Replies

Senate Bill 103: Reduce “student growth” portion of teacher rating criteria
The amendment failed 15 to 22 in the Senate on May 20, 2015, to make doing teacher evaluations contingent on adopting detailed and restrictive standards for teacher evaluators and systems.
See Who Voted “Yes” and Who Voted “No” at http://www.michiganvotes.org/RollCall.aspx?ID=714078

Senate Bill 338: Mandate nursing homes have private examination rooms
Introduced by Sen. John Proos (R) on May 19, 2015, to mandate that nursing homes and homes for the aged provide private examination rooms for on-site medical or dental treatment if these services are offered.
http://www.michiganvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=169633

Senate Bill 339: Regulate “large scale breeding kennels”
Introduced by Sen. Steve Bieda (D) on May 19, 2015, to regulate and impose additional record keeping requirements on “large scale breeding kennels,” defined as ones where more at least 15 female dogs are housed for purposes of breeding. Also, to prohibit the sale or import into the state of a puppy or kitten less than eight weeks old that has been separated from its mother, add additional vaccination requirements and a “pet health certificate” requirement on dog and cat sales and transfers, and more.
http://www.michiganvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=169634

Senate Bill 340: Increase penalties for tobacco sales to minors
Introduced by Sen. Steve Bieda (D) on May 19, 2015, to increase the penalties for selling tobacco to minors, from $50 to $100 for a first offense, and $500 for a subsequent offense. The increased penalties would also apply to a minor who tries to buy or who possesses tobacco.
http://www.michiganvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=169635

Senate Bill 341: Impose motor fuel tax on alternative fuels
Introduced by Sen. Mike Shirkey (R) on May 19, 2015, to apply the state gasoline tax to compressed natural gas or hydrogen fuel used to power vehicles, and the diesel tax to liquid natural gas vehicles, at rates equivalent to their equivalent energy per unit according to a formula the bill would prescribe.
http://www.michiganvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=169636

Senate Bill 342: Impose vehicle registration tax surcharge on alternative fuel vehicles
Introduced by Sen. Mike Shirkey (R) on May 19, 2015, to impose an annual vehicle registration surtax of $75 on electric cars or plug-in hybrids, a $200 annual surtax on electric trucks over 8,000 lbs., a $25 annual surtax on gasoline/electric hybrid-drive cars, and a $100 surtax on trucks with that power source.
http://www.michiganvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=169637

Senate Bill 343: Prorate unfunded university pension “catch up” costs
Introduced by Sen. Tonya Schuitmaker (R) on May 20, 2015, to establish a methodology for assessing to state universities a share of the annual amount required to “catch up” on unfunded pension liabilities. The bill would assess both universities and K-12 school districts with a share of the “catch up” costs based on how much of the unfunded liability was incurred on behalf of their employee over the years, using a formula the bill proposes for determining the value of past and future pension fund contributions, and the projected cost of future pension benefit payments.
http://www.michiganvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=169638

Senate Bill 344: Revise gas station liquor license provision
Introduced by Sen. Dave Hildenbrand (R) on May 20, 2015, to allow the owner of a gas station that has a license to sell beer and wine to operate a second location under the same license.
http://www.michiganvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=169639

Senate Bill 345: Revise gas station liquor license provision
Introduced by Sen. Goeff Hansen (R) on May 20, 2015, to allow the owner of a gas station that has a license to sell beer and wine to operate a second location under the same license.
http://www.michiganvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=169640

Senate Bill 346: Require auto insurers sell coverage to medical marijuana users
Introduced by Sen. Coleman Young, II (D) on May 21, 2015, to repeal a provision of the insurance code that allows auto insurers to choose not to provide coverage for medical marijuana users.
http://www.michiganvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=169641

Senate Bill 347: Mandate auto insurers cut rates and more
Introduced by Sen. Coleman Young, II (D) on May 21, 2015, to mandate that auto insurers adopt a pricing model prescribed by the bill that encompasses returns on a company’s other lines of business, and then cut rates by 20 percent. The bill would also impose a “post and hold” type of rate regulation on auto insurance insurers in which rate changes would have to be approved by state regulators and then could not be changed for year; restrict premium differences based on where a vehicle is garaged; and more.
http://www.michiganvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=169642

Senate Bill 348: Impose ban on mining landfills
Introduced by Sen. Jim Ananich (D) on May 21, 2015, to impose the equivalent of a “deed restriction” on property used as a landfill, that would prohibit ever mining the property for purposes of land reclamation, to recover soil or recyclables from the landfill, to increase its life or capacity; etc.
http://www.michiganvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=169643

Senate Bill 349: Revise delinquent property tax procedure detail
Introduced by Sen. Jim Stamas (R) on May 21, 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.
http://www.michiganvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=169644

Senate Bill 350: Revise carrier pigeon licensure mandate
Introduced by Sen. Hoon-Yung Hopgood (D) on May 21, 2015, to prohibit a person from getting a state-mandated carrier pigeon license if his or her facilities do not meet regulations imposed by the local government, but preempt locals from banning carrier pigeons outright.
http://www.michiganvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=169645

Senate Bill 351: Ban divorce lawyer “ambulance chasing”
Introduced by Sen. Rick Jones (R) on May 21, 2015, to prohibit a lawyer from soliciting business from a party to a divorce action within 21 days after proof of service in the action was filed with the court, punishable by fines of $1,000, and $5,000 for subsequent violations.
http://www.michiganvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=169646

Senate Bill 352: Authorize “designated caregivers” for hospital patients
Introduced by Sen. Margaret O’Brien (R) on May 21, 2015, to require hospitals to give a patient the opportunity to designate a friend or family member as the individual’s “designated caregiver.” Hospitals would have to notify this person when the patient is transferred or released, consult with them about the discharge plan, instruct them about the patient’s needs after discharge, etc..
http://www.michiganvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=169647

Senate Bill 353: Expand autism insurance mandate
Introduced by Sen. Margaret O’Brien (R) on May 21, 2015, to revise the mandate imposed on health insurers to include autism treatment in all policies, so that it would require policies to pay for “access to in-network participating diagnosis and treatment providers a reasonable distance” from the person’s home.
http://www.michiganvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=169648

House Bill 4617: Impose ban on ever mining landfills
Introduced by Rep. Pam Faris (D) on May 19, 2015, to impose the equivalent of a “deed restriction” on property used as a landfill, that would prohibit ever mining the property for purposes of land reclamation, to recover soil or recyclables from the landfill to increase its life or capacity; etc.
http://www.michiganvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=169649

House Bill 4618: Expand Viet Nam veteran grant eligibility to post-Viet Nam veterans
Introduced by Rep. Vanessa Guerra (D) on May 19, 2015, to extend a state grant that was given to Viet Nam era veterans under a 1974 law, so that the award would also be given to individuals who were in the military between September 1, 1973 and May 7, 1975. The last U.S. combat troops were withdrawn from Viet Nam in August, 1972.
http://www.michiganvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=169650

House Bill 4619: Ban state contracts with firms that collect bulk “metadata” on residents
Introduced by Rep. Cindy Gamrat (R) on May 19, 2015, to prohibit giving state contracts to companies that participate in the bulk collection of electronic data and “metadata” on residents without informed consent or a warrant.
http://www.michiganvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=169651

House Bill 4620: Revise property tax exemption appeal detail
Introduced by Rep. David Pagel (R) on May 19, 2015, to revise a state (property) Tax Tribunal law to conform with property tax exemption appeal provisions proposed by House Bill 4621.
http://www.michiganvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=169652

House Bill 4621: Revise property tax exemption appeal detail
Introduced by Rep. David Pagel (R) on May 19, 2015, to permit but not require county treasurers to reconsider past denials of homeowner’s claim to certain property tax exemptions if the individual has successfully appealed a later denial to the Michigan Tax Tribunal.
http://www.michiganvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=169653

House Bill 4622: Authorize PPOs for human trafficking
Introduced by Rep. Marcia Hovey-Wright (D) on May 19, 2015, to explicitly authorize personal protection orders for victims of human trafficking. Specifically, the bill adds human trafficking crimes to the statute that authorizes PPOs.
http://www.michiganvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=169654

House Bill 4623: Allow no-reason absentee voting
Introduced by Rep. Marilyn Lane (D) on May 19, 2015, to eliminate the requirement that a person give a specific reason for requesting an absentee ballot.
http://www.michiganvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=169655

House Bill 4624: Repeal county and legislative candidate filing fee refunds
Introduced by Rep. Marilyn Lane (D) on May 19, 2015, to repeal an election law provision that allows unsuccessful primary election candidates for the legislature or certain county offices to get their $100 candidate filing fee refunded.
http://www.michiganvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=169656

House Bill 4625: Revise Medicaid nursing home detail
Introduced by Rep. Marilyn Lane (D) on May 19, 2015, to establish that if an individual’s application for Medicaid nursing home benefits is not approved or denied within 45 days, the applicant will be considered approved. If the person is eventually determined to be ineligible, benefits would cease but no retroactive “claw back” would be authorized of amounts already paid.
http://www.michiganvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=169657

House Bill 4626: Revise nursing home Medicaid detail
Introduced by Rep. Marilyn Lane (D) on May 19, 2015, to revise the rules for Medicaid nursing home reimbursements to grant up to three months of retroactive Medicaid benefits after a current nursing home resident applies, and if the individual’s assets exceeded eligibility limits, allow the person to retroactively reduce their assets by buying a prepaid funeral contract whose value does not exceed specified limits.
http://www.michiganvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=169658

House Bill 4627: Revise Medicaid nursing home benefit detail
Introduced by Rep. Marilyn Lane (D) on May 19, 2015, to make nursing home services provided at an adult foster care facility eligible for Medicaid benefits.
http://www.michiganvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=169659

House Bill 4628: Mandate auto insurance refund for expired “points” surcharge
Introduced by Rep. Marilyn Lane (D) on May 19, 2015, to require auto insurance companies to give customers a credit for higher premium amounts that were originally charged because of traffic violation “points” incurred by a policy holder, and which the company continued to charge after those “points” expired.
http://www.michiganvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=169660

House Bill 4629: Repeal “bond” requirement to contest civil asset forfeiture
Introduced by Rep. Peter Lucido (R) on May 20, 2015, to repeal a requirement for property owner whose property has been seized by police and is subject to “civil forfeiture” to provide a cash “bond” to contest the taking, and if unsuccessful to pay all the expenses of the proceedings. Under civil forfeiture laws, police can seize any property that may be associated with a crime using extremely broad definition, and then keep the property even if the owner is never convicted or even charged with a crime.
http://www.michiganvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=169661

House Bill 4630: Repeal striking workers replacement ad disclosure mandate
Introduced by Rep. Amanda Price (R) on May 20, 2015, to repeal a law that prohibits an employer from soliciting or advertising for replacements for striking workers unless the solicitation discloses that there is a strike.
http://www.michiganvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=169662

House Bill 4631: Revise electric choice detail
Introduced by Rep. Amanda Price (R) on May 20, 2015, to prohibit the Public Service Commission from assessing customers of electricity purchased from an “alternative” generator under the state’s limited electricity customer choice law from being charged for a portion of the “stranded” costs associated with a regulated electric utility retiring a facility.
http://www.michiganvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=169663

House Bill 4632: Revise school district annexation detail
Introduced by Rep. Gretchen Driskell (D) on May 20, 2015, to revise details of the process by which one school district can annex another with the approval of the voters in the district to be annexed.
http://www.michiganvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=169664

House Bill 4633: Revise carrier pigeon licensure mandate
Introduced by Rep. Julie Plawecki (D) on May 21, 2015, to prohibit a person from getting a state-mandated carrier pigeon license if his or her facilities do not meet regulations imposed by the local government, but preempt locals from banning carrier pigeons outright.
http://www.michiganvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=169665

House Bill 4634: Revise vehicle registration “late fee”
Introduced by Rep. Ben Glardon (R) on May 21, 2015, to not impose an extra fee on vehicle registration renewals after the previous registration had expired if within 120 days the owner brings evidence to a Secretary of State branch office that the vehicle had been in storage.
http://www.michiganvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=169666

House Bill 4635: Extend “commercial rehabilitation” tax break law
Introduced by Rep. Kathy Crawford (R) on May 21, 2015, to extend for another five years a Dec. 31, 2015 sunset on a “commercial rehabilitation act” that authorizes property tax breaks for redevelopment projects involving commercial property selected by local governments.
http://www.michiganvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=169667

House Bill 4636: Clarify self-storage rental insurance regulation
Introduced by Rep. Bruce Rendon (R) on May 21, 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.
http://www.michiganvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=169668

Senate Bill 100: Revise property tax appeal details
Passed 109 to 0 in the House on May 27, 2015, to repeal a law making prepayment of a disputed tax levy, plus penalties and interest, a prerequisite for protesting the validity of a tax levy to the state Court of Claims. Also, to extend from 35 days to 60 days the deadline for a taxpayer to appeal a levy to the state Tax Tribunal.
See Who Voted “Yes” and Who Voted “No” at http://www.michiganvotes.org/RollCall.aspx?ID=714380

Senate Bill 304: Clarify scrap metal seller detail
Passed 69 to 40 in the House on May 27, 2015, to clarify that the ban imposed by a 2014 law on scrap metal dealers paying cash for purchases of certain items does not apply to the portion of a purchase comprised of other items.
See Who Voted “Yes” and Who Voted “No” at http://www.michiganvotes.org/RollCall.aspx?ID=714381

Senate Bill 309: Revise condominium subdivision details
Passed 37 to 0 in the Senate on May 27, 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=714371

House Bill 4467: Allow more dangerous prisoners at Baldwin private prison
Passed 23 to 14 in the Senate on May 27, 2015, to allow more dangerous adult prisoners to be held at a privately owned and managed prison whose previous contract with the state to house juvenile prisoners was revoked by Gov. Jennifer Granholm in 2005. Since then the prison has contracted with other states to house their prisoners, although it is closed now.
See Who Voted “Yes” and Who Voted “No” at http://www.michiganvotes.org/RollCall.aspx?ID=714377

House Bill 4541: Increase Michigan education savings plan balance cap
Passed 107 to 2 in the House on May 27, 2015, to increase from $235,000 to $500,000 the maximum balance allowed in Michigan “section 529” education savings plans for a particular beneficiary. See also House Bills 4542 to 4544, which create a new type of such account.
See Who Voted “Yes” and Who Voted “No” at http://www.michiganvotes.org/RollCall.aspx?ID=714383

House Bill 4542: Create college saving plan for disabled students
Passed 108 to 1 in the House on May 27, 2015, to authorize a new “ABLE account” tax advantaged savings plan to cover education and living expenses for beneficiaries who are disabled. Mirroring the federal law that created these accounts, under House Bill 4544 balances and distributions from a beneficiary’s account would not be included in gross income or assets for purposes of caps limiting various state aid programs. House Bill 4541 would increase the maximum balance allowed in these and other “529” savings plans to $500,000.
See Who Voted “Yes” and Who Voted “No” at http://www.michiganvotes.org/RollCall.aspx?ID=714384

House Bill 4543: Create college saving plan for disabled students
Passed 108 to 1 in the House on May 27, 2015, to authorize an income tax deduction of $5,000 for an individual, $10,000 for a joint account, for contributions to a disabled person’s “ABLE” education and living expense savings account that House Bill 4542 would authorize.
See Who Voted “Yes” and Who Voted “No” at http://www.michiganvotes.org/RollCall.aspx?ID=714385

House Bill 4544: Create college saving plan for disabled students
Passed 108 to 1 in the House on May 27, 2015, to prohibit the state from considering contributions, distributions, earnings or balances in a disabled person’s ABLE education and living expense savings account (see House Bill 4542) in the calculation used to determine financial eligibility for various welfare-related benefits.
See Who Voted “Yes” and Who Voted “No” at http://www.michiganvotes.org/RollCall.aspx?ID=714386