House of Representatives Legislative Activity: January 1st – February 27th

Hello Friends,

Below is a list of the legislation that has come before the House so far this term. Please feel free to contact me (517.373.0826; andyschor@house.mi.gov) if you have any questions or thoughts about any of the below bills.

Thank you!

Andy Schor

State Representative
68th District

Passed 2/2 – 2/27

Appropriates funding through the Michigan Natural Resources Trust Fund
HB 4078, Passed: 103-7
House Bill 4078 is a FY 14-15 appropriations bill that includes funding for the Michigan Natural Resources Trust Fund (MNRTF) capital outlay projects. The bill appropriates $24,729,500 Gross, all restricted funds.

Amends the Michigan Election Code to provide for precinct consolidation in certain elections

HB 4068, Passed: 109-0
House Bill 4068 would amend the Michigan Election Law to allow a county, city, or township to consolidate precincts that are currently located within the same polling location for statewide special elections dealing with ballot proposal questions.

FY 15 Mid-year School Aid Fund supplemental

HB 4110, Passed: 62-48
House Bill 4110 is a FY 15 mid-year School Aid Fund supplemental, affecting appropriations for School Aid (K-12), Community Colleges, and Higher Education. HB 4110 (H-1) includes a combination of budget reductions and fund shifts totaling $183.4 million Gross ($250.3 million GF/GP).

FY 15 Mid-year multi-departmental General Fund supplemental

HB 4112, Passed: 66-44
House Bill 4112 is a FY 15 mid-year multi-departmental General Fund supplemental, affecting the Departments of Community Health, Corrections, Education, Environmental Quality, Human Services, Licensing and Regulatory Affairs, Military and Veterans Affairs, Natural Resources, State, State Police, Technology, Management, and Budget, Transportation, and Treasury. HB 4112 (H-1) includes caseload-related adjustments, appropriates funding for new expenditure needs in various departments, and reduces certain GF/GP expenditures. The bill’s net effect is a $120.2 million Gross ($169.4 million GF/GP) reduction in the state budget.

Require that a statewide presidential primary election be conducted on the third Tuesday in March

SB 44, Passed: 72-38
Require that a statewide presidential primary election be conducted on the third Tuesday in March, instead of the fourth Tuesday in February.

Move the February regular election date to March

SB 45, Passed: 74-36
Move the February regular election date from the fourth Tuesday in February to the third Tuesday in March, in each presidential election year when a statewide presidential primary was held.

Changes to Michigan’s wage garnishment procedures

HB 4119, Passed: 109-1
HB 4120, Passed: 109-1
HBs 4119 and 4120 would change the way that wage garnishment is done in Michigan, specifically what is required when an order is directed to a third party (the garnishee/employer) to withhold periodic or non-periodic payment of assets.

Delete a reference to the statutory definition of “lawful purpose”

HB 4076, Passed: 110-0
House Bill 4076 amends the Michigan Firearms Law to delete a reference to the statutory definition of “lawful purpose” which no longer exists in the Michigan Penal Code.

Allow certain licensed officers to carry a concealed pistol in a pistol-free or no carry zone

HB 4159, Passed: 89-21
House Bill 4159 (Johnson) would certain licensed corrections officers, and retired law enforcement officers to carry a concealed pistol in a “pistol-free” or “no carry” zone.

Define in the MI Penal Code what it means to “brandish” a firearms

HB 4160, Passed: 95-16
HB 4161, Passed: 108-2
Together, House Bill 4160 (Johnson) and House Bill 4161 (Hughes) (H-1) define in the Michigan Penal Code what it means to “brandish” a firearm.

Reform the concealed pistol licensing (CPL) process and eliminate concealed weapons licensing boards

SB 34, Passed: 76-34
SB 35, Passed: 81-29
Senate Bill 34 and Senate Bill 35 (both sponsored by Senator Green) reform the concealed pistol licensing (CPL) process and eliminate concealed weapons licensing boards, effective November 30, 2015. Effective December 1, 2015, all duties would be transferred to the county clerks and Michigan State Police.

Repeals regulations and penalties for the use or possession of BB handguns by minors

HB 4151, Passed: 80-29
House Bill 4151 repeals Public Act 186 of 1959 (Spring, Gas, or Air Operated Handguns) which regulate and penalize the use or possession of BB handguns by minors.

Align the Michigan definition of firearm with the federal definition of firearm

HB 4152, Passed: 87-22
HB 4153, Passed: 85-24
HB 4156, Passed: 89-20
House Bill 4152, House Bill 4153, and House Bill 4156 would amend various statutes to align Michigan’s definition of firearm with the federal definition of firearm.

Amends the definition of firearm to include certain pneumatic guns

HB 4154, Passed: 87-22
House Bill 4154 would amend sections of the National Resources and Environmental Protection Act (NREPA) to align Michigan’s definition of firearm with the federal definition of firearm.

Amends the definition of “firearm” and creates provisions for pneumatic guns in the Michigan Penal Code

HB 4155, Passed: 88-21
As part of the National Rifle Association (NRA) “Airgun Reclassification Package,” House Bill 4155 (Cole) would amend several sections of the Michigan Penal Code to align Michigan’s definition of “firearm” with the federal definition of firearm and create special provisions for pneumatic guns.