Senate Bill 963: Ban BB gun possession by unaccompanied minor
Introduced by Sen. Dave Hildenbrand (R) on June 2, 2014, to prohibit minors from possessing an air, gas or spring powered BB or pellet gun unless accompanied by an adult. The bill also revises the definition of “firearm” to exclude an air, gas or spring powered gun that fires a projectile larger than .177 caliber (many air rifles and pistols fire .22 caliber pellets).
http://www.michiganvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=164455
Senate Bill 964: Expand air gun exemption from firearm laws
Introduced by Sen. Phil Pavlov (R) on June 2, 2014, to revise the definition of “firearm” to exclude an air, gas or spring powered gun that fires a projectile larger than .177 caliber (many air rifles and pistols fire .22 caliber pellets).
http://www.michiganvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=164456
Senate Bill 965: Expand air gun exemption from firearm laws
Introduced by Sen. Joe Hune (R) on June 2, 2014, to revise the definition of “firearm” to exclude an air, gas or spring powered gun that fires a projectile larger than .177 caliber (many air rifles and pistols fire .22 caliber pellets).
http://www.michiganvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=164457
Senate Bill 966: Expand air gun exemption from firearm laws
Introduced by Sen. Rick Jones (R) on June 2, 2014, to revise the definition of “firearm” in the state environmental law to conform to the proposal in Senate Bills 963 to 965, which would exclude all air, gas or spring powered guns from the definition.
http://www.michiganvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=164458
Senate Bill 967: Give disabled veterans free boat registration
Introduced by Sen. Dave Hildenbrand (R) on June 2, 2014, to exempt a veteran who has a service connected total disability from having to pay a watercraft registration tax.
http://www.michiganvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=164459
Senate Bill 968: Provide insurance to fallen public safety dependents
Introduced by Sen. Roger Kahn (R) on June 2, 2014, to require the state to provide the spouse and dependents of a firefighter, law enforcement officer or emergency first responder who dies in the line of duty with health insurance comparable to and on similar terms as the coverage the decedent received from any source at the time of his or her death. This would end when these individuals get comparable coverage from another source.
http://www.michiganvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=164460
Senate Bill 969: Authorize local nuisance suits to shut drug or prostitution house
Introduced by Sen. Rick Jones (R) on June 2, 2014, to authorize a city, village, or township to file a nuisance lawsuit to shut down the activity at a building, vehicle, boat, aircraft, or place that is being used for prostitution, illegal drug, animal fighting, or unlawful alcohol-related offenses.
http://www.michiganvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=164461
Senate Bill 970: Revise commercial drivers license detail
Introduced by Sen. Tom Casperson (R) on June 2, 2014, to revise the state law providing for a commercial drivers license learner’s permit so as to conform with federal definitions and requirements.
http://www.michiganvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=164462
Senate Bill 971: Expand “good Samaritan” law
Introduced by Sen. Goeff Hansen (R) on June 5, 2014, to expand the (limited) immunity from (lawsuits) for free emergency care provided at the scene of an emergency so that it covers licensed emergency medical service providers.
http://www.michiganvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=164489
House Bill 5615: Make buying ephedrine for meth a RICO crime
Introduced by Rep. John Kivela (D) on June 3, 2014, to include purchasing ephedrine or pseudoephedrine knowing it will be used to illegally manufacture methamphetamine in the list of “predicate” crimes that come under the state racketeering law (RICO), which among other things would allow the seizure and sale of a violator’s assets, with the proceeds going to law enforcement agencies. See also House Bills 5363, 5089, 5090, and Senate Bill 563.
http://www.michiganvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=164465
House Bill 5616: Revise nursing facility tax detail
Introduced by Rep. Ken Yonker (R) on June 4, 2014, to eliminate a “grandfathering” and ownership change qualification from the law that exempts property owned by a “skilled nursing facility” from property taxes.
http://www.michiganvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=164469
House Bill 5617: Let library board members get pay and set pay
Introduced by Rep. Ken Yonker (R) on June 4, 2014, to allow members of the board of directors of a public libraries to be paid, in an amount set by the board itself. Under current law library board members are political appointees who do not receive pay.
http://www.michiganvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=164470
House Bill 5618: Give high school diploma to Viet Nam era veterans
Introduced by Rep. Stacy Erwin Oakes (D) on June 4, 2014, to let local school boards grant a high school diploma to veterans who did not graduate but were in the armed forces during the period of the Vietnam war. Note: A law passed in 2013 already did this.
http://www.michiganvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=164471
House Bill 5619: Require ISDs monitor school district finances
Introduced by Rep. Stacy Erwin Oakes (D) on June 4, 2014, to require Intermediate School Districts to monitor the finances of the regular school districts within their territory.
http://www.michiganvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=164472
House Bill 5620: Create new disinformation-to-impede-voter crime
Introduced by Rep. Stacy Erwin Oakes (D) on June 4, 2014, to establish a new misdemeanor crime of knowingly giving false information to a registered voter about an election date, polling place location or the person’s voter registration status, with the intention to impede the person from voting.
http://www.michiganvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=164473
House Bill 5621: Authorize girl scout fire-fighting courses
Introduced by Rep. Stacy Erwin Oakes (D) on June 4, 2014, to revise a 2011 law that allows a local fire departments to establish a “boy scout explorer post,” and allows a school district to then provide firefighter courses for 16 and 17 year olds. The bill would also authorize a girl scout explorer posts for this purpose.
http://www.michiganvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=164474
House Bill 5622: Mandate reduced class size in failing schools
Introduced by Rep. Stacy Erwin Oakes (D) on June 4, 2014, to require failing schools o reduce class sizes to a maximum of 17 in grades K to 3, and 25 in grades 9 to 12.
http://www.michiganvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=164475
House Bill 5623: Authorize charitable contribution income tax credits
Introduced by Rep. John Olumba (D) on June 4, 2014, to authorize state income tax credits for charitable donations to food banks, shelters, community foundations, public art, public radio, colleges, universities, and museums.
http://www.michiganvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=164476
House Bill 5624: Give state PSC oversight over city water/sewer systems
Introduced by Rep. John Olumba (D) on June 4, 2014, to extend the jurisdiction of the state Public Service Commission to include regulating the operations of municipal water and sewer systems.
http://www.michiganvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=164477
House Bill 5625: Provide morality and character instruction
Introduced by Rep. John Olumba (D) on June 4, 2014, in schools to require public schools to weekly instruction in ‘ethics and character building” to children in grades K through 5.
http://www.michiganvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=164478
House Bill 5626: Establish perinatal hospice standards and disclosures
Introduced by Rep. John Olumba (D) on June 4, 2014, to mandate that when a physician informs a patient of a prenatal test that has detected a life-limiting condition, the physician must provide information on perinatal hospice care, plus the latest information on health outcomes, life expectancy, development potential and more. Also, to require the Department of Community Health to develop criteria for certifying a hospice that provides perinatal hospice care, and post information online about ones that have been certified.
http://www.michiganvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=164479
House Bill 5627: Ban truancy scofflaws from welfare benefits
Introduced by Rep. John Olumba (D) on June 4, 2014, to require welfare recipients who have school age children to ensure the children attend school at least 80 percent of the time not including sickness or injury absences as a condition of receiving benefits, and require the state welfare agency to confirm this when the person applies for or renews an application for benefits.
http://www.michiganvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=164480
House Bill 5628: Authorize charitable contribution income tax credits
Introduced by Rep. John Olumba (D) on June 4, 2014, to authorize state income tax credit for charitable donations to food banks, shelters, and community foundations.
http://www.michiganvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=164481
House Bill 5629: Authorize pilot charter boarding school for at risk students
Introduced by Rep. John Olumba (D) on June 4, 2014, to authorize a pilot college preparatory charter school program for low income students who have are failing academically or have gotten into trouble at school.
http://www.michiganvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=164482
House Bill 5630: Authorize “social impact” state debt
Introduced by Rep. John Olumba (D) on June 4, 2014, to authorize new state “social impact” borrowing to fund “senior support services to reduce state Medicare spending” and “at-risk youth education and job training programs to reduce juvenile recidivism”.
http://www.michiganvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=164483
House Bill 5631: Ban hunting with a drone
Introduced by Rep. Robert Kosowski (D) on June 4, 2014, to prohibit using an aerial drone to take game.
http://www.michiganvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=164484
House Bill 5632: Distribute added road money through regular formula vs. earmarks
Introduced by Rep. Martin Howrylak (R) on June 4, 2014, to transfer $115 million that was politically earmarked for certain road projects in a supplemental appropriation enacted in March of 2014, so that the money is instead allocated to local road and bridge programs according to the usual statutory distribution formula.
http://www.michiganvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=164485
House Bill 5633: Allow electronic voter registration
Introduced by Rep. Sarah Roberts (D) on June 4, 2014, to require the Secretary of State to develop a system for electronic online voter registration on its website.
http://www.michiganvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=164486
House Bill 5634: Allow late return of military and overseas absentee ballots
Introduced by Rep. David Knezek (D) on June 4, 2014, to establish that if an overseas military service member’s mailed-in absentee ballot is postmarked on the election date or earlier, and received before the appropriate canvassing board has certified the vote tally, then it would be counted.
http://www.michiganvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=164487
House Bill 5635: Allow overseas voting by email
Introduced by Rep. David Knezek (D) on June 4, 2014, to allow a voter who is outside the country to vote by email or other electronic means. Under a 2010 law overseas voters may receive their absentee ballots by e-mail, but they must be returned by regular mail and received before the polls close on election day.
http://www.michiganvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=164488
House Bill 5636: Permit golf cart road road use without insurance
Introduced by Rep. Kevin Cotter (R) on June 5, 2014, to permit a golf cart to be driven on the shoulder of a public highway without having mandated no-fault vehicle insurance, under the same provision that allows ORVs to do this.
http://www.michiganvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=164492
House Bill 5637: Expand welfare child care subsidies
Introduced by Rep. Stacy Erwin Oakes (D) on June 5, 2014, to expand welfare-related child care subsidies to any recipient who is participating in mandated education, training or work requirements.
http://www.michiganvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=164493
House Bill 5638: Revise parole standards
Introduced by Rep. Stacy Erwin Oakes (D) on June 5, 2014, to require that parole be granted to prisoners who have served their minimum time if the person has at least an “average probability” under a “validated risk assessment instrument” of not being a risk to public safety, and who meets other criteria specified in statute, subject to some restrictions and exceptions.
http://www.michiganvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=164494
House Bill 5639: Authorize “Industrial Plant Rehabilitation” tax break for particular developer
Introduced by Rep. Stacy Erwin Oakes (D) on June 5, 2014, to authorize an Industrial Plant Rehabilitation property tax break for a building owned by a particular developer whose tenant has gone bankrupt.
http://www.michiganvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=164495
Senate Joint Resolution A: Replace gas tax with higher sales tax
Failed 14 to 24 in the Senate on June 11, 2014, to place before voters in the next general election a Constitutional amendment to impose a 1 percent sales tax increase that would go to roads and replace the state motor fuel and diesel taxes. If the measure was approved then a large fuel tax increase proposed by House Bill 5477 would not go into effect. A two-thirds vote (26 votes) are required to place a constitutional amendment on the ballot.
See Who Voted “Yes” and Who Voted “No” at http://www.michiganvotes.org/RollCall.aspx?ID=692164
Senate Bill 20: Require more hazmat licensee disclosures
Passed 110 to 0 in the House on June 11, 2014, to require a person who is required to have a state license to build, manage or operate a hazardous waste treatment, storage, or disposal facility to disclose any past environmental-law related criminal convictions.
See Who Voted “Yes” and Who Voted “No” at http://www.michiganvotes.org/RollCall.aspx?ID=692375
Senate Bill 327: Ban tax collector “quotas”
Passed 109 to 1 in the House on June 11, 2014, to establish that Department of Treasury tax collectors and third party contractors or agents are prohibited from using tax collection amount “quotas” and must apply tax laws and rules equally to all taxpayers.
See Who Voted “Yes” and Who Voted “No” at http://www.michiganvotes.org/RollCall.aspx?ID=692378
Senate Bill 444: Revise aquatic nuisance species control regulations
Passed 60 to 50 in the House on June 11, 2014, to revise details of the law restricting and requiring permits for chemicals used to control aquatic nuisance species; increase the permit fees (by extending the sunset on their authorization); revise the duration of permits and make them transferable; and more.
See Who Voted “Yes” and Who Voted “No” at http://www.michiganvotes.org/RollCall.aspx?ID=692377
Senate Bill 611: Increase penalty on delinquent hotel convention tax
Passed 88 to 22 in the House on June 11, 2014, to require a hotel or motel owner who is late paying a room tax of up to 5 percent imposed to pay for regional marketing schemes to also pay the attorney and court costs incurred collecting the tax, in addition to the 1.5 percent “delinquency charge” and 1.5 percent per month interest charge already authorized under current law.
See Who Voted “Yes” and Who Voted “No” at http://www.michiganvotes.org/RollCall.aspx?ID=692363
Senate Bill 667: Prohibit minors from using “e-cigarettes”
Passed 94 to 16 in the House on June 11, 2014, to prohibit minors form using electronic cigarettes, making it a misdemeanor crime punishable by a $50 fine, community service in a hospice or long term care facility, and being ordered into a health promotion and risk reduction program. Senate Bill 668 adds e-cigarettes to the law prohibiting merchants from selling tobacco to minors.
See Who Voted “Yes” and Who Voted “No” at http://www.michiganvotes.org/RollCall.aspx?ID=692139
Senate Bill 668: Ban selling “e-cigarettes” to minors
Passed 96 to 14 in the House on June 11, 2014, to ban selling or giving minors electronic vapor cigarettes, or any device that delivers nicotine.
See Who Voted “Yes” and Who Voted “No” at http://www.michiganvotes.org/RollCall.aspx?ID=692376
Senate Bill 690: Revise physical therapist scope-of-practice
Passed 108 to 2 in the House on June 11, 2014, to repeal a ban on licensed physical therapists providing therapy unless it has been prescribed by a physician, subject to certain limits specified in the bill.
See Who Voted “Yes” and Who Voted “No” at http://www.michiganvotes.org/RollCall.aspx?ID=692369
Senate Bill 691: Revise physical therapist scope-of-practice
Passed 106 to 4 in the House on June 11, 2014, to allow Blue Cross Blue Shield to not reimburse services provided by a licensed physical therapist unless the service has been prescribed by a physician. Senate Bill 690 would repeal a prohibition on physical therapists providing service that has not been prescribed (subject to certain limits), while Senate Bills 691 through 694 would establish that insurers can still require prescriptions if they choose.
See Who Voted “Yes” and Who Voted “No” at http://www.michiganvotes.org/RollCall.aspx?ID=692370
Senate Bill 692: Revise physical therapist scope-of-practice
Passed 106 to 4 in the House on June 11, 2014, to allow “prudent purchaser” type health care coverage plans to not reimburse services provided by a licensed physical therapist unless the service has been prescribed by a physician. Senate Bill 690 would repeal a prohibition on physical therapists providing service that has not been prescribed (subject to certain limits), while Senate Bills 691 through 694 would establish that insurers can still require prescriptions if they choose.
See Who Voted “Yes” and Who Voted “No” at http://www.michiganvotes.org/RollCall.aspx?ID=692371
Senate Bill 693: Revise physical therapist scope-of-practice
Passed 106 to 4 in the House on June 11, 2014, to allow workers compensation insurance plans to not reimburse services provided by a licensed physical therapist unless the service has been prescribed by a physician. Senate Bill 690 would repeal a prohibition on physical therapists providing service that has not been prescribed (subject to certain limits), while Senate Bills 691 through 694 would establish that insurers can still require prescriptions if they choose.
See Who Voted “Yes” and Who Voted “No” at http://www.michiganvotes.org/RollCall.aspx?ID=692372
Senate Bill 694: Revise physical therapist scope-of-practice
Passed 106 to 4 in the House on June 11, 2014, to allow health insurance companies to not reimburse services provided by a licensed physical therapist unless the service has been prescribed by a physician. Senate Bill 690 would repeal a prohibition on physical therapists providing service that has not been prescribed (subject to certain limits), while Senate Bills 691 through 694 would establish that insurers can still require prescriptions if they choose.
See Who Voted “Yes” and Who Voted “No” at http://www.michiganvotes.org/RollCall.aspx?ID=692373
Senate Bill 695: Revise subsidized Detroit Woodward streetcar detail
Passed 38 to 0 in the Senate on June 11, 2014, to broaden the definition of “nonprofit street railway” operators authorized by a legislative package enacted in 2008 to create a Detroit “light rail” line (namely, a Woodward Avenue streetcar) that would be subsidized through Tax Increment Financing, public debt, state road tax money, etc. Reportedly this is necessary to conform with federal rules.
See Who Voted “Yes” and Who Voted “No” at http://www.michiganvotes.org/RollCall.aspx?ID=692224
Senate Bill 696: Exempt Detroit Woodward streetcar from “legacy cost” liability
Passed 37 to 1 in the Senate on June 11, 2014, to revise a Detroit “light rail” line legislative package enacted in 2008 to create a Woodward Avenue streetcar, so as to establish that the operator would not be liable for any “legacy costs” incurred by the Detroit Transportation Department (presumably including unfunded employee pension liabilities). Also, to exempt the property, income, and operations of this entity from all state and local taxation. See also House Bill 5168, which would authorize the Detroit area regional transportation authority created by a 2012 law to enter agreements to operate this line.
See Who Voted “Yes” and Who Voted “No” at http://www.michiganvotes.org/RollCall.aspx?ID=692225
Senate Bill 697: Exempt Detroit Woodward streetcar from property tax
Passed 37 to 1 in the Senate on June 11, 2014, to exempt the operator of a Detroit “light rail” line authorized by a legislative package enacted in 2008 from property taxes.
See Who Voted “Yes” and Who Voted “No” at http://www.michiganvotes.org/RollCall.aspx?ID=692226
Senate Bill 748: Revise limousine regulations and special Detroit powers
Passed 30 to 8 in the Senate on June 11, 2014, to revise the population threshold in a law that authorizes Detroit to impose a protectionist city regulatory regime on “limousines” that pick up passengers in the city, so as to accommodate Detroit’s shrinking population. The bill would also expand the scope of Detroit’s restrictions by increasing the capacity limit of vehicles subject to them from “fewer than seven” people to “fewer than nine,” including the driver.
See Who Voted “Yes” and Who Voted “No” at http://www.michiganvotes.org/RollCall.aspx?ID=692191
Senate Bill 752: Increase income tax property tax credit
Passed 37 to 1 in the Senate on June 11, 2014, to increase the maximum income cap (“household resources” cap) on a property tax credit a homeowner or renter may claim against his or her state income tax begins to phase-out, from $50,000 to $70,000. The vote is part of a deal made with Democrats by Gov. Rick Snyder and Senate Majority Leader Randy Richardville to get their votes on a $1.2 billion fuel tax increase, and will only go into effect if that tax hike is enacted.
See Who Voted “Yes” and Who Voted “No” at http://www.michiganvotes.org/RollCall.aspx?ID=692167
Senate Bill 847: Expand homestead property tax credit
Passed 37 to 1 in the Senate on June 11, 2014, to increase the property tax credit a homeowner or renter can claim against the state income tax, by lowering the income threshold in the formula used to calculate this “homestead” or principle residence exemption. The vote is part of a deal made with Democrats by Gov. Rick Snyder and Senate Majority Leader Randy Richardville to get their votes on a $1.2 billion fuel tax increase, and will only go into effect if that tax hike is enacted.
See Who Voted “Yes” and Who Voted “No” at http://www.michiganvotes.org/RollCall.aspx?ID=692166
Senate Bill 853: Ban automated eyeglass “kiosks”
Passed 108 to 2 in the House on June 11, 2014, to prohibit automated testing devices that provide automated eye exams and issue prescriptions for glasses or contact lenses. Instead, only licensed optometrists and physicians specializing in eye care could write eyeglass and contact lens prescriptions. This would preempt eyeglass “kiosks” in drugstores and other retail locations, which is a lower cost alternative to conventional optometry services that are expanding in some other states.
See Who Voted “Yes” and Who Voted “No” at http://www.michiganvotes.org/RollCall.aspx?ID=692374
Senate Bill 873: Authorize “Pure Michigan Trail” designations
Passed 108 to 2 in the House on June 11, 2014, to authorize the designation of a trail as “Pure Michigan Trail” if it contributes to a statewide trail network that “promotes healthy lifestyles, economic development, recreation, and conservation.” The bill would also authorize designation of “Pure Michigan Towns” and “Pure Michigan Water Trails”.
See Who Voted “Yes” and Who Voted “No” at http://www.michiganvotes.org/RollCall.aspx?ID=692364
Senate Bill 875: Authorize “Pure Michigan Trail” designations
Passed 108 to 2 in the House on June 11, 2014, to revise the state environmental protection law to conform to the proposal in Senate Bill 873 to designate a statewide multi-use trail network.
See Who Voted “Yes” and Who Voted “No” at http://www.michiganvotes.org/RollCall.aspx?ID=692365
Senate Bill 877: Authorize “Pure Michigan Trail” designations
Passed 108 to 2 in the House on June 11, 2014, to revise the law authorizing a state “snowmobile and trails advisory council” so as to conform to the proposal in Senate Bill 873 to create a statewide multi-use trail network and the designation of “Pure Michigan Water Trails”.
See Who Voted “Yes” and Who Voted “No” at http://www.michiganvotes.org/RollCall.aspx?ID=692367
Senate Bill 890: Revise state adoption subsidies
Passed 38 to 0 in the Senate on June 11, 2014, to revise details of a law that authorizes subsidies for parents who adopt a child, so as to accommodate an agreement that the state would provide higher subsidies if it turns out a particular child needs “extraordinary” care that incurs extraordinary expenses.
See Who Voted “Yes” and Who Voted “No” at http://www.michiganvotes.org/RollCall.aspx?ID=692200
Senate Bill 900: Revise workers comp insurance detail
Passed 110 to 0 in the House on June 11, 2014, to give the state agency that oversees the injured workers compensation insurance system discretion to permit reimbursement for certain claims made after statutory deadlines have passed. This is part of a legislative package intended to provide several hundred former Delphi Corporation employees with workers’ compensation benefits that reportedly have not been available since 2009 due to the company’s bankruptcy.
See Who Voted “Yes” and Who Voted “No” at http://www.michiganvotes.org/RollCall.aspx?ID=692368
Senate Bill 910: Ban enforcement of new woodstove emissions limits
Passed 25 to 12 in the Senate on June 11, 2014, to prohibit Department of Environmental Quality from imposing new state regulations limiting emissions from woodstoves and heaters, or enforcing federal regulations that do this. The bill was introduced as news reports indicate that proposed federal Environmental Protection Agency rules would impose restrictive new limits on wood burning heaters.
See Who Voted “Yes” and Who Voted “No” at http://www.michiganvotes.org/RollCall.aspx?ID=692211
Senate Bill 948: Restrict radioactive material storage and disposal
Passed 38 to 0 in the Senate on June 11, 2014, to prohibit storing or disposing radioactive waste from another state or country in Michigan, and ban storing any radioactive material other than what is allowed under current law for nuclear power plants, uranium mines and medical uses. The bill would also create a state advisory board for the purpose of writing a report on the potential impact of depositing radioactive waste deep underground at a site in Kincardine, Ontario, as proposed by an Ontario utility.
See Who Voted “Yes” and Who Voted “No” at http://www.michiganvotes.org/RollCall.aspx?ID=692222
House Bill 4003: Expand state Treasurer tax dispute deal making authority
Passed 38 to 0 in the Senate on June 11, 2014, to authorize the state treasurer to compromise disputed tax matters under certain conditions, and establish associated disclosures and record keeping requirements.
See Who Voted “Yes” and Who Voted “No” at http://www.michiganvotes.org/RollCall.aspx?ID=692229
House Bill 4251: Revise local road project contracting details
Passed 37 to 1 in the Senate on June 11, 2014, to establish that if a township contributes 50 percent or more to the cost of a road project, it can require the county road commission contract for the work through competitive bidding. This is part of a House road funding package.
See Who Voted “Yes” and Who Voted “No” at http://www.michiganvotes.org/RollCall.aspx?ID=692168
House Bill 4380: Repeal registration for foresters
Passed 24 to 14 in the Senate on June 11, 2014, to repeal statutory references to registered foresters. House Bill 4281 would repeal registration provisions for foresters. The bill leaves in place a revised definition of “qualified” forester, which means someone qualified to attest that a piece of forest property qualifies for certain property tax breaks.
See Who Voted “Yes” and Who Voted “No” at http://www.michiganvotes.org/RollCall.aspx?ID=692192
House Bill 4567: Increase certain drunk driver penalties
Passed 37 to 1 in the Senate on June 11, 2014, to increase various drunk driving penalties. Among other changes, the bill raises the penalty for a drunk or stoned driver who causes the death of another from 5 years in prison to 10 years, and up to 20 years for certain aggravated offenses.
See Who Voted “Yes” and Who Voted “No” at http://www.michiganvotes.org/RollCall.aspx?ID=692198
House Bill 4568: Increase certain drunk driver penalties
Passed 37 to 1 in the Senate on June 11, 2014, to revise the state sentencing guidelines reflect the increased drunk driving penalties proposed by House Bill 4566.
See Who Voted “Yes” and Who Voted “No” at http://www.michiganvotes.org/RollCall.aspx?ID=692199
House Bill 4630: Increase vehicle registration taxes
Passed 21 to 15 in the Senate on June 11, 2014, to eliminate the current 10 percent reduction of vehicle registration (license plate) fees for a new vehicle’s second, third, and fourth years of registration. This would represent a $145 million tax increase on vehicle owners, but it would not take effect until 2016. The bill would also increase the drivers license renewal fee from $18 to $25, and increase a number of other fees on different kinds of vehicles and trailers. However, with the Senate’s unwillingness to pass a related $1.2 billion gas tax increase the bill’s future is in question..
See Who Voted “Yes” and Who Voted “No” at http://www.michiganvotes.org/RollCall.aspx?ID=692189
House Bill 4630: Increase vehicle registration taxes
The substitute passed by voice vote in the Senate on May 21, 2014, to adopt a version of the bill that contains a much larger tax hike; see Senate-passed bill for more.
http://www.michiganvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=158834
House Bill 4630: Increase vehicle registration taxes
Failed 18 to 20 in the Senate on June 11, 2014, to eliminate the current 10 percent reduction of vehicle registration (license plate) fees for a new vehicle’s second, third, and fourth years of registration. This would represent a $145 million tax increase on vehicle owners. The bill would also increase the drivers license renewal fee from $18 to $25, and increase a number of other fees on different kinds of vehicles and trailers.
See Who Voted “Yes” and Who Voted “No” at http://www.michiganvotes.org/RollCall.aspx?ID=692181
House Bill 4688: Repeal licensure mandates for dietitians and nutritionists
Passed 26 to 12 in the Senate on June 11, 2014, to repeal a law that imposes a licensure mandate on dietitians and nutritionists. The mandate has not been enforced since it was authorized in 2006 because the state licensure agency was unable to devise acceptable credentialing and education requirements.
See Who Voted “Yes” and Who Voted “No” at http://www.michiganvotes.org/RollCall.aspx?ID=692223
House Bill 5039: Expand mandatory child death investigations
Passed 38 to 0 in the Senate on June 11, 2014, to expand the duties of the state “children’s ombudsman” to include investigating all deaths of a child if there was an active or recent child protective services investigation or complaint, or the child was in foster care (with some exceptions). This office would also be required to report any immediate safety concerns regarding a child in an active or open protective services or foster care case to the appropriate state agency.
See Who Voted “Yes” and Who Voted “No” at http://www.michiganvotes.org/RollCall.aspx?ID=692208
House Bill 5069: Authorize penalties on rental property “squatters”
Passed 32 to 5 in the Senate on June 11, 2014, to establish that the usual restrictions and penalties on a landlord interfering with a tenant’s legitimate possession of a rented residence do not apply in the case of “squatters,” defined by the bill as a person who took possession by “forcible entry, holds possession by force after a peaceable entry, or came into possession by trespass.” House Bill 5070 authorizes criminal penalties for some squatting violations.
See Who Voted “Yes” and Who Voted “No” at http://www.michiganvotes.org/RollCall.aspx?ID=692194
House Bill 5070: Authorize penalties on rental property “squatters”
Passed 32 to 6 in the Senate on June 11, 2014, to authorize criminal penalties for a “squatter” who illegally occupies a residence, including up to five years in prison and a $10,000 fine for second and subsequent violations. “Squatter” is defined by the bill as someone who “at any time during that period of occupancy, occupied the property with the owner’s consent for an agreed-upon consideration” but not a “guest or a family member of the owner or a tenant”.
See Who Voted “Yes” and Who Voted “No” at http://www.michiganvotes.org/RollCall.aspx?ID=692196
House Bill 5071: Authorize penalties on rental property “squatters”
Passed 34 to 4 in the Senate on June 11, 2014, to establish sentencing guidelines for the crime proposed by House Bill 5070 of “squatting,” defined as illegally occupying a residence.
See Who Voted “Yes” and Who Voted “No” at http://www.michiganvotes.org/RollCall.aspx?ID=692197
House Bill 5089: Create new pseudoephedrine “straw man” buyer crime
Passed 37 to 1 in the Senate on June 11, 2014, to authorize up to 10 years in prison and a $10,000 fine for purchasing ephedrine or pseudoephedrine while knowing that it will be used to manufacture methamphetamine.
See Who Voted “Yes” and Who Voted “No” at http://www.michiganvotes.org/RollCall.aspx?ID=692201
House Bill 5090: Create new pseudoephedrine “straw man” buyer crime
Passed 37 to 1 in the Senate on June 11, 2014, to establish sentencing guidelines for the crime proposed by House Bill 5089 of purchasing ephedrine or pseudoephedrine while knowing that it will be used to manufacture methamphetamine.
See Who Voted “Yes” and Who Voted “No” at http://www.michiganvotes.org/RollCall.aspx?ID=692202
House Bill 5167: Require competitive bidding on some road maintenance
Passed 38 to 0 in the Senate on June 11, 2014, to require road agencies to seek competitive bids for road maintenance projects greater than $100,000 and use a “performance based” payment system. This is part of a House road funding package.
See Who Voted “Yes” and Who Voted “No” at http://www.michiganvotes.org/RollCall.aspx?ID=692183
House Bill 5168: Facilitate DARTA operating Woodward streetcar
Passed 32 to 6 in the Senate on June 11, 2014, to authorize the Detroit area regional transportation authority created by a 2012 law to enter agreements to operate a Woodward Avenue streetcar in Detroit with the entity authorized by 2008 law to create it. The bill would exempt this project from a provision requiring unanimous action by the DARTA board for any form of rail passenger service, and specify that Detroit and Wayne County would be responsible for covering the line’s operating deficits (and not other communities in the RTA).
See Who Voted “Yes” and Who Voted “No” at http://www.michiganvotes.org/RollCall.aspx?ID=692227
House Bill 5169: Facilitate DARTA operating Woodward streetcar
Passed 31 to 7 in the Senate on June 11, 2014, to revise details of the 2012 law that created a Detroit area regional transportation authority, so as to facilitate the proposal in House Bill 5168 accommodate the proposal in House Bill 5168 to let the authority operate the Woodward Avenue streetcar project authorized by a 2008 law.
See Who Voted “Yes” and Who Voted “No” at http://www.michiganvotes.org/RollCall.aspx?ID=692228
House Bill 5261: Exempt vehicle sale to relatives from sales tax
Passed 38 to 0 in the Senate on June 11, 2014, to exempt from sales tax the sale of a vehicle to a relative, including parents, children, grandparents and grandchildren, spouses, in-laws and more.
See Who Voted “Yes” and Who Voted “No” at http://www.michiganvotes.org/RollCall.aspx?ID=692209
House Bill 5313: Appropriations: 2014-2015 “Omnibus” budget
Failed 0 to 109 in the House on May 15, 2014, to concur with a Senate-passed version of the bill. The vote sends the bill to a House-Senate conference committee to work out the differences.
See Who Voted “Yes” and Who Voted “No” at http://www.michiganvotes.org/RollCall.aspx?ID=690644
House Bill 5314: Appropriations: “Omnibus” education budget
Passed 60 to 50 in the House on June 11, 2014, the final education budget for the fiscal year that begins Oct 1, 2014. A separate House budget authorizes the rest of state government spending (House Bill 5313).
This bill would authorize $13.870 billion for K-12 public schools, a $509 million increase. It also appropriates $1.516 billion for state universities, compared to $1.430 billion the prior year; and $364 million for community colleges, up from $335 million.
The bill increases per-student “foundation allowances” for higher-spending K-12 school districts by $50, and $125 for lower spending ones. However, distributions to school districts are understated by around $400 per student compared to pre-2012 budgets, because the state is now depositing a portion of their pension costs directly into the system (rather than the previous practice of sending it all to the districts to deposit). Reportedly, the gap between funding at the highest and lowest spending districts has decreased to $848, compared to around $2,300 when the Proposal A school finance overhaul was approved in 1994.
See Who Voted “Yes” and Who Voted “No” at http://www.michiganvotes.org/RollCall.aspx?ID=692138
House Bill 5314: Appropriations: “Omnibus” education budget
Passed 21 to 17 in the Senate on June 11, 2014, the final education budget for the fiscal year that begins Oct 1, 2014. A separate House budget authorizes the rest of state government spending (House Bill 5313).
This bill would authorize $13.870 billion for K-12 public schools, a $509 million increase. It also appropriates $1.516 billion for state universities, compared to $1.430 billion the prior year; and $364 million for community colleges, up from $335 million.
The bill increases per-student “foundation allowances” for higher-spending K-12 school districts by $50, and $125 for lower spending ones. However, distributions to school districts are understated by around $400 per student compared to pre-2012 budgets, because the state is now depositing a portion of their pension costs directly into the system (rather than the previous practice of sending it all to the districts to deposit). Reportedly, the gap between funding at the highest and lowest spending districts has decreased to $848, compared to around $2,300 when the Proposal A school finance overhaul was approved in 1994.
See Who Voted “Yes” and Who Voted “No” at http://www.michiganvotes.org/RollCall.aspx?ID=692195
House Bill 5363: Expand meth-related pseudoephedrine restrictions
Passed 37 to 1 in the Senate on June 11, 2014, to prohibit purchasing or possessing ephedrine or pseudoephedrine that is intended to be used to manufacture methamphetamines, subject to up to 20 years in prison.
See Who Voted “Yes” and Who Voted “No” at http://www.michiganvotes.org/RollCall.aspx?ID=692203
House Bill 5452: Increase overweight and oversize truck fees
Failed 16 to 22 in the Senate on June 11, 2014, to increase the fees for permits required to operate a vehicle or trailer that exceeds standard highway size, weight, or load restrictions. Currently the fees range from $15 to $100, depending on whether the fee is for overweight or oversize vehicles or trailers, and for a single trip or an multiple trips. Single trip fees would double, and multiple or annual trip permits would quintuple. A preliminary estimate indicates this would increase revenue for road funding by around $11 million.
See Who Voted “Yes” and Who Voted “No” at http://www.michiganvotes.org/RollCall.aspx?ID=692173
House Bill 5460: Require local road agencies get warranties on road projects
Passed 37 to 1 in the Senate on June 11, 2014, to expand to local road agencies a requirement to warranties from contractors for road construction and preservation projects valued at more than $1 million. Under current law the warranty requirement only applies to the state Department of Transportation. This is part of a House road funding package.
See Who Voted “Yes” and Who Voted “No” at http://www.michiganvotes.org/RollCall.aspx?ID=692169
House Bill 5477: Replace per-gallon fuel tax with 6 percent wholesale tax
The substitute failed 17 to 21 in the Senate on June 11, 2014, to adopt a version of the bill that would replace the current 19-cent per gallon gas tax and 15-cent diesel tax with a 7.0 percent wholesale fuel tax, gradually increasing to 15 percent over five years.
See Who Voted “Yes” and Who Voted “No” at http://www.michiganvotes.org/RollCall.aspx?ID=692216
House Bill 5493: Replace per-gallon fuel tax with 6 percent wholesale tax
Passed 20 to 18 in the Senate on June 11, 2014, to replace the current 15 cent per gallon motor carrier fuel tax imposed on interstate truckers with a tax on the wholesale fuel price somewhere between 7 and 17 percent per gallon. The exact rate would be specified in House Bill 5477 and was the subject of intense and incompete negotiations on the day this vote was taken.
See Who Voted “Yes” and Who Voted “No” at http://www.michiganvotes.org/RollCall.aspx?ID=692221
House Bill 5507: Revise county foster care reimbursement detail
Passed 110 to 0 in the House on June 11, 2014, to extend for another year a state reimbursement to counties to cover a portion of the cost of providing foster care services. The bill also clarifies what constitutes “foster care services”.
See Who Voted “Yes” and Who Voted “No” at http://www.michiganvotes.org/RollCall.aspx?ID=692362
House Bill 5553: Authorize “Pure Michigan Trail” designations
Passed 38 to 0 in the Senate on June 11, 2014, to authorize the use of money in an existing “Michigan trailways fund” to develop the statewide multi-use trail network proposed by Senate Bill 873.
See Who Voted “Yes” and Who Voted “No” at http://www.michiganvotes.org/RollCall.aspx?ID=692204
House Bill 5559: Authorize “Pure Michigan Trail” designations
Passed 38 to 0 in the Senate on June 11, 2014, to revise the law authorizing the state to operate an “adopt a trail” program using the services of volunteers so as to conform to the proposal in Senate Bill 873 to create a statewide multi-use trail network.
See Who Voted “Yes” and Who Voted “No” at http://www.michiganvotes.org/RollCall.aspx?ID=692205
House Bill 5600: Revise conflict of interest to allow mayor on Detroit oversight panel
Passed 37 to 1 in the Senate on June 11, 2014, to revise a law that prohibits public officials from having various positions that may create a conflict of interest, so as to allow the mayor and a council member of a financially troubled city to be on a financial review commission for their city. This relates to legislation making a $195 million gift of state money to Detroit toward a possible bankruptcy settlement, which created a state oversight panel that includes the mayor and president of the city council.
See Who Voted “Yes” and Who Voted “No” at http://www.michiganvotes.org/RollCall.aspx?ID=692392
House Bill 5612: Revise detail of large utility regulatory regime
Passed 38 to 0 in the Senate on June 11, 2014, to allow money in a state “Utility Consumer Representation Fund” to be used for participation in proceedings on utility cost allocation and rate setting methods. Large utilities are required to pay a certain amount to this fund, and to pass the cost to customers. Half the money in fund goes to the Attorney General and half to “consumer advocates” to contest rate hikes.
See Who Voted “Yes” and Who Voted “No” at http://www.michiganvotes.org/RollCall.aspx?ID=692207