The following is a summary of legislation that passed the House 5.9.16-5.13.16. Feel free to me with any questions or if you need additional information (517-373-0826).

Allow Distribution of Use Tax to Local Governments to Replace Lost Personal Property Taxes

HB 5176 (S-3) (Farrington) RC 222, 5/10/16 Passed 108-0

Next: Presentation to the Governor

Committee: Tax Policy
Description: HB 5176 (S-3) (Farrington) amends the Local Community Stabilization Authority Act to revise the formula for reimbursing cities for personal property tax (PPT) losses related specifically to the “small taxpayer exemption” in fiscal years 2014 and 2015. (Under the small taxpayer exemption, beginning in FY 2014, a property owner with personal property with a combined true cash value of $80,000 or less in value within a municipality is exempt from paying the PPT on that property.) The bill also pushes back dates for Treasury to make calculations for the reimbursement formula and, for 2016 only, for payments to be made to local governments.

Energy Conservation Financing for Local Governments

HB 4990 (S-1) (Pscholka) RC 223, 5/10/16 Passed 104-4

HB 4991 (Pscholka) RC 224, 5/10/16 Passed 104-4

HB 4992 (Pscholka) RC 225, 5/10/16 Passed 104-4

HB 4993 (Pscholka) RC 226, 5/10/16 Passed 104-4

HB 4994 (Pscholka) RC 227, 5/10/16 Passed 104-4 

Next: Presentation to the Governor

Committee: Local Government
Description:

HB 4990 (S-1) (Pscholka) amends the Home Rule City Act to allow for cities, villages, townships and counties to fund energy conservation improvements by lease-purchase agreements.

HB 4991 (Pscholka) amends the General Law Village Act to allow for cities, villages, townships and counties to fund energy conservation improvements by lease-purchase agreements.

HB 4992 (Pscholka) amends the Home Rule Village Act to allow for cities, villages, townships and counties to fund energy conservation improvements by lease-purchase agreements.              

HB 4993 (Pscholka) amends the 1846 Revised Statute 16, which governs townships to allow for cities, villages, townships and counties to fund energy conservation improvements by lease-purchase agreements.           

HB 4994 (Pscholka) amends the County Board of Commissioners Act to allow for cities, villages, townships and counties to fund energy conservation improvements by lease-purchase agreements.    

             

Meth Smurfing Prohibition Package

HB 4864 (S-1) (KIVELA) RC 228, 5/10/16 Passed 107-1

Next: Presentation to the Governor

Committee: Criminal Justice
Description: HB 4864 (S-1) (KIVELA) would require that a “stop sale” alert be generated for five years after a person has been convicted of the proposed misdemeanor offense “attempted ‘meth-smurfing’” as created in House Bill 4767 (KIVELA). This would result in such an individual being prohibited from buying a nonprescription product containing ephedrine or pseudoephedrine (PSE) for five years after the conviction.

Modernizing Veterans Definitions

HB 5548 (Whiteford) RC 229, 5/10/16 Passed 108-0

HB 5549 (Howell) RC 230, 5/10/16 Passed 108-0

HB 5550 (Hughes) RC 231, 5/10/16 Passed 108-0

HB 5551 (Barrett) RC 232, 5/10/16 Passed 108-0

Next: Sent to the Senate

Committee: Military and Veterans Affairs
Description:

HB 5548 (Whiteford) The bill amends the definition of a veteran in the 1911 Public Act 235 (Payment and Reimbursement by Counties Act) as an individual who meets the definition as it is defined in section 1 of the 1965 Public Act 190, and adds that the individual must have been discharged under honorable conditions after serving not less than 90 days of active service. The act takes effect 90 days after the date it is enacted into law.

HB 5549 (Howell) The bill amends the definition of a veteran in the 1946 Public Act 9 (Michigan Veterans’ Trust Fund Act) as an individual who meets the definition as it is defined in section 1 of the 1965 Public Act 190, was or is a legal resident of the state immediately prior to entering the United Sates Armed Forces, and served in active service in the United States Armed Forces during a period of war for at least 180 days and honorably discharged. However, whose legal residence was Michigan but leaves the state for a period longer than 2 years is no longer considered an eligible veteran. The act takes effect 90 days after the date it is enacted into law.         

HB 5550 (Hughes) The bill amends the definition of a veteran in the 1899 Public Act 214 (Soldiers’ Home for Relief Act) to those who served during a period of war as described in 38 CFR 3.2 of the Veterans Benefits Administration. The act takes effect 90 days after the date it is enacted into law.

HB 5551 (Barrett) The bill amends the definition of a veteran in the 1949 Public Act 300 (Michigan Vehicle Code) as an individual who meets the definition as it is defined in section 1 of the 1965 Public Act 190. The act takes effect 90 days after the date it is enacted into law.

Meth Smurfing Prohibition Package (Cont.)

SB 409 (O’Brien) RC 233, 5/10/16 Passed 107-1

SB 410 (Casperson) RC 234, 5/10/16 Passed 107-1

Next: Presentation to the Governor

Committee: Criminal Justice
Description:

SB 409 (O’Brien) would create a misdemeanor penalty for the practice of “meth smurfing” or “attempting to solicit someone to purchase ephedrine or pseudoephedrine (“PSE”) for use in methamphetamine (“meth”) production.”

SB 410 (Casperson) is a technical bill that would update the statutory reference for the felony offense “soliciting someone to purchase PSE for use in meth production.”

Creating the Public Threat Alert System Act

HB 5442 (H-1) (Iden) RC 235, 5/10/16 Passed 106-2

HB 5449 (H-1) (HOADLEY) RC 236, 5/10/16 Passed 104-4

HB 5567 (H-1) (Maturen) RC 237, 5/10/16 Passed 104-4

Next: Sent to the Senate

Committee: Communications and Technology
Description:

HB 5442 (H-1) (Iden) would create the Public Threat Alert System Act.

HB 5449 (H-1) (HOADLEY) contains the corresponding sentencing guidelines for a false report of a public threat.

HB 5567 (H-1) (Maturen) would allow a court to order a convicted individual to reimburse the state or a local unit of government for expenses related to an emergency response or the costs of prosecuting that person for a violation of attempted violation of the “Public Threat Alert Act.”

House Omnibus Budget Package

HB 5256 (Inman) RC 238, 5/10/16 Passed 70-38

HB 5263 (Miller) RC 239, 5/10/16 Passed 69-39

HB 5268 (Jenkins) RC 240, 5/10/16 Passed 69-39

HB 5272 (Pagel) RC 241, 5/10/16 Passed 71-37

HB 5274 (VerHeulen) RC 242, 5/10/16 Passed 71-37

HB 5276 (Cox) RC 243, 5/10/16 Passed 69-39

HB 5306 (Afendoulis) RC 244, 5/10/16 Passed 70-38

HB 5329 (Canfield) RC 245, 5/10/16 Passed 70-38

Next: Sent to the Senate

Committee: Appropriations
Description:

HB 5256 (Inman) Appropriations; zero budget; department of military and veterans affairs; provide for fiscal year 2016-2017.

HB 5263 (Miller) Appropriations; zero budget; department of state police; provide for fiscal year 2016-2017.

HB 5268 (Jenkins) Appropriations; zero budget; department of agriculture and rural development; provide for fiscal year 2016-2017.

HB 5272 (Pagel) Appropriations; zero budget; department of corrections; provide for fiscal year 2016-2017.

HB 5274 (VerHeulen) Appropriations; zero budget; department of health and human services; provide for fiscal year 2016-2017.

HB 5276 (Cox) Appropriations; zero budget; general government; provide for fiscal year 2016-2017.

HB 5306 (Afendoulis) Appropriations; zero budget; department of insurance and financial services; provide for fiscal year 2016-2017.

HB 5329 (Canfield) Appropriations; zero budget; state transportation department; provide for fiscal year 2016-2017.

Senate Omnibus Budget Package

SB 801 (Hildenbrand) RC 246, 5/10/16 Passed 69-39

SB 787 (Green) RC 247, 5/10/16 Passed 69-39

SB 792 (Proos) RC 248, 5/10/16 Passed 70-38

SB 795 (Green) RC 249, 5/10/16 Passed 70-38

SB 784 (Booher) RC 250, 5/10/16 Passed 69-39

SB 786 (Hansen) RC 251, 5/10/16 Passed 69-39

SB 790 (Schuitmaker) RC 252, 5/10/16 Passed 69-39

SB 796 (Hansen) RC 253, 5/10/16 Passed 69-39

SB 793 (Knollenberg) RC 254, 5/10/16 Passed 70-38

Next: Return to the Senate

Committee: Appropriations
Description:

SB 801 (Hildenbrand) Appropriations; zero budget; fiscal year 2016-2017 omnibus appropriations for school aid, higher education, and community colleges; provide for.

SB 787 (Green) Appropriations; zero budget; department of environmental quality; provide for fiscal year 2016-2017.

SB 792 (Proos) Appropriations; zero budget; judiciary; provide for fiscal year 2016-2017.

SB 795 (Green) Appropriations; zero budget; department of natural resources; provide for fiscal year 2016-2017.

SB 784 (Booher) Appropriations; zero budget; community colleges; provide for fiscal year 2016-2017.

SB 786 (Hansen) Appropriations; zero budget; department of education; provide for fiscal year 2016-2017.

SB 790 (Schuitmaker) Appropriations; zero budget; higher education; provide for fiscal year 2016-2017.

SB 796 (Hansen) Appropriations; zero budget; school aid appropriations; provide for fiscal year 2016-2017.

SB 793 (Knollenberg) Appropriations; zero budget; department of licensing and regulatory affairs; provide for fiscal year 2016-2017.

Allows Payment of Payday Loans with Debit Cards and Over-the-Phone Transactions

SB 607 (H-1) (Booher) RC 255, 5/12/16 Passed 107-1         

SB 719 (Booher) RC 256, 5/12/16 Passed 107-1

Next: Return to the Senate

Committee: Financial Services
Description:

SB 607 (H-1) (Booher) adds that a deferred presentment service transaction can be closed when the check is redeemed by payment from a debit card.

SB 719 (Booher) requires that the licensee deposit a check held for a deferred presentment service transaction if the check has not been redeemed or exchanged by the maturity date of the check, unless the customer has a written repayment plan. If a customer fails to make an installment payment, the licensee shall deposit the check.

                         

Limit Judicial Vetoes in Parole Decisions

HB 5273 (H-1) (Pagel) RC 257, 5/12/16 Passed 96-12

Next: Sent to the Senate

Committee: Criminal Justice
Description:

HB 5273 (H-1) (Pagel) would remove the veto power that successor judges currently have over the possible parole of prison inmates serving probable life sentences.

             

Establishing a Cap and Regulations on Non-University Fundraising License Plates

HB 5447 (H-3) (Pettalia) RC 258, 5/12/16 Passed 90-18

Next: Sent to the Senate

Committee: Transportation and Infrastructure
Description:

HB 5447 (H-3) (Pettalia) caps the number of non-university, fundraising license plates that may be issued by the Secretary of State at any one time; changes the amount that an organization must contribute toward the development of a fundraising license plate; establishes new sales requirements for plates that have been available for more than 6 years; requires, rather than allows, the SOS to cease issuing a fundraising plate that does not meet sales requirements; and stipulates that money raised through a fundraising plate must be expended in Michigan.

Create the Children’s Assurance of Quality of Foster Care Policy

HB 4976 (H-3) (HOVEY-WRIGHT) RC 259, 5/12/16 Passed 107-1

HB 4977 (H-1) (Runestad) RC 260, 5/12/16 Passed 108-0

HB 4978 (DARANY) RC 261, 5/12/16 Passed 107-1

Next: Sent to the Senate

Committee: Families, Children, and Seniors
Description:

HB 4976 (H-3) (HOVEY-WRIGHT) amends the Foster Care and Adoption Services Act to ensure that the Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) develops a specific policy to provide children placed in foster care.

HB 4977 (H-1) (Runestad) amends the Foster Care and Adoption Services Act to require that DHHS provide foster children with access to information and services, as age appropriate and court mandated.

HB 4978 (DARANY) amends the Foster Care and Adoption Services Act to require DHHS to distribute information describing the above outlined policy to foster children and the process to follow if the child has concerns regarding violations. The information must include information for the child’s caseworker, legal guardian ad litem, Office of Children’s Ombudsman, how to file a complaint, and whom the foster child may contact with any issues.

Concussion Awareness Training Statement Exemptions

HB 5314 (H-1) (Hooker) RC 262, 5/12/16 Passed 107-1

Next: Sent to the Senate

Committee: Health Policy
Description:

HB 5314 (H-1) (Hooker) The bill amends 1978 PA 368 entitled public health code and would update two areas of statute which requires concussion awareness training programs and protocols for youth athletes.

Allowing for Reciprocal International Driving Privileges

SB 501 (H-2) (Stamas) RC 263, 5/12/16 Passed 90-18

Next: Return to the Senate

Committee: Transportation and Infrastructure
Description:

SB 501 (H-2) (Stamas) allows certain nonresidents from countries not currently recognized by the Secretary of State for driving privileges in Michigan (e.g., China) to operate a motor vehicle without obtaining a Michigan driver’s license. They must demonstrate that they are legally permitted to drive in their own country and would otherwise have to satisfy current Vehicle Code requirements for obtaining a driver’s license, other than verification of residency, which include legal presence in the United States. Under the bill, the same requirements also would now apply to nonresidents with licenses from countries that are already recognized for driving privileges in Michigan through international treaties or other agreements.

Principal Residence Exemption Amendments

SB 606 (S-2) (Shirkey) RC 264, 5/12/16 Passed 108-0

Next: Return to the Senate

Committee: Tax Policy
Description:

SB 606 (S-2) (Shirkey) allows an individual to continue to claim a principal residence exemption (PRE) if he or she were deployed or stationed elsewhere for active duty as a member of the United States Armed Forces while satisfying certain conditions; and allows a member of the Armed Forces who owned a principal residence while deployed or an individual who did not occupy his or her principal residence while residing in a nursing home or assisted living facility to file an appeal when an exemption was not on the tax roll.

             

Amending Requirements for State Retirement System Annual Reports

SB 738 (Booher) RC 265, 5/12/16 Passed 108-0

Next: Return to the Senate

Committee: Financial Liability Reform
Description:

SB 738 (Booher) Amends the Public Employee Retirement System Investment Act to require an investment fiduciary (Treasury) to include an executive summary of UAAL for both retiree healthcare and pension programs under the State Employees' Retirement Act, the Public School Employees Retirement Act, the Judges Retirement Act, and the State Police Retirement Act, and provide copies to the legislatures appropriations committees and respective fiscal agencies. Requires ORS to appear at request to discuss the summaries.

             

Allow Standing Order for Opioid Antagonist Drugs

HB 5326 (H-3) (Forlini) RC 266, 5/12/16 Passed 108-0

Next: Sent to the Senate

Committee: Health Policy
Description:

HB 5326 (H-3) (Forlini) The bill amends the Public Health Code by allowing, under certain circumstances, pharmacists to dispense an opioid antagonist. The H-3 substitute requires that the department add an electronic monitoring system to monitor controlled substances dispensed in the state. The substitute outlines the rules and requirements of the system.

Extend Michigan Energy Assistance Act

HB 5512 (H-1) (Poleski) RC 267, 5/12/16 Passed 108-0

Next: Sent to the Senate

Committee: Appropriations
Description:

HB 5512 (H-1) (Poleski) would extend the sunset on the Michigan Energy Assistance Act from September 30, 2016 to September 30, 2019. This bill is considered a budget implementation bill.

             

Capping University MPSERS Unfunded Liability Contribution Rate

SB 343 (H-1) (Schuitmaker) RC 268, 5/12/16 Passed 100-8

Next: Return to the Senate

Committee: Appropriations
Description:

SB 343 (H-1) (Schuitmaker) amends the MPSERS act to put into place a payment cap on the unfunded actuarial accrued liability (UAAL) owed by the 7 universities who participated in MPSERS until January 1, 1996 at 25.73% of applicable payroll meaning the university pays up to the cap rate and the state pays the rest.

             

Continue Hold-Harmless Policy for Private Foster Care Administrative Rates

HB 5562 (Poleski) RC 269, 5/12/16 Passed 106-2

Next: Sent to the Senate

Committee: Appropriations
Description:

HB 5562 (Poleski) The bill eliminates the sunset and makes changes to the administrative rate for foster care services. (This bill is FY17 budget implementation bill).

Lifting the Sunset on the Use of Fund Revenue for Gasoline Inspection Programs

HB 5581 (Victory) RC 270, 5/12/16 Passed 84-24

Next: Sent to the Senate

Committee: Appropriations
Description:

HB 5581 (Victory) The bill amends the Natural Resources and Environmental Protection Act (NREPA) to lift the sunset on ability to use the Refined Petroleum Fund revenue for gasoline inspection programs. This is a FY 17 budget implementation bill.

Expanding the Investment Options of the Fostering Futures Scholarship Trust Fund

SB 659 (S-1) (MacGregor) RC 271, 5/12/16 Passed 108-0

Next: Return to the Senate

Committee: Financial Services
Description:

SB 659 (S-1) (MacGregor) amends the Fostering Futures Scholarship Trust Fund Act to expand the investment options of the trust fund to those permitted by the Public Employee Retirement System Investment Act.

             

Grass Seed Regulations

SB 637 (Hune) RC 272, 5/12/16 Passed 99-9

Next: Return to the Senate

Committee: Agriculture
Description:

SB 637 (Hune) Amends Michigan Seed Law to link grass seed test period with sell by date and modify certain warning label requirements.

             

Allowing Off-Premise Liquor Licenses to Specially Designated Merchants (SDMs)

SB 344 (S-2) (Hildenbrand) RC 273, 5/12/16 Passed 103-5

Next: Return to the Senate

Committee: Regulatory Reform
Description:

SB 344 (S-2) (Hildenbrand) will permit the Liquor Control Commission (Commission) to issue a Specially Designated Merchant (SDM) license to a person who does not hold any other type of liquor license.