House of Representatives Week in Review: January 28th - 30th

Hello Friends,

Below please find an update on legislation passed by the House of Representatives last week (January 28th-30th).  Please feel free to contact me (517.373.0826; andyschor@house.mi.gov) if you have questions or thoughts about any of the below bills. 

Thank you! 

Andy Schor

State Representative
68th District

Prohibition of Felons from Possessing Ammunition

HB 4715 (Heise), Passed: 86-22
HB 4716 (Graves), Passed: 86-22
HB 4717 (Kesto), Passed: 101-7
Next: Sent to Senate for consideration
HB 4715 prohibits a felon from possessing, using, transporting, selling, carrying, shipping, or distributing ammunition until three years have passed. HB 4717 allows an individual to apply to the concealed weapons licensing board in the county in which he or she resides for full restoration of his or her rights to possess ammunition once he or she is eligible. HB 4716 updates the sentencing guidelines description for the criminal offense “possession or sale of firearm by felon.”

Mandate that the Fireworks Safety Act Supersede the Single State Construction Code Act

SB 255 (Jones), Passed: 108-0
Next: Sent to Governor for signature
SB 255 would mandate that the Fireworks Safety Act supersede the Single State Construction Code Act when the code is inconsistent with the Fireworks Safety Act.

Establishment of “Insurable Interest” with Trustees

SB 31 (Schuitmaker), Passed: 108-0
SB 32 (Schuitmaker), Passed: 108-0
Next: Sent to Governor for signature
These bills establish that a trustee of a trust has an “insurable interest” in the life of an individual insured under a life insurance policy owned by the trustee acting in a fiduciary capacity for the trust, given certain conditions specified in the bill.

Amendment to the Highway Advertising Act

HB 4629 (Jacobsen), Passed: 104-6
Next: Sent to Governor for signature
HB 4629 amends the Highway Advertising Act, including but not limited to: requiring a new permit process and other restrictions for digital billboards; addressing enforcement issues related to nonconforming billboards and other issues to ensure compliance with federal requirements; amending procedures and penalties related to vegetation management in the vicinity of billboards; and establishing a Michigan Billboard Advisory Council. *The Senate made an amendment that limited the number of nonstandard sign digital billboard conversions allowed must surrender permits for existing signs to 8 from 50, limited the period when this may occur to 6 months, and limited the occurrence to only Wayne, Oakland, and Macomb Counties.

Allowing Public Officials to Serve on the Board of Directors for a Brownfield Redevelopment Authority

HB 5131 (SANTANA), Passed: 108-2
HB 5132 (SANTANA), Passed: 108-2
Next: Sent to Senate for consideration
HB 5131 & HB 5132 would allow public officials or their appointees to serve on the board of directors (BOD) for a Brownfield Redevelopment Authority or a municipality’s economic development corporation.