Friday, February 26, 2016

The following is a summary of legislation that recently passed the House 2.22.16-2.26.16. Don’t hesitate to contact me with any questions or if you need additional information (517-373-0826).

Public Body Communications About Local Ballot Questions
HB 5219 (H-1) (Lyons) RC 53, 2/23/16 Passed 60-46
Next: Sent to the Senate
Committee: Elections
Description:
HB 5219 (H-1) (Lyons) would amend the Michigan Campaign Finance Act to clarify how public resources may be used in conjunction with discussions of local ballot questions.

Require Confidentiality for Involuntary Hospitalization Petitions
HB 4793 (Lucido) RC 54, 2/23/16 Passed 106-0
Next: Sent to the Senate
Committee: Judiciary
Description:
HB 4793 (Lucido) would require that a petition and any clinical certificates filed for involuntary hospitalizations be kept confidential.

Require Genocide Education in Schools; Establish Governor’s Council on Genocide and Holocaust Education
HB 4493 (H-1) (Kesto) RC 55, 2/23/16 Passed 105-1
Next: Sent to the Senate
Committee: Education
Description:
HB 4493 (H-1) (Kesto) establishes a state level requirement that school boards and public school academy (PSA) boards of directors ensure as part of the school’s 8-12 grade curriculum, age and grade appropriate materials are taught on genocide, including the Holocaust and Armenian Genocide, recommending a total of 6 hours over the 5 year span.
The bill also creates a privately funded, advisory only, Governor’s Council on Genocide and Holocaust Education which is charged with promoting genocide and Holocaust education in schools.

Amending the Consumer Mortgage Protection Act
SB 578 (H-1) (Booher) RC 56, 2/23/16 Passed 96-10 (*Vote Reconsidered)
SB 578 (H-1) (Booher) RC 57, 2/23/16 Passed 93-13 (*Final Vote)
Next: Return to the Senate
Committee: Financial Services
Description:
SB 578 (H-1) (Booher) amends the Consumer Mortgage Protection Act to replace the current requirement that lenders provide to mortgage refinancing applicants the "Borrowers Bill of Rights" with a special information booklet issued under the Real Estate Settlement Procedures Act (RESPA).

Amending the Licensing Scope of Practice for Public Accountants
HB 5192 (Afendoulis) RC 58, 2/23/16 Passed 106-0
Next: Sent to the Senate
Committee: Regulatory Reform
Description:
HB 5192 (Afendoulis) makes various changes to the licensing of certified public accountants (CPAs) in the Occupational Code.

Allowing Certain Moving Violation Statues to be Enforced on Private Property Open to the Public
HB 4314 (S-1) (SINGH) RC 59, 2/24/16 Passed 83-19
Next: Presentation to the Governor
Committee: Criminal Justice
Description:
HB 4314 (S-1) (SINGH) would allow certain moving violation statutes to be enforced on private property open to the public, specifically when an individual operates a motor vehicle on property open to the public in a manner that would be a moving violation if done on a public road, and death or the serious impairment of a body function is the result.

Sunset Extension on Health Insurance Claims Assessment (HICA)
HB 5105 (S-2) (Pscholka) RC 60, 2/24/16 Passed 77-25
Next: Presentation to the Governor
Committee: Appropriations
Description: HB 5105 (S-2) (Pscholka) would extend the Health Insurance Claims Assessment (HICA) sunset from December 31, 2017 to September 30, 2025 and removes language that would reimburse HICA payers when revenues exceed the statutory cap. It further would repeal language that would repeal the entire Act on January 1, 2018.

Amending the Child Protection Law to Create an Online Reporting System
SB 334 (H-2) (Emmons) RC 61, 2/24/16 Passed 103-0
Next: Return to the Senate
Committee: Families, Children, and Seniors
Description:
SB 334 (S-2) (Emmons) creates an online reporting system that allows mandatory reporters to report suspected child abuse or neglect directly to the Department of Health and Human Services’ (DHHS) centralized intake. Centralized intake is DHHS’s statewide centralized processing center for reports of suspected child abuse and neglect. This legislation will provide those mandatory reporters an online reporting system, which will also eliminate the need for a follow-up written report by the reporter, so long as the initial immediate report includes the information required in the current written report.   

Agriculture Repeal Package
HB 5051 (Canfield) RC 62, 2/24/16 Passed 103-0
HB 5050 (Pagel) RC 63, 2/24/16 Passed 102-1
HB 5052 (Cole) RC 64, 2/24/16 Passed 102-1
HB 5053 (Hughes) RC 65, 2/24/16 Passed 102-1
HB 5054 (Howrylak) RC 66, 2/24/16 Passed 103-0
HB 5055 (Bizon) RC 67, 2/24/16 Passed 96-7
Next: Sent to the Senate

Committee: Agriculture
Description:
HB 5051 (Canfield) is intended to repeal Public Act 226 of 1889, which provides for the collection of specific taxes from corporations, co-partnerships, parties or persons, subject under any laws of this sate to the payment of such taxes. It schedules the time when such taxes become a lien upon the property of such corporations, co-partnerships, parties or persons. The bill defines a property according to the act. HB 5050 (Pagel) is intended to repeal Public Act 72 of 1929, which encourages the horses breeding in the state of Michigan. It requires the registration of stallions and regulates the public service of stallions. It stipulates the compilation and publication of statistics relative to horse breeding, for liens, and for penalties for the violation of this act. HB 5052 (Cole) is intended to repeal Public Act 340 of 1913, which prevents and punishes the sale of immature and unwholesome calves, pigs, kids and lambs. HB 5053 (Hughes) would to repeal Public Acts 309 sections 1-7 of 1939, which covers altering of tattoo identification on a dog, a $1 fee for selling a dog, the issuance of title by MDARD, finder of lost dog entitled to fee, fees unspent rolling into the general fund, penalties for altering identification tattoo, and penalties for stealing or holding a dog. The fee is no longer collected by the department and the department feels theft laws will cover these sections. HB 5054 (Howrylak) would to repeal section 12 of the Insect Pest and Plant Disease Act, which requires the department to issue a $5 license fee to any resident or non- resident nurseryman, dealer or grower, who solicits or takes orders or sells nursery stock in order to have an agent’s permit. This complete list is kept by the department director. HB 5055 (Bizon) would to repeal Public Act 220 of 1983, which pertains to an act focused on the removal and remediation of PCB (polychlorinated biphenyls) from silos produced by Michigan Silo Company after a 1982 finding.

Friday, February 19, 2016

The following is a summary of legislation that passed the House 2.15.16-2.19.16. Feel free to contact me with any questions or if you need additional information (517-373-0826).

Note: This week, a package of 5 bills regarding the increase of speed limits were scheduled for a floor vote. HB 4427 (H-2) and HB 4426 (H-4) were first passed then reconsidered due to insufficient support for the rest of the package.

Exempting Maple Sap Transport from Seasonal Weight Restrictions
HB 4418 (Chatfield) RC 38, 2/16/16 Passed 76-29
Next: Sent to the Senate
Committee: Transportation and Infrastructure
Description:
HB 4418 (Chatfield) amends the definition of “agricultural commodities” in the truck-weight section of the Vehicle Code to include maple sap.

Waive Vehicle Registration Late Fee for Vehicles Kept in Storage
HB 4634 (H-1) (Glardon) RC 39, 2/16/16 Passed 88-17
Next: Sent to the Senate
Committee: Transportation and Infrastructure
Description:
HB 4634 (H-1) (Glardon) provides for the waiving of the $10 late registration fee on a vehicle that is in storage at the time of the vehicle’s registration renewal date.

Revise Judicial Compensation Calculations
SB 56 (H-1) (Jones) RC 40, 2/16/16 Passed 97-6
Next: Return to the Senate
Committee: Appropriations
Description:
SB 56 (H-1) (Jones) would amend several sections of the Revised Judicature Act (RJA) of 1961 (1961 PA 236) to revise the way salaries and compensation are calculated for judges of the Court of Appeals, Circuit Court, Probate Court, and District Court.

Breath Alcohol Ignition Interlock Devices (BAIID) Regulations and Certification
SB 176 (H-1) (Schuitmaker) RC 41, 2/17/16 Passed 80-26
SB 357 (S-1) (Schuitmaker) RC 42, 2/17/16 Passed 82-24
Next: Return to the Senate (SB 176);
Presentation to the Governor (SB 357)
Committee: Judiciary
Description:
SB 176 (H-1) (Schuitmaker) would establish regulations and certification procedures for breath alcohol ignition interlock device (BAIID) manufacturers, service centers, and installers. SB 357 (S-1) (Schuitmaker) would prohibit auto repair shops and mechanics from servicing a breath alcohol ignition interlock device (BAIID) without approval from the Michigan Secretary of State (SOS). The bill would outline the conditions that such shops and mechanics would have to meet in order to be approved as service providers.

Permitting Tribal Conservation Officers to Inspect Hunting, Fishing, or Harvester Licenses
SB 588 (S-1) (Casperson) RC 43, 2/17/16 Passed 102-4
Next: Presentation to the Governor
Committee: Tourism and Outdoor Recreation
Description: SB 588 (S-1) (Casperson) would amend MCL 324.43516 of the Natural Resources and Environmental Protection Act (“NREPA”), 1994 PA 451, to require an individual who has been issued a hunting, fishing, or fur harvester’s license to carry and exhibit it upon the request of a tribal conservation officer. Under current law, an individual only has to exhibit such license upon the demand of a conservation officer, a law enforcement officer, or the owner or occupant of the land under certain circumstances.
             
Electronic Continuing Education Tracking Services
SB 554 (Schuitmaker) RC 44, 2/17/16 Passed 104-2
SB 555 (H-1) (Schuitmaker) RC 45, 2/17/16 Passed 104-2
Next: Presentation to the Governor (SB 554);
Return to the Senate (SB 555)
Committee: Regulatory Reform
Description:
SB 554 (Schuitmaker) amend the Occupations section of the Public Health Code to allow the Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs (LARA) to enter into an agreement with a private entity to provide an electronic tracking system that would provide record of the continuing education completed by individuals licensed or registered under the respective codes. SB 555 (H-1) (Schuitmaker) amend the Occupational Code, respectively, to allow the Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs (LARA) to enter into an agreement with a private entity to provide an electronic tracking system that would provide record of the continuing education completed by individuals licensed or registered under the respective codes

Increasing Speed Limits
HB 4427 (H-2) (SMILEY) RC 46, 2/17/16 Passed 67-39 (*Vote Reconsidered)
HB 4426 (H-4) (KIVELA) RC 47, 2/17/16 Passed 67-39 (*Vote Reconsidered)
Next: Sent to the Senate
Committee: Transportation and Infrastructure
Description:
HB 4427 (H-2) (SMILEY) amends the Insurance Code to change the awarding of “eligibility points” for a speed limit violation of 5 mph or less from 2 points to 1 point. HB 4426 (H-4) (KIVELA) adjusts the points awarded for speeding violations on a person’s driving record by reducing the points for a speed violation of 5 mph over or less from 2 to 1. The bill also provides that local traffic regulations must be based on “standard and accepted engineering practices as specified in the Michigan Manual of Uniform Traffic Control Devices.”

Partial Refunding of Flint Water Utility Bills
SB 136 (Hildenbrand) RC 48, 2/17/16 Passed 106-0
Next: Presentation to the Governor
Committee: Appropriations
Description:
SB 136 (Hildenbrand) $30M GF to cover 65% of the cost of water bills for residents of the City of Flint.

Creating Civil Fine for Not Obtaining Motorcycle Endorsement on Drivers License
HB 4651 (PLAWECKI) RC 49, 2/18/16 Passed 87-19
Next: Sent to the Senate
Committee: Criminal Justice
Description:
HB 4651 (PLAWECKI) increases penalties for operating a motorcycle without a motorcycle endorsement. The current penalty is a misdemeanor with a maximum fine of $100 and/or imprisonment of up to 90 days. HB 4651 would increase the maximum fine to $500 for a first violation and, for a second or subsequent violation, increase the maximum fine to $1,000 and the maximum term of imprisonment to 1 year.

Naming Patient Programming Center for James K. Haveman
SB 680 (MacGregor) RC 50, 2/18/16 Passed 79-27
Next: Presentation to the Governor
Committee: Health Policy
Description:
SB 680 (MacGregor) names the new patient programming center at the Walter P. Reuther Psychiatric Hospital the "James K. Haveman Center for Activity, Rehabilitation, and Therapy."

Taxation of Direct Mail
HB 5132 (Farrington) RC 51, 2/18/16 Passed 104-2
HB 5133 (BYRD) RC 52, 2/18/16 Passed 104-2
Next: Sent to the Senate
Committee: Tax Policy
Description:
HB 5132 (Farrington) amends the Sales Tax Act to revise provisions related to sourcing the payment of tax between sellers and purchasers with regard to certain direct mail transactions. The bill is aimed at bringing Michigan into compliance with the multi-state Streamlined Sales and Use Tax Agreement. HB 5133 (BYRD) amends Use Tax Act to revise provisions related to sourcing the payment of tax between sellers and purchasers with regard to certain direct mail transactions. The bill is aimed at bringing Michigan into compliance with the multi-state Streamlined Sales and Use Tax Agreement.


Tuesday, February 16, 2016

The following is a summary of legislation that passed the House from 2.8.16-2.12.16. Feel free to contact me with any questions or if you need additional information (517-373-0826).

Naming the Bridge Over Eastman Ave. in Midland. MI the “Seaman Aaron D. Ullom Memorial Bridge”
SB 513 (Stamas) RC 29, 2/9/16 Passed 105-0
Next: Presentation to the Governor
Committee: Transportation and Infrastructure
Description:
SB 513 (Stamas) designates the bridge on Highway U.S. 10 over Eastman Avenue in the City of Midland as the “Seaman Aaron D. Ullom Memorial Bridge.” As with all designations under the Memorial Highway Act, private contributions are required for the placement and maintenance of the signs marking the designation.

Amending the Animal Adoption Protection Act and Logan’s Law
HB 4353 (H-1) (SANTANA) RC 30, 2/9/16 Passed 88-17
HB 4355 (Muxlow) RC 31, 2/9/16 Passed 88-17
Next: Sent to the Senate
Committee: Judiciary
Description:
HB 4353 (H-1) (SANTANA) would establish the "Animal Adoption
Protection Act" to require animal control and protection shelters to consider an individual's criminal history prior to allowing that individual to adopt an animal. Shelters would not be allowed to adopt out an animal to an individual who has been convicted of an animal abuse offense until at least five years has elapsed since the date of conviction. The bill includes a list of offenses that would be considered "animal abuse" offenses. Under the bill, an “animal” is defined as a “mammal except livestock (as defined in 1937 PA 284, MCL 287.121 to 287.131) and rodents.” HB 4355 (Muxlow) would establish “Logan’s Law,” to require animal control shelters and animal protection shelters to conduct criminal background checks prior to allowing an individual to adopt an animal.

Lansing Firefighter Dennis E. Rodeman Memorial Freeway
HB 5006 (H-1) (COCHRAN) RC 32, 2/10/16 Passed 106-0
Next: Sent to the Senate
Committee: Transportation and Infrastructure
Description:
HB 5006 (H-1) (COCHRAN) designates the portion of Business Route I-96 in the city of Lansing as the “Lansing Firefighter Dennis E. Rodeman Memorial Freeway.” As with all designations under the Memorial Highway Act, private contributions are required for the placement and maintenance of the signs marking the designation.

Amending the Motor Vehicle Service Repair Act
HB 4344 (H-3) (Pettalia) RC 33, 2/10/16 Passed 84-22
Next: Sent to the Senate
Committee: Transportation and Infrastructure
Description:
HB 4344 (H-3) (Pettalia) amends the Motor Vehicle Service and Repair Act to codify, with a few minor changes, existing Secretary of State administrative rules into statute related to: establishing the type of repair services for which mechanic certification is not required, prohibition of unfair and deceptive practices, registration of repair facilities, return of replaced parts, certification of mechanics, and the issuance of declaratory rulings by the SOS related to practices regulated by the Act.

Allowing Loan Promotion Raffles
HB 5147 (Forlini) RC 34, 2/10/16 Passed 105-1
HB 5251 (Iden) RC 35, 2/10/16 Passed 104-2
Next: Sent to the Senate
Committee: Financial Services
Description:
HB 5147 (Forlini) amends the Penal Code to exempt loan promotion raffles by credit unions or banks from Chapter XLIV of the code (gambling crimes). HB 5251 (Iden) amends the Banking Code of 1999 to allow banks to conduct loan promotion raffles.

Closure of the Urban Land Assembly Loan Fund
HB 5163 (H-1) (Heise) RC 36, 2/10/16 Passed 104-2
Next: Sent to the Senate
Committee: Appropriations
Description:
HB 5163 (H-1) (Heise) The bill would transfer all funds and receivables from the Michigan Urban Land Assembly Loan Fund to the Land Bank Fast Track Fund for uses outlined under the Land Bank Fast Track Act. It also would eliminate the Michigan Urban Land Assembly program.

Revising the Michigan Family Preservations Act
SB 503 (Emmons) RC 37, 2/10/16 Passed 106-0
Next: Presentation to the Governor

Committee: Judiciary
Description:
SB 503 (Emmons) amends adoption procedures within the Michigan Indian Family Preservation Act (MIFPA).The bill also refers to an “Indian child” throughout the Act in places that currently refer to “a child”

Friday, February 5, 2016

The following is a summary of legislation that passed the House 2.1.16-2.5.16. Don’t hesitate to contact me with any questions or if you need additional information (517-373-5568).

Creating Inter-State Medical Licensure Compact
HB 4582 (Tedder) RC 23, 2/2/16 Passed 103-3
HB 4583 (H-2) (Tedder) RC 24, 2/2/16 Passed 103-3
Next: Sent to the Senate
Committee: Health Policy
Description: HB 4582 (Tedder) modifies the licensing process to authorize allopathic and osteopathic physician holding an expedited license authorized under the Interstate Medical Licensure Compact to engage in the practice of medicine. HB 4583 (H-2) (Tedder) creates the Interstate Medical Licensure Compact, which would create a process for expediting the licensing of physicians seeking to practice in multiple states.

Creating the Civil Air Patrol Employee Protection Act
HB 4537 (H-1) (LaFontaine) RC 25, 2/3/16 Passed 106-0
Next: Sent to the Senate
Committee: Commerce and Trade
Description:
HB 4537 (H-1) (LaFontaine) The bill would create the "Civil Air Patrol Employment Protection Act," which would prohibit an employer from discriminating against, disciplining, or discharging an employee because he or she was responding to an emergency as a member of the Civil Air Patrol, if certain conditions were met.

Assessments to Cover Judgements Against Government Entities
SB 615 (Schmidt) RC 26, 2/3/16 Passed 106-0
Next: Presentation to the Governor
Committee: Judiciary
Description:
SB 615 (Schmidt) would provide that a judgment against a governmental entity that is collected as a tax could not be captured by any other governmental entity for any other purpose. The bill would apply retroactively to judgments entered after May 6, 2015. In short, the bill would prohibit tax increment finance authorities (TIF) and downtown development authorities (DDAs) from capturing revenues generated as a result of a county having a court-ordered judgment against it assessed and collected as a tax.

Flow-Through Entity Income Tax Withholding
HB 5131 (Farrington) RC 27, 2/4/16 Passed 105-1
Next: Sent to the Senate
Committee: Tax Policy
Description:
HB 5131 (Farrington) would eliminate tax-withholding requirements for flow-through entities (i.e., limited liability companies, S corporations, and partnerships). For tax years that begin on or after July 1, 2016, withholding would not be required for the distributive share of the taxable income of their individual nonresident members or the distributive share of business income of members that are corporations or other flow-through entities. Without these requirements, members would be expected to pay their estimated taxes directly to the State.

Allowing Distribution of Use Tax to Local Units to Replace Lost Personal Property Taxes
HB 5176 (Farrington) RC 28, 2/4/16 Passed 105-1
Next: Sent to the Senate

Committee: Tax Policy
Description:
HB 5176 (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.