Senate Bill 811: Permit surrogate mother contracts
Introduced by Sen. Rebekah Warren (D) on February 23, 2016, to permit “gestational surrogate parentage” contracts. A 1988 law banned all surrogate mother contracts that require a woman to “relinquish her parental or custodial rights” to a child she bears whether she conceived the child or an embryo was implanted. The proposed new law would permit the latter – contracting for a woman to bear and relinquish an implanted child to whom she is not related - subject to various conditions specified in the bill and with the approval of a court in advance.
http://www.michiganvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=172555
Senate Bill 812: Establish official state insect
Introduced by Sen. Jim Marleau (R) on February 23, 2016, to establish that henceforth the monarch butterfly and no other butterfly or bug shall be the state of Michigan’s official insect. Monarchs are reportedly the official insect in Texas, Alabama, West Virginia, Illinois, Minnesota, Vermont, and Idaho.
http://www.michiganvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=172556
Senate Bill 813: Decriminalize marijuana
Introduced by Sen. Coleman Young, II (D) on February 24, 2016, to eliminate criminal sanctions for possession by adults of one ounce or less of marijuana, and authorize regulations on its production and sale. The bill authorizes an excise tax of $15 to $50 depending on the type of product.
http://www.michiganvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=172569
Senate Bill 814: Appropriations: Supplemental budget
Introduced by Sen. Dave Hildenbrand (R) on February 24, 2016, to provide a template or “place holder” for a potential supplemental multidepartment appropriation for Fiscal Year 2015-2016. This bill contains no appropriations, but may be amended at a later date to include them.
http://www.michiganvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=172570
Senate Bill 815: Appropriations: Supplemental school aid budget
Introduced by Sen. Dave Hildenbrand (R) on February 24, 2016, to provide a template or “place holder” for a potential supplemental school aid appropriation for Fiscal Year 2015-2016. This bill contains no appropriations, but may be amended at a later date to include them.
http://www.michiganvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=172571
Senate Bill 816: Give free state park admission to all veterans
Introduced by Sen. Patrick Colbeck (R) on February 24, 2016, to waive state park and campground admission fees for all military veterans. Specifically, the bill grants these veterans the state’s vehicle registration “recreation passport” without having to pay the extra $11 charge.
http://www.michiganvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=172572
Senate Bill 817: Give free fishing licenses to all veterans
Introduced by Sen. Patrick Colbeck (R) on February 24, 2016, to give all veterans and active military personnel free fishing licenses.
http://www.michiganvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=172573
Senate Bill 818: Exempt yoga instruction schools from government “accreditation” mandate
Introduced by Sen. Tonya Schuitmaker (R) on February 24, 2016, to exempt yoga teacher training schools and programs from a 2009 law that imposes a mandate on private trade-schools (“proprietary schools”) that they be “accredited” by an accreditation agency recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.
http://www.michiganvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=172574
Senate Bill 819: Overhaul Detroit school district debt and governance
Introduced by Sen. Goeff Hansen (R) on February 24, 2016, to revise the state school funding formula to accommodate Gov. Rick Snyder’s proposal to split the Detroit school district into two entities, one to run the schools and the other to service the district’s debt (see Senate Bill 710 and House Bill 5384). The former, a reconstituted “community district,” would get the same amount of funding as the current district. It would get that amount despite the fact that in Detroit’s case money from local school millages – a component of the state aid formula - would be diverted to paying off the district’s debt. That means this bill is essentially the “bail out” provision of Governor’s proposal (which Republican bills in both the House and Senate accept).
http://www.michiganvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=172575
Senate Bill 820: Overhaul Detroit school district debt and governance
Introduced by Sen. Goeff Hansen (R) on February 24, 2016, to permit the superintendent of the Detroit school district to also be the director of an administrative entity created to place a number of academically failed Detroit schools under a form of state receivership. The bill amends a law that defines “incompatible offices” that appointed or elected government officials are prohibited from serving in simultaneously.
http://www.michiganvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=172577
Senate Bill 821: Overhaul Detroit school district debt and governance
Introduced by Sen. Goeff Hansen (R) on February 24, 2016, to essentially eliminate current statutory caps on the amount the state can lend for “financial emergency” loans to public school districts that spend more than they take in. This is to accommodate Gov. Rick Snyder’s proposal to bail out the insolvent Detroit school district by dividing it into two entities, one to run the schools and the other to service the district’s debt (see Senate Bill 710 and House Bill 5384).
http://www.michiganvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=172578
Senate Bill 822: Overhaul Detroit school district debt and governance
Introduced by Sen. Goeff Hansen (R) on February 24, 2016, to essentially eliminate current caps on the amount the state can lend for “financial emergency” loans to public school districts that spend more than they take in. This is to accommodate Gov. Rick Snyder’s proposal to bail out the insolvent Detroit school district by dividing it into two entities, one to run the schools and the other to service the district’s debt (see Senate Bill 710 and House Bill 5384).
http://www.michiganvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=172579
House Bill 5391: Ban home-based auto dealers
Introduced by Rep. George T. Darany (D) on February 18, 2016, to prohibit auto dealer businesses from being located in a residence.
http://www.michiganvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=172527
House Bill 5392: Revise state seed testing law
Introduced by Rep. Brett Roberts (R) on February 23, 2016, to revise a law that authorizes the state to test agricultural seeds, by eliminating a requirement that the state maintain its own seed testing facility.
http://www.michiganvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=172558
House Bill 5393: Revise “Business Improvement Zone” tax-and-spend entities
Introduced by Rep. Stephanie Chang (D) on February 23, 2016, to revise details of the seven to 10 year period that a “Business Improvement Zone” can operate without reauthorization. These zones have the power to impose property taxes (special assessments) to pay for the debt they incur to pay for projects that are supposed to benefit property owners in the zone.
http://www.michiganvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=172559
House Bill 5394: Streamline licensure for new doctors in “underserved” area
Introduced by Rep. Edward Canfield (R) on February 23, 2016, to revise the licensure law mandates that require prospective physicians to undergo post-graduate “residency” or related requirements as a condition of licensure, if they agree to serve at least two years in a “medically underserved” area, subject to numerous requirements and exceptions specified in the bill.
http://www.michiganvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=172605
House Bill 5395: Authorize larger state sewer system grants
Introduced by Rep. Joel Johnson (R) on February 24, 2016, to revise a state grant program for municipal sewer projects so that larger grants may be offered to a city where there is a “substantial public health risk from treatment system failure”.
http://www.michiganvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=172604
House Bill 5396: Require detailed schools-hours noncompliance reports
Introduced by Rep. Joel Johnson (R) on February 23, 2016, to revise a requirement that school districts to certify that they have provided the number of instruction days and hours required by state law. The bill would require districts to report details of each instance of non-compliance, if any.
http://www.michiganvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=172606
House Bill 5397: Appropriations: Supplemental budget
Introduced by Rep. Phil Phelps (D) on February 23, 2016, to provide a template or “place holder” for a potential Department of Transportation supplemental appropriations bill for Fiscal Year 2015-2016. This bill contains no appropriations, but may be amended at a later date to include them..
http://www.michiganvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=172607
House Bill 5398: Authorize right-to-work exception
Introduced by Rep. Robert Kosowski (D) on February 23, 2016, to permit an employer to make paying union dues a condition of employment if a majority of employees in a workplace vote to impose this, subject to various conditions specified in the bill. The bill essentially provides a way for unions to side-step Michigan’s 2012 right-to-work law, which prohibits requiring workers to pay union dues as a condition of employment.
http://www.michiganvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=172608
House Bill 5399: Authorize right-to-work exception
Introduced by Rep. Robert Kosowski (D) on February 23, 2016, to permit a unit of government including public schools to make paying union dues a condition of employment if a majority of employees in a workplace vote to impose this, subject to various conditions specified in the bill. The bill essentially provides a way for unions to side-step Michigan’s 2012 right-to-work law, which prohibits requiring workers to pay union dues as a condition of employment.
http://www.michiganvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=172609
House Bill 5400: Expand scope of practice for nurses
Introduced by Rep. Ken Yonker (R) on February 23, 2016, to revise the “scope of practice” allowed for Advanced Practice Registered Nurse, making it possible for them to provide more medical services without being under the direct supervision of a physician.
http://www.michiganvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=172610
MichiganVotes.org promotes Government Transparency and Government Accountability. Michigan Votes gives users access to concise, plain language and objective descriptions of every single bill, amendment, and vote that takes place in the Michigan legislature. The MichiganVotes.org website also offers an email subscription, advanced searches, scorecards and legislation from past years.
Senate Bill 51: Rename a road
Passed 105 to 0 in the House on March 1, 2016, to designate a portion of I-75 in Genesee County as the “John Wayne ‘Dusty’ Marcum Memorial Highway”.
See Who Voted “Yes” and Who Voted “No” at http://www.michiganvotes.org/RollCall.aspx?ID=727414
Senate Bill 150: Impose synchronized prescription drug program insurance mandate
Passed 105 to 0 in the House on March 1, 2016, to impose a new coverage mandate that would require health insurance policies that contain prescription drug coverage to cover programs for synchronizing prescriptions for multiple maintenance drugs.
See Who Voted “Yes” and Who Voted “No” at http://www.michiganvotes.org/RollCall.aspx?ID=727431
Senate Bill 334: Revise child abuse reporting mandate
Passed 103 to 0 in the House on February 24, 2016, to revise the law that requires certain health care professionals, social workers and other designated professionals to report suspected child abuse, so that a report filed via an online reporting system the bill would authorize would complete the duty to report. The bill would require the Department of Health and Human Services to create an online reporting tool.
See Who Voted “Yes” and Who Voted “No” at http://www.michiganvotes.org/RollCall.aspx?ID=727241
Senate Bill 444: Make “critical incident stress management services” confidential
Passed 103 to 2 in the House on March 1, 2016, to establish confidentiality requirements and liability limitations for providers of “critical incident stress management services” for emergency service responders, which involves counselling and other services for post-traumatic-stress type troubles.
See Who Voted “Yes” and Who Voted “No” at http://www.michiganvotes.org/RollCall.aspx?ID=727411
Senate Bill 471: Revise district court detail
Passed 105 to 0 in the House on March 1, 2016, to clarify that the “fourth division” of the 67th district court includes the city of Fenton, which is located in both Genesee and Oakland counties.
See Who Voted “Yes” and Who Voted “No” at http://www.michiganvotes.org/RollCall.aspx?ID=727416
Senate Bill 729: Allow county road loans to townships
Passed 38 to 0 in the Senate on March 1, 2016, to allow counties to give 10-year road project loans to townships.
See Who Voted “Yes” and Who Voted “No” at http://www.michiganvotes.org/RollCall.aspx?ID=727389
House Bill 4436: Revise drivers license suspension appeal detail
Passed 105 to 0 in the House on March 1, 2016, to allow a court to order restricted driving privileges for a person appealing a license suspension. Under current law a court may only review the record in such an appeal, and may not allow a (less stringent) drivers license restriction.
See Who Voted “Yes” and Who Voted “No” at http://www.michiganvotes.org/RollCall.aspx?ID=727415
House Bill 4458: Repeal “complete streets” advisory council
Passed 28 to 10 in the Senate on March 1, 2016, to eliminate a government “complete streets” advisory council comprised of representatives of various pro-sidewalk interest groups that was created by a 2010 law mandating local governments include “complete-streets” policies in their land use “master-plans,” defined as ones that “promote safe and efficient movement of people and goods whether by car, truck, transit, assistive device, foot, or bicycle”.
See Who Voted “Yes” and Who Voted “No” at http://www.michiganvotes.org/RollCall.aspx?ID=727388
House Bill 4874: Redesignate a road
Passed 105 to 0 in the House on March 1, 2016, to designate a portion of business US-127 in Clinton County the “PFC Andrew H. Nelson Memorial Highway”.
See Who Voted “Yes” and Who Voted “No” at http://www.michiganvotes.org/RollCall.aspx?ID=727432
House Bill 5050: Repeal obsolete laws
Passed 102 to 1 in the House on February 24, 2016, to repeal an obsolete law related to horse breeding and “the registration of stallions”.
See Who Voted “Yes” and Who Voted “No” at http://www.michiganvotes.org/RollCall.aspx?ID=727243
House Bill 5051: Repeal obsolete laws
Passed 103 to 0 in the House on February 24, 2016, to repeal an obsolete law that governs the collection of “specific taxes,” which are generally an alternative to property taxes that is created to accomplish some specific governmental purpose. This is now covered under regular property tax collection laws. The bill is part of a package consisting of House Bills 5050 to 5060.
See Who Voted “Yes” and Who Voted “No” at http://www.michiganvotes.org/RollCall.aspx?ID=727242
House Bill 5052
Passed 102 to 1 in the House on February 24, 2016, to repeal an obsolete law related to “immature or unwholesome calves, pigs, kids, and lambs.” This is part of a package consisting of House Bills 5050 to 5060.
See Who Voted “Yes” and Who Voted “No” at http://www.michiganvotes.org/RollCall.aspx?ID=727244
House Bill 5053: Repeal obsolete laws
Passed 102 to 1 in the House on February 24, 2016, to repeal obsolete sections of the state dog licensing law. This is part of a package consisting of House Bills 5050 to 5060.
See Who Voted “Yes” and Who Voted “No” at http://www.michiganvotes.org/RollCall.aspx?ID=727245
House Bill 5054: Repeal obsolete laws
Passed 103 to 0 in the House on February 24, 2016, to repeal an obsolete law related to plant nursery and seed sales. This is part of a package consisting of House Bills 5050 to 5060.
See Who Voted “Yes” and Who Voted “No” at http://www.michiganvotes.org/RollCall.aspx?ID=727246
House Bill 5055: Repeal obsolete laws
Passed 96 to 7 in the House on February 24, 2016, to repeal an obsolete law related to the removal of grain silos treated with polychlorinated biphenyls.
See Who Voted “Yes” and Who Voted “No” at http://www.michiganvotes.org/RollCall.aspx?ID=727247
House Bill 5059: Repeal obsolete laws
Passed 104 to 1 in the House on March 1, 2016, to repeal an obsolete law related to “started pullets.” This is part of a package consisting of House Bills 5050 to 5060.
See Who Voted “Yes” and Who Voted “No” at http://www.michiganvotes.org/RollCall.aspx?ID=727409
House Bill 5060: Repeal obsolete laws
Passed 105 to 0 in the House on March 1, 2016, to repeal an obsolete law related to “livestock and poultry remedies.” This is part of a package consisting of House Bills 5050 to 5060.
See Who Voted “Yes” and Who Voted “No” at http://www.michiganvotes.org/RollCall.aspx?ID=727410
House Bill 5128: Allow some pension double-dipping by retired DNR employees
Passed 77 to 28 in the House on March 1, 2016, to allow Department of Natural Resources retirees to collect a pension while also being compensated on a per diem basis by the department for “wildland fire management services”.
See Who Voted “Yes” and Who Voted “No” at http://www.michiganvotes.org/RollCall.aspx?ID=727412
House Bill 5189: Revise “farmland preservation” tax breaks
Passed 105 to 0 in the House on March 1, 2016, to revise details of a state law that gives income tax credits for property covered by a “farmland preservation” agreement, allowing credit payments to included to income current year tax refunds.
See Who Voted “Yes” and Who Voted “No” at http://www.michiganvotes.org/RollCall.aspx?ID=727406
House Bill 5190: Revise “farmland preservation” credit details
Passed 105 to 0 in the House on March 1, 2016, to revise details of a state law that gives income tax credits for property covered by a “farmland preservation” agreement, allowing credit payments to included to income current year tax refunds.
See Who Voted “Yes” and Who Voted “No” at http://www.michiganvotes.org/RollCall.aspx?ID=727407
House Bill 5191: Revise “farmland preservation” credit details
Passed 105 to 0 in the House on March 1, 2016, to revise details of a state law that gives income tax credits for property covered by a “farmland preservation” agreement, allowing credit payments to included to income current year tax refunds.
See Who Voted “Yes” and Who Voted “No” at http://www.michiganvotes.org/RollCall.aspx?ID=727408
House Bill 5202: Create a government “youth advisory council”
Passed 105 to 0 in the House on March 1, 2016, to create a government “youth advisory council” to “recognize contributions of youths in this state” and “hold forums to give youths a voice”.
See Who Voted “Yes” and Who Voted “No” at http://www.michiganvotes.org/RollCall.aspx?ID=727413