House of Representatives Week in Review: March 17th – March 19th

Hello Friends,

Below is a list of the legislation that came before the House last week (March 17th through March 19th).  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 3/17 – 3/19

Cap the fee county treasurers charge to provide electronic property records
HB 4075, 3/17/15, Passed: 104-4
Many local realtor associations and listing services bulk purchase property tax records for their members. These records provide information such as special assessments and tax data, which help realtors list properties as well as enter into transactions for the purchase of properties for sale.

Allow for adoption agencies to deny services based on religious beliefs

HB 4188, 3/18/15, Passed: 65-44
HB 4198, 3/18/15, Passed: 65-44
HB 4190, 3/18/15, Passed: 65-44
These bills create a new act that will prohibit requiring child placing agencies from providing services if providing those services would violate the agency’s sincerely held religious beliefs. HB 4189 and HB 4190 amend various codes to comply with the new act.

Allow notices of evictions to be served electronically

HB 4038, 3/18/15, Passed: 85-24
House Bill 4038 would amend MCL 600.5718 of the “Revised Judicature Act of 1961” to allow a notice of eviction to be served electronically.

Changes to the Public Employee Retirement System Investment Act to be consistent with the Detroit Bankruptcy Plan of Adjustment

HB 4289, 3/18/15, Passed: 108-1
This bill changes some terms in Section 13g of the Public Employee Retirement System Investment Act to make the Act consistent with the Detroit Bankruptcy Plan of Adjustment.

Updates regulations regarding commercial driver’s license learner’s permits
SB 42, 3/19/15, Passed: 105-2
Senate Bill 42 amends the Vehicle Code to do four distinct things: (1) update regulations regarding commercial driver’s license learner’s permits to be consistent with federal requirements; (2) clarify that a driver under Graduated Driver’s License (GDL) provisions would not be delayed in attaining a higher level license if involved in an accident not associated with a moving violation; (3) allow the Secretary of State to suspend the license of a driver under their 3-year probationary period without a review hearing, unless a hearing is requested; and (4) remove language prohibiting issuance of a personalized license plate with a message that could be considered "offensive to good taste and decency" due to a court decision invalidating the language.