Replies

Senate Bill 51, Expand forest property tax breaks: Passed 35 to 0 in the Senate
To expand the eligibility for certain forest property tax breaks, increase their value, double the number of acres eligible for the tax breaks from 1.2 million to 2.4 million statewide, authorize a new 2 mill property tax on property in this program that would go to a proposed “Private Forestland Enhancement Fund” to subsidize private forestland management activities, and revise many other details of this program.

Senate Bill 48, Ease bear cub “petting zoo” restriction: Passed 26 to 9 in the Senate
To exempt bear cubs up to 36 weeks old from restrictions on the possession and handling of large carnivores older than 20 weeks. This would allow “petting zoos” and similar operations to let members of the public have contact with bear cubs. Reportedly the bill was introduced after Oswald’s Bear Ranch in Newberry was ordered to halt this activity.

Noteworthy Committee Hearings

House and Senate appropriations subcommittees held informational hearings on Gov. Snyder’s request that they appropriate $30.5 million in federal grant money for a so-called “partnership exchange” under the federal “Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act,” a.k.a. Obamacare. This would be a federal health insurance subsidy and eligibility operation in which the state performs certain ancillary functions, as determined through negotiations with the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, possibly including customer assistance. According to the Gongwer and MIRS news services, lawmakers had more questions than executive branch officials were able to answer at this time.

Recently Introduced Bills of Interest

Senate Bill 99: Expand school “sinking fund” uses to include security
Introduced by Sen. Howard Walker (R), to allow school districts to use “sinking fund” taxes for “school security.” Under current law, school sinking funds are permanent funds that may be used only for infrastructure-related spending including buying land, construction and major repairs. Schools can levy up to five mills for sinking funds. Since new operating expense millages were prohibited by a vote of the people in the 1994 Proposal A initiative, it is likely that the bill would require a 3/4 majority vote in the House and Senate, as required by the Constitution on any bill amending an initiative adopted by popular vote. Referred to committee, no further action at this time.

Senate Bill 128: Increase state Earned Income Tax Credit
Introduced by Sen. Bert Johnson (D), to increase the state earned income tax credit from an amount equal to 6 percent of the federal EITC, to 20 percent. This is a “refundable” credit for low income workers (meaning that a check is sent to the taxpayer for the balance of the credit exceeding taxes owed). According to a House Fiscal Agency analysis, this increase would cost $261 million annually. Referred to committee, no further action at this time.

Senate Bill 137: Ban abortion coverage in state “Obamacare“ exchange
Introduced by Sen. Mark Jansen (R), to prohibit the insurance “exchange” created under the federal health care law from providing policies that include coverage for abortion. A person could use their own money to buy an optional insurance policy rider that reimburses the costs of an abortion. Referred to committee, no further action at this time.

Senate Bill 169: Allow driverless car testing
Introduced by Sen. Mike Kowall (R), to allow the operation on highways of an automated “driverless” vehicle for testing purposes, subject to narrow conditions. A human operator would have to be present to monitor performance and intervene if necessary. Gov. Rick Snyder called for this in his 2013 State of the State address, and the bill was the subject of an informational hearing this week.

House Bill 4148: Authorize more community college bachelors degrees
Introduced by Rep. Mike Shirkey (R), to allow community colleges to grant bachelor degrees in nursing, “ski area management,” wastewater treatment technology, “allied health,” information technology, and manufacturing technology. This would be in addition to community college bachelor degrees authorized by a 2012 law, which included cement technology, maritime technology, energy production technology and culinary arts. Referred to committee, no further action at this time.

House Bill 4202: Impose “Amazon tax” on internet purchases
Introduced by Rep. Eileen Kowall (R), to impose the state sales tax on catalog or internet purchases made from a seller outside the state if the seller has an “affiliate” located in Michigan, in the manner pioneered by internet retailer Amazon.com. The bill has 17 cosponsors from both parties, and is the reintroduction of a 2011 bill that appeared to be part of a national lobbying campaign by “big box” retail stores. Referred to committee, no further action at this time.