining orders”
Introduced by Rep. Robert Wittenberg (D) on October 6, 2015, to authorize courts to order firearms to be seized from an individual based on a “reasonable cause to believe” that the person poses a “significant risk” of injury to himself or others. Family members, roommates or people in a close relationship with the target could petition a court to issue a “gun violence restraining order.” The bill prescribes standards and procedures for this, including an appeals process.
http://www.michiganvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=170370

House Bill 4943: Authorize “gun violence restraining orders”
Introduced by Rep. Robert Wittenberg (D) on October 6, 2015, to prohibit an individual subject to a “gun violence restraining order” proposed by House Bill 4942 from buying a gun.
http://www.michiganvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=170371

House Bill 4944: Ban open carry in “gun free” zone
Introduced by Rep. Jim Townsend (D) on October 6, 2015, to prohibit openly carrying a pistol in one of the “gun free zones” specified in the concealed pistol permit law, with exceptions for police and for the owner and security staff of one of those zones.
http://www.michiganvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=170372

House Bill 4945: Ban “open carry” in prohibited concealed pistol carry areas
Introduced by Rep. Stephanie Chang (D) on October 6, 2015, to establish sentencing guidelines for violation of the firearms “open carry” ban prohibitions proposed by House Bill 4944.
http://www.michiganvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=170373

House Bill 4946: Expand auto theft prevention authority duties
Introduced by Rep. Joseph Graves (R) on October 6, 2015, to overhaul the structure and expand the duties of a state automobile theft prevention authority funded by insurance company assessments to include insurance fraud, including fraud related to unlimited medical benefits provided by Michigan’s no-fault law.
http://www.michiganvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=170374

House Bill 4948: Juvenile justice reform package
Introduced by Rep. Martin Howrylak (R) on October 7, 2015, to revise procedures specified in the code of criminal procedure to effect the proposal in House Bills 4947 to 4966 to no longer automatically prosecute and sentence 17 year olds charged with serious crimes as if they are adults.
http://www.michiganvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=170387

House Bill 4949: Juvenile justice reform package
Introduced by Rep. David Pagel (R) on October 7, 2015, to revise procedures specified in the juvenile diversion act to effect the proposal in House Bills 4947 to 4966 to no longer automatically prosecute and sentence 17 year olds charged with serious crimes as if they are adults.
http://www.michiganvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=170388

House Bill 4950: Juvenile justice reform package
Introduced by Rep. LaTanya Garrett (D) on October 7, 2015, to revise the youth rehabilitation services act to reflect the proposal in House Bills 4947 to 4966 to no longer automatically prosecute and sentence 17 year olds charged with serious crimes as if they are adults.
http://www.michiganvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=170389

House Bill 4951: Juvenile justice reform package
Introduced by Rep. Anthony Forlini (R) on October 7, 2015, to revise the law that prescribes procedures for determining whether a criminal defendant is competent for trial so it will reflect the proposal House Bills 4947 to 4966 to no longer automatically prosecute and sentence 17 year olds charged with serious crimes as if they are adults.
http://www.michiganvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=170390

House Bill 4952: Juvenile justice reform package
Introduced by Rep. Michael Webber (R) on October 7, 2015, to revise the law that requires an attorney to be provided for an indigent defendant charged with a criminal offense, so it will reflect the proposal in House Bills 4947 to 4966 to no longer automatically prosecute and sentence 17 year olds charged with serious crimes as if they are adults.
http://www.michiganvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=170391

House Bill 4953: Juvenile justice reform package
Introduced by Rep. Chris Afendoulis (R) on October 7, 2015, to revise the law that authorizes courts to issue personal protection orders against a threatening individual so it will reflect the proposal in House Bills 4947 to 4966 to no longer automatically prosecute and sentence 17 year olds charged with serious crimes as if they are adults.
http://www.michiganvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=170392

House Bill 4954: Juvenile justice reform package
Introduced by Rep. Harvey Santana (D) on October 7, 2015, to revise the law that authorizes courts to issue personal protection orders against a threatening individual so it will reflect the proposal in House Bills 4947 to 4966 to no longer automatically prosecute and sentence 17 year olds charged with serious crimes as if they are adults.
http://www.michiganvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=170393

House Bill 4955: Juvenile justice reform package
Introduced by Rep. Harvey Santana (D) on October 7, 2015, to revise procedures specified in the code of criminal procedure to effect the proposal in House Bills 4947 to 4966 to no longer automatically prosecute and sentence 17 year olds charged with serious crimes as if they are adults.
http://www.michiganvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=170394

House Bill 4956: Juvenile justice reform package
Introduced by Rep. Vanessa Guerra (D) on October 7, 2015, to revise procedures specified in the probate code to effect the proposal in House Bills 4947 to 4966 to no longer automatically prosecute and sentence 17 year olds charged with serious crimes as if they are adults.
http://www.michiganvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=170395

House Bill 4957: Juvenile justice reform package
Introduced by Rep. Kurt Heise (R) on October 7, 2015, to prohibit housing minors charged with criminal offenses in a facility that also houses adult offenders. The bill applies to pre-trial detention. Other bills in the same legislative package (House Bills 4947 to 4966) do the same for post-sentencing incarceration.
http://www.michiganvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=170396

House Bill 4958: Juvenile justice reform package
Introduced by Rep. Kurt Heise (R) on October 7, 2015, to prohibit incarcerating minors charged or convicted of criminal offenses in a facility that also houses adult offenders. This is part of a legislative package that consists of House Bills 4947 to 4966.
http://www.michiganvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=170397

House Bill 4959: Juvenile justice reform package
Introduced by Rep. Kurt Heise (R) on October 7, 2015, to prohibit incarcerating minors charged with criminal offenses in a facility that also houses adult offenders during confinement, trial, or transport. This is part of a legislative package that consists of House Bills 4947 to 4966.
http://www.michiganvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=170398

House Bill 4960: Juvenile justice reform package
Introduced by Rep. Klint Kesto (R) on October 7, 2015, to revise procedures prescribed in the code of criminal procedure to effect the proposal in House Bills 4947 to 4966 to no longer automatically prosecute and sentence 17 year olds charged with serious crimes as if they are adults.
http://www.michiganvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=170399

House Bill 4961: Juvenile justice reform package
Introduced by Rep. Klint Kesto (R) on October 7, 2015, to revise procedures prescribed in the revised judicature act to reflect the proposal in House Bills 4947 to 4966 to no longer automatically prosecute and sentence 17 year olds charged with serious crimes as if they are adults.
http://www.michiganvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=170400

House Bill 4962: Juvenile justice reform package
Introduced by Rep. Robert Kosowski (D) on October 7, 2015, to revise procedures prescribed in the probate code to reflect the proposal in House Bills 4947 to 4966 to no longer automatically prosecute and sentence 17 year olds charged with serious crimes as if they are adults.
http://www.michiganvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=170401

House Bill 4963: Juvenile justice reform package
Introduced by Rep. Robert Kosowski (D) on October 7, 2015, to require the State Court Administrative Office to file an annual report showing the number of youth who are charged as adults, demographic information on these offenders, their offenses and sentences received, recidivism rates and more. This is part of a legislative package that consists of House Bills 4947 to 4966.
http://www.michiganvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=170402

House Bill 4964: Juvenile justice reform package
Introduced by Rep. Leslie Love (D) on October 7, 2015, to increase the reimbursement paid by the state to counties as an incentive to use “community-based services” for youthful offenders instead of incarceration, foster care or other “out-of-home placements”.
http://www.michiganvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=170403

House Bill 4965: Juvenile justice reform package
Introduced by Rep. Stephanie Chang (D) on October 7, 2015, to create a Family Advisory Board in the Department of Corrections to give advice on ways to support family reunification during and after when a minor is incarcerated for committing a serious crime, and other steps intended to assist reentry into the community and reduce recidivism.
http://www.michiganvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=170404

House Bill 4966: Juvenile justice reform package
Introduced by Rep. Martin Howrylak (R) on October 7, 2015, to require the Department of Corrections to provide “age-appropriate out-of-cell programming and outdoor exercise” at least five days a week for prisoners who are less than 21 years old.
http://www.michiganvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=170405

Senate Bill 151: Repeal deadline on prisoner DNA evidence appeals
Passed 37 to 0 in the Senate on October 14, 2015, to repeal a Jan. 1, 2016 deadline for a prisoner to appeal his or her conviction on the basis evidence generated by new DNA testing technology.
See Who Voted “Yes” and Who Voted “No” at http://www.michiganvotes.org/RollCall.aspx?ID=717905

Senate Bill 303: Authorize putting municipal cemetery reserves in stocks
Passed 37 to 0 in the Senate on October 14, 2015, to permit municipalities that own a cemetery to invest up money in their “perpetual care and maintenance” reserve funds in high rated mutual funds that hold stocks and bonds, if the stock portion of the fund is limited to 60 percent of its holdings.
See Who Voted “Yes” and Who Voted “No” at http://www.michiganvotes.org/RollCall.aspx?ID=717903

Senate Bill 372: Revise firefighter certification detail
Passed 37 to 0 in the Senate on October 14, 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.
See Who Voted “Yes” and Who Voted “No” at http://www.michiganvotes.org/RollCall.aspx?ID=717904

Senate Bill 374: Change “venereal disease” references to “sexually transmitted infection”
Passed 37 to 0 in the Senate on October 14, 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.
See Who Voted “Yes” and Who Voted “No” at http://www.michiganvotes.org/RollCall.aspx?ID=717906

Senate Bill 375: Change “venereal disease” references to “sexually transmitted infection”
Passed 37 to 0 in the Senate on October 14, 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.
See Who Voted “Yes” and Who Voted “No” at http://www.michiganvotes.org/RollCall.aspx?ID=717907

Senate Bill 376: Change “venereal disease” references to “sexually transmitted infection”
Passed 37 to 0 in the Senate on October 14, 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.
See Who Voted “Yes” and Who Voted “No” at http://www.michiganvotes.org/RollCall.aspx?ID=717908

Senate Bill 377: Change “venereal disease” references to “sexually transmitted infection”
Passed 37 to 0 in the Senate on October 14, 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.
See Who Voted “Yes” and Who Voted “No” at http://www.michiganvotes.org/RollCall.aspx?ID=717909

Senate Bill 378: Change “venereal disease” references to “sexually transmitted infection”
Passed 37 to 0 in the Senate on October 14, 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.
See Who Voted “Yes” and Who Voted “No” at http://www.michiganvotes.org/RollCall.aspx?ID=717910

Senate Bill 379: Change “venereal disease” references to “sexually transmitted infection”
Passed 36 to 0 in the Senate on October 14, 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.
See Who Voted “Yes” and Who Voted “No” at http://www.michiganvotes.org/RollCall.aspx?ID=717911

Senate Bill 380: Change “venereal disease” references to “sexually transmitted infection”
Passed 36 to 0 in the Senate on October 14, 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.
See Who Voted “Yes” and Who Voted “No” at http://www.michiganvotes.org/RollCall.aspx?ID=717912

Senate Bill 381: Change “venereal disease” references to “sexually transmitted infection”
Passed 36 to 0 in the Senate on October 14, 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.
See Who Voted “Yes” and Who Voted “No” at http://www.michiganvotes.org/RollCall.aspx?ID=717913

House Bill 4102: Appropriations: “Omnibus” state budget
Passed 105 to 0 in the House on October 14, 2015, to appropriate $9.35 million to change Flint’s municipal water supplier back to the Detroit system (which serves most communities in the metropolitan region). The bill also appropriates $7.725 million to settle a lawsuit over injuries sustained in a crash caused by a State Police car chase, and smaller amounts for other purposes.
See Who Voted “Yes” and Who Voted “No” at http://www.michiganvotes.org/RollCall.aspx?ID=717963

House Bill 4758: Revise drain commission debt detail
Passed 106 to 0 in the House on October 14, 2015, to revise details of the types of debt drain commissions are allowed to incur to provide for term bonds with mandatory redemption (”term bonds”).
See Who Voted “Yes” and Who Voted “No” at http://www.michiganvotes.org/RollCall.aspx?ID=717961

House Bill 4843: Give overdosing minors immunity if they turn themselves in
Passed 106 to 0 in the House on October 14, 2015, to extend immunity from illegal drug laws for an overdosed minor who shows up at a health facility for observation or treatment. This would also apply to a friend who accompanies or assists the overdosed individual.
See Who Voted “Yes” and Who Voted “No” at http://www.michiganvotes.org/RollCall.aspx?ID=717960

Senate Bill 103: Reduce “student growth” portion of teacher rating criteria
Passed 97 to 8 in the House on October 15, 2015, To base just 20 percent of a teacher’s “effectiveness” rating on actual progress of students in the teacher’s classroom as measured by state assessments, instead of as much as 50 percent suggested by a 2011 teacher tenure reform law. Also, to let school districts develop their own evaluation tools for other parts of the rating rather than ones prescribed by the state. 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, but new students could still be assigned to that teacher..
See Who Voted “Yes” and Who Voted “No” at http://www.michiganvotes.org/RollCall.aspx?ID=718018

Senate Bill 309: Revise condominium subdivision details
Passed 104 to 1 in the House on October 15, 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=718026

Senate Bill 334: Revise child abuse reporting mandate
Passed 37 to 0 in the Senate on October 15, 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 authorize would complete the duty to report.
See Who Voted “Yes” and Who Voted “No” at http://www.michiganvotes.org/RollCall.aspx?ID=717977

Senate Bill 446: Extend authority to ban deer feeding
Passed 37 to 0 in the Senate on October 15, 2015, to extend until 2020 the sunset on Department of Natural Resources authority to prohibit feeding deer and elk.
See Who Voted “Yes” and Who Voted “No” at http://www.michiganvotes.org/RollCall.aspx?ID=717976

Senate Bill 531: Authorize electronic court records system and fees
Passed 35 to 2 in the Senate on October 15, 2015, to authorize an electronic system for filing documents in civil cases in state courts, and fees to use and pay for it.
See Who Voted “Yes” and Who Voted “No” at http://www.michiganvotes.org/RollCall.aspx?ID=717978

Senate Bill 532: Authorize electronic court records system
Passed 37 to 0 in the Senate on October 15, 2015, to create a state fund to hold the court case filing fee money authorized by Senate Bill 531.
See Who Voted “Yes” and Who Voted “No” at http://www.michiganvotes.org/RollCall.aspx?ID=717979

Senate Bill 533: Authorize electronic court records system
Passed 37 to 0 in the Senate on October 15, 2015, to prohibit a court or court funding unit from charging a fee to retrieve and inspect a case document including those kept in the electronic filing system proposed by Senate Bill 531, but allow fees to copy a document.
See Who Voted “Yes” and Who Voted “No” at http://www.michiganvotes.org/RollCall.aspx?ID=717980

House Bill 4263: Revise training detail for licensed athletic trainers
Passed 37 to 0 in the Senate on October 15, 2015, to mandate that licensed athletic trainers must successfully complete training that includes lessons on automated external defibrillator use, in addition to the current requirements for first aid and CPR lessons. The bill would also cut the license fee for trainers, and revise other details of this regulatory regime.
See Who Voted “Yes” and Who Voted “No” at http://www.michiganvotes.org/RollCall.aspx?ID=717975

House Bill 4476: Restrict imposing mediation in domestic relations disputes
Passed 104 to 1 in the House on October 15, 2015, to prohibit a court from ordering the parties in a domestic relations dispute to enter mediation against either’s will if there is a personal protection or “no contact” order restraining one of them, or if either is involved in a child abuse or neglect proceeding.
See Who Voted “Yes” and Who Voted “No” at http://www.michiganvotes.org/RollCall.aspx?ID=718020

House Bill 4477: Establish confidential “service of process” procedure
Passed 104 to 1 in the House on October 15, 2015, to establish alternative “service of process” procedures for appeals cases. This would provide a means for delivering legal notices to an individual whose address the court has prohibited from being disclosed. See also Senate Bill 257.
See Who Voted “Yes” and Who Voted “No” at http://www.michiganvotes.org/RollCall.aspx?ID=718023

House Bill 4478: Authorize PPOs for threats against pets
Passed 96 to 9 in the House on October 15, 2015, to authorize courts to issue a personal protection order against an individual who threatens, harms or tries to take an animal in which the petitioner has an ownership interest, or who interferes with the petitioner’s efforts to remove the animal from premises the premises of individual to be restrained.
See Who Voted “Yes” and Who Voted “No” at http://www.michiganvotes.org/RollCall.aspx?ID=718021

House Bill 4479: Create new crime of assaulting pregnant woman
Passed 103 to 2 in the House on October 15, 2015, to make assault and battery against a pregnant women a misdemeanor punishable by imprisonment up to 93 days and a $500 fine, with higher penalties (up to five years) for those with prior convictions.
See Who Voted “Yes” and Who Voted “No” at http://www.michiganvotes.org/RollCall.aspx?ID=718022

House Bill 4481: Revise rapist father parental rights detail
Passed 101 to 4 in the House on October 15, 2015, to revise a law that prohibits granting custody of a child to a person convicted of rape, by expanding the criteria to include sexual assault convictions in other states.
See Who Voted “Yes” and Who Voted “No” at http://www.michiganvotes.org/RollCall.aspx?ID=718024

House Bill 4822: Ban “social promotions” for third graders who can’t read
Passed 57 to 48 in the House on October 15, 2015, to prohibit “social promotions” of third graders who have not reached minimum reading benchmarks, subject to many conditions and exceptions, and with requirements that additional “intervention” programs be created (including summer school) and individual tutoring provided before a student is actually held back. This would not take effect until the 2019-2020 school year.
See Who Voted “Yes” and Who Voted “No” at http://www.michiganvotes.org/RollCall.aspx?ID=718015

Senate Bill 557: Revise local road funding “co-pays”
Introduced by Sen. Marty Knollenberg (R) on October 13, 2015, to eliminate a requirement that cities and villages bear a portion of the cost of opening, widening, and improving state trunk line highways.
http://www.michiganvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=170417

Senate Bill 558: Eliminate dower rights
Introduced by Sen. Rick Jones (R) on October 13, 2015, to establish in statute that, upon the death of her husband, a wife’s dower right to a life estate in 1/3 of any land he owned during his lifetime is abolished and unenforceable. This would not limit or void any contractual or other legal rights the wife otherwise possesses or acquires during the marriage. The bill eliminates “dowry rights” from statute.
http://www.michiganvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=170418

Senate Bill 559: Eliminate dower rights
Introduced by Sen. Rick Jones (R) on October 13, 2015, to establish in statute that, upon the death of her husband, a wife’s dower right to a life estate in 1/3 of any land he owned during his lifetime is abolished and unenforceable. This would not affect, limit, or void any contractual or other legal rights the wife otherwise possesses or acquires during the marriage. The bill eliminates “dowry rights” from statute.
http://www.michiganvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=170419

Senate Bill 560: Eliminate dower rights
Introduced by Sen. Rick Jones (R) on October 13, 2015, to revise the state wills and estates law to reflect the provisions of Senate Bill 559, which would establish in statute that, upon the death of her husband, a wife’s dower right to a life estate in 1/3 of any land he owned during his lifetime is abolished and unenforceable. This would not affect, limit, or void any contractual or other legal rights the wife otherwise possesses or acquires during the marriage.
http://www.michiganvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=170420

Senate Bill 562: Ban “sky lanterns”
Introduced by Sen. Kenneth Horn (R) on October 14, 2015, to define “sky lanterns” in the state fireworks law, which are miniature, candle-fired hot air balloons made of paper and sold as a novelty item, and which Senate Bill 563 would ban.
http://www.michiganvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=170442

Senate Bill 563: Ban “sky lanterns”
Introduced by Sen. Dale W. Zorn (R) on October 14, 2015, to ban the use or sale of “sky lanterns,” which are miniature, candle-fired hot air balloons made of paper and sold as a novelty item.
http://www.michiganvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=170443

Senate Bill 564: Criminalize selling aborted fetuses or body parts
Introduced by Sen. Phil Pavlov (R) on October 15, 2015, to make it a crime to receive a financial benefit or any type of compensation for an embryo, fetus or neonate, including organs, tissues, or cells, if this was obtained as the result of an elective abortion.
http://www.michiganvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=170449

Senate Bill 565: Criminalize selling aborted fetuses or body parts
Introduced by Sen. Phil Pavlov (R) on October 15, 2015, to establish sentencing guidelines for the crime proposed by Senate Bill 564 of selling aborted fetuses or their body parts.
http://www.michiganvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=170450

Senate Bill 566: Waive liability for damaging car to save sweltering child
Introduced by Sen. Marty Knollenberg (R) on October 15, 2015, to waive liability for damages caused by an individual who breaks into a locked car to rescue a child or animal he or she believes to be in danger, subject to limits and conditions specified in the bill.
http://www.michiganvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=170451

Senate Bill 567: Repeal pre-Labor Day school start ban
Introduced by Sen. Marty Knollenberg (R) on October 15, 2015, to repeal a law that prohibits public schools from beginning their school year before Labor Day. Classes would still be prohibited on the Friday before Labor Day however.
http://www.michiganvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=170452

Senate Bill 568: Authorize ex-POW motorcycle licenses
Introduced by Sen. Dale W. Zorn (R) on October 15, 2015, to revise a law that authorizes “ex-POW” license plates for former prisoners of war, so that it also applies to motorcycle plates.
http://www.michiganvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=170453

House Bill 4967: Authorize Sojourner Truth specialty license plate
Introduced by Rep. John Bizon (R) on October 13, 2015, to authorize a Sojourner Truth specialty license plate, with the net revenue going to a Sojourner Truth museum.
http://www.michiganvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=170422

House Bill 4968: Mandate colo-rectal exam insurance coverage
Introduced by Rep. Julie Plawecki (D) on October 13, 2015, to impose a new coverage mandate that would require health insurance policies to pay for colonoscopies and other exams for people age 50 and above.
http://www.michiganvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=170423

House Bill 4969: Waive park “passport fees” for historic vehicles
Introduced by Rep. Charles Brunner (D) on October 13, 2015, to not charge the owner of a vehicle with a “historic vehicle” license plate for the state park “passport” that is an option when paying for annual license plate renewals.
http://www.michiganvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=170424

House Bill 4970: Revise county veteran affairs board detail
Introduced by Rep. Sam Singh (D) on October 13, 2015, to establish that the board of a county department of veterans’ affairs have at least member from each “congressionally chartered veterans’ organization” within the county, and at least one board member who is not.
http://www.michiganvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=170425

House Bill 4971: Allow electronic “proof of insurance”
Introduced by Rep. Peter Lucido (R) on October 13, 2015, to clarify details of a new law that allows allow “proof of insurance” documents motorists are required to have when driving to be an electronic communication from the insurance company visible on a mobile device.
http://www.michiganvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=170426

House Bill 4972: Prohibit restricting certain communications to patients
Introduced by Rep. Vanessa Guerra (D) on October 13, 2015, to prohibit a government agency from requiring that a medical professional give a patient “information that is not medically accurate and appropriate,” or a medical service “in a manner that is not evidence-based.” Also, to prohibit agencies from prohibiting a medical professional from giving a patient “medically accurate information that is appropriate” or a “a medical service that is evidence-based and appropriate” for the patient.
http://www.michiganvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=170427

House Bill 4973: Create new online child abuse offenders registry
Introduced by Rep. Sarah Roberts (D) on October 13, 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=170428

House Bill 4974: Create new online child abuse offenders registry
Introduced by Rep. Derek Miller (D) on October 13, 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=170429

House Bill 4975: Create new online child abuse offenders registry
Introduced by Rep. Vanessa Guerra (D) on October 13, 2015, to establish sentencing guideline for violations related to the public registry of individuals convicted of child abuse crimes that House Bill 4973 proposes.
http://www.michiganvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=170430

House Bill 4976: Establish new foster child standards
Introduced by Rep. Marcia Hovey-Wright (D) on October 13, 2015, to require the Department of Human Services to develop and implement a “Children’s Assurance of Quality Foster Care Policy” intended to ensure that various practices and procedures specified in the bill are followed (these are described in this House Fiscal Agency bill summary. The bill is part of a legislative package comprised of House Bills 4976 to 4978.
http://www.michiganvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=170431

House Bill 4977: Establish new foster child standards
Introduced by Rep. Jim Runestad (R) on October 13, 2015, to develop and implement a “Children’s Assurance of Quality Foster Care Policy” intended to ensure that various practices and procedures specified in the bill are followed (these are described in this House Fiscal Agency bill summary. The bill is part of a legislative package comprised of House Bills 4976 to 4978.
http://www.michiganvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=170432

House Bill 4978: Establish new foster child standards
Introduced by Rep. George T. Darany (D) on October 13, 2015, to develop and implement a “Children’s Assurance of Quality Foster Care Policy” intended to ensure that various practices and procedures specified in the bill are followed (these are described in this House Fiscal Agency bill summary. The bill is part of a legislative package comprised of House Bills 4976 to 4978.
http://www.michiganvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=170433

House Bill 4979: Establish drunk driver vehicle interlock device regulatory regime
Introduced by Rep. Klint Kesto (R) on October 13, 2015, to revise a state vehicle service and repair regulation law so it conforms with the proposal in House Bill 4981 to establish regulations, procedures and fees for drunk driver vehicle interlock device installers.
http://www.michiganvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=170434

House Bill 4980: Establish drunk driver vehicle interlock device regulatory regime
Introduced by Rep. Klint Kesto (R) on October 13, 2015, to establish sentencing guidelines for violations of the regulatory regime proposed by House Bill 4981 for drunk driver vehicle interlock device vendors and installers.
http://www.michiganvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=170435

House Bill 4981: Establish drunk driver vehicle interlock device regulatory regime
Introduced by Rep. Klint Kesto (R) on October 13, 2015, to establish regulations, procedures and fees for drunk driver vehicle interlock device installers, and give the Secretary of State the authority to oversee these programs. Current law regulates manufacturers and vendors of these devices but not installation.
http://www.michiganvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=170436

House Bill 4982: Revise unemployment insurance procedures
Introduced by Rep. Roger Victory (R) on October 13, 2015, to revise unemployment insurance employer assessment and employee claims, by prohibiting sanctions from being imposed on either side based on a “computer identified discrepancy” that no human being in the unemployment agency having has examined evidence of a willful or intentional violation.
http://www.michiganvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=170437

House Bill 4983: Refine “free fishing day” detail
Introduced by Rep. Bruce Rendon (R) on October 13, 2015, to establish that on a day the Department of Natural Resource has “declared to be a free fishing day, or something to that effect,” a person does not need a vehicle registration “recreation passport” to use a state boat launch facility.
http://www.michiganvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=170438

House Bill 4984: Apply regular delinquent property tax sanctions to land banks
Introduced by Rep. Tom Barrett (R) on October 13, 2015, to establish that the discounted “specific tax” levied on parcels owned by a government “land bank” authority instead of regular property taxes are subject to all the same that apply to delinquent property tax payment, including interest, penalties, foreclosures, etc.
http://www.michiganvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=170439

House Bill 4985: Exempt agriculture water system from drinking water standards
Introduced by Rep. Ben Glardon (R) on October 13, 2015, to exempt from certain state drinking water regulations a waterworks system that provides water for agricultural purposes only, and is not intended for human consumption.
http://www.michiganvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=170440

House Bill 4986: End daylight savings time; put whole state on Eastern time
Introduced by Rep. Peter Lucido (R) on October 14, 2015, to petition the U.S. Department of Education to allow Michigan to no longer participate in daylight savings time clock changes, and instead use Eastern Standard Time as the year-round time zone for the entire state. Note: The western Upper Peninsula along the Wisconsin border is on central time.
http://www.michiganvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=170445

House Bill 4987: Require five year olds to enroll in full day kindergarten
Introduced by Rep. Charles Brunner (D) on October 14, 2015, to require all school districts to provide full-day kindergarten, and mandate that all children who turn five before Sept. 1 each year must enroll (subject to the same home- or private-school exceptions that apply to other grades). Note: Public school districts get more money from the state for full-day kindergarten programs, and how much particular districts get depends on how many students are enrolled. The bill would make kindergarteners fully part of that system.
http://www.michiganvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=170446

House Bill 4988: Give ISDs money to identify “gifted and talented” students
Introduced by Rep. Sam Singh (D) on October 14, 2015, to require Intermediate School Districts to identify “gifted and talented” students according to detailed criteria specified in the bill, and appropriate $2.5 million to pay them for this. The bill would also establish as “the intent of the legislature” a proposal to spend another $5 million on pilot education programs for these students.
http://www.michiganvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=170447

House Bill 4989: Elect state board of education members by region
Introduced by Rep. Edward McBroom (R) on October 14, 2015, to revise the process by which political parties select candidates for the state board of education, by requiring each party to select a candidate for each of eight geographic regions the bill specifies.
http://www.michiganvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=170448

House Bill 4990: Expand local government “energy efficiency” financing schemes
Introduced by Rep. Al Pscholka (R) on October 15, 2015, to expand the things cities can spend money on under a scheme that lets them contract with vendors for energy efficiency projects and pay for them with money the projects are supposed to save (or from regular tax revenue if savings don’t appear). The bill would allow locals to spend on information technology and utility projects they assert are related to the energy saving scheme, and would also expand the types of deals they can make with vendors to include “lease-purchase” agreements described in the bill.
http://www.michiganvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=170454

House Bill 4991: Expand local government “energy efficiency” financing schemes
Introduced by Rep. Al Pscholka (R) on October 15, 2015, to expand the things villages can spend money on under a scheme that lets them contract with vendors for energy efficiency projects and pay for them with money the projects are supposed to save (or from regular tax revenue if savings don’t appear). The bill would allow villages to spend on information technology and utility projects they assert are related to the energy saving scheme, and would also expand the types of deals they can make with vendors to include “lease-purchase” agreements described in the bill.
http://www.michiganvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=170455

House Bill 4992: Expand local government “energy efficiency” financing schemes
Introduced by Rep. Al Pscholka (R) on October 15, 2015, to expand the things villages can spend money on under a scheme that lets them contract with vendors for energy efficiency projects and pay for them with money the projects are supposed to save (or from regular tax revenue if savings don’t appear). The bill would allow villages to spend in information technology and utility projects they assert are related to the energy saving scheme, and would also expand the types of deals they can make with vendors to include “lease-purchase” agreements described in the bill.
http://www.michiganvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=170456

House Bill 4993: Expand local government “energy efficiency” financing schemes
Introduced by Rep. Al Pscholka (R) on October 15, 2015, to expand the things townships can spend money on under a scheme that lets them contract with vendors for energy efficiency projects and pay for them with money the projects are supposed to save (or from regular tax revenue if savings don’t appear). The bill would allow townships to spend on information technology and utility projects they assert are related to the energy saving scheme, and would also expand the types of deals they can make with vendors to include “lease-purchase” agreements described in the bill.
http://www.michiganvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=170457

House Bill 4994: Expand local government “energy efficiency” financing schemes
Introduced by Rep. Al Pscholka (R) on October 15, 2015, to expand the things counties can spend money on under a scheme that lets them contract with vendors for energy efficiency projects and pay for them with money the projects are supposed to save (or from regular tax revenue if savings don’t appear). The bill would allow counties to spend in information technology and utility projects they assert are related to the energy saving scheme, and would also expand the types of deals they can make with vendors to include “lease-purchase” agreements described in the bill.
http://www.michiganvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=170458

House Bill 4995: Include windshield damage in police accident reports
Introduced by Rep. Aaron Miller (R) on October 15, 2015, to require police accident reports to quantify the damage done to the windshields of the vehicles involved.
http://www.michiganvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=170459

House Bill 4996: Revise vehicle window tinting law
Introduced by Rep. Aaron Miller (R) on October 15, 2015, to eliminate an exception from the law that restricts vehicle window tinting, for individuals who have a note from their doctor saying that they have a light sensitive or photosensitive problem.
http://www.michiganvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=170460

House Bill 4997: Include GPS tinkering in texting-while-driving ban
Introduced by Rep. Peter Lucido (R) on October 15, 2015, to remove an exception from the state texting-while-driving law that permits handling a GPS unit or app while driving.
http://www.michiganvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=170461

House Bill 4998: Increase penalties for serial texting-while-driving violators
Introduced by Rep. Peter Lucido (R) on October 15, 2015, to authorize more stringent sentencing guidelines for second and subsequent violations of a ban on texting while driving or related activities.
http://www.michiganvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=170462

Senate Bill 152: Revise boxing and “mixed martial arts” regulation
Passed 97 to 9 in the House on October 21, 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=718184

Senate Bill 326: Establish B-24 Liberator as symbolic “state airplane”
Passed 38 to 0 in the Senate on October 21, 2015, to establish that the B-24 Liberator flown by the 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.
See Who Voted “Yes” and Who Voted “No” at http://www.michiganvotes.org/RollCall.aspx?ID=718149

Senate Bill 336: Authorize “Amber Alert” type system for at-large cop killer
Passed 104 to 1 in the House on October 20, 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=718094

Senate Bill 414: Road funding package - income tax earmark
Passed 61 to 45 in the House on October 21, 2015, to potentially roll back future income tax rates if the amount of revenue deposited into the state “general fund” in a given year grows faster than inflation, starting in 2019. 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. Therefore, any future 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=718199

Senate Bill 421: Make it a crime to not pull over for ambulance
Passed 36 to 2 in the Senate on October 21, 2015, to make it a crime subject to 90 days is jail to not yield the right of way and pull over at the approach of an emergency vehicle with its flashing lights and siren activated. Under current law this is a civil offense subject to fines of $100 to $250. Also, to authorize up to 15 years in prison if the failure to yield costs the life of emergency personnel, and two years if it causes an injury.
See Who Voted “Yes” and Who Voted “No” at http://www.michiganvotes.org/RollCall.aspx?ID=718150

Senate Bill 422: Authorize prison for driver causing emergency responder death
Passed 36 to 2 in the Senate on October 21, 2015, to establish sentencing guidelines for the criminal penalties proposed by Senate Bill 421 for certain traffic violations that cause the death of an emergency responder.
See Who Voted “Yes” and Who Voted “No” at http://www.michiganvotes.org/RollCall.aspx?ID=718151

House Bill 4286: Revise “mixed martial arts” regulations
Passed 95 to 11 in the House on October 21, 2015, to revise the state sentencing guidelines to make it a felony to knowingly allow a professional to participate as a contestant in an amateur mixed martial arts contest. See also Senate Bill 152.
See Who Voted “Yes” and Who Voted “No” at http://www.michiganvotes.org/RollCall.aspx?ID=718213

House Bill 4286: Revise “mixed martial arts” regulations
Passed 38 to 0 in the Senate on October 21, 2015, to revise the state sentencing guidelines to make it a felony to knowingly allow a professional to participate as a contestant in an amateur mixed martial arts contest. See also Senate Bill 152.
See Who Voted “Yes” and Who Voted “No” at http://www.michiganvotes.org/RollCall.aspx?ID=718152

House Bill 4370: Earmark some income tax to roads; increase home property tax credit:
The amendment passed by voice vote in the House on October 21, 2015, to restrict the earmarked money to road repair projects only, and not to municipal bus and “transit” system subsidies.
http://www.michiganvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=169007

House Bill 4370: Earmark some income tax to roads; increase home property tax credit:
Passed 62 to 44 in the House on October 21, 2015, to earmark $600 million in state income tax revenue to road repairs starting in 2020, and smaller amounts starting in 2018. This would reduce the rate of increase in other state spending. Also, to raise the household income limit on eligibility for a “homestead property tax credit” that homeowners and renters can claim on their state income tax, from $50,000 to $60,000. Also, to slightly increase the value of the credit; raise the maximum credit amount from $1,200 to $1,500; reduce the “property taxes as a percentage of household resources” limit used in calculating the amount of a taxpayer’s credit; and index these dollar amounts to inflation. The homestead credit reduces a person’s state income tax liability based their principle residence property tax payments. The bill is intended to offset around $200 million of the $600 million of gas tax and vehicle registration tax hikes included in a House road funding proposal.
See Who Voted “Yes” and Who Voted “No” at http://www.michiganvotes.org/RollCall.aspx?ID=718200

House Bill 4614: House GOP road funding package - alternative fuels tax details
Passed 56 to 50 in the House on October 21, 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 4738 to increase motor fuel taxes.
See Who Voted “Yes” and Who Voted “No” at http://www.michiganvotes.org/RollCall.aspx?ID=718203

House Bill 4616: House GOP road funding package
Passed 56 to 50 in the House on October 21, 2015, to increase the current 15 cent per gallon motor carrier fuel tax imposed on interstate truckers to correspond with the proposal in House Bill 4738 to increase the state tax on diesel fuel.
See Who Voted “Yes” and Who Voted “No” at http://www.michiganvotes.org/RollCall.aspx?ID=718206

House Bill 4736: Increase vehicle registration tax
Passed 55 to 51 in the House on October 21, 2015, to increase the annual vehicle registration (license plate) tax by around 40 percent per vehicle. Most of the revenue from this tax goes to the state road budget. Also, to impose a surtax on electric and alternative fuel vehicles that use the roads but don’t pay gas tax.
See Who Voted “Yes” and Who Voted “No” at http://www.michiganvotes.org/RollCall.aspx?ID=718197

House Bill 4737: Increase vehicle registration tax
Passed 101 to 5 in the House on October 21, 2015, to revise details of road warranties contractors must provide on state road projects, and also to let Detroit use up to 20 percent of the road funding it gets from the state on municipal bus (transit) spending.
See Who Voted “Yes” and Who Voted “No” at http://www.michiganvotes.org/RollCall.aspx?ID=718201

House Bill 4738: Increase gas and diesel tax
Passed 56 to 50 in the House on October 21, 2015, to increase the state gasoline and diesel taxes to 22.3 cents per gallon starting Oct. 1, 2018, and after that index the amount to inflation. The current gas and diesel tax rates are 19 cents and 15 cents per gallon, respectively. The bill would increase the diesel tax to 19 cents on Oct. 1, 2017.
See Who Voted “Yes” and Who Voted “No” at http://www.michiganvotes.org/RollCall.aspx?ID=718198

Senate Bill 175: Establish drunk driver vehicle interlock device regulatory regime
Passed 34 to 3 in the Senate on October 22, 2015, to establish sentencing guidelines for violations of the regulatory regime proposed by Senate Bill 176 for drunk driver vehicle interlock device vendors and installers.
See Who Voted “Yes” and Who Voted “No” at http://www.michiganvotes.org/RollCall.aspx?ID=718266

Senate Bill 176: Establish drunk driver vehicle interlock device regulatory regime
Passed 34 to 3 in the Senate on October 22, 2015, to establish regulations, procedures and fees for drunk driver vehicle interlock device installers, and give the Secretary of State the authority to oversee these programs. Current law regulates manufacturers and vendors of these devices but not installation.
See Who Voted “Yes” and Who Voted “No” at http://www.michiganvotes.org/RollCall.aspx?ID=718267

Senate Bill 357: Establish drunk driver vehicle interlock device regulatory regime
Passed 34 to 3 in the Senate on October 22, 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.
See Who Voted “Yes” and Who Voted “No” at http://www.michiganvotes.org/RollCall.aspx?ID=718268

Senate Bill 428: Authorize Red Cross income tax checkoff
Passed 37 to 0 in the Senate on October 22, 2015, to allow an individual to choose to automatically contribute $5 or more from his or her state income tax refund to provide grants to the mid-Michigan Chapter of the American Red Cross.
See Who Voted “Yes” and Who Voted “No” at http://www.michiganvotes.org/RollCall.aspx?ID=718262

Senate Bill 429: Authorize Red Cross income tax checkoff
Passed 37 to 0 in the Senate on October 22, 2015, to allow an individual to choose to automatically contribute $5 or more from his or her state income tax refund to provide grants to the mid-Michigan Chapter of the American Red Cross.
See Who Voted “Yes” and Who Voted “No” at http://www.michiganvotes.org/RollCall.aspx?ID=718263

House Bill 4182: Ban local governmental body “phone-in” voting
Passed 30 to 7 in the Senate on October 22, 2015, to establish that it is a violation of the Open Meetings Act for a member of an elected public body to cast a vote on a decision without being physically present. This would not apply in cases of an emergency or serious illness as defined by the bill, or if a public body is using a video conference system.
See Who Voted “Yes” and Who Voted “No” at http://www.michiganvotes.org/RollCall.aspx?ID=718269

House Bill 4464: Clarify prescription drug sales tax exemption
Passed 37 to 0 in the Senate on October 22, 2015, to exempt over-the-counter drugs from sales tax if they are obtained under a prescription.
See Who Voted “Yes” and Who Voted “No” at http://www.michiganvotes.org/RollCall.aspx?ID=718264

House Bill 4465: Clarify prescription drug use tax exemption
Passed 37 to 0 in the Senate on October 22, 2015, to exempt over-the-counter drugs from use tax if they are obtained under a prescription.
See Who Voted “Yes” and Who Voted “No” at http://www.michiganvotes.org/RollCall.aspx?ID=718265

House Bill 4480: Don’t disparage one parent for protecting child from other one
Passed 76 to 28 in the House on October 22, 2015, to establish that in determining the “best interest of child” in child custody and visitation cases a court may not “consider negatively” actions taken by a parent in self defense or to protect a child from “the child’s abusive (other) parent”.
See Who Voted “Yes” and Who Voted “No” at http://www.michiganvotes.org/RollCall.aspx?ID=718293

House Bill 4742: Revise interstate child support collection details
Passed 102 to 2 in the House on October 22, 2015, to repeal a Uniform Interstate Family Support Act that facilitates collection of court-ordered child support payments across state lines, and replace it with an updated version.
See Who Voted “Yes” and Who Voted “No” at http://www.michiganvotes.org/RollCall.aspx?ID=718294

House Bill 4743: Revise interstate child support collection details
Passed 102 to 2 in the House on October 22, 2015, to revise references in the state child support law to reflect changes to a uniform interstate child support enforcement code proposed by House Bill 4742.
See Who Voted “Yes” and Who Voted “No” at http://www.michiganvotes.org/RollCall.aspx?ID=718295

House Bill 4744: Revise interstate child support collection details
Passed 102 to 2 in the House on October 22, 2015, to revise references in the state parenting time law to reflect changes to a uniform interstate child support enforcement code proposed by House Bill 4742.
See Who Voted “Yes” and Who Voted “No” at http://www.michiganvotes.org/RollCall.aspx?ID=718296

House Bill 4745: Revise interstate child support collection details
Passed 101 to 3 in the House on October 22, 2015, to revise references in the state friend of the court law to reflect changes to a uniform interstate child support enforcement code proposed by House Bill 4742.
See Who Voted “Yes” and Who Voted “No” at http://www.michiganvotes.org/RollCall.aspx?ID=718297

House Bill 4817: Authorize “junior achievement” income tax checkoff
Passed 105 to 1 in the House on October 21, 2015, to allow an individual to choose to automatically contribute $5 or more from his or her state income tax refund to provide grants to local “Junior Achievement” organizations.
See Who Voted “Yes” and Who Voted “No” at http://www.michiganvotes.org/RollCall.aspx?ID=718182

House Bill 4818: Authorize “junior achievement” income tax checkoff
Passed 105 to 1 in the House on October 21, 2015, to allow an individual to choose to automatically contribute $5 or more from his or her state income tax refund to provide grants to local “Junior Achievement” organizations.
See Who Voted “Yes” and Who Voted “No” at http://www.michiganvotes.org/RollCall.aspx?ID=718183

Senate Bill 569: Increase cap on local “rainy day” funds
Introduced by Sen. Mike Nofs (R) on October 20, 2015, to increase the amount that local governments are allowed to place in a “rainy day fund,” from 15 percent to 20 percent of most recent general fund annual budget.
http://www.michiganvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=170464

Senate Bill 570: Exempt certain sportsmen club property from property tax
Introduced by Sen. Peter MacGregor (R) on October 20, 2015, to exempt property owned by sportsmen or gun clubs from property tax if their facilities are available to the public for charitable nonprofit purposes at least 55 days annually.
http://www.michiganvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=170465

Senate Bill 571: Revise political campaign restrictions
Introduced by Sen. Mike Kowall (R) on October 20, 2015, to define “commingled and connected organization” for purposes of laws restricting contributions to political campaigns. This refers to money given to an intermediary organization and distributed to a political campaign organization subject to contribution limits and reporting mandates.
http://www.michiganvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=170466

Senate Bill 572: Revise tax exemption for elderly and disabled housing
Introduced by Sen. Margaret O’Brien (R) on October 21, 2015, to authorize particular exceptions to procedures used to obtain a property tax exemption for housing occupied by elderly or disabled families.
http://www.michiganvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=170479

Senate Bill 573: Tighten abortion provider restrictions
Introduced by Sen. Judy Emmons (R) on October 21, 2015, to require existing facilities that provide abortions to get a freestanding surgical outpatient facility license.
http://www.michiganvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=170480

Senate Bill 574: Mandate specified nurse-patient ratios
Introduced by Sen. Rebekah Warren (D) on October 21, 2015, to mandate that hospitals maintain detailed staff-to-patient ratios specified in the bill.
http://www.michiganvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=170481

Senate Bill 575: Restrict state contracts to abortion providers
Introduced by Sen. Patrick Colbeck (R) on October 21, 2015, to prohibit giving state contracts spending either federal or state money to an entity that performs more than 120 abortions per year and that advertises outpatient abortion services.
http://www.michiganvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=170482

Senate Bill 576: Revise prison ombudsman law
Introduced by Sen. Marty Knollenberg (R) on October 21, 2015, to reflect privatized prison services to revise restrictions on releasing information obtained by a state “corrections ombudsman” office, which was created to investigate issues related prisoners, parolees, guards and prison employees, and specifically authorize it interviewing prison contractor employees.
http://www.michiganvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=170483

Senate Bill 577: Revise building permit detail
Introduced by Sen. Darwin Booher (R) on October 21, 2015, to establish that fire alarm system “shop drawings” prepared for a building permit application do not have to be prepared by a licensed architect or engineer.
http://www.michiganvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=170484

Senate Bill 578: Revise home mortgage lender requirements
Introduced by Sen. Darwin Booher (R) on October 22, 2015, to replace a particular declaration required by a law that regulates and restricts home mortgage providers with a reference to a federal regulation this is based on.
http://www.michiganvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=170495

House Bill 4999: Revise veterinary medicine prescription regulation detail
Introduced by Rep. Edward McBroom (R) on October 20, 2015, to revise a law restricting purchases of veterinary medicine prescriptions from an out of state vendor, to include “veterinary prescriber” to the out-of-staters for whom this is permitted. The bill also raises some veterinary licensure fees.
http://www.michiganvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=170468

House Bill 5000: Limit imposing building code regulations for barn events
Introduced by Rep. Ray Franz (R) on October 20, 2015, to exempt from state building code standards barns and other unheated and un-air conditioned buildings that are on agricultural land and are not used for retail business, but are used for “seasonal private events”.
http://www.michiganvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=170469

House Bill 5001: Increase massage therapist licensure requirements
Introduced by Rep. Dan Lauwers (R) on October 20, 2015, to increase from 500 to 625 the number of hours in massage therapy courses and “clinical education” that a person must take before the state will allow them to earn a living as a massage therapist.
http://www.michiganvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=170470

House Bill 5002: Make it a crime to injure “vulnerable roadway user”
Introduced by Rep. George T. Darany (D) on October 20, 2015, to make it a criminal misdemeanor subject to a year in prison to commit a traffic infraction (moving violation) that causes injury or death to a “vulnerable roadway user.” The bill also defines this term to include human, electric or gasoline powered vehicles, including wheelchairs, bicycles and others, with less than one horsepower or 750 watts, and not capable of going more than 20 mph.
http://www.michiganvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=170471

House Bill 5003: Mandate five-foot clearance when passing bicycle
Introduced by Rep. Mike Callton (R) on October 20, 2015, to require drivers who are passing a bicyclist going the same direction on the road to stay at least five feet to the right. Also, to allow passing a bicycle in a no passing zone if there is enough room to make it safe to do so.
http://www.michiganvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=170472

House Bill 5004: Make it a crime to injure “vulnerable roadway user”
Introduced by Rep. Mike Callton (R) on October 20, 2015, to establish sentencing guidelines for the crime proposed by House Bill 5002 of omitting a traffic infraction (moving violation) that causes injury or death to a “vulnerable roadway user”.
http://www.michiganvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=170473

House Bill 5005: Expand electricity choice
Introduced by Rep. Jim Runestad (R) on October 20, 2015, to revise a 10 percent cap the legislature imposed in 2008 on the amount of the electricity market that can be served by generators who are in competition with regulated monopoly utilities. The bill would establish that power sold to hospitals and health care facilities is exempt from the 10 percent competition cap.
http://www.michiganvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=170474

House Bill 5006: Redesignate a road
Introduced by Rep. Tom Cochran (D) on October 20, 2015, to designate a portion of I-496 in Lansing as the “Lansing Firefighter Dennis E. Rodeman Memorial Freeway”.
http://www.michiganvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=170475

House Bill 5007: Invalidate recent school audits
Introduced by Rep. Mike Callton (R) on October 21, 2015, to essentially cancel the requirement for and results of school district financial audits that were initiated before Oct. 1, 2014. The annual audits are a longstanding requirement specified in state law, and among other things affect how much funding districts get from the state.
http://www.michiganvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=170488

House Bill 5008: Grant property tax breaks for certain energy conversion devices
Introduced by Rep. Jeff Irwin (D) on October 21, 2015, to exempt certain small scale energy devices to exempt certain small scale solar, wind, biomass, hydro or geothermal solar energy conversion devices from property taxes.
http://www.michiganvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=170489

House Bill 5009: Tax credit for teacher out-of-pocket expenses
Introduced by Rep. Jeff Irwin (D) on October 21, 2015, to authorize an income tax credit of up to $1,000, $2,000 on a joint return, for classroom supplies purchased by public school teachers out of their own.
http://www.michiganvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=170490

House Bill 5010: Authorize voluntary police school patrols
Introduced by Rep. Jason Sheppard (R) on October 21, 2015, to allow schools to enter agreements with law enforcement officers to voluntarily patrol school premises “for the sole purpose of preventing or responding to a mass casualty event connected with illegal activity.” House Bill 5011 would authorize a modest tax credit for the volunteers.
http://www.michiganvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=170491

House Bill 5011: Authorize voluntary police school patrols
Introduced by Rep. Brandt Iden (R) on October 21, 2015, to authorize a state income tax credit of up to $500 for a law enforcement officer who voluntarily patrols school premises as specified by House Bill 5010.
http://www.michiganvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=170492

House Bill 5012: Authorize voluntary police school patrols
Introduced by Rep. Robert Kosowski (D) on October 21, 2015, to require the State Police to make available to schools their list of law enforcement officers in the state for purposes of seeking the voluntary patrols House Bill 5010 would authorize.
http://www.michiganvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=170493

House Bill 5013: Mandate specified nurse-patient ratios
Introduced by Rep. Jon Hoadley (D) on October 21, 2015, to mandate that hospitals maintain detailed staff-to-patient ratios specified in the bill.
http://www.michiganvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=170494

House Bill 5014: Extend Medicaid health insurance claims tax
Introduced by Rep. Martin Howrylak (R) on October 22, 2015, to repeal the 2017 sunset on a 6 percent tax on the managed care health care providers (hospitals) that provide most Medicaid services, which is designed to “game” the federal Medicaid program in ways that result in higher federal payments to Michigan’s medical welfare establishment (including those same hospitals).
http://www.michiganvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=170500

House Bill 5015: Facilitate cogeneration and “small power” facilities
Introduced by Rep. Gary Glenn (R) on October 22, 2015, to require the Public Service Commission to adopt procedures and standards specified in the bill intended to facilitate regulated utilities acquiring electric power from cogeneration facilities and “small power production facilities” as defined in the bill.
http://www.michiganvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=170501

House Bill 5016: Reimburse utilities for costs imposed by road and other projects
Introduced by Rep. Eric Leutheuser (R) on October 22, 2015, to require local governments of the state Department of Transportation to reimburse expenses incurred by a utility in relocating facilities due to road or other projects.
http://www.michiganvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=170502

Senate Bill 244: Increase fine for illegally shooting game animals
Passed 76 to 29 in the House on October 28, 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=718431

Senate Bill 245: Increase illegal game killing penalties
Passed 78 to 27 in the House on October 28, 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=718432

Senate Bill 246: Increase illegal game killing penalties
Passed 77 to 28 in the House on October 28, 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=718433

Senate Bill 538: Revise unclaimed property law
Passed 37 to 0 in the Senate on October 28, 2015, to revise details of the state â€escheats lawâ€ that lets the state government take possession of unclaimed property if the owner does not claim it within three years. Among other changes the bill authorizes a streamlined audit process for some holders of unclaimed assets.
See Who Voted “Yes” and Who Voted “No” at http://www.michiganvotes.org/RollCall.aspx?ID=718405

Senate Bill 543: Authorize foster care scholarships tax checkoff
Passed 37 to 0 in the Senate on October 28, 2015, to allow an individual to choose to automatically contribute $5 or more from his or her state income tax refund to provide college scholarships to children in foster care.
See Who Voted “Yes” and Who Voted “No” at http://www.michiganvotes.org/RollCall.aspx?ID=718406

Senate Bill 544: Authorize foster care scholarships tax checkoff
Passed 37 to 0 in the Senate on October 28, 2015, to allow an individual to choose to automatically contribute $5 or more from his or her state income tax refund to provide college scholarships to children in foster care.
See Who Voted “Yes” and Who Voted “No” at http://www.michiganvotes.org/RollCall.aspx?ID=718407

House Bill 4022: Require steps to avoid foster child identity theft
Passed 105 to 0 in the House on October 28, 2015, to require foster care caseworkers to annually request credit reports on each foster care child they are assigned, and if the report suggests the presence of fraudulent activity in the child’s name, report this to the court at the next 90-day review of the childâ€™s foster care plan. The individual appointed by the court to guard the childâ€™s legal interest (guardian ad litem) would then be required to contact the credit reporting agency immediately and request they remove the fraudulent activity from the report. The caseworker also would be required to discuss these matters with the child.
See Who Voted “Yes” and Who Voted “No” at http://www.michiganvotes.org/RollCall.aspx?ID=718430

House Bill 4134: Establish that military experience meets boiler installer licensure requirements
Passed 37 to 0 in the Senate on October 28, 2015, to establish that having recent and relevant military training and experience meets the criteria for obtaining the state license mandated to earn a living as a boiler installer, boiler repairer or boiler special inspector.
See Who Voted “Yes” and Who Voted “No” at http://www.michiganvotes.org/RollCall.aspx?ID=718408

House Bill 4321: Restrict warrantless residence searches
Passed 83 to 22 in the House on October 28, 2015, to establish that a law enforcement officer may not search a residence without a search warrant if a resident expressly objects, even if another resident consents after the objector is no longer physically present. This would not apply if one resident is the victim of a crime committed by another resident, or in â€œexigentâ€ circumstances, meaning there is imminent danger to people, a suspect may escape or evidence may be destroyed.
See Who Voted “Yes” and Who Voted “No” at http://www.michiganvotes.org/RollCall.aspx?ID=718429

House Bill 4362: Revise workers comp insurance detail
Passed 37 to 0 in the Senate on October 28, 2015, to establish that employers in a workers compensation self-insurance group possess a proportional share of the groupâ€™s assets that exceed its self-insurer group obligations, and require these groups to establish processes and procedures to distribute the excess, with state approval.
See Who Voted “Yes” and Who Voted “No” at http://www.michiganvotes.org/RollCall.aspx?ID=718404

House Bill 4653: Authorize use of drivers license photos for CPL license
Passed 101 to 4 in the House on October 27, 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 individualâ€™s concealed pistol license.
See Who Voted “Yes” and Who Voted “No” at http://www.michiganvotes.org/RollCall.aspx?ID=718381

House Bill 4727: Restrict â€œmeteorological towersâ€
Passed 103 to 2 in the House on October 28, 2015, to prohibit the state aeronautics commission from allowing construction of a tower that does not comply with local zoning restrictions, and impose regulations and restrictions on â€œmeteorological towersâ€ erected to measure wind for commercial wind generation turbines. Owners of existing towers would be required to register them, paint them and place lights on the according to specifications in the bill, and meet other regulations. The National Safety Aviation Board has asked states to regulate these towers because they are hard for airplane pilots to see.
See Who Voted “Yes” and Who Voted “No” at http://www.michiganvotes.org/RollCall.aspx?ID=718428

House Bill 4767: Expand meth-related pseudoephedrine restrictions
Passed 104 to 1 in the House on October 28, 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.
See Who Voted “Yes” and Who Voted “No” at http://www.michiganvotes.org/RollCall.aspx?ID=718434

House Bill 4768: Expand meth-related pseudoephedrine restrictions
Passed 103 to 2 in the House on October 28, 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.
See Who Voted “Yes” and Who Voted “No” at http://www.michiganvotes.org/RollCall.aspx?ID=718435

House Bill 4769: Increase meth production penalties near school
Passed 99 to 6 in the House on October 28, 2015, to increase the penalties for manufacturing methamphetamine near a school or library.
See Who Voted “Yes” and Who Voted “No” at http://www.michiganvotes.org/RollCall.aspx?ID=718436

House Bill 4864: Expand meth-related pseudoephedrine purchase restrictions
Passed 103 to 2 in the House on October 28, 2015, to impose a five-year â€œstop sale alertâ€ on individuals convicted of the crime proposed by House Bill 4767 of attempting to persuade a person to purchase ephedrine or pseudoephedrine while knowing that it will be used to manufacture methamphetamine (called â€œsmurfingâ€). This refers to an existing mandate on retailers to electronically submit information on would-be pseudophed buyers to a national database, which is capable of generating a real-time “stop sale” alert on an individual.
See Who Voted “Yes” and Who Voted “No” at http://www.michiganvotes.org/RollCall.aspx?ID=718437

Senate Bill 225: Revise procedure for taking ownership of inherited pistol
Passed 99 to 6 in the House on October 29, 2015, to revise the law that requires an individual who obtains a pistol from a private person to first get a government permit. (This does not apply to purchases from a licensed firearms dealer.) The bill would clarify that a person who inherits a pistol would have 30 days to get this government license after taking physical possession of the pistol.
See Who Voted “Yes” and Who Voted “No” at http://www.michiganvotes.org/RollCall.aspx?ID=718505

Senate Bill 226: Ban gun dealers keeping photos of buyers
Passed 99 to 6 in the House on October 29, 2015, to revise statutory references in the stateâ€™s sentencing guidelines to reflect the gun purchase provisions proposed by Senate Bill 225.
See Who Voted “Yes” and Who Voted “No” at http://www.michiganvotes.org/RollCall.aspx?ID=718506

Senate Bill 349: Revise delinquent property tax procedure detail
Passed 105 to 0 in the House on October 29, 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.
See Who Voted “Yes” and Who Voted “No” at http://www.michiganvotes.org/RollCall.aspx?ID=718507

Senate Bill 539: Expand â€œpromise zoneâ€ tax increment financing authorities
Passed 36 to 0 in the Senate on October 29, 2015, to expand from 10 to 15 the number of â€œpromise zoneâ€ tax increment financing authorities (TIFA) located in low income and â€œlow educational attainmentâ€ areas. These entities were authorized by a 2008 law to â€œcapture” a portion of any increases in the state portion of school property tax revenue in the area, and use the money to partially subsidize college tuition for local students.
See Who Voted “Yes” and Who Voted “No” at http://www.michiganvotes.org/RollCall.aspx?ID=718478

Senate Bill 540: Expand allowable uses of state education tax
Passed 36 to 0 in the Senate on October 29, 2015, to revise the law that authorizes a 6 mill state property tax for school funding, to authorize using some of this money for other purposes. This is related to changes to the proposal in Senate Bill 539 of expanding â€œpromise zoneâ€ tax increment financing schemes.
See Who Voted “Yes” and Who Voted “No” at http://www.michiganvotes.org/RollCall.aspx?ID=718479

House Bill 4195: Limit some government â€œventure capital investmentâ€ spending
Passed 36 to 0 in the Senate on October 29, 2015, to prohibit the state from pledging any more future tax revenue to guarantee investor returns under an “early stage venture capital investment” scheme authorized by a 2003 law. The bill would not affect several other government “venture capital” schemes however, including a “Venture Capital Development” program under the Granholm-era “21st Century Jobs Fund” rubric, a “Venture Match Fund,” a “Venture Development Fund,” an â€œAccelerator Fund,â€ past grants to a “Venture Capital Association” and more.
See Who Voted “Yes” and Who Voted “No” at http://www.michiganvotes.org/RollCall.aspx?ID=718475

House Bill 4196: Repeal government â€œventure capital investmentâ€ program
Passed 36 to 0 in the Senate on October 29, 2015, to move forward from 2054 to 2030 the expiration of a state â€œearly stage venture capital investment corporation,â€ which pledges future tax revenue to guarantee investor returns on certain types of investments. See also House Bills 4195 and 4365.
See Who Voted “Yes” and Who Voted “No” at http://www.michiganvotes.org/RollCall.aspx?ID=718476

House Bill 4365: Cap certain previously authorized corporate subsidies or tax breaks
Passed 36 to 0 in the Senate on October 29, 2015, to reduce from $600 million to $450 million the total amount of subsidies or tax breaks that may be delivered to firms who made deals with the state guaranteeing them a certain return on investments in â€œearly stage venturesâ€ under a 2003 law. See also House Bills 4195 and 4196.
See Who Voted “Yes” and Who Voted “No” at http://www.michiganvotes.org/RollCall.aspx?ID=718477

House Bill 4680: Extend prison industry law
Passed 104 to 1 in the House on October 29, 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.
See Who Voted “Yes” and Who Voted “No” at http://www.michiganvotes.org/RollCall.aspx?ID=718504

Senate Bill 579: Exempt new library taxes from brownfields â€œcaptureâ€
Introduced by Sen. David Robertson (R) on October 27, 2015, to exempt new library property taxes from being â€œcapturedâ€ by a local brownfields tax increment finance authority and used to pay for its various projects and subsidies. These authorities were authorized in the 1990s to clean up and put back in service abandoned industrial sites, but since then have increasingly been used to deliver â€economic developmentâ€ subsidies to developers.
http://www.michiganvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=170504

Senate Bill 580: Ban open carry in â€œgun freeâ€ zone
Introduced by Sen. Michael Green (R) on October 27, 2015, to establish sentencing guidelines for violations of the ban proposed by Senate Bill 442 on openly carrying a pistol in one of the â€œgun free zonesâ€ specified in the concealed pistol permit law.
http://www.michiganvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=170505

Senate Bill 581: More clearly define registered sex offender restrictions
Introduced by Sen. Rick Jones (R) on October 27, 2015, to revise a provision in the sex offender registration law that prohibits individuals required to register from loitering near a school with the â€œprimary purpose of observing or contacting minors.â€ The bill would change this to â€œwith the intent to engage or solicit another person to engage in an act prohibited by a listed offense involving a minorâ€.
http://www.michiganvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=170506

Senate Bill 582: Revise county delinquent tax revolving fund details
Introduced by Sen. Jack Brandenburg (R) on October 27, 2015, to revise regulations on county borrowing related to the delinquent tax revolving funds they are allowed to maintain, which allow the county to used borrowed money to pay local governments the amount of unpaid taxes they are due, with the county assuming the responsibility for collecting the unpaid taxes and the proceeds when the taxes are collected (for example, when the property is foreclosed and sold at a tax auction).
http://www.michiganvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=170507

Senate Bill 583: Revise county delinquent tax revolving fund details
Introduced by Sen. Jack Brandenburg (R) on October 27, 2015, to revise regulations on county borrowing related to the delinquent tax revolving funds they are allowed to maintain. See Senate Bill 582 for more details. This bill revises procedures for countyâ€™s borrowing against the eventual collection of delinquent tax revenues.
http://www.michiganvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=170508

Senate Bill 584: Let assisted living facilities sell drinks to residents
Introduced by Sen. Peter MacGregor (R) on October 27, 2015, to allow up to 20 â€œhomes for the agedâ€ (assisted living facilities for seniors) around the state to get a liquor license that lets them sell drinks to residents and â€œbona fide guestsâ€.
http://www.michiganvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=170510

Senate Bill 585: Let assisted living facilities sell drinks to residents
Introduced by Sen. Marty Knollenberg (R) on October 27, 2015, to allow up to 20 â€œhomes for the agedâ€ (assisted living facilities for seniors) around the state to get a liquor license that lets them sell drinks to residents and â€œbona fide guests. Senate Bill 584 is the main bill in this package.
http://www.michiganvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=170511

Senate Bill 586: Let assisted living facilities sell drinks to residents
Introduced by Sen. Kenneth Horn (R) on October 27, 2015, to allow up to 20 â€œhomes for the agedâ€ (assisted living facilities for seniors) around the state to get a liquor license that lets them sell drinks to residents and â€œbona fide guests.â€ Senate Bill 584 is the main bill in this package.
http://www.michiganvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=170512

Senate Bill 587: Let assisted living facilities sell drinks to residents
Introduced by Sen. Curtis Hertel, Jr. (D) on October 27, 2015, to set at $600 the cost of the liquor license fee for assisted living facilities proposed by Senate Bill 584.
http://www.michiganvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=170513

Senate Bill 588: Increase authority of Indian tribe conservation officers
Introduced by Sen. Tom Casperson (R) on October 27, 2015, to give uniformed Indian tribe conservation officers the same authority as state conservation officers, police or a land owner to require an individual who possesses hunting, fishing or trapping apparatus to show his or license.
http://www.michiganvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=170514

Senate Bill 589: Include EMTs in impaired doctor program
Introduced by Sen. Tom Casperson (R) on October 27, 2015, to expand a section of the public health code that establishes procedures, a recovery program and a monitoring system for health professionals who may be impaired due to substance abuse, so that this also applies to emergency medical technicians.
http://www.michiganvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=170515

Senate Bill 590: Collect health insurance and medical data in state database
Introduced by Sen. Jim Marleau (R) on October 28, 2015, to require the Department of Community Health to create a statewide database within one year that collects and aggregates specified data from health insurance companies, doctors and hospitals on all health care given to patients, including details on cost and who paid. The database itself would not include the identities of individuals, but would contain â€œidentifiersâ€ that could connect the data to names held by third party data collectors approved by the state.
http://www.michiganvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=170530

Senate Bill 591: Regulate small native copper mines separately
Introduced by Sen. Tom Casperson (R) on October 29, 2015, to establish a separate regulatory regime over small native copper mining operations (meaning ones that generate less than 75,000 tons of waste rock a year to extract copper â€œin its elemental formâ€).
http://www.michiganvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=170540

House Bill 5017: Revise credit union law
Introduced by Rep. Anthony Forlini (R) on October 27, 2015, to revise and update many details of the state regulatory regime that governs the ownership, management and operations of credit unions. The bill is part of a legislative package consisting of House Bills 5017 to 5022.
http://www.michiganvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=170517

House Bill 5018: Revise credit union law
Introduced by Rep. Peter Pettalia (R) on October 27, 2015, to revise and update many details of the state regulatory regime that governs the ownership, management and operations of credit unions. The bill is part of a legislative package consisting of House Bills 5017 to 5022.
http://www.michiganvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=170518

House Bill 5019: Revise credit union law
Introduced by Rep. Paul D. Clemente (D) on October 27, 2015, to revise and update many details of the state regulatory regime that governs the ownership, management and operations of credit unions. The bill is part of a legislative package consisting of House Bills 5017 to 5022.
http://www.michiganvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=170519

House Bill 5020: Revise credit union law
Introduced by Rep. Lana Theis (R) on October 27, 2015, to revise and update many details of the state regulatory regime that governs the ownership, management and operations of credit unions. The bill is part of a legislative package consisting of House Bills 5017 to 5022, and addresses sections authorizing confidentiality and bank examiner access.
http://www.michiganvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=170520

House Bill 5021: Revise credit union law
Introduced by Rep. Tom Barrett (R) on October 27, 2015, to revise and update many details of the state regulatory regime that governs the ownership, management and operations of credit unions. The bill is part of a legislative package consisting of House Bills 5017 to 5022, and addresses mergers.
http://www.michiganvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=170521

House Bill 5022: Revise credit union law
Introduced by Rep. Leslie Love (D) on October 27, 2015, to revise and update many details of the state regulatory regime that governs the ownership, management and operations of credit unions. The bill is part of a legislative package consisting of House Bills 5017 to 5022, and authorizes loan promotion raffles.
http://www.michiganvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=170522

House Bill 5023: Establish more â€œdark sky preservesâ€
Introduced by Rep. Peter Pettalia (R) on October 27, 2015, to designate the Rockport State Recreation Area, Negwegon State Park, and Thompson’s Harbor State Park as â€œdark sky preserves,â€ which means state authorities must restrict outdoor lighting to only that needed for safety, security, or the reasonable use and enjoyment.
http://www.michiganvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=170523

House Bill 5024: Study vehicle driver marijuana intoxication threshold standards
Introduced by Rep. Peter Lucido (R) on October 27, 2015, to create a new government commission to review and analyze research and state laws relating to THC (marijuana) bodily content levels for purposes of establishing levels that indicate impaired driving, and then make policy recommendations.
http://www.michiganvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=170524

House Bill 5025: Revise wine and grape council
Introduced by Rep. Brandt Iden (R) on October 27, 2015, to revise the particular interests that must be represented on a government grape and wine industry council, by adding a member who represents micro-brewer interests.
http://www.michiganvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=170525

House Bill 5026: Authorize and regulate government drones
Introduced by Rep. Jim Runestad (R) on October 27, 2015, to allow and establish regulations for the use by the state or local governments and law enforcement agencies of unmanned aerial drone vehicles, generally limiting their use to situations where there is a public safety emergency, or probable cause exists to suspect specific criminal activity, or a warrant has been issued. The bill would ban drones that carry weapons from Michigan skies. It would also establish specific conditions and restrictions for disclosing and retaining information a drone obtains about a person, mandate public disclosure of drone operation details, establish penalties for violations and more.
http://www.michiganvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=170526

House Bill 5027: Authorize and regulate government drones
Introduced by Rep. Jim Runestad (R) on October 27, 2015, to establish sentencing guidelines for violation of the unmanned aerial drone vehicle regulations and restrictions proposed by House Bill 5026.
http://www.michiganvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=170527

House Bill 5028: Authorize electronic court records system and fees
Introduced by Rep. Klint Kesto (R) on October 28, 2015, to authorize an electronic system for filing documents in civil cases in state courts, and fees to use and pay for it. This bill lays out the schedule of electronic filing fees for various actions in various courts, and is part of a package consisting of House Bill 5027 to 5030 and Senate Bills 531 to 533.
http://www.michiganvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=170533

House Bill 5029: Authorize electronic court records system and fees
Introduced by Rep. Kurt Heise (R) on October 28, 2015, to authorize an electronic system for filing documents in civil cases in state courts, and fees to use and pay for it. This bill adds relevant definitions to state statutes, and is part of a package consisting of House Bill 5027 to 5030 and Senate Bills 531 to 533.
http://www.michiganvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=170534

House Bill 5030: Authorize electronic court records system and fees
Introduced by Rep. Amanda Price (R) on October 28, 2015, to authorize an electronic system for filing documents in civil cases in state courts, and fees to use and pay for it. This bill adds new fees for civil actions whether filed electronically or not, and is part of a package consisting of House Bill 5027 to 5030 and Senate Bills 531 to 533.
http://www.michiganvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=170535

House Bill 5031: Authorize electronic court records system and fees
Introduced by Rep. Peter Lucido (R) on October 28, 2015, to authorize an electronic system for filing documents in civil cases in state courts, and fees to use and pay for it. This bill specifies procedures for processing the proposed new fees, and is part of a package consisting of House Bill 5027 to 5030 and Senate Bills 531 to 533.
http://www.michiganvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=170536

House Bill 5032: Mandate auto insurers notify state of cancelations
Introduced by Rep. Peter Lucido (R) on October 28, 2015, to require auto insurers to notify the Secretary of State if a person does not renew or cancels vehicle insurance, or if the policy is terminated. Also, to increase the penalty to $1,000 for second and subsequent driving-without-insurance violations. Under Michiganâ€™s no-fault insurance law drivers are required to have insurance in order to register and operate a vehicle, but the state has no way of knowing if a person cancels the insurance after paying the annual vehicle registration tax.
http://www.michiganvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=170537

House Bill 5033: Repeal obsolete insanity definition
Introduced by Rep. George T. Darany (D) on October 28, 2015, to repeal a 1959 law that defined an â€œinsaneâ€ person as â€œan idiot, a non compos, a lunatic and an otherwise distracted personâ€.
http://www.michiganvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=170538

House Bill 5034: Give fiduciary authority over â€œdigital assetsâ€
Introduced by Rep. Anthony Forlini (R) on October 28, 2015, to create a new law giving fiduciaries authorized by other state laws to oversee or manage the property of an estate or a vulnerable individual access and authority over the personâ€™s â€œdigital assetsâ€ and accounts, defined as â€œelectronic record in which a user has a right or interest.â€ See also House Bill 4072, which amends an existing state law to do the same thing, which also clarifies rights to an online username, word, character, code, or contract right under a terms-of-service agreement.
http://www.michiganvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=170539

House Bill 5035: Expand electricity choice
Introduced by Rep. Gary Glenn (R) on October 29, 2015, to revise a 10 percent cap the legislature imposed in 2008 on the amount of the electricity market that can be served by generators who are in competition with regulated monopoly utilities. The bill would establish that power sold to schools and colleges is exempt from the 10 percent competition cap.
http://www.michiganvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=170542

House Bill 5036: Let public schools put reserve funds in out of state bank
Introduced by Rep. Michael McCready (R) on October 29, 2015, to allow school districts to invest reserve funds in a financial institution located in another state.
http://www.michiganvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=170543

House Bill 5037: Authorize titles for â€œkit cars,â€ ‘rods, etc.
Introduced by Rep. Brett Roberts (R) on October 29, 2015, to require the Secretary of State to issue a vehicle identification number (VIN) and title to all documented kit cars, street rods, rebodied or modified cars, and off-road vehicles.
http://www.michiganvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=170544

House Bill 5038: Study new road concrete
Introduced by Rep. Marcia Hovey-Wright (D) on October 29, 2015, to require the Department of Transportation to do a pilot project using â€œengineered cementitious compositeâ€ concrete in 2016 and file a report on the material (also called fibrous bendable concrete).
http://www.michiganvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=170545

House Bill 5039: Mandate generator electric backup for dialysis centers
Introduced by Rep. Derek Miller (D) on October 29, 2015, to require dialysis treatment centers to have emergency generator backup power systems as specified in the bill.
http://www.michiganvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=170546

House Bill 5040: Require 30 year design life for freeway truck lane
Introduced by Rep. Derek Miller (D) on October 29, 2015, to require that in all future repair projects the right lane of an interstate freeway must have a 30-year design life.
http://www.michiganvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=170547

Senate Bill 414: Road funding package - potential income tax reduction
Passed 28 to 10 in the Senate on November 3, 2015, to potentially roll back future income tax rates if the amount of revenue deposited into the state “general fund” in a given year grows faster than inflation, but not until 2023. Note that the legislature ultimately controls these deposits, and how much is deposited into the state rainy day fund. Therefore, any future 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=718540

Senate Bill 414: Road funding package - potential income tax reduction
Passed 61 to 46 in the House on November 3, 2015, to concur with the Senate-passed version of the bill, which moves back any potential income tax cut until 2023, and requires even higher growth in state tax collections before this could happen.
See Who Voted “Yes” and Who Voted “No” at http://www.michiganvotes.org/RollCall.aspx?ID=718574

House Bill 4370: Earmark some income tax to roads; increase home property tax credit:
Passed 62 to 45 in the House on November 3, 2015, to concur with the Senate-passed version of the bill, which advances by one year the start of indexing of income and property value caps in the homestead tax credit.
See Who Voted “Yes” and Who Voted “No” at http://www.michiganvotes.org/RollCall.aspx?ID=718576

House Bill 4370: Earmark some income tax to roads; increase home property tax credit:
Passed 28 to 10 in the Senate on November 3, 2015, to earmark $600 million in state income tax revenue to road repairs starting in 2020, and smaller amounts starting in 2018. This would potentially reduce the rate of increase in other state spending. Also, to expand a “homestead property tax credit” that homeowners and renters can claim on their state income tax by raising property value and household income caps that limit eligibility, and index these amounts to inflation. The tax credit provision is intended to offset around $200 million of the $600 million of gas tax and vehicle registration tax hikes approved by the legislature.
See Who Voted “Yes” and Who Voted “No” at http://www.michiganvotes.org/RollCall.aspx?ID=718537

House Bill 4614: Final road funding package - interstate truckers, alternate fuel tax details
Passed 21 to 17 in the Senate on November 3, 2015, to revise details of the Michigan version of the â€œStreamlined Sales Taxâ€ 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 4738 to increase motor fuel taxes.
See Who Voted “Yes” and Who Voted “No” at http://www.michiganvotes.org/RollCall.aspx?ID=718543

House Bill 4614: Final road funding package - interstate truckers, alternate fuel tax details
The substitute passed by voice vote in the Senate on November 3, 2015, to replace the previous version of the bill with one that revises details but does not change the substance as previously described.
http://www.michiganvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=169616

House Bill 4616: House GOP road funding package
Passed 20 to 18 in the Senate on November 3, 2015, to increase the current 15 cent per gallon motor carrier fuel tax imposed on interstate truckers to correspond with the proposal in House Bill 4738 to increase the state tax on diesel fuel.
See Who Voted “Yes” and Who Voted “No” at http://www.michiganvotes.org/RollCall.aspx?ID=718546

House Bill 4636: Clarify self-storage rental insurance regulation
Passed 71 to 34 in the House on September 29, 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.
See Who Voted “Yes” and Who Voted “No” at http://www.michiganvotes.org/RollCall.aspx?ID=717383

House Bill 4736: Increase vehicle registration tax
Passed 54 to 53 in the House on November 3, 2015, to concur with the Senate-passed version of this bill, which increases the annual vehicle registration (license plate) tax by 20 percent per vehicle, and imposes a surtax on electric and alternative fuel vehicles whose owners don’t pay gas tax.
See Who Voted “Yes” and Who Voted “No” at http://www.michiganvotes.org/RollCall.aspx?ID=718570

House Bill 4736: Increase vehicle registration tax
Passed 20 to 18 in the Senate on November 3, 2015, to increase the annual vehicle registration (license plate) tax by around 20 percent per vehicle. Most of the revenue from this tax goes to the state road budget. Also, to impose a surtax on electric and alternative fuel vehicles that use the roads but don’t pay gas tax.
See Who Voted “Yes” and Who Voted “No” at http://www.michiganvotes.org/RollCall.aspx?ID=718534

House Bill 4737: Increase vehicle registration tax
Passed 27 to 11 in the Senate on November 3, 2015, to revise details of road warranties contractors must provide on state road projects, and also to let Detroit use up to 20 percent of the road funding it gets from the state on municipal bus (transit) spending.
See Who Voted “Yes” and Who Voted “No” at http://www.michiganvotes.org/RollCall.aspx?ID=718536

House Bill 4738: Increase gas and diesel tax
Passed 55 to 52 in the House on November 3, 2015, to concur with the Senate-passed version of this bill, which increases the 19 cent per gallon state gasoline tax and 15 cent diesel tax to 26.3 cents per gallon starting in 2017.
See Who Voted “Yes” and Who Voted “No” at http://www.michiganvotes.org/RollCall.aspx?ID=718568

House Bill 4738: Increase gas and diesel tax
Passed 20 to 18 in the Senate on November 3, 2015, to increase the state gasoline tax from 19 cents per gallon to 26.3 cents per gallon starting in 2017, and after that index the amount to inflation. Also, to increase the state diesel tax from 15 cents to the same 26.3 cents per gallon level, and increase this with inflation too. See also House Bill 4736, which would raise vehicle registration taxes 20 percent.
See Who Voted “Yes” and Who Voted “No” at http://www.michiganvotes.org/RollCall.aspx?ID=718535

Senate Bill 33: Require schools give parents information on their children
Passed 38 to 0 in the Senate on November 4, 2015, to prohibit the state from selling any of the data it collects on individual students, and post an online notice describing the specific information it does collect on student, including each date field. Any transfers of this data to another person would be subject to formal rules promulgated by the Department of Education. Public schools would be prohibited from selling or giving personally identifiable information in a student’s record to a for-profit business entity (with some narrow management-related exceptions). If information is given to someone else, the school district or state would have to disclose the details to a parent or guardian who requests this within 30 days and without charge.
See Who Voted “Yes” and Who Voted “No” at http://www.michiganvotes.org/RollCall.aspx?ID=718606

Senate Bill 213: Repeal duplicative worker injury notification requirement
Passed 106 to 1 in the House on November 4, 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=718646

Senate Bill 369: Authorize alcohol manufacturer retail shop tax breaks
Passed 82 to 25 in the House on November 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.
See Who Voted “Yes” and Who Voted “No” at http://www.michiganvotes.org/RollCall.aspx?ID=718647

Senate Bill 370: Authorize alcohol manufacturer retail shop tax breaks
Passed 82 to 25 in the House on November 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.
See Who Voted “Yes” and Who Voted “No” at http://www.michiganvotes.org/RollCall.aspx?ID=718648

Senate Bill 503: Revise â€œIndian family preservationâ€ law
Passed 38 to 0 in the Senate on November 4, 2015, to revise some procedural details specified in an â€œIndian family preservationâ€ law enacted in 2013 that requires officials to make active efforts to provide â€œculturally appropriateâ€ servicesâ€ that â€œassure cultural connectionsâ€ to the tribe.
See Who Voted “Yes” and Who Voted “No” at http://www.michiganvotes.org/RollCall.aspx?ID=718603

Senate Bill 510: Restrict commercial use of student data
Passed 38 to 0 in the Senate on November 4, 2015, to prohibit a website, online service or mobile application designed and used for Kâ€“12 school purposes, to sell, share or use for targeted advertising any information in a studentâ€™s educational record, including details that would allow contact, discipline records, test results, special education data, juvenile dependency records, grades, evaluations, criminal records, medical records, health records, social security number, biometric information, disabilities, socioeconomic information, food purchases, political affiliations, religious information, text messages, documents, student identifiers, search activity, photos, voice recordings, or geolocation information.
See Who Voted “Yes” and Who Voted “No” at http://www.michiganvotes.org/RollCall.aspx?ID=718608

Senate Bill 529: Revise guardianship detail
Passed 38 to 0 in the Senate on November 4, 2015, to revise a law that authorizes a family court to place an abused or neglected minor with grandparents or other relatives who are willing to care for the child. The bill would allow a â€œsuccessorâ€ guardian to be named in case the first one dies or becomes incapacitated.
See Who Voted “Yes” and Who Voted “No” at http://www.michiganvotes.org/RollCall.aspx?ID=718604

Senate Bill 530: Revise foster care detail
Passed 38 to 0 in the Senate on November 4, 2015, to establish that for purposes of the law that authorizes placing an abused or neglected child in foster care, a stepparent, ex-stepparent, or the parent who shares custody of a half-sibling is considered a relative for the purpose of foster care placement. Also, to define â€œsibling” in that law as child who is related through birth or adoption by at least one common parent, and that â€œsiblingâ€ includes that term as defined by the American Indian or Alaskan native child’s tribal code or custom.
See Who Voted “Yes” and Who Voted “No” at http://www.michiganvotes.org/RollCall.aspx?ID=718605

Senate Bill 556: Extend â€œcommercial rehabilitationâ€ tax break law
Passed 38 to 0 in the Senate on November 4, 2015, to extend for another five years a â€œcommercial rehabilitation actâ€ that authorizes property tax breaks for owners of rehab projects involving commercial property selected by local government officials. The law was originally created with the developer of a moribund Oakland County mall in mind, and has been used to give these indirect subsidies to other developers as well.
See Who Voted “Yes” and Who Voted “No” at http://www.michiganvotes.org/RollCall.aspx?ID=718609

Senate Bill 571: Repeal annual union PAC contribution â€œre-upâ€ requirement
Passed 38 to 0 in the Senate on November 4, 2015, to repeal a requirement that union members or employees of a corporation who wish to have contributions to a union or corporate PAC automatically deducted from their paycheck must affirmatively give consent on an annual basis by means of signing a permission form. The bill would repeal the annual â€œre-upâ€ requirement. Also, to allow unions to ask members to contribute to their Political Action Committee (PAC) on the same form they use to ask them to pay union dues, with similar provisions for companies and nonprofits.
See Who Voted “Yes” and Who Voted “No” at http://www.michiganvotes.org/RollCall.aspx?ID=718610

Senate Bill 177: Mandate insurance ownership divestment disclosures
Passed 38 to 0 in the Senate on November 5, 2015, to mandate that a person with a controlling ownership interest in a Michigan insurance company who plans to divest that interest must submit a statement of intent to the state insurance bureau at least 30 days before the divestment, along with a statement describing the â€œenterprise riskâ€ of the transaction, defined in the bill as the chances it will have a â€œmaterial adverse effect upon the financial condition or liquidityâ€ of the insurer.
See Who Voted “Yes” and Who Voted “No” at http://www.michiganvotes.org/RollCall.aspx?ID=718713

Senate Bill 178: Require insurance company risk assessments
Passed 38 to 0 in the Senate on November 5, 2015, to require larger insurance companies to regularly perform an â€œown risk and solvency assessment” (ORSA), defined as a â€œconfidential internal assessmentâ€¦of the material and relevant risks associated with the insurer’s current business plan, and the sufficiency of capital resources to support those risks.â€ This would have to be submitted to the state annually.
See Who Voted “Yes” and Who Voted “No” at http://www.michiganvotes.org/RollCall.aspx?ID=718714

Senate Bill 394: Revise rental housing inspection regulations
Passed 38 to 0 in the Senate on November 5, 2015, to revise local government rental housing registration and inspection details. Among other things the bill would rather than not require local enforcement agencies in communities of a certain size to mandate that landlords must register themselves and their rental units. Also, to establish that local government would not be required to inspect a multiple dwelling or rooming house unless it received a complaint from a occupant.
See Who Voted “Yes” and Who Voted “No” at http://www.michiganvotes.org/RollCall.aspx?ID=718707

Senate Bill 444: Make â€œcritical incident stress management servicesâ€ confidential
Passed 38 to 0 in the Senate on November 5, 2015, to establish confidentiality requirements and liability limitations for providers of â€œcritical incident stress management servicesâ€ for emergency service responders, which involves counselling and other services for post-traumatic-stress type troubles.
See Who Voted “Yes” and Who Voted “No” at http://www.michiganvotes.org/RollCall.aspx?ID=718706

Senate Bill 558: Eliminate dower rights
Passed 34 to 4 in the Senate on November 5, 2015, to establish in statute that, upon the death of her husband, a wife’s dower right to a life estate in 1/3 of any land he owned during his lifetime is abolished and unenforceable. This would not limit or void any contractual or other legal rights the wife otherwise possesses or acquires during the marriage. This and related bills eliminate â€œdowry rightsâ€ from statute.
See Who Voted “Yes” and Who Voted “No” at http://www.michiganvotes.org/RollCall.aspx?ID=718708

Senate Bill 559: Eliminate dower rights
Passed 34 to 4 in the Senate on November 5, 2015, to establish in statute that, upon the death of her husband, a wife’s dower right to a life estate in 1/3 of any land he owned during his lifetime is abolished and unenforceable. This would not limit or void any contractual or other legal rights the wife otherwise possesses or acquires during the marriage. This and related bills eliminate â€œdowry rightsâ€ from statute.
See Who Voted “Yes” and Who Voted “No” at http://www.michiganvotes.org/RollCall.aspx?ID=718709

Senate Bill 560: Eliminate dower rights
Passed 34 to 4 in the Senate on November 5, 2015, to revise the state wills and estates law to reflect the provisions of Senate Bill 559, which would establish in statute that, upon the death of her husband, a wife’s dower right to a life estate in 1/3 of any land he owned during his lifetime is abolished and unenforceable. This would not affect, limit, or void any contractual or other legal rights the wife otherwise possesses or acquires during the marriage.
See Who Voted “Yes” and Who Voted “No” at http://www.michiganvotes.org/RollCall.aspx?ID=718710

Senate Bill 592: Revise organ removal detail
Introduced by Sen. Curtis Hertel, Jr. (D) on November 3, 2015, to include a facility operated by a federally designated organ procurement organization among those in which the surgical removal of a human organ may be performed under state law.
http://www.michiganvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=170549

Senate Bill 593: Ban “photo-copâ€ traffic tickets
Introduced by Sen. Mike Shirkey (R) on November 3, 2015, to prohibit the use of automated, unmanned traffic monitoring devices for issuing traffic law tickets. A Michigan driver who was issued an automated ticket in another state would not get â€œpointsâ€ on his or her license for automated traffic tickets issued there.
http://www.michiganvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=170550

Senate Bill 594: Require governor approve agency agreements with feds
Introduced by Sen. Mike Shirkey (R) on November 3, 2015, to require that before a state agency enters a cross-border memorandum of understanding with another state or the federal government, or makes a grant request, the item must be approved by the governor and filed with the Secretary of State. These agreements would then remain in effect only as long as that governor remains in office.
http://www.michiganvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=170551

Senate Bill 595: Revise commercial drivers license detail
Introduced by Sen. Tom Casperson (R) on November 3, 2015, to remove a government agency and employee exception in a law that provides for the examination of certain medical conditions that may affect a commercial drivers license applicant’s ability to safely operate a vehicle.
http://www.michiganvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=170552

Senate Bill 596: Authorize cold war veteran plate
Introduced by Sen. David Knezek (D) on November 4, 2015, to permit individuals who were in the military during the cold war and their spouses to pay an extra $5 to get a license plate with a â€œveteranâ€ label.
http://www.michiganvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=170562

Senate Bill 597: Authorize â€œqualified dispositions in trustâ€
Introduced by Sen. Tonya Schuitmaker (R) on November 4, 2015, to authorize a â€œqualified dispositions in trustâ€ instrument that would let a person to create and place assets in a trust for their own benefit, which would then be protected from potential creditors (with various exceptions). This is said to be of interest to individuals in professions that are exposed to high liability risks.
http://www.michiganvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=170563

Senate Bill 598: Authorize â€œqualified dispositions in trustâ€
Introduced by Sen. Tonya Schuitmaker (R) on November 4, 2015, to revise certain statutes of limitations to accommodate the â€œqualified dispositions in trustâ€ instrument proposed by Senate Bill 597.
http://www.michiganvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=170564

Senate Bill 599: Revise, increase register of deeds fees
Introduced by Sen. Peter MacGregor (R) on November 4, 2015, to authorize a flat $35 fee for recording a document with a register of deeds regardless of how many pages, instead of the current charge of $8 plus $3 for each additional page. The bill also increases related fees.
http://www.michiganvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=170565

Senate Bill 600: Revise, increase register of deeds fees
Introduced by Sen. Peter MacGregor (R) on November 4, 2015, to clarify details of the fees charged for recording and indexing a statement claiming a lien for labor on oil and gas wells. See also Senate Bill 599.
http://www.michiganvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=170566

Senate Bill 601: Revise, increase register of deeds fees
Introduced by Sen. Dale W. Zorn (R) on November 4, 2015, to revise details of the fees charged for recording and indexing federal tax liens and notices. See also Senate Bill 599.
http://www.michiganvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=170567

Senate Bill 602: Revise, increase register of deeds fees
Introduced by Sen. Dale W. Zorn (R) on November 4, 2015, to revise details of the fees charged for recording and indexing state tax liens and notices. See also Senate Bill 599.
http://www.michiganvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=170568

Senate Bill 603: Revise, increase register of deeds fees
Introduced by Sen. Darwin Booher (R) on November 4, 2015, to revise details of the fees charged for recording and discharging a lien related to the state unemployment insurance law. See also Senate Bill 599.
http://www.michiganvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=170569

Senate Bill 604: Revise, increase register of deeds fees
Introduced by Sen. Curtis Hertel, Jr. (D) on November 4, 2015, to revise details of the fees charged for recording fees for mortgages that are effective as financing statements under the state commercial code. See also Senate Bill 599.
http://www.michiganvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=170570

Senate Bill 605: Spend $8.9 million to keep state reformatory open
Introduced by Sen. Curtis Hertel, Jr. (D) on November 4, 2015, to spend $8.9 million to keep open the Maxey state reformatory in Whitmore Lake, the closure of which was strongly opposed by the prison guard union and its political allies when it was included in the fiscal year 2015-16 state budget.
http://www.michiganvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=170571

Senate Bill 606: Expand homestead tax exemption to deployed military
Introduced by Sen. Mike Shirkey (R) on November 5, 2015, to extend the exemption from property tax mills levied by local school district for school operating purposes to military service members temporarily residing elsewhere due to military deployment.
http://www.michiganvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=170591

Senate Bill 607: Allow payday lenders to use debit cards
Introduced by Sen. Darwin Booher (R) on November 5, 2015, to allow payday lenders to use debit cards.
http://www.michiganvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=170592

House Bill 4039: Revise tax foreclosure publication details
Passed 37 to 1 in the Senate on November 5, 2015, to revise details of the publication notice provisions of the law authorizing foreclosure for delinquent property taxes. The bill would reduce the number of times a notice must be published in a newspaper from three to two.
See Who Voted “Yes” and Who Voted “No” at http://www.michiganvotes.org/RollCall.aspx?ID=718712

House Bill 4390: Allow financial literacy as high school economics credit
Passed 38 to 0 in the Senate on November 5, 2015, to allow a financial literacy or â€œpersonal economicsâ€ course to be substituted for the one-half credit economics course required under state high school graduation standards.
See Who Voted “Yes” and Who Voted “No” at http://www.michiganvotes.org/RollCall.aspx?ID=718705

House Bill 4904: Establish GOP presidential primary as official state election date
Passed 38 to 0 in the Senate on November 5, 2015, to establish that a Michigan Republican presidential primary election held early in a presidential election year will be considered one of the official state election days. Among other things this would allow local government to add other questions to the ballot in this election.
See Who Voted “Yes” and Who Voted “No” at http://www.michiganvotes.org/RollCall.aspx?ID=718711

House Bill 5041: Expand zoning law â€œgrandfathered useâ€ provision
Introduced by Rep. Lee Chatfield (R) on November 3, 2015, to permit the owner of residential rental property that is a â€œnon-conforming useâ€ under local zoning laws but was â€œgrandfatheredâ€ because it was there before the law to remodel, improve and enlarge the rental.
http://www.michiganvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=170556

House Bill 5042: Expand electricity choice
Introduced by Rep. Lee Chatfield (R) on November 3, 2015, to revise a 10 percent cap the legislature imposed in 2008 on the amount of the electricity market that can be served by generators who are in competition with regulated monopoly utilities. The bill would establish that power sold to government entities does no count toward the cap.
http://www.michiganvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=170557

House Bill 5043: Exempt stream gauges from environmental law permit mandate
Introduced by Rep. Gretchen Driskell (D) on November 3, 2015, to exempt installing stream gauges or other equipment designed to measure water levels in inland lakes and streams from permit mandates imposed by state environmental laws.
http://www.michiganvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=170558

House Bill 5044: Require internet safety instruction in school
Introduced by Rep. Robert Wittenberg (D) on November 3, 2015, to require public schools to offer instruction on internet safety using as described in the bill, with resources the state Department of Education would be required to make available.
http://www.michiganvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=170559

House Bill 5045: Waive CPL fees for veterans, former police and jail guards
Introduced by Rep. Scott Dianda (D) on November 3, 2015, to waive concealed pistol license application fees for veterans, retired police and retired jail and prison guards.
http://www.michiganvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=170560

House Bill 5046: Increase vulnerable adult abuse penalty
Introduced by Rep. Holly Hughes (R) on November 4, 2015, to increase the maximum penalty for first degree vulnerable adult abuse from 15 years in prison to 20 years.
http://www.michiganvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=170573

House Bill 5047: Increase vulnerable adult abuse penalty
Introduced by Rep. Tom Leonard (R) on November 4, 2015, to revise the state sentencing guidelines to reflect the proposal in House Bill 5046 to increase the penalty for first degree vulnerable adult abuse.
http://www.michiganvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=170574

House Bill 5048: Increase vulnerable adult abuse penalty
Introduced by Rep. John Bizon (R) on November 4, 2015, to increase the maximum penalty for second degree vulnerable adult abuse from four years in prison to 10 years.
http://www.michiganvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=170575

House Bill 5049: Increase vulnerable adult abuse penalty
Introduced by Rep. Kathy Crawford (R) on November 4, 2015, to revise the state sentencing guidelines to reflect the proposal in House Bill 5048 to increase the penalty for second degree vulnerable adult abuse.
http://www.michiganvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=170576

House Bill 5050: Repeal obsolete laws
Introduced by Rep. David Pagel (R) on November 4, 2015, to repeal an obsolete law related to horse breeding and â€œthe registration of stallionsâ€.
http://www.michiganvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=170577

House Bill 5051: Repeal obsolete laws
Introduced by Rep. Edward Canfield (R) on November 4, 2015, to repeal an obsolete law that governs the collection of â€œspecific taxes,â€ which are generally an alternative to property taxes that is created to accomplish some specific governmental purpose. This is now covered under regular property tax collection laws. The bill is part of a package consisting of House Bills 5050 to 5060.
http://www.michiganvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=170578

House Bill 5052
Introduced by Rep. Triston Cole (R) on November 4, 2015, to repeal an obsolete law related to â€œimmature or unwholesome calves, pigs, kids, and lambs.â€ This is part of a package consisting of House Bills 5050 to 5060.
http://www.michiganvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=170579

House Bill 5053: Repeal obsolete laws
Introduced by Rep. Holly Hughes (R) on November 4, 2015, to repeal obsolete sections of the state dog licensing law. This is part of a package consisting of House Bills 5050 to 5060.
http://www.michiganvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=170580

House Bill 5054: Repeal obsolete laws
Introduced by Rep. Martin Howrylak (R) on November 4, 2015, to repeal an obsolete law related to plant nursery and seed sales. This is part of a package consisting of House Bills 5050 to 5060.
http://www.michiganvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=170581

House Bill 5055: Repeal obsolete laws
Introduced by Rep. John Bizon (R) on November 4, 2015, to repeal an obsolete law related to the removal of grain silos treated with polychlorinated biphenyls.
http://www.michiganvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=170582

House Bill 5056: Repeal obsolete laws
Introduced by Rep. Bruce Rendon (R) on November 4, 2015, to repeal an obsolete law related to slaughterhouse inspections. This is part of a package consisting of House Bills 5050 to 5060.
http://www.michiganvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=170583

House Bill 5057: Repeal obsolete laws
Introduced by Rep. Brett Roberts (R) on November 4, 2015, to repeal an obsolete law related to government inspections and testing of seeds. This is part of a package consisting of House Bills 5050 to 5060.
http://www.michiganvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=170584

House Bill 5058: Repeal obsolete laws
Introduced by Rep. Dan Lauwers (R) on November 4, 2015, to repeal an obsolete provision of the state weights and measures law related to â€œagricultural liming material.â€ This is part of a package consisting of House Bills 5050 to 5060.
http://www.michiganvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=170585

House Bill 5059: Repeal obsolete laws
Introduced by Rep. Tom Barrett (R) on November 4, 2015, to repeal an obsolete law related to â€œstarted pullets.â€ This is part of a package consisting of House Bills 5050 to 5060.
http://www.michiganvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=170586

House Bill 5060: Repeal obsolete laws
Introduced by Rep. Jason Sheppard (R) on November 4, 2015, to repeal an obsolete law related to â€œlivestock and poultry remedies.â€ This is part of a package consisting of House Bills 5050 to 5060.
http://www.michiganvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=170587

House Bill 5061: Authorize bus lanes
Introduced by Rep. Sam Singh (D) on November 4, 2015, to permit the state and local governments to designate one lane of a highway as a â€œbus rapid transitâ€ lane for the exclusive use of buses.
http://www.michiganvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=170588

House Bill 5062: Authorize bus lanes
Introduced by Rep. Sam Singh (D) on November 4, 2015, to authorize a $100 fine for driving a car in the â€œbus rapid transitâ€ lanes authorized in the Detroit regional transit authority law (and tax) authorized by a 2012 law.
http://www.michiganvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=170589

House Bill 5063: Tax credit for teacher out-of-pocket expenses
Introduced by Rep. Sheldon Neeley (D) on November 5, 2015, to authorize an income tax credit of up to $100, $200 on a joint return, for classroom supplies purchased by public school teachers out of their own pocket. Note: Under a 1970 Supreme Court case, school districts are required to provide an array of necessary classroom supplies at no cost to students’ families (or teachers).
http://www.michiganvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=170594

House Bill 5064: Domestic violence awareness week
Introduced by Rep. Sheldon Neeley (D) on November 5, 2015, to declare the first week of October as a â€œweek of remembranceâ€ for domestic violence victims.
http://www.michiganvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=170595

House Bill 5065: Mandate giving perinatal hospice information when birth defect detected
Introduced by Rep. Jason Sheppard (R) on November 5, 2015, to mandate that a physician who informs a pregnant woman that the child has a life-limiting medical condition to also inform her about certified perinatal hospice programs, and about various options and sources of relevant information. Also, to require the Department of Community Health to establish criteria for certifying a perinatal hospice program.
http://www.michiganvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=170596

Senate Bill 13: Eliminate straight ticket ballot option
The amendment failed 12 to 24 in the Senate on November 10, 2015, to require the Secretary of State to develop a system for electronic online voter registration on its website.
See Who Voted “Yes” and Who Voted “No” at http://www.michiganvotes.org/RollCall.aspx?ID=718887

Senate Bill 13: Eliminate straight ticket ballot option
The amendment failed 15 to 21 in the Senate on November 10, 2015, to essentially repeal a law that requires a person who registers to vote by mail to show up at the polls and vote in person the first time they vote.
See Who Voted “Yes” and Who Voted “No” at http://www.michiganvotes.org/RollCall.aspx?ID=718884

Senate Bill 13: Eliminate straight ticket ballot option
The amendment failed 12 to 24 in the Senate on November 10, 2015, to allow a person to have a different address on their drivers license or state ID card than the one at which they are registered to vote.
See Who Voted “Yes” and Who Voted “No” at http://www.michiganvotes.org/RollCall.aspx?ID=718886

Senate Bill 13: Eliminate straight ticket ballot option
The amendment failed 13 to 23 in the Senate on November 10, 2015, to eliminate the requirement that a person give a specific reason for requesting an absentee ballot.
See Who Voted “Yes” and Who Voted “No” at http://www.michiganvotes.org/RollCall.aspx?ID=718885

Senate Bill 13: Eliminate straight ticket ballot option
The amendment failed 11 to 25 in the Senate on November 10, 2015, to require and set rules for â€œearly votingâ€ beginning 30 days before election days.
See Who Voted “Yes” and Who Voted “No” at http://www.michiganvotes.org/RollCall.aspx?ID=718888

Senate Bill 13: Eliminate straight ticket ballot option
The amendment failed 13 to 23 in the Senate on November 10, 2015, to strip out the modest appropriation added to make the bill “referendum proof”.
See Who Voted “Yes” and Who Voted “No” at http://www.michiganvotes.org/RollCall.aspx?ID=718889

Senate Bill 13: Eliminate straight ticket ballot option
Passed 23 to 13 in the Senate on November 10, 2015, to eliminate the straight party ticket option from election ballots.
See Who Voted “Yes” and Who Voted “No” at http://www.michiganvotes.org/RollCall.aspx?ID=718891

Senate Bill 110: Revise county executive election detail
Passed 25 to 11 in the Senate on November 10, 2015, to shift the quadrennial election of the Oakland and Bay County executives to gubernatorial election years rather than presidential election years. For Oakland this would appear to be mandatory, while it would be up to county commissioners in Bay County.
See Who Voted “Yes” and Who Voted “No” at http://www.michiganvotes.org/RollCall.aspx?ID=718852

Senate Bill 274: Increase allowable truck â€œsaddle mountâ€ length
Passed 106 to 0 in the House on November 10, 2015, to increase the maximum allowable length for triple â€œsaddle mountâ€ type truck combinations, which is a method for one semi-truck â€œtractorâ€ to tow several others.
See Who Voted “Yes” and Who Voted “No” at http://www.michiganvotes.org/RollCall.aspx?ID=718775

Senate Bill 279: Ban public school/union pension spiking scheme
Passed 25 to 12 in the Senate on November 10, 2015, to prohibit public school districts from adopting arrangements in which a school employee goes to work full time for a teachers union but remains a school employee for purposes of collecting a government pension. Recent news reports have exposed how the recent presidents of the stateâ€™s largest teacher union were paid by the union but remained school employees “on leave” for many years, thereby “spiking” their government pension payouts to six-figure amounts.
See Who Voted “Yes” and Who Voted “No” at http://www.michiganvotes.org/RollCall.aspx?ID=718854

Senate Bill 280: Ban schools and governments paying union officials to do union work
Passed 20 to 17 in the Senate on November 10, 2015, to prohibit the state and local governments including public schools from carrying union officials on their payroll for doing union work, on either a full time or part time basis. Under these so-called â€œrelease timeâ€ arrangements many public school districts pay a local union official a full time teacher’s salary and benefits even though the individual does not teach or perform any other educational functions.
See Who Voted “Yes” and Who Voted “No” at http://www.michiganvotes.org/RollCall.aspx?ID=718857

Senate Bill 368: Revise income tax on pension income detail
Passed 36 to 0 in the Senate on November 10, 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).
See Who Voted “Yes” and Who Voted “No” at http://www.michiganvotes.org/RollCall.aspx?ID=718873

Senate Bill 372: Revise firefighter certification detail
Passed 105 to 0 in the House on November 10, 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.
See Who Voted “Yes” and Who Voted “No” at http://www.michiganvotes.org/RollCall.aspx?ID=718780

Senate Bill 427: Extend â€œgood Samaritanâ€ liability protection to EMTs
Passed 105 to 0 in the House on November 10, 2015, to extend immunity from tort claims (lawsuits) to emergency medical technicians and similar first responders who perform lifesaving activities or render other emergency care. This expands the â€œgood Samaritanâ€ law. Gross negligence would not be immune from liability.
See Who Voted “Yes” and Who Voted “No” at http://www.michiganvotes.org/RollCall.aspx?ID=718781

Senate Bill 471: Revise district court detail
Passed 36 to 0 in the Senate on November 10, 2015, to clarify that the â€œfourth divisionâ€ of the 67th district court includes the city of Fenton, which is located in both Genesee and Oakland counties.
See Who Voted “Yes” and Who Voted “No” at http://www.michiganvotes.org/RollCall.aspx?ID=718864

Senate Bill 492: “Push back” against Obama NLRB franchise unionization rule
Passed 27 to 10 in the Senate on November 10, 2015, to establish that the owner of a business franchise rather than the franchisor is considered the sole employer of the workers for whom he or she provides a benefit plan or pays wages, except as otherwise specified in the franchise agreement, or where prohibited by law. The bill was introduced after President Obamaâ€™s appointees on the National Labor Relations Board issued a ruling that all franchise employees are actually employed by the franchiser for purposes of union organizing. Among other things, if sustained this policy would mean that employees at local restaurants franchised by a national chain like McDonalds could be unionized on a nationwide basis.
See Who Voted “Yes” and Who Voted “No” at http://www.michiganvotes.org/RollCall.aspx?ID=718862

Senate Bill 493: “Push back” against Obama NLRB franchise unionization rule
Passed 26 to 10 in the Senate on November 10, 2015, to establish that for purposes of workers compensation insurance coverage, the owner of a business franchise rather than the franchisor is considered the sole employer of the workers for he or she provides a benefit plan or pays wages, except as otherwise specified in the franchise agreement, or as prohibited by law. See also Senate Bill 493.
See Who Voted “Yes” and Who Voted “No” at http://www.michiganvotes.org/RollCall.aspx?ID=718863

Senate Bill 516: Revise â€œgun free zoneâ€ CPL exception
Passed 83 to 23 in the House on November 10, 2015, to revise the â€œgun free zoneâ€ provision of the concealed pistol permit law to exempt active and retired corrections, probation, and parole officers who have concealed pistol licenses from the restrictions, and also retired county jail guards. Among other things this would allow these individuals to carry a concealed pistol in a school. See also House Bill 4159.
See Who Voted “Yes” and Who Voted “No” at http://www.michiganvotes.org/RollCall.aspx?ID=718770

Senate Bill 517: Revise child support collection detail
Passed 33 to 3 in the Senate on November 10, 2015, to repeal the current version of a Uniform Interstate Family Support Act that facilitates collection of court-ordered child support payments across state lines, and replace it with an updated version.
See Who Voted “Yes” and Who Voted “No” at http://www.michiganvotes.org/RollCall.aspx?ID=718874

Senate Bill 518: Revise child support collection details
Passed 32 to 4 in the Senate on November 10, 2015, to revise references in the state friend of the court law to reflect changes to a uniform interstate child support enforcement code proposed by Senate Bill 517.
See Who Voted “Yes” and Who Voted “No” at http://www.michiganvotes.org/RollCall.aspx?ID=718875

Senate Bill 519: Revise child support collection details
Passed 31 to 5 in the Senate on November 10, 2015, to revise references in the state child support law to reflect changes to a uniform interstate child support enforcement code proposed by Senate Bill 517.
See Who Voted “Yes” and Who Voted “No” at http://www.michiganvotes.org/RollCall.aspx?ID=718876

Senate Bill 520: Revise child support collection details
Passed 30 to 6 in the Senate on November 10, 2015, to revise references in the state parenting time law to reflect changes to a uniform interstate child support enforcement code proposed by Senate Bill 517.
See Who Voted “Yes” and Who Voted “No” at http://www.michiganvotes.org/RollCall.aspx?ID=718877

Senate Bill 552: Increase groundwater discharge permit fees
Passed 25 to 12 in the Senate on November 10, 2015, to increase groundwater discharge permit fees, and revise some details of this regulatory regime on enterprises that discharge wastewater onto the ground or into groundwater. The bill would authorize a different fee category for car washes, laundromats, seasonal RV parks and camps, and certain other small commercial facilities.
See Who Voted “Yes” and Who Voted “No” at http://www.michiganvotes.org/RollCall.aspx?ID=718861

House Bill 4159: Revise â€œgun free zoneâ€ CPL exception
Passed 28 to 8 in the Senate on November 10, 2015, to revise the â€œgun free zoneâ€ provision of the concealed pistol permit law to exempt active and retired corrections, probation, and parole officers who have concealed pistol licenses from the restrictions, and also retired county jail guards. Among other things this would allow these individuals to carry a concealed pistol in a school.
See Who Voted “Yes” and Who Voted “No” at http://www.michiganvotes.org/RollCall.aspx?ID=718866

House Bill 4173: Revise principle residence property tax exemption claim process
Passed 36 to 0 in the Senate on November 10, 2015, to revise details of a real estate transfer tax exemption for homeowners whose home is worth less and is sold for less than when they bought it. The bill eases slightly the eligibility for this exemption, and makes that expansion retroactive for up to four years in the past.
See Who Voted “Yes” and Who Voted “No” at http://www.michiganvotes.org/RollCall.aspx?ID=718871

House Bill 4812: Allow FDA-designated interchangeable biological drugs
Passed 101 to 5 in the House on November 10, 2015, to allow pharmacists to dispense FDA-designated interchangeable biological drug products.
See Who Voted “Yes” and Who Voted “No” at http://www.michiganvotes.org/RollCall.aspx?ID=718779

House Bill 4836: Accommodate long term care insurance Medicaid â€œpartnershipâ€ policies
Passed 36 to 0 in the Senate on November 10, 2015, to revise the stateâ€™s regulations on long term care insurance products to reflect federal rules specifying they include various provisions related to â€œpartnership policies,â€ which let individuals whose assets exceed the value permitted by Medicaid to nevertheless get Medicaid reimbursements for part of their nursing home costs.
See Who Voted “Yes” and Who Voted “No” at http://www.michiganvotes.org/RollCall.aspx?ID=718865

House Bill 4853: Increase cap on motorcycle safety course price
Passed 95 to 11 in the House on November 10, 2015, to increase from $25 to $50 the maximum price that governmental agencies can charge for a state-approved motorcycle safety course. Taking this course is necessary to get a drivers license motorcycle â€œendorsement.â€ See also House Bill 4854.
See Who Voted “Yes” and Who Voted “No” at http://www.michiganvotes.org/RollCall.aspx?ID=718768

House Bill 4888: Permit electronic property tax rolls
Passed 105 to 1 in the House on November 10, 2015, to allow property tax assessor offices to maintain the assessment roll in electronic form.
See Who Voted “Yes” and Who Voted “No” at http://www.michiganvotes.org/RollCall.aspx?ID=718778

House Bill 4930: Exempt familyâ€™s life estate property from assessment â€œbump upâ€
Passed 81 to 25 in the House on November 10, 2015, to exempt from the taxable value â€œpop up,â€ the transfer of a â€œlife estateâ€ interest in a principle residence from the owner to family members. This is the provision of the 1994 Proposal A tax limitation initiative that makes a propertyâ€™s new basis for tax assessments the state equalized value (market value), rather than the (lower) â€œtaxable valueâ€ of the previous owner, growth of which is restricted by law.
See Who Voted “Yes” and Who Voted “No” at http://www.michiganvotes.org/RollCall.aspx?ID=718777

House Bill 4933: Revise health insurance claim review law
Passed 105 to 1 in the House on November 10, 2015, to revise details of a “Patient’s Right to Independent Review Act,” which establishes a uniform external appeals process, under which persons with health insurance may request a review by an independent review organization to resolve disputes over covered benefits. Among other changes bill adds a definition of â€œevidence-based standard,â€ and provisions related to experimental drugs.
See Who Voted “Yes” and Who Voted “No” at http://www.michiganvotes.org/RollCall.aspx?ID=718771

House Bill 4934: Revise health insurance â€œcoordination of benefitsâ€ rules
Passed 105 to 1 in the House on November 10, 2015, to revise, update or clarify many provisions of the comprehensive regulatory regime that governs the â€œcoordination of benefitsâ€ for an individual eligible for health care coverage from different providers (such as both an auto insurance policy and a separate health insurance policy).
See Who Voted “Yes” and Who Voted “No” at http://www.michiganvotes.org/RollCall.aspx?ID=718772

House Bill 4935: Revise insurance regulation details
Passed 103 to 3 in the House on November 10, 2015, to revise, update or clarify many provisions of the comprehensive regulatory regime that governs heath insurance providers and policies.
See Who Voted “Yes” and Who Voted “No” at http://www.michiganvotes.org/RollCall.aspx?ID=718773

House Bill 5023: Establish more â€œdark sky preservesâ€
Passed 88 to 18 in the House on November 10, 2015, to designate the Rockport State Recreation Area, Negwegon State Park, and Thompson’s Harbor State Park as â€œdark sky preserves,â€ which means state authorities must restrict outdoor lighting to only that needed for safety, security, or the reasonable use and enjoyment.
See Who Voted “Yes” and Who Voted “No” at http://www.michiganvotes.org/RollCall.aspx?ID=718774

Senate Bill 556: Extend â€œcommercial rehabilitationâ€ tax break law
Passed 87 to 19 in the House on December 2, 2015, to extend for another five years a â€œcommercial rehabilitation actâ€ that authorizes property tax breaks for owners of rehab projects involving commercial property selected by local government officials. The law was originally created with the developer of a moribund Oakland County mall in mind, and has been used to give these indirect subsidies to other developers as well.
See Who Voted “Yes” and Who Voted “No” at http://www.michiganvotes.org/RollCall.aspx?ID=719153

House Bill 4248: Repeal archaic laws
Passed 37 to 0 in the Senate on December 2, 2015, to repeal statutes that ban posting â€œreproachful or contemptuous language for not fighting a duel;â€ or using â€œindecent, immoral, obscene, vulgar or insulting language in the presence or hearing of any woman or child; or leaving an abandoned refrigerator or other container where a child could crawl in and suffocate; or singing and playing the Star Spangled Banner in an entertainment venue as part of a medley. This is part of an archaic laws package comprised of House Bills 4247 to 4252.
See Who Voted “Yes” and Who Voted “No” at http://www.michiganvotes.org/RollCall.aspx?ID=719121

House Bill 4249: Repeal archaic laws
Passed 37 to 0 in the Senate on December 2, 2015, to repeal various statutes that ban trespassing for purposes of damaging or stealing various crops or natural resources. This is part of an archaic laws package comprised of House Bills 4247 to 4252.
See Who Voted “Yes” and Who Voted “No” at http://www.michiganvotes.org/RollCall.aspx?ID=719122

House Bill 4250: Repeal ban on â€œwalkathonsâ€ and similar endurance events
Passed 37 to 0 in the Senate on December 2, 2015, to repeal a law prohibiting â€œwalkathonsâ€ and similar endurance contests. This is part of an archaic laws package comprised of House Bills 4247 to 4252.
See Who Voted “Yes” and Who Voted “No” at http://www.michiganvotes.org/RollCall.aspx?ID=719123

House Bill 4501: Repeal archaic laws
Passed 37 to 0 in the Senate on December 2, 2015, to revise state sentencing guidelines to reflect the repeal of various archaic crimes proposed by House Bill 4248. This is part of a civil forfeiture reform package consisting of House Bills 4499 to 4507.
See Who Voted “Yes” and Who Voted “No” at http://www.michiganvotes.org/RollCall.aspx?ID=719124

House Bill 4645: Revise property transfer taxable value detail
Passed 64 to 42 in the House on December 2, 2015, to exempt from the Proposal A property tax assessment â€œpop upâ€ the transfer of residential property to or from the owner of a closely held corporation to a spouse or close relative. Under the â€œpop up,â€ the â€œstate equalized valueâ€ (market value) of transferred property becomes the basis for its property tax assessment, rather than the capped â€œtaxable valueâ€ of the previous owner.
See Who Voted “Yes” and Who Voted “No” at http://www.michiganvotes.org/RollCall.aspx?ID=719152

House Bill 4709: Reword ban on displaying a “human monstrosity”
Passed 37 to 0 in the Senate on December 2, 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.
See Who Voted “Yes” and Who Voted “No” at http://www.michiganvotes.org/RollCall.aspx?ID=719125

House Bill 4710: Remove criminal penalties from camping law
Passed 37 to 0 in the Senate on December 2, 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.
See Who Voted “Yes” and Who Voted “No” at http://www.michiganvotes.org/RollCall.aspx?ID=719126

House Bill 4711: Repeal obsolete penalties and prohibitions
Passed 37 to 0 in the Senate on December 2, 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. Also, to repeal a statute prohibiting a prisoner’s release until any fines and costs imposed as part of the sentence are paid in full.
See Who Voted “Yes” and Who Voted “No” at http://www.michiganvotes.org/RollCall.aspx?ID=719127

House Bill 4887: Revise education savings account rule
Passed 106 to 0 in the House on December 2, 2015, to remove restrictions on the owner or beneficiary of a Michigan education savings account changing the investment strategy of an account.
See Who Voted “Yes” and Who Voted “No” at http://www.michiganvotes.org/RollCall.aspx?ID=719154

House Bill 5028: Authorize electronic court records system and fees
Passed 101 to 5 in the House on December 2, 2015, to authorize an electronic system for filing documents in civil cases in state courts, and fees to use and pay for it. This bill lays out the schedule of electronic filing fees for various actions in various courts, and is part of a package consisting of House Bill 5027 to 5030 and Senate Bills 531 to 533.
See Who Voted “Yes” and Who Voted “No” at http://www.michiganvotes.org/RollCall.aspx?ID=719156

House Bill 5029: Authorize electronic court records system and fees
Passed 93 to 13 in the House on December 2, 2015, to authorize an electronic system for filing documents in civil cases in state courts, and fees to use and pay for it. This bill adds relevant definitions to state statutes, and is part of a package consisting of House Bill 5027 to 5030 and Senate Bills 531 to 533.
See Who Voted “Yes” and Who Voted “No” at http://www.michiganvotes.org/RollCall.aspx?ID=719157

House Bill 5030: Authorize electronic court records system and fees
Passed 94 to 12 in the House on December 2, 2015, to authorize an electronic system for filing documents in civil cases in state courts, and fees to use and pay for it. This bill adds new fees for civil actions whether filed electronically or not, and is part of a package consisting of House Bill 5027 to 5030 and Senate Bills 531 to 533.
See Who Voted “Yes” and Who Voted “No” at http://www.michiganvotes.org/RollCall.aspx?ID=719158

House Bill 5034: Give fiduciary authority over â€œdigital assetsâ€
Passed 106 to 0 in the House on December 2, 2015, to create a new law giving fiduciaries authorized by other state laws to oversee or manage the property of an estate or a vulnerable individual access and authority over the personâ€™s â€œdigital assetsâ€ and accounts, defined as â€œelectronic record in which a user has a right or interest.â€ See also House Bill 4072, which amends an existing state law to do the same thing, which also clarifies rights to an online username, word, character, code, or contract right under a terms-of-service agreement. The bill would also provide a way for an individual’s heirs to gain access to and possession of his or her digital property after death.
See Who Voted “Yes” and Who Voted “No” at http://www.michiganvotes.org/RollCall.aspx?ID=719155

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