Senate Bill 255: Impose building code standards on fireworks stands
Passed 36 to 0 in the Senate on May 29, 2013, to clarify that state building code standards, not a National Fire Protection Association standard, would apply to a permanent building or structure used to sell fireworks, notwithstanding provisions in a 2011 fireworks law that regulated rather than banned the sale of many “consumer fireworks” (including firecrackers, bottle rockets, Roman candles, etc.).
See Who Voted “Yes” and Who Voted “No” at http://www.michiganvotes.org/RollCall.aspx?ID=665662
Senate Bill 327: Ban tax collector “quotas”
Passed 36 to 0 in the Senate on May 29, 2013, 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=665663
Senate Bill 337: Revise certain tax collection procedures and deadlines
Passed 36 to 0 in the Senate on May 29, 2013, to require the Department of Treasury to release a business’s known tax liability to a purchaser of the business within 30 days if the owner waives confidentiality. If the department fails to do so, the buyer would not be liable for the firm’s unpaid taxes. Also, to establish notification requirements if the department initiates an examination of a taxpayer’s records, and establish deadlines for completing this. Finally, to establish that if a claim for tax overpayment refund is not approved within one year, it can be treated as denied, and the taxpayer can appeal to the state tax tribunal or court of claims.
See Who Voted “Yes” and Who Voted “No” at http://www.michiganvotes.org/RollCall.aspx?ID=665664
Senate Bill 357: Revise corporation voting share detail
Passed 35 to 1 in the Senate on May 29, 2013, to revise details of when shares of a corporation are considered to be “beneficially owned” for purposes of exercising the voting rights associated with those shares. Specifically, the bill would establish that shares are not “beneficially owned” by a person unless the corporation’s board passes a resolution to that effect before the person acquires the share. This would raise additional barriers to a potential takeover of a firm.
See Who Voted “Yes” and Who Voted “No” at http://www.michiganvotes.org/RollCall.aspx?ID=665661
House Bill 4681: Repeal auctioneer registration mandate
Passed 84 to 21 in the House on May 29, 2013, to repeal a law that imposes a registration mandate on auctioneers.
See Who Voted “Yes” and Who Voted “No” at http://www.michiganvotes.org/RollCall.aspx?ID=665706
House Bill 4682: Repeal auctioneer registration mandate
Passed 84 to 21 in the House on May 29, 2013, to repeal a law that imposes a registration (licensure) mandate on auctioneers.
See Who Voted “Yes” and Who Voted “No” at http://www.michiganvotes.org/RollCall.aspx?ID=665707
House Bill 4683: Repeal auctioneer registration mandate
Passed 85 to 21 in the House on May 29, 2013, to revise references in the state liquor code to reflect the proposal in House Bills 4681 and 4682 to repeal a state registration (licensure) mandate on auctioneers.
See Who Voted “Yes” and Who Voted “No” at http://www.michiganvotes.org/RollCall.aspx?ID=665708
House Bill 4684: Repeal auctioneer registration mandate
Passed 85 to 21 in the House on May 29, 2013, to revise references to auctioneers in a section of the state environmental laws dealing with snowmobiles to reflect the proposal in House Bills 4681 and 4682 to repeal a state registration (licensure) mandate on auctioneers.
See Who Voted “Yes” and Who Voted “No” at http://www.michiganvotes.org/RollCall.aspx?ID=665709
House Bill 4705: Refund excess property tax collected by Stephenson schools on retired debt
Passed 106 to 0 in the House on May 29, 2013, to require a school district (Stephenson, in the Upper Peninsula) that collected a property tax millage for bonds that were already paid off (retired) to transfer the excess revenue collected to the state. The overcharge would then be given back to local taxpayers by reducing the amount of state education property tax on their next tax bill.
See Who Voted “Yes” and Who Voted “No” at http://www.michiganvotes.org/RollCall.aspx?ID=665711
House Bill 4705: Refund excess property tax collected by Stephenson schools on retired debt
Passed 36 to 0 in the Senate on May 29, 2013, to require a school district (Stephenson, in the Upper Peninsula) that collected a property tax millage for bonds that were already paid off (retired) to transfer the excess revenue collected to the state. The overcharge would then be given back to local taxpayers by reducing the amount of state education property tax on their next tax bill.
See Who Voted “Yes” and Who Voted “No” at http://www.michiganvotes.org/RollCall.aspx?ID=665660
Senate Joint Resolution W: Repeal homosexual marriage ban
Introduced by Sen. Rebekah Warren (D) on June 4, 2013, to place before voters in the next general election a measure to repeal the 2008 state constitutional amendment establishing that “the union of one man and one woman in marriage shall be the only agreement recognized as a marriage or similar union for any purpose”.
http://www.michiganvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=159825
Senate Joint Resolution V: Call for “Article V” U.S. balanced budget amendment convention
Introduced by Sen. Michael Green (R) on May 23, 2013, to place before voters in the next general election an application to Congress to call an “Article V” constitutional convention, limited to proposing an amendment to the U.S. Constitution that prohibits the federal government from spending more in any fiscal year than it collects in tax and other revenue (balanced budget amendment). Three-quarters of the states must approve any amendment proposed by an “Article V” convention for it to become part of the constitution.
http://www.michiganvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=159612
Senate Joint Resolution U: Remove higher education from allowable School Aid Fund uses
Introduced by Sen. Gretchen Whitmer (D) on May 1, 2013, to place before voters in the next general election a constitutional amendment to strip-out language currently in the Constitution of 1963 allowing tax revenue earmarked to the state “School Aid Fund” to be used for “higher education, and school employees’ retirement systems.” In other words, tax dollars earmarked to this fund could only be spend on K-12 public schools.
http://www.michiganvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=158964
House Joint Resolution S: Lengthen term limits
Introduced by Rep. Andy Schor (D) on April 30, 2013, to place before voters in the next general election a Constitutional amendment to extend the term limits of state representatives and senators, allowing the former up to six terms of two-years each, and the latter up to three terms of four years each. Currently, representatives may only have three two-year terms, and senators two four-year terms. Term limits on legislators and state officers were adopted by a 59-41 percent vote of the people in 1992. The measure would also impose a two-year moratorium on lobbying by a former member of the Michigan House or Senate.
http://www.michiganvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=158960
Senate Joint Resolution T: Make state commissioner of insurance an elected position
Introduced by Sen. Virgil Smith, Jr. (D) on April 23, 2013, to place before voters in the next general election a constitutional amendment to make the state commissioner of insurance an elected position.
http://www.michiganvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=158754
Senate Joint Resolution R: Ban for-profit charter school operators
Introduced by Sen. Rebekah Warren (D) on April 10, 2013, to place before voters in the next general election a Constitutional amendment to prohibit charter school boards from contracting with for-profit companies to manage the school.
http://www.michiganvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=158366
House Joint Resolution Q: Limit referendum on appropriations ban
Introduced by Rep. Jim Townsend (D) on April 9, 2013, to place before voters in the next general election a constitutional amendment to revise the current prohibition on citizen referendums challenging bills that contain an appropriation. The measure would establish that the ban only applies to bills that substantially fund one or more state departments, or which are needed close current state budget shortfalls. A 2001 Supreme Court ruling interpreted the provision to prohibit referendums on any bill containing an appropriation. In several instances since then, the legislature has deliberately added modest appropriations to controversial bills which, without the appropriation, would likely have been challenged by a referendum. The Constitution gives citizens the right to halt the implementation of a new law by submitting petitions signed by five percent of the total vote cast for all candidates for governor at the last gubernatorial election, within 90 days of the end of an annual legislative session. When this happens, the new law does not go into effect unless it is approved by a majority in the next general election.
http://www.michiganvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=158353
House Joint Resolution R: Dock pay of missing legislators
Introduced by Rep. Adam Zemke (D) on April 9, 2013, to place before voters in the next general election a Constitutional amendment to give the state House and Senate the authority to dock the pay of members who miss 10 or more session days (unless their colleagues vote to give them an “excused absence”). Note: This web site contains a Missed Votes Report that shows the number of roll call votes missed by each current legislator, and a link to a list of the particular votes. The missed votes for past legislators can be looked up on the advanced searches page.
http://www.michiganvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=158354
House Joint Resolution O: Impose restrictions on corporate political communication
Introduced by Rep. Collene Lamonte (D) on March 12, 2013, to place before voters in the next general election a constitutional amendment adding an 1,800 word regulatory regime restricting political spending by both business and nonprofit corporations (including nonprofit groups motivated by ideological or political concerns), but not by unions. Among other things this would mandate detailed reports filed electronically within 48 hours of any lobbying or campaign communication, with violations subject to criminal penalties.
http://www.michiganvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=157218
House Joint Resolution P: Require legislative candidates live in district before filing
Introduced by Rep. Winnie Brinks (D) on March 12, 2013, to place before voters in the next general election a constitutional amendment requiring candidates for the legislature to live in the district they seek to represent at least 60 days before the candidate filing deadline.
http://www.michiganvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=157219
Senate Joint Resolution Q: Allow NRTC funds for state forest logging roads
Introduced by Sen. Tom Casperson (R) on March 7, 2013, to place before voters in the next general election a Constitutional amendment to revise the rules for use of the money in the Natural Resources Trust Fund. The trust fund receives money from oil, gas, and mineral royalties and leases on state-owned lands and uses this for land acquisitions, and conservation and recreation projects. The bill would allow the money to also be used to develop and maintain road infrastructure for natural-resource based industries including timber and mining, for waterways infrastructure including breakwaters and dredging, and to make “payments in lieu of property tax” to local governments with state property in their jurisdiction.
http://www.michiganvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=156880
House Joint Resolution N: Require in-state tuition at universities for all veterans
Introduced by Rep. Jim Stamas (R) on March 7, 2013, to place before voters in the next general election a Constitutional amendment to require public universities to offer in-state tuition rates to all honorably discharged veterans.
http://www.michiganvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=156932
Senate Joint Resolution P: Retain “winner take all” state electoral college votes
Introduced by Sen. Steve Bieda (D) on March 6, 2013, to place before voters in the next general election an Constitutional amendment to establish that the candidates for president and vice president who received the most Michigan votes shall be considered the ones “elected” by this state. This would preempt various proposals to divide the state’s electoral college votes (rather than “winner take all”).
http://www.michiganvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=156644
Senate Joint Resolution O: Increase number of department managers governor can appoint
Introduced by Sen. David Robertson (R) on March 5, 2013, to place before voters in the next general election a Constitutional amendment to increase the number of state employees a governor can hire, as opposed to those who are permanent civil service employees. Under the current constitution, a governor can appoint a maximum of six persons to each state department, including the director. The measure would allow up to 1 percent of the employees in each department to be appointed by the governor.
http://www.michiganvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=156533
House Joint Resolution L: Require in-state tuition at universities for all military
Introduced by Rep. David Knezek (D) on February 28, 2013, to place before voters in the next general election a Constitutional amendment to require public universities to offer in-state tuition rates to all active duty members of the military, reservists and veterans.
http://www.michiganvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=155921
House Joint Resolution M: Require in-state tuition at community for all military
Introduced by Rep. David Knezek (D) on February 28, 2013, to place before voters in the next general election a Constitutional amendment to require community colleges to offer in-state tuition rates to all active duty members of the military, reservists and veterans.
http://www.michiganvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=155922
Senate Joint Resolution M: Sunset all tax breaks after four years
Introduced by Sen. Vincent Gregory (D) on February 27, 2013, to place before voters in the next general election a constitutional amendment to require a four-year “sunset” be included in any bill to increase or create a new tax exemption or tax credit that have the effect of reducing tax revenue. Presumably this could apply to both targeted “corporate welfare” type tax breaks (or cash subsidies styled as “refundable tax credits”) and general exemptions or credits available to any individual or business, not just those selected by local or state “economic development” bureaucracies.
http://www.michiganvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=155879
Senate Joint Resolution N: Lengthen legislative term limits
Introduced by Sen. Mark Jansen (R) on February 27, 2013, to place before voters in the next general election a Constitutional amendment to extend legislative term limits to 12 years in any combination of House or Senate terms. Under Michigan’s current term limits representatives may only get three terms of two-years each, and senators may only get two terms of four-years each.
http://www.michiganvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=155880
House Joint Resolution K: Place right to hunt and fish in constitution
Introduced by Rep. Bruce Rendon (R) on February 12, 2013, to place before voters in the next general election a constitutional amendment to establish that the people have the right to hunt and fish, and to harvest game and fish.
http://www.michiganvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=154264
Senate Bill 393: Cut cigarette tax
Introduced by Sen. Joe Hune (R) on May 28, 2013, to cut the $2.00 per pack state cigarette tax to $1.00 per pack.
http://www.michiganvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=159673
Senate Bill 394: Ban DEQ imposing groundwater discharge sodium limits
Introduced by Sen. Joe Hune (R) on May 28, 2013, to prohibit the Department of Environmental Quality from imposing limitations on the amount of sodium in groundwater discharges allowed under state water pollution regulations.
http://www.michiganvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=159674
Senate Bill 395: Create more exceptions to cap on government/school employee insurance costs
Introduced by Sen. Bruce Caswell (R) on May 28, 2013, to cap on government/school employee insurance costs to exclude various insurance costs from the cap imposed by a 2011 law on the cost of government and school employee health insurance fringe benefits, which would allow local governments and schools to provide more generous benefits than that law would otherwise allow. See also Senate Bill 323, which would have the same effect.
http://www.michiganvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=159675
Senate Bill 396: Expand ban on replacement construction assessment hikes
Introduced by Sen. Tom Casperson (R) on May 29, 2013, to revise a provision prohibiting property tax assessment increases on construction that replaces parts of a structure damaged by accident or an act of God, so that the cap also applies to value-increasing improvements required to meet current health, sanitary, zoning, safety, fire, or construction codes and ordinances.
http://www.michiganvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=159680
Senate Bill 397: Expand another corporate/developer subsidy regime
Introduced by Sen. Bruce Caswell (R) on May 29, 2013, to authorize creation of a sixth “Next Michigan Development Corporation,” which is a government agency that gives tax breaks and subsidies to particular corporations or developers selected by political appointees on the entity’s board for projects meeting extremely broad “multi-modal commerce” criteria (basically, any form of goods-related commerce).
http://www.michiganvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=159681
Senate Bill 398: Expand another corporate/developer subsidy regime
Introduced by Sen. Bruce Caswell (R) on May 29, 2013, to authorize creation of a sixth “Next Michigan Development Corporation,” which is a government agency that gives tax breaks and subsidies to particular corporations or developers selected by political appointees on the entity’s board for projects meeting extremely broad “multi-modal commerce” criteria (basically, any form of goods-related commerce).
http://www.michiganvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=159682
Senate Bill 399: Impose harmful chemicals regulatory regime
Introduced by Sen. Rebekah Warren (D) on May 29, 2013, to require the Department of Community Health and the Department of Environmental Quality to identify and post on a website a list of potentially dangerous or harmful chemicals that may be found in household products or dust, including substances whose presence in children’s products would trigger the regulatory regime proposed by Senate Bill 400. The bill would authorize hiring an additional 1.5 “full time equivalent” government employees to do the work.
http://www.michiganvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=159683
Senate Bill 400: Impose children’s products regulatory regime
Introduced by Sen. Rebekah Warren (D) on May 29, 2013, to require manufacturers and distributors of children’s products that contain substances deemed harmful by the Department of Environment Quality to submit detailed annual reports to the state regarding the products and the chemicals in them. The bill contains various exceptions and authorizes penalties of up to $150,000.
http://www.michiganvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=159684
Senate Bill 401: Insulate DIA art collection from federal bankruptcy liquidation
Introduced by Sen. Randy Richardville (R) on May 29, 2013, to require “art institutes” in the state to adopt a code of ethics for museums published by the American Alliance of Museums. Reportedly this is a means of insulating the Detroit Institute of Art’s collection from being sold off should the city file for bankruptcy in federal court.
http://www.michiganvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=159685
House Bill 4774: Impose state permit/license mandate on all private gun purchases
Introduced by Rep. Jim Townsend (D) on May 28, 2013, to expand to all gun purchases, including rifles and shotguns, a state pistol purchase “license” mandate. This pistol permit regulatory regime was repealed for purchases from licensed gun dealers by a 2012 law, but still applies to private person-to-person sales. The bill is co-sponsored by 18 other Democratic representatives.
http://www.michiganvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=159687
House Bill 4775: Allow residents to protest assessment hikes by letter
Introduced by Rep. Jim Townsend (D) on May 28, 2013, to allow resident property owners to protest a property tax assessment increase by letter during the one-week annual window for such protests each March. Under current law, non-residents may protest by letter but residents must show up in person.
http://www.michiganvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=159688
House Bill 4776: Impose state permit/license mandate on all private gun purchases
Introduced by Rep. Jim Townsend (D) on May 28, 2013, to revise references in the state penal code to reflect the firearms purchase permit/license regime proposed by House Bill 4774.
http://www.michiganvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=159689
House Bill 4777: Mandate employers give leave to departing military family member
Introduced by Rep. Theresa Abed (D) on May 28, 2013, to mandate that employers grant 20 work-days of leave (160 hours) to a member of the U.S. military reserves or national guard called to active duty during a period of military conflict, and the same for the spouse of a service member called to duty. The bill does not mandate the leave be with-pay, but does mandate a continuation of fringe benefits during the leave time.
http://www.michiganvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=159690
House Bill 4778: Ban off-shore Great Lakes windmills
Introduced by Rep. Ray Franz (R) on May 28, 2013, to prohibit electricity-generating wind turbines from being located in the Great Lakes.
http://www.michiganvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=159691
House Bill 4779: Repeal obsolete school code provisions
Introduced by Rep. Ray Franz (R) on May 28, 2013, to repeal a 1977 law that required the state Board of Education to “promulgate rules concerning (student) personality tests…” and also repeal another law requiring school districts that provide specified “auxiliary services” to offer the same services to students at nonpublic schools (including services like health care, crossing guards, speech and language assistance, school social work, remedial reading and more).
http://www.michiganvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=159692
House Bill 4780: Revise village election cost allocation
Introduced by Rep. Bill LaVoy (D) on May 28, 2013, to establish that if a village’s regular or special election is held in conjunction with another election conducted by a township, the village only has to pay a proportionate share of the costs, but if it is not then the village must pay the township 100 percent of the costs of conducting election.
http://www.michiganvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=159693
House Bill 4781: Revise motorcycle “learner’s permit” detail
Introduced by Rep. Bradford Jacobsen (R) on May 29, 2013, to revise details of a motorcycle operators license “learners permit,” which applies to license applicants who have not yet passed a motorcycle skills test and have not taken an optional safety course. Under current law the 180-day “learner’s permit” only allows riding under the supervision of a person who has a regular motorcycle license (“indorsement”). The bill would prohibit more than two such “learners permits” in a 10-year period.
http://www.michiganvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=159694
House Bill 4782: Expand another corporate/developer subsidy regime
Introduced by Rep. John Kivela (D) on May 29, 2013, to authorize creation of a sixth “Next Michigan Development Corporation,” which is a government agency that gives tax breaks and subsidies to particular corporations or developers selected by political appointees on the entity’s board for projects meeting extremely broad “multi-modal commerce” criteria (basically, any form of goods-related commerce).
http://www.michiganvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=159695
House Bill 4783: Expand another corporate/developer subsidy regime
Introduced by Rep. Edward McBroom (R) on May 29, 2013, to authorize creation of a sixth “Next Michigan Development Corporation,” which is a government agency that gives tax breaks and subsidies to particular corporations or developers selected by political appointees on the entity’s board for projects meeting extremely broad “multi-modal commerce” criteria (basically, any form of goods-related commerce).
http://www.michiganvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=159696
House Bill 4784: Revise teacher certification criteria
Introduced by Rep. Robert Genetski (R) on May 29, 2013, to require the State Board of Education and the Superintendent of Public instruction to “recognize accounting and writing as subject matter fields pertinent to teaching for…purposes related to the issuance of a teaching certificate and subject area endorsement”.
http://www.michiganvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=159697
House Bill 4785: Increase ambulance and related fees
Introduced by Rep. Matt Lori (R) on May 29, 2013, to authorize or increase various fees and fines related to ambulances, “life support vehicles,” local emergency medical service authorities, etc.
http://www.michiganvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=159698
House Bill 4786: Increase vital records fees
Introduced by Rep. Matt Lori (R) on May 29, 2013, to increase the fees for obtaining copies of vital records such as birth and death certificates. The fee increases range from $4 to $18 per record, and the bill also authorizes an extra $25 fee for “expedited” service.
http://www.michiganvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=159699
House Bill 4787: Increase CON health facility rationing fees
Introduced by Rep. Matt Lori (R) on May 29, 2013, to increase from $1,500 to $3,000 the “base” fee for a hospital or other health care providers seeking government permission under a state “Certificate of Need” rationing regime to open or expand a health care facility, or to add certain capital-intensive equipment (like MRIs). The bill would also authorize additional fees of $12,000 for large projects, $3,000 for “complex” projects, $500 for “letter of intent” reviews, and more. These fees would then be indexed to inflation so that legislative authorization would not be required for future fee hikes.
http://www.michiganvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=159700
House Bill 4788: Authorize fund-raising veterans license plate
Introduced by Rep. Jim Stamas (R) on May 29, 2013, to authorize a fund raising “collector” license plate recognizing Michigan veterans, with the proceeds going to various state veterans programs and tuition subsidies.
http://www.michiganvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=159701
House Bill 4789: Replace existing home heating welfare program with new one
Introduced by Rep. Aric Nesbitt (R) on May 29, 2013, to create a new home heating welfare subsidy program, which would redistribute up to $60 million annually from customer surcharges on electricity bills. This would replace an existing program.
http://www.michiganvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=159702
House Bill 4790: Transfer Detroit water and sewer system to regional “alliance”
Introduced by Rep. Kurt Heise (R) on May 29, 2013, to transfer governance of the Detroit water and sewer system to a regional “alliance” controlled by a nine-member board with three members from Detroit, three appointed by the governor (two of these from outside Detroit), and one each by the Wayne, Oakland and Macomb county executives. House Bill 4791 would give the state Public Service Commission the power to regulate the entity’s rates and fees.
http://www.michiganvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=159703
House Bill 4791: Give state PSC oversight over city water/sewer systems
Introduced by Rep. Kurt Heise (R) on May 29, 2013, to extend the jurisdiction of the state Public Service Commission to include regulating the rates and fees of the Detroit water and sewer system. See also House Bill 4790.
http://www.michiganvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=159704