Revise Statute of Limitations Law

HB 5033

The Revised Judicature Act currently "tolls" a statute of limitations for actions under the act when an individual is less than 18-years-old or insane at the time the claim accrues. Tolling provisions essentially stop the applicable statute of limitations from being applied to vulnerable groups who are not able to file a lawsuit within the time period allotted by statute. The bill strikes the language that makes the provisions only applicable to actions "under the act" and makes a number of technical changes.

Prohibits Falsely Attesting to Community Service

House Bill 4322

House Bill 4322 adds a section to the Penal Code that prohibits individuals who supervise court-ordered community service from knowingly providing false information to courts regarding completion of that community service.

Tax Incentives for Farms with Renewable Energy Systems

HB 4887

House Bill 4887 revises the law that authorizes property tax breaks for an owner of agricultural property who promises to retain the land for agricultural use or as undeveloped open space land. The bill would also authorize the tax breaks if the land has alternative energy devices installed on it.

Create Hunting and Fishing License Discounts

SB 349

Senate Bill 349 allows hunting and fishing licenses to be discounted to increase participation, and allows a discounted fee or no fee for any license to achieve a harvest or management objective for that species.

County Board of Commissioners Meeting Time

HB 4479

House Bill 4479 would allow County Boards of Commissioners to meet earlier in the year instead of in October to apportion millages and certify millage rates, since counties are now required to collect all of their operating millages in July.

Prohibit Reuse of Single Use Medical Devices

HB 4940

HB 4941

House Bill 4940 would amend the Public Health Code to prohibit a health care provider from reusing a single use medical device on a patient.  Being found reusing a single use device would be considered a felony punishable by imprisonment for not more than ten years, a fine of not more than $50,000, or both.

Debar Bad Vendors from State Contracting

HB 4282

House Bill 4282 would allow the Department of Management and Budget to debar a vendor (or persons with a designated relationship with a vendor) from consideration for the award of a contract or suspend the procurement of goods and services for violating various state laws. For example, it would apply if the vendor had been convicted of certain offenses, had failed to substantially perform on a contract or refused to provide certain required or relevant information. The bill would provide for notice and the opportunity for a vendor to request an appeal of the debarment.

Increase MEGA Credits

HB 4922

House Bill 4922 would increase the number of retention Michigan Economic Growth Authority (MEGA) tax credits and incentive contracts that are used as economic incentives used to help keep businesses that are looking at re-locating outside of the state of Michigan from leaving the state. The bill also eliminates a requirement that for a high tech business to qualify for a credit they must agree that at least 25% of their operating expenses be in research and development for the first three years of the agreement.

Revise State Architecture Licensure Procedures

HB 4793

House Bill 4793 allows an applicant for the state architecture licensure exam to take the exam before he/she has fulfilled the professional experience requirement and provided the required references.  The applicant would still need to fulfill both the professional experience and reference requirements in order to become a licensed architect.

Allows Proprietary Schools to Sell Goods or Services

HB 4536

HB 4536 would allow a proprietary school to sell goods or services provided by a student if they meet certain criteria. A private occupational school, or proprietary school, is a privately owned and operated post-secondary school that charges tuition and is organized as either a non-profit or a profit-making venture primarily to teach vocational or occupational skills.

Requires that Cigarettes Sold in Michigan be Fire Safe

SB 264

Senate Bill 264 would create a new act called the Fire Safety Standard and Firefighter Protection Act to prescribe testing requirements and performance standards for cigarettes sold in Michigan.

Appropriate Stimulus Funds to the School Aid Fund

HB 4721

House Bill 4721 contains several amendments to the school aid act including: a cut to the small high school infrastructure program; an appropriation from the Federal American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (Federal Stimulus Bill) and the removal of language related to kindergarten membership funding.

Allow a Consolidated City or Village to Establish a Central City District

HB 4520

House Bill 4520 would allow a city or village that has been consolidated with another, to establish a district composed of the same boundaries of the consolidated city or village and within this district, levy a special assessment to continue services that were provided before the consolidation.

Call on Congress to Address and Fix Michigan's Status as a Donor State

HR 106

The resolution calls on Congress to rectify the imbalance in federal transportation funding that has consistently put Michigan near the bottom of the 50 states in the percentage of federal transportation tax dollars returned to this state each year.

Add New Species to the Restricted or Invasive Species List

HB 4579

House Bill 4579 authorizes the Agriculture Commission to issue orders to add or delete insect or plant species to the existing statutory lists of restricted and prohibited invasive species. The bill also allows the Natural Resources Commission to issue orders to add or delete all other types of species to these lists.

Allow Macomb County Voters to Vote to Disband Road Commission in County Charter

HB 4830

HB 4830 lowers the population threshold for a county to be eligible to reorganize the duties of a road commission to another entity from 1,500,000 to 750,000. The bill further allows an eligible county to make such a transfer in the process of adopting a charter, provided that voters in the county approve both the charter and a separate ballot question to reorganize the road commission.

Create Authority for Cobo Hall and Allowing for Financing

HB 4998

SB 587

HB 4998 and SB 587 make the changes necessary to create an authority and align financing to implement an expansion of Cobo Hall. The bills update the way revenues will be used to finance the proposed Cobo Hall expansion and allows for the creation of an authority to oversee the improvement and expansion of Cobo Hall, to reflect the new negotiated agreement.

Hire Michigan First 3-4-09

HB 4083

HB 4089

HB 4092

HB 4093

HB 4094

SB 290

SB 293

SB 295

SB 296

The Hire Michigan First package would amend a number of state purchasing and contracting statutes and economic development statutes to: require firms getting state contracts or special tax treatment to give preference in hiring to residents of Michigan; and to disqualify firms from eligibility unless they agree not to knowingly hire individuals who are not authorized under federal law to work in the United States.

Require Disclosure for Automated Phone Calls

HB 4985

House Bill 4985 amends the Michigan Campaign Finance Act to require that "robo" communications must clearly state the name and address or phone number of the person paying for the communication. Additionally, a telephonic communication would be prohibited outside of the hours of 9 a.m. to 8 p.m.

Allow Victims of Criminal Sexual Conduct to Petition for Personal Protection Order

House Bill 4221

House Bill 4222

Current law requires victims of sexual assault to have two contacts with the offender before the victim may petition the court for a personal protection order (PPO). Only one contact is necessary if there is a domestic relationship between the victim and offender. House Bill 4222 allows victims to petition the court after only one contact with the offender. House Bill 4221 makes technical changes to references within the Concealed Weapons Act.

Prohibit Brass Knuckles

House Bill 4828

House Bill 4828 prohibits "brass knuckles" and expands the definition of that term to include any device worn over the fist with the purpose of increasing the impact of a blow with the fist. The devices are prohibited regardless of what they are made of. Current law only prohibits metallic devices and not plastic ones.

Permit Out of State Prescriptions for Controlled Substances

HB 4161

HB 4161 would amend the Public Health Code to remove the prohibition on dispensing a prescription for a controlled substance received from a physician prescriber from a state other than Michigan.

Provide Aircraft Tax Exemption

HB 4930

SB 624

House Bill 4930 would create a tax exemption from the Michigan Sales Tax, for companies that do custom alterations and installations on new aircraft in the state prior to the plane being relocated outside of or sold outside of Michigan. Senate Bill 624 would create an exemption in the Use Tax Act to allow companies that customize new aircraft to only pay taxes on the customization not the entire aircraft.

Remove Nursing Mother Exemption Requiring Children to be  in Rear Seats

HB 4450

The bill would require drivers to place children under age four in child restraint safety seats in the rear seat, if a vehicle has a rear seat. The bill also removes from current law a provision that exempts nursing children from being secured in child restraint systems. A violation of this act is a civil infraction.

Supplemental Appropriations Measure to Restore Amtrak Funding

HB 4310

The bill would transfer $400,000 in restricted funds from the Department of Transportation to fund operations for the balance of the year for Amtrak. The bill also amends the appropriation for a Capitol Outlay project to Washtenaw Community College.

Licensing of Physical Therapist Assistants

SB 151

Senate Bill 151 will amend the Public Health Code to provide for the licensure of physical therapist assistants as well as make other changes to the code regarding physical therapists and physical therapist assistants.

Change Pistol Length from 30 inches to 26

HB 4501

HB 4502

HB 5037

HB 5038

House Bill 4501 amends the Michigan Firearms Act by changing the definition of the length of a pistol. This bill would bring Michigan law in line with federal gun law. The measure also amends the Firearms Act to permit a person who lawfully owned, possessed, carried or transported a firearm with a length of 30 inches or less as a pistol prior to January 1, 2010 with a concealed pistol license may continue to do so.

Dept. of Natural Resources and Dept. of Environmental Quality 2009-2010 Budget

HB 4446

This bill contains a proposed "Department of Conservation," budget which combines the Department of Natural Resources (DNR) and the Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ). The DNR portion of the measure appropriates $287.9 million in gross spending, compared to $289.9 million in FY 2008-2009. The DEQ portion appropriates $338.6 million in gross spending, compared to $363.9 million in FY 2008-2009.

Require Reporting When Discovering A Deceased Individual

House Bill 4349

House Bill 4349 requires individuals who find a deceased individual to report that discovery by contacting the police or calling 9-1-1.  Individuals can be guilty of a misdemeanor if they fail to contact the authorities because they are trying to hide the death or the cause of death.  The penalty is up to one year in jail and/or a fine of $1000.

                            

Create Authority for Cobo Hall and Allowing for Financing

HB 4998

SB 586

SB 587

SB 588

These bills: create a regional authority to implement an expansion of Cobo Hall and allow that regional authority to enter into a 30 year lease to expand and operate Cobo Hall; include a "Plan B" option to make funds available for another convention center in Oakland County to be expanded if the City of Detroit does not approve the proposal; and updates the way revenues will be used to finance the proposed Cobo Hall expansion.

School Reform Package: Identify and Redesign "Failing Schools"

HB 4787

HB 4788

HB 4789

This three bill school reform package provides for: a new school Reform Redesign Officer, and adds definitions of a "failing school" and a "turnaround school"; allows for additional flexibility in collective bargaining for failing schools; and adds "turnaround schools" to the definition of a Public School Academy. Under current law, "public school academy" means a public school academy, urban high school academy, or strict discipline academy operating under the revised school code. Adding "turnaround schools" to this definition will allow them to receive funding from the state.

Revise Voter Registration & First Time Voting Requirements

HB 4383

HB 4993

HB 4383 amends Michigan Election Law to allow for a person who registers to vote by mail to fulfill the requirement to vote for the first time in-person if they present valid identification at any county, city or township clerk in the state. The voter cannot fax, mail or email their identification to the clerk. House Bill 4993 would allow a qualified elector to register to vote at any county, city and township clerk's office. This would satisfy the requirement that he/she vote in person as a first-time voter, thus allowing the elector to vote by absentee ballot.

Creation of the Worker Freedom Act

HB 4467

House Bill 4467 creates the Worker Freedom Act, which prohibits an employer from requiring an employee to attend an employer-sponsored meeting or participate in any communication with the employer if the primary purpose is to communicate the employer's opinion about organized labor, religious or political matters.

Support for Stillbirth Awareness and Research Act

HR 102

House Resolution 102 memorializes the United States Congress to enact H.R. 521, the Stillbirth Awareness and Research Act of 2009.

Allow Rural Communities to Use the Federal Intermediate Re-lending Program

HB 4744

House Bill 4744 would make a series of technical changes in order to allow qualified rural communities to take advantage of the Federal Intermediate Re-lending Program, including allowing local units of government to accept federal loans for the assistance of business as well as allowing locals to issue loan revenue notes in addition to bonds.

Allow MDOT to Issue Sign Permits For Churches and Service Groups

HB 5122

The bill would reduce and cap the fee that can be assessed to the owner of a billboard for a later renewal of a permit, as well as allow the Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT) to issue permits for roadside signs for churches and service groups.

Allow Mackinac Bridge Authority to Establish Self-Insurance Fund

SB 490

Senate Bill 490 would allow the Mackinac Bridge Authority to create and fund a self-insurance account in accordance with the Michigan Department of Transportation, in lieu of an insurance policy through a private broker.

Insurance Coverage for Autism Treatment
HB 4476

HB 4183

House Bills 4476 and 4183 would amend the nonprofit health care corporation act and the insurance code, respectively, to mandate coverage for the diagnosis and treatment of Autism Spectrum Disorders.

Modify Off-Road Vehicle Definition

HB 5087

House Bill 5087 would change the definition of ATV (All Terrain Vehicle) and ORV (Off Road Vehicle) to include vehicles with six wheels. It would also change the maximum engine size from 500 cc to 1,000 cc. This bill will update statute to keep up with the latest technology in ATV's. When the original law was created, ATV's with 6 wheels and 1,000 cc engines did not exist.

Revise Bear and Bobcat Hunt Details

SB 483

Senate Bill 483 would clarify that a person accompanying a person during a hunt for bear or bobcat would not need to have a hunting license. A license would not be needed as long as the person accompanying the hunter did not carry a weapon or own dogs used during the hunt.

Increase the Number of Agriculture Renaissance Zones

HB 5086

House Bill 5086 would increase the number of Agricultural Processing Renaissance Zones (APRZ) from 30 to 40. APRZs were created to promote agricultural processing operations in the state of Michigan and to enhance the industry overall.

21st Century Jobs Fund Restructuring

HB 5099

HB 5100

House Bill 5099 would allow the 21st Century Jobs fund to be restructured based on the discretion of the Michigan Strategic Fund Board. The bill is needed to allow the creation of a manufacturing diversification loan program and also because given the budget situation there is not enough money within the fund's appropriation to allow for all of the statutory funding obligations to be met. House Bill 5100 would eliminate current funding restrictions/requirements of the 21st Century Jobs Fund.

Sell Upper Peninsula State Fairground to Delta County for $1.00
SB 596

Senate Bill 596 authorizes the State Administrative Board to convey the property associated with the Upper Peninsula (UP) State fair, located in the City of Escanaba, to Delta County for $1. The property would have to be used exclusively for public purposes, including an annual UP State Fair. The State would be entitled to reenter and repossess the property if that condition were not met. Any fees, terms, or conditions for the use of the property would have to be applied uniformly to resident and nonresident members of the public.

Direct the DNR to Sell State Owned Property in Iosco County to Boyd and Loretta Aldridge

HB 5058

House Bill 5058 would direct the Department of Natural Resources to convey property located in Iosco County to Boyd and Loretta Aldridge. The property would be sold at fair market value as determined by an independent appraiser.

Department of Transportation Budget for FY '09 -‘10

SB 254

The state transportation budget allocates $3.256 billion to the Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT) to support the construction, maintenance and operation of an integrated transportation system that includes state and local highways, public transit systems, aeronautical facilities and other means of moving goods and people. This year's appropriation is a decrease of $356 million, or 9.9 percent, from last year due to declining gas tax revenue and federal funds. The budget includes no new programs, fees or taxes. There are no general funds appropriated in this budget. The only non-revenue driven cut was $12 million from the Transportation Economic Development Fund.

Judiciary Budget for FY '09 -‘10

SB 294

Senate Bill 249 provides funding to the Michigan Supreme Court, the Court of Appeals and related judicial agencies. The budget provides partial funding for judges in local circuit, district and probate courts. This year's budget assumes a $2.5 million transfer from the Juror Compensation Fund. The House passed version increases funding for indigent defense over the amount that the Senate appropriated. Since both the House and Senate have passed different versions of this bill, the measure will be sent to conference committee to work out the differences.

Department of Energy, Labor and Economic Growth Budget for FY '09-‘10

SB 243

The Department of Energy, Labor and Economic Growth (DELEG) has primary responsibility for the regulatory functions that relate specifically to commercial, business, and workers' issues.  It also includes various employment training-related programs for displaced workers, adults, and youth, and employment services for the disabled as well as welfare recipients. The gross appropriation by the House is $1,413,174,200, a 1.7 % increase over '08-'09, but a 23.2% decrease in General Fund dollars. The House is $29,282,200 Gross and $28,157,800 GF/GP under the Executive Recommendation.

Military & Veterans Affairs Budget for FY ‘09-‘10

SB 250

As passed by the House, SB 250 included $145.6 M in GF/GP funding for the department. The Senate passed version of the bill included $148.8 M in GF/GP support. Some of the major differences between the House and Senate versions of the bill are that the Senate included more funding for special maintenance projects at military training sites. The House also included lower levels of funding for Veterans Service Organization Grants, and for administrative costs associated with headquarters and armories.

Department of Corrections Budget for FY '09-'10

House Bill 4437

The Senate version of House Bill 4437 included savings from closing three prison facilities and the remaining five camps. The Senate's version includes additional cuts totaling $28 million from the version of the bill passed by the House.

Department of History, Arts, and Libraries Budget for FY '09 - '10

SB 247

The Department of History Arts and Libraries (HAL) is responsible for the administration of Michigan's arts and cultural grants program; including state historical museums, historical publications, archaeological and lighthouse preservation activities; and library and research services provided to the public, the Legislative, Executive and Judicial branches of state government and to Michigan public libraries.

The Governor has proposed eliminating HAL and transferring its programs to various state departments. However, the Executive Order to eliminate HAL has not been issued yet. Senate Bill 247 would keep HAL intact (and not transfer portions of it to other state agencies). The bill would recommend an across the board reduction (Gross: from $52, 874,200 to $39,711,200; GF/GP: from $39, 418,000 to $26,920,100).

School Aid Budget for FY '09-'10

HB 4447

As passed by the House, HB 4438 included $13.1 M in GF/GP funding for the department. The Senate passed version of the bill included $12.7 M in GF/GP support. Some of the largest differences between the House and Senate versions of the bill are that the Senate included a $110 per pupil reduction in foundation allowances, and the elimination of declining enrollment for small rural districts. The House and Senate both eliminated several grants to specific school districts.

Department of Education Budget of FY '09-'10

HB 4438

As passed by the House, HB 4438 included $120.6 M in GF/GP funding for the department. The Senate passed version of the bill included $95.1 M in GF/GP support. The Senate reduced GF/GP support to the following lines: Special Education Operations ($115,000), School Improvement Operations ($115,000), and School Finance/School Law Operations ($7,000).   Additionally, the Senate did not include funding for several additional staff positions that the Governor and the House had included (each at different levels).

School Aid Supplemental for FY '09-'10

HB 4721

House Bill 4721 contains several amendments to the School Aid Act, including a cut to the small high school infrastructure program, an appropriation from the federal American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, and the removal of language related to kindergarten membership funding.

Department of Community Health Budget for FY '09-10
HB 4436
The Department of Community Health (DCH) budget provides funding for Medical Services, Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services, Maternal and Child Health, Public Health, Services to the Elderly and Disabled, and Crime Victims Services.  DCH also has responsibilities for Health Care Facilities and Professional Licensure and Regulation.  The Senate version appropriates $12,859,470,400 for FY 2009-2010.  This includes $2,267,988,400 in GF/GP (a $401,827,800 decrease from the House recommendation), $1,528,563,400 in restricted funds, and $8,692,546,500 in Federal funds.  This Senate version continues in force a number of the Executive Order cuts and includes additional cuts to the Healthy Michigan Fund, non-Medicaid Community Mental Health, the Michigan Essential Health Provider Program, and Medicaid provider rates.

Department of Human Services Budget for FY '09-'10

SB 248

The Department of Human Services (DHS) administers a wide range of programs and services to assist Michigan's most vulnerable families, including public assistance programs that provide direct cash support as well as assistance with food, day care and other emergency needs. The Department is also charged with protecting children and assisting families by administering foster care, adoption and family preservation programs, and by enforcing child support laws. Finally, the DHS is responsible for delivering juvenile justice services and for licensing day care, adult foster care, and child welfare agencies in the state. Since both the House and Senate have passed different versions of this bill, the measure will be sent to conference committee to work out the differences.

The House passed version is a zeroed out version of the Department of Human Services budget, which was adopted in an effort to continue to move the budget process forward.

General Government Budget for FY '09 - '10

SB 245

Senate Bill 245 provides funding for the following departments: Attorney General, Civil Rights, Executive, Information Technology, Legislature, Auditor General, Management and Budget, State and Treasury. The Gross Appropriation is $3,081,844,300, a decrease of 2.2 % from last year. This budget provides for revenue sharing payments to local governments. Statutory revenue sharing for cities, villages and townships is cut by $5.0 million and by $1.0 million for counties.

Higher Education Budget for FY '09 - '10

HB 4441

As passed by the House, HB 4441 contains a gross appropriation of $1.8 billion, $200 million more than the Senate passed version. One of the key points of difference is that the Senate version contained many cuts to financial aid programs, most considerably the Promise Grant, which was eliminated. The Senate also capped the amount of Tuition Grant money a private independent college can receive at $3 million. In order retain funding to the King Chavez Parks program the Senate shifted $2.7 million from the federally funded GEAR-UP program instead of using federal American Recovery and Investment Act funds as the House proposed.

Community Colleges Budget for FY '09-'10

HB 4435

House Bill 4435 contains the appropriation for Michigan's twenty eight Community Colleges and the At-Risk Student Success Program. The Senate stripped out $3.5 billion for Renaissance Zone Reimbursements and $97 million in federal stimulus funds the House included for job retraining, workforce development, and job creation. This Budget appropriates $295,880,500 of General Fund money.

Supplemental Appropriation for Amtrak, DHS, and the Department of Education

HB 4310

House Bill 4310 appropriates $400 K in restricted funds, as necessary to continue Amtrak service through the rest of the summer. The bill also appropriates $3.6 M in federal dollars to the Department of Human Services to fund 200 additional temporary staff to allow the Department to handle increased caseload demand. The bill appropriates $5.5 M in federal funds to the Department of Education for a K-16 longitudinal data system. Finally, the bill includes several Capital Outlay projects that have already been approved by Department of Management and Budget and Joint Capital Outlay Subcommittee.

Department of Natural Resources and Department of Environmental Quality Combined Budget for FY ‘09-‘10

HB 4446

This bill provides funding for a new "Department of Conservation." As passed by the House, the bill included appropriations for the both the DNR & DEQ, and included boilerplate stating that the appropriations in the bill assume the issuance and acceptance of an executive order by the Governor for the purpose of consolidating two Departments. As passed by the House, HB 4446 included $626.6 M in GF/GP funding for the department. The Senate passed version of the bill included $623.9 M in GF/GP support. The additional GF/GP savings in the Senate budget result primarily from additional across-the-board cuts to GF-supported DEQ programs.

Department Agriculture Budget for FY ‘09-‘10

SB 237

As passed by the House, SB 237 included $86.9M in GF/GP funding for the Department. The Senate passed version of the bill included $86.4 M in GF/GP support. The main difference between the House version of the bill and the Senate version is that the House bill assumed some revenue would be raised by increasing inspection fees. Specifically, the Executive recommended that the dairy inspection fee of $5 per farm be replaced with a fee of one cent per hundred pounds of milk sold. This change would generate $700,000 in restricted fund revenue which would be used to offset the GF/GP cut to the Food and Dairy Safety Fund. The House adopted an amendment in full Appropriations Committee to offset this cut with a $400,000 interdepartmental grant from the Department of Energy, Labor, and Economic Growth.

                            

Mortgage Loan Originators Registration

SB 462

Senate Bill 462 (S-1) would create the "Mortgage Loan Originator Licensing Act" to require mortgage loan originators to be licensed as required by the federal Safe and Fair Enforcement for Mortgage Licensing Act (SAFE Act).

Loan Originator Registration

SB 463

Senate Bill 463 would amend the Mortgage Brokers, Lenders, and Servicers Act (MBLSA) to require a loan originator to be registered under the proposed Mortgage Loan Originator Licensing Act created by Senate Bill 462 (rather than under the MBLSA).  

Secondary Mortgage Loan Originator Registration

SB 464

Senate Bill 464 would amend the Secondary Mortgage Loan Act to require a secondary mortgage loan originator to be registered under the proposed Mortgage Loan Originator Licensing Act (rather than under the Secondary Mortgage Loan Act).

Prohibit Employment of an Unlicensed Loan Originator

SB 465

Senate Bill 465 would amend the Consumer Financial Services Act to prohibit a licensee acting as a mortgage broker or mortgage lender from employing an individual as a loan originator unless he or she was licensed under proposed Mortgage Loan Originator Licensing Act.