Senate Bill 64: Revise business tax liability detail
Passed 109 to 0 in the House on December 12, 2013, to place certain limits on the personal liability of a business owner or manager for taxes the firm collects from another person and fails to pay the collected amount to the state.
See Who Voted “Yes” and Who Voted “No” at http://www.michiganvotes.org/RollCall.aspx?ID=676791
Senate Bill 101: Authorize “breast cancer awareness” specialty license plate
Passed 109 to 0 in the House on December 12, 2013, to authorize a specialty license plate for “breast cancer awareness,” and give the net revenue from its sale to a state government breast and cervical cancer control program.
See Who Voted “Yes” and Who Voted “No” at http://www.michiganvotes.org/RollCall.aspx?ID=676669
Senate Bill 101: Authorize “breast cancer awareness” specialty license plate
Passed 37 to 0 in the Senate on December 5, 2013, to authorize a specialty license plate for “breast cancer awareness,” and give the net revenue from its sale to a state government breast and cervical cancer control program.
See Who Voted “Yes” and Who Voted “No” at http://www.michiganvotes.org/RollCall.aspx?ID=675866
Senate Bill 121: Declare Michigan “celebrate freedom week”
Passed 27 to 10 in the Senate on December 11, 2013, to encourage public schools to designate one week each school year as “Patriot Week,” during which instruction would be offered on the sacrifices of military veterans, and on America’s founding documents and core principles.
See Who Voted “Yes” and Who Voted “No” at http://www.michiganvotes.org/RollCall.aspx?ID=676555
Senate Bill 169: Allow driverless car testing
Passed 107 to 1 in the House on December 12, 2013, to allow the operation on highways of an automated “driverless” vehicle for testing purposes, subject to a range of regulations and conditions specified in the bill. A human operator would have to to be present to monitor performance and intervene if necessary. Gov. Rick Snyder called for this in his 2013 State of the State address.
See Who Voted “Yes” and Who Voted “No” at http://www.michiganvotes.org/RollCall.aspx?ID=676664
Senate Bill 308
Passed 95 to 14 in the House on December 12, 2013, to revise the criteria in the law that authorizes tax breaks for the rehabilitation and reuse of “obsolete structures” in a way that will allow granting these tax breaks to a particular business in Charlotte, and another in Wayne County.
See Who Voted “Yes” and Who Voted “No” at http://www.michiganvotes.org/RollCall.aspx?ID=676671
Senate Bill 312: Revise college scholarship “promise zone” criteria
Passed 96 to 13 in the House on December 12, 2013, to revise a 2008 law authorizing “promise zone” tax increment financing authorities (TIFA) to subsidize college tuition for students in low educational attainment areas, by allowing these subsidies for vocational education or training; allowing an authority to also pay for books and supplies; and giving authorities more latitude in setting academic performance standards for aid, including excluding students who score belolw a certain grade point average. The bill would also expand the power of an authority to reset the “base year” for determining its future tax increment “capture” amounts.
See Who Voted “Yes” and Who Voted “No” at http://www.michiganvotes.org/RollCall.aspx?ID=676672
Senate Bill 367: Revise business profits tax detail
Passed 108 to 1 in the House on December 12, 2013, to revise details of the state tax on business profits to clarify when related companies are considered an “affiliated group” for tax purposes.
See Who Voted “Yes” and Who Voted “No” at http://www.michiganvotes.org/RollCall.aspx?ID=676670
Senate Bill 442: End automatic tax increases to pay union contract lawsuit judgments
Passed 76 to 32 in the House on December 12, 2013, to revise a provision that requires school property taxes be raised to pay off lawsuit-related judgments against a school district, by establishing that this does not apply if the lawsuit was to enforce a school employee union contract or other contract that specifically relates to school operations.
See Who Voted “Yes” and Who Voted “No” at http://www.michiganvotes.org/RollCall.aspx?ID=676665
Senate Bill 443: End automatic tax increases to pay union contract lawsuit judgments
Passed 33 to 5 in the Senate on December 12, 2013, to revise a provision that requires school property taxes be raised to pay off lawsuit-related judgments against a school district, by establishing that this does not apply if the lawsuit was to enforce a school employee union contract or other contract that specifically relates to school operations. The House added a number of exceptions, including for certain schools under the receivership of an Emergency Manager, for certain disputes between a school district and an Intermediate School District or the school employee pension system, and more.
See Who Voted “Yes” and Who Voted “No” at http://www.michiganvotes.org/RollCall.aspx?ID=676846
Senate Bill 443: End automatic tax increases to pay union contract lawsuit judgments
Passed 76 to 33 in the House on December 12, 2013, to revise a provision that requires school property taxes be raised to pay off lawsuit-related judgments against a school district, by establishing that this does not apply if the lawsuit was to enforce a school employee union contract or other contract that specifically relates to school operations. The House added a number of exceptions, including for certain schools under the receivership of an Emergency Manager, for certain disputes between a school district and an Intermediate School District or the school employee pension system, and more.
See Who Voted “Yes” and Who Voted “No” at http://www.michiganvotes.org/RollCall.aspx?ID=676666
Senate Bill 660: Authorize and regulate “pharmaceutical-grade cannabis”
Passed 87 to 22 in the House on December 12, 2013, to establish a comprehensive regulatory regime for production and sale by pharmacies of “pharmaceutical-grade cannabis” to individuals with a debilitating medical condition, contingent on the federal government reclassifying marijuana from an illegal drug to a prescription drug. Michigan’s voter-initiated medical marijuana law, Initiated Law 1 of 2008, establishes a regulatory framework for patients or authorized caregivers growing their own; companies seeking “commercialized” distribution lobbied for this bill.
See Who Voted “Yes” and Who Voted “No” at http://www.michiganvotes.org/RollCall.aspx?ID=676688
Senate Bill 663: Waive automaker liability for “automated vehicle” modifications
Passed 107 to 0 in the House on December 12, 2013, to waive the liability of a vehicle or parts manufacturer for damages resulting from a person trying to retrofit a vehicle into an automated vehicle (“driverless car”). See also Senate Bill 169.
See Who Voted “Yes” and Who Voted “No” at http://www.michiganvotes.org/RollCall.aspx?ID=676657
House Bill 4044: Ban mandating all health insurance go through “Obamacare“ exchange
Passed 72 to 37 in the House on December 12, 2013, to prohibit a state “exchange” created under the federal health care law from mandating that insurance companies must sell all health insurance policies through the exchange. The Michigan legislature elected to let the federal government create an exchange here rather than create a state-run version, so the measure would only have effect if that choice is later reversed.
See Who Voted “Yes” and Who Voted “No” at http://www.michiganvotes.org/RollCall.aspx?ID=676685
House Bill 4816: Require insurers disclose “Obamacare” price hikes in bills
Passed 67 to 42 in the House on December 12, 2013, to require bills sent to customers for health insurance policies or HMO plans to include an estimate of the amount that any price increase was caused by mandates and regulations imposed by the federal health care law (“Obamacare”).
See Who Voted “Yes” and Who Voted “No” at http://www.michiganvotes.org/RollCall.aspx?ID=676684
House Bill 5104: Authorize medical “marijuana infused products”
Passed 100 to 9 in the House on December 12, 2013, to authorize the use of “marijuana infused products” under the state’s medical marijuana law, Initiated Law 1 of 2008 . This is defined to include any “topical formulation, tincture, beverage, edible substance, or similar product intended for human consumption in a manner other than smoking”.
See Who Voted “Yes” and Who Voted “No” at http://www.michiganvotes.org/RollCall.aspx?ID=676681
Senate Bill 275: Require drug testing of welfare applicants
Passed 26 to 12 in the Senate on December 12, 2013, to require that welfare benefit recipients or applicants who test positive on the drug tests authorized by House Bill 4418 must be referred to a state-authorized regional substance abuse agency, and cut benefits if the individual refused to enter a drug treatment program. This would begin as a one-year pilot program in three counties.
See Who Voted “Yes” and Who Voted “No” at http://www.michiganvotes.org/RollCall.aspx?ID=676868
Senate Bill 584: Eliminate statute of limitations on child sex trafficking
Passed 38 to 0 in the Senate on December 12, 2013, to eliminate the statute of limitations for prosecution of child sex trafficking or commercial sexual exploitation of children offenses.
See Who Voted “Yes” and Who Voted “No” at http://www.michiganvotes.org/RollCall.aspx?ID=676797
Senate Bill 588: Human trafficking crime package
Passed 38 to 0 in the Senate on December 12, 2013, to establish as an “affirmative defense” for a person being prosecuted for a prostitution-related offense that the individual did it only because of his or her status as a victim of a human trafficking crime.
See Who Voted “Yes” and Who Voted “No” at http://www.michiganvotes.org/RollCall.aspx?ID=676798
Senate Bill 591: Human trafficking crime package
Passed 38 to 0 in the Senate on December 12, 2013, to establish that an individual could have prostitution or other criminal convictions cleared from his or her record if the offense was due to being a victim of a human trafficking crime.
See Who Voted “Yes” and Who Voted “No” at http://www.michiganvotes.org/RollCall.aspx?ID=676799
Senate Bill 661: Increase political contributions limits
The motion passed 26 to 11 in the Senate on December 12, 2013, to reject as out-of-order an amendment proposed by Sen. Bieda to make enactment of this bill conditional on passage of Senate Bill 168, which would mandate extensive candidate disclosures of their personal finances.
See Who Voted “Yes” and Who Voted “No” at http://www.michiganvotes.org/RollCall.aspx?ID=676732
Senate Bill 674: Establish statutory right to breastfeed in public
Passed 38 to 0 in the Senate on December 12, 2013, to establish in law that a woman has a right to breastfeed a baby in a “place of public accommodation” or public facility. A woman would be entitled to “the full and equal enjoyment of the goods, services, facilities, privileges, advantages, or accommodations” in these places, and if denied them could sue for actual damages or up to $200 in “presumed” damages.
See Who Voted “Yes” and Who Voted “No” at http://www.michiganvotes.org/RollCall.aspx?ID=676832
House Bill 4125: Repeal osteopath school “advisory board”
Passed 38 to 0 in the Senate on December 12, 2013, to eliminate an advisory board created as part of a 1969 law authorizing a state-supported school of osteopathic medicine.
See Who Voted “Yes” and Who Voted “No” at http://www.michiganvotes.org/RollCall.aspx?ID=676746
House Bill 4204: Rename highway in Shiawassee County
Passed 38 to 0 in the Senate on December 12, 2013, to rename a portion of M-71 in the village of Vernon in Shiawassee County as the “Graham Barlow Jr. WWII Memorial Highway Memorial Highway”.
See Who Voted “Yes” and Who Voted “No” at http://www.michiganvotes.org/RollCall.aspx?ID=676750
House Bill 4271: Authorize and regulate medical marijuana dispensaries
Passed 95 to 14 in the House on December 12, 2013, to authorize and establish a comprehensive regulatory regime for medical marijuana dispensaries, including municipal licensure or prohibition, with civil and criminal penalties for violations. The provisions of the state’s voter-authorized medical marijuana law, Initiated Law 1 of 2008, were ambiguous, and the state Supreme Court banned them early in 2013.
See Who Voted “Yes” and Who Voted “No” at http://www.michiganvotes.org/RollCall.aspx?ID=676668
House Bill 4327: Allow “tax increment finance” scheme reset to make up for property value declines
Passed 33 to 5 in the Senate on December 12, 2013, to allow “corridor improvement authorities” to “reset” their tax increment financing schemes (TIF) to reflect declining property assessments, which undermine their ability to divert property tax revenue from local governments and other taxing units to pay for the authority’s debt-funded spending projects and subsidies. A TIF “captures” the extra local property tax revenue that supposedly will result from these projects; this revenue is then used to repay money borrowed to fund that spending. The bill allows these authorities to change the base year from which future tax revenue increases (”increments”) are measured.
See Who Voted “Yes” and Who Voted “No” at http://www.michiganvotes.org/RollCall.aspx?ID=676748
House Bill 4353: Mandate schools have “epi-pens”
Passed 27 to 11 in the Senate on December 12, 2013, to mandate that public schools must have at least two staffers who are trained in the administration of an epinephrine auto injector, and at least two of these “epi-pens” on site. This is a syringe prefilled with epinephrine which is used to treat anaphylactic reactions. This bill and House Bill 4352 extend legal immunity to school districts, boards, officials, staff and pharmacists for harm arising from use of the devices, except for gross negligence.
See Who Voted “Yes” and Who Voted “No” at http://www.michiganvotes.org/RollCall.aspx?ID=676838
House Bill 4576: Regulate federal health care law “navigators”
Passed 102 to 7 in the House on December 12, 2013, to impose regulation and a “certification” requirement on the “navigators” authorized by the federal health care law (“Obamacare”) to assist persons applying for government-subsidized health insurance benefits through agency this law creates (the “exchange”). The bill authorizes background checks, testing and training requirements, and more. Among other things it would prohibit an individual, firm or other entity licensed as a “navigator” from steering a person toward any particular insurance policy, as opposed to just providing information on the policies.
See Who Voted “Yes” and Who Voted “No” at http://www.michiganvotes.org/RollCall.aspx?ID=676682
House Bill 4622: Revise drain code district procedures
Passed 38 to 0 in the Senate on December 12, 2013, to revise details of the procedures for changing drainage district boundaries (and imposing the cost of new or repaired drains on particular property owners), including notice requirements and procedures for challenging proposed changes, plus details of the drainage district’s interaction with the state transportation and agriculture departments.
See Who Voted “Yes” and Who Voted “No” at http://www.michiganvotes.org/RollCall.aspx?ID=676817
House Bill 4629: Authorize fees and regulations on electronic billboards
Passed 36 to 2 in the Senate on December 12, 2013, to amend the state billboard law to authorize regulations and extra fees for digital signs, and revise a wide range of other details of this law, in part so as to conform with federal billboard laws and regulations. Among other changes the bill places new conditions and restrictions on removing vegetation from in front of signs, “grandfathering” provisions for existing signs, and more. The Senate added a provision requiring billboard owners to surrender three existing permits for regular signs in or order to get one digital billboard permit, with certain exceptions and additional restrictions.
See Who Voted “Yes” and Who Voted “No” at http://www.michiganvotes.org/RollCall.aspx?ID=676874
House Bill 4770: Ban vehicle accident-related commercial solicitations (“ambulance chasing”)
Passed 35 to 3 in the Senate on December 12, 2013, to restrict public access to vehicle accident reports for 30 days after the crash by requiring outside parties who want the report to file a statement that they will not use it for commercial solicitation (”ambulance chasing”). Violations would be subject to a $15,000 fine, and subsequent violations with up to one year in jail.
See Who Voted “Yes” and Who Voted “No” at http://www.michiganvotes.org/RollCall.aspx?ID=676790
House Bill 4793: Update eminent domain provisions
Passed 37 to 1 in the Senate on December 12, 2013, to repeal eminent domain property condemnation provisions in the state Drain Code and replace them with the provisions of a 1980 “Uniform Condemnation Procedures Act.” This would codify in statute what is already the current practice.
See Who Voted “Yes” and Who Voted “No” at http://www.michiganvotes.org/RollCall.aspx?ID=676818
House Bill 4810: Revise lower homestead tax for assisted living residents
Passed 109 to 0 in the House on December 12, 2013, to revise a 2012 law that allows an individual who moves into an assisted living facility to retain the principal residence property tax exemption on his or her own residence, by removing a condition that the home must not be for sale.
See Who Voted “Yes” and Who Voted “No” at http://www.michiganvotes.org/RollCall.aspx?ID=676691
House Bill 4821: Revise motor carrier safety law detail
Passed 38 to 0 in the Senate on December 12, 2013, to revise details of how a state “motor carrier safety” law applies to certain categories of buses.
See Who Voted “Yes” and Who Voted “No” at http://www.michiganvotes.org/RollCall.aspx?ID=676833
House Bill 4831: Clarify prescription drug sales tax exemption
Passed 38 to 0 in the Senate on December 12, 2013, 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=676803
House Bill 4966: Expand prisons’ access to the state’s criminal information database
Passed 37 to 0 in the Senate on December 12, 2013, to give the Department of Corrections access to non-public information in the state’s LEIN criminal information database for use “in the performance of their duties” rather than just for employee screening purposes.
See Who Voted “Yes” and Who Voted “No” at http://www.michiganvotes.org/RollCall.aspx?ID=676736
House Bill 4967: Expand prisons’ access to the state’s criminal information database
Passed 37 to 0 in the Senate on December 12, 2013, to give the Department of Corrections access to non-public information in the state’s LEIN criminal information database for use “in the performance of their duties” rather than just for employee screening purposes.
See Who Voted “Yes” and Who Voted “No” at http://www.michiganvotes.org/RollCall.aspx?ID=676737
House Bill 4968: Expand prisons’ access to the state’s criminal information database
Passed 37 to 0 in the Senate on December 12, 2013, to give the Department of Corrections access to non-public information in the state’s LEIN criminal information database for use “in the performance of their duties” rather than just for employee screening purposes.
See Who Voted “Yes” and Who Voted “No” at http://www.michiganvotes.org/RollCall.aspx?ID=676738
House Bill 4993: Use some increased hunting and fishing fee money for PR campaign
The amendment failed 14 to 24 in the Senate on December 12, 2013, to prohibit money in the proposed government account (”fund”) from meing used to support or oppose citizen-initiated referendums on new laws enacted by the legislature.
See Who Voted “Yes” and Who Voted “No” at http://www.michiganvotes.org/RollCall.aspx?ID=676753
House Bill 4993: Use some increased hunting and fishing fee money for PR campaign
Passed 25 to 13 in the Senate on December 12, 2013, to use $1 of the increased hunting and fishing license fees authorized by a 2013 law for ads promoting hunting and fishing. The bill would create a state “wildlife council” and “wildlife management public education fund” with political appointees on the council board representing various interests deciding what advertising agency to hire and helping to design the public relations campaign.
See Who Voted “Yes” and Who Voted “No” at http://www.michiganvotes.org/RollCall.aspx?ID=676755
House Bill 4996: Exempt some small stock offerings from state registration
Passed 38 to 0 in the Senate on December 12, 2013, to exempt certain small company stock offerings from state registration requirements if they meet various conditions specified in the bill.
See Who Voted “Yes” and Who Voted “No” at http://www.michiganvotes.org/RollCall.aspx?ID=676771
House Bill 5020: Eliminate sunset on “sobriety court interlock project”
Passed 37 to 0 in the Senate on December 12, 2013, to make permanent the “sobriety court interlock project” pilot program authorized by a 2010 law intended to “reduce recidivism among alcohol offenders”.
See Who Voted “Yes” and Who Voted “No” at http://www.michiganvotes.org/RollCall.aspx?ID=676758
House Bill 5021: Eliminate sunset on “sobriety court interlock project”
Passed 38 to 0 in the Senate on December 12, 2013, to make permanent the “sobriety court interlock project” pilot program authorized by a 2010 intended to “reduce recidivism among alcohol offenders”.
See Who Voted “Yes” and Who Voted “No” at http://www.michiganvotes.org/RollCall.aspx?ID=676761
House Bill 5041: Revise business tax detail
Passed 38 to 0 in the Senate on December 12, 2013, to clarify details of the application of state business tax breaks authorized under the repealed Michigan Business Tax to a “flow-through entity” and “unitary business group”.
See Who Voted “Yes” and Who Voted “No” at http://www.michiganvotes.org/RollCall.aspx?ID=676807
House Bill 5046: Allow customer’s wine in restaurants
Passed 37 to 1 in the Senate on December 12, 2013, to allow a customer to bring his or her own bottle of wine to a restaurant that has a liquor license, and let the restaurant set and charge a fee for this.
See Who Voted “Yes” and Who Voted “No” at http://www.michiganvotes.org/RollCall.aspx?ID=676830
House Bill 5048: Revise drunk or stoned doctor penalties
Passed 38 to 0 in the Senate on December 12, 2013, to slightly expand access to non-public records of first offenses of a health care professional practicing while under the influence of alcohol or drugs, where the sentence was deferred if, if the offender meets conditions and terms imposed by the court.
See Who Voted “Yes” and Who Voted “No” at http://www.michiganvotes.org/RollCall.aspx?ID=676743
House Bill 5049: Revise “veteran’s court” detail
Passed 37 to 0 in the Senate on December 12, 2013, to establish that if a defendant in a “veteran’s treatment” specialty court authorized by a 2012 does not meet the conditions and terms imposed by the court then the record of the proceedings would become a public record. These courts adjudicate offenses related to alcohol and drug use, which can include traffic and other violations.
See Who Voted “Yes” and Who Voted “No” at http://www.michiganvotes.org/RollCall.aspx?ID=676744
House Bill 5050: Ban credit card fraud “skimming” devices
Passed 38 to 0 in the Senate on December 12, 2013, to authorize criminal penalties of up to five years in prison and a $100,000 fine for the possession or use of a “skimmer” device designed to gain access to a person’s financial accounts (for example, when a person is using an ATM machine).
See Who Voted “Yes” and Who Voted “No” at http://www.michiganvotes.org/RollCall.aspx?ID=676769
House Bill 5051: Clarify identity theft penalties
Passed 38 to 0 in the Senate on December 12, 2013, to increase the penalties provided in the state criminal code for identity theft so they match those called for in a 2004 identity theft law.
See Who Voted “Yes” and Who Voted “No” at http://www.michiganvotes.org/RollCall.aspx?ID=676762
House Bill 5073: Revise local “angle parking” restrictions
Passed 38 to 0 in the Senate on December 12, 2013, to allow local governments to permit angle parking on a state “trunkline highway” if the state Department of Transportation allows it.
See Who Voted “Yes” and Who Voted “No” at http://www.michiganvotes.org/RollCall.aspx?ID=676774
House Bill 5086: Revise homestead income tax credit
Passed 38 to 0 in the Senate on December 12, 2013, to establish that a person who is blind is considered equivalent to “disabled” for purposes of eligibility for an income tax credit against property taxes imposed on a person’s primary residence.
See Who Voted “Yes” and Who Voted “No” at http://www.michiganvotes.org/RollCall.aspx?ID=676811
House Bill 5102: Replace paper tax rolls with electronic
Passed 109 to 0 in the House on December 12, 2013, to eliminate a requirement that local governments keep a hard (paper) copy of tax rolls if the information is maintained on computerized database.
See Who Voted “Yes” and Who Voted “No” at http://www.michiganvotes.org/RollCall.aspx?ID=676689
House Bill 5103: Stagger snowmobile council member terms
Passed 38 to 0 in the Senate on December 12, 2013, to stagger the ending dates of political appointees on a state “snowmobile and trails advisory council”.
See Who Voted “Yes” and Who Voted “No” at http://www.michiganvotes.org/RollCall.aspx?ID=676745
House Bill 5107: Revise seawall repair permit mandate
Passed 109 to 0 in the House on December 12, 2013, to authorize less restrictive permit requirements for the repair or replacement of a failed seawall than the requirements which apply to erecting a new seawall.
See Who Voted “Yes” and Who Voted “No” at http://www.michiganvotes.org/RollCall.aspx?ID=676690
House Bill 5140: Revise package liquor store quotas
Passed 102 to 7 in the House on December 12, 2013, to concur with the Senate-passed version of the bill.
See Who Voted “Yes” and Who Voted “No” at http://www.michiganvotes.org/RollCall.aspx?ID=676776
House Bill 5140: Revise package liquor store quotas
Passed 38 to 0 in the Senate on December 12, 2013, to gradually phase-in a modest relaxation of package liquor store quota rules, so as to facilitate a store moving from one community to another community in the same county. Also, to slightly increase the “quota” on the number of these liquor stores allowed in certain communities over 50,000, where they are “designed to accommodate tourists and visitors to a resort area”.
See Who Voted “Yes” and Who Voted “No” at http://www.michiganvotes.org/RollCall.aspx?ID=676834