Protecting Struggling Homeowners Who Seek Help to Avoid Foreclosure
HB 4453 (House Bills 4453, 4454 and 4455, as passed the House, would amend the Revised Judicature Act and the process for home foreclosures in Michigan. The bill would impose a 90 day "freeze" on the foreclosure proceedings, if the borrower requests a meeting with the lender to attempt to modify their mortgage. The bills would also provide that if the parties could not reach a modified mortgage agreement and certain financial calculations show that the borrower should have been eligible for an agreement, the lenders would be required to proceed with judicial foreclosure, instead of foreclosure by advertisement.
The Senate versions of the bills which the House voted on this week stripped the references to judicial foreclosure. Additionally, the substitutes provide that the provisions of the 90 day work out period do not apply if the lender has qualified the loan for participation in the federal Home Affordable Modification Program (HAMP). The HAMP program does not include any forced mediation and it is expected that the program will be where a majority of lenders will move their distressed loans.
Since the House rejected the Senate versions of the House bills, the bills will now go before a conference committee where the differences between the House and Senate versions will be resolved.
Department of Community Health Budget for FY '09-10
HB 4436 (The Deprtment of Community (DCH) Health 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. This bill appropriates $13,481,133,500 for FY 2009-2010. This includes $2,669,816,200 in GF/GP (a $387,855,600 decrease from the current year to date), $1,489,537,700 in restricted funds, $8,024,518,800 regular federal funds, and $936,735,900 in Federal Medical Assistance Percentages (FMAP) funding. With the additional assistance provided by the FMAP funds, HB 4436 is able to preserve nearly all of the department's current programs and provide additional funding to certain under funded (and over utilized) other programs and services.
Revise Keg Beer Sale Procedures
HB 4565
House Bill 4565 would require retailers to attach identification tags to beer kegs over six gallons and require the purchaser of a keg to fill out a receipt. Thirty one states at have similar requirements to register kegs.
Allow Lottery Revenue to be Invested in State Bonds
HB 4715
House Bill 4715 would allow the lottery to invest undisbursed money from state lottery revenue to be invested in state bonds and notes.
Prohibit the Disposal of Mercury-Added Products in Incinerators and Landfills
HB 4277
House Bill 4277 prohibits waste haulers from delivering, and landfill and incinerator operators from accepting, mercury-added products for disposal beginning January 1, 2011 for incinerators and January 1, 2013 for landfills.
Labeling for Mercury-Added Products
HB 4278
House Bill 4278 requires manufacturers to label mercury-added products sold in the state beginning July 1, 2010 and to inform purchasers of the presence of mercury and that the product should not be placed in the waste stream.
Prohibit the Sale of Mercury-Added Novelties and Button Cell Batteries
HB 4279
House Bill 4279 prohibits the sale of mercury-added novelties beginning January 1, 2010 and most mercury-added button cell batteries beginning July 1, 2011 and all remaining button cell batteries beginning January 1, 2015.
Regulating Sale of Elemental Mercury
HB 4280
House Bill 4280 requires sellers/providers and recipients of elemental mercury for medical, dental, research, or manufacturing purposes to take certain actions to ensure that recipients are aware of the hazards of using mercury.
Prohibit the Sale of Certain Mercury-Added Measurement Devices.
HB 4281
House Bill 4281 prohibits the sale of mercury-added barometers and manometers beginning January 1, 2011 and mercury-added flow meters, hydrometers, hygrometers, psychrometers, switches, and relays beginning January 1, 2012. The bill allows the DEQ to grant an exemption from these prohibitions if certain conditions are met.
Extend Period Within Which Banks Must Charge Off Past Due Debt as "Dad Debt"
HB 4743
HB 4749
House Bills 4743 and 4749 would amend the Savings Bank Act and Banking Code of 1999 respectively, to change the time frame in which past due debt must be charged off as "bad debt" (from six months to twelve months) and clarify that only the portion of the debt that is not well secured must be charged off.
Allow Public Corporations to Invest in Certain Certificates of Deposit at Credit Unions
SB 195
Senate Bill 195 would amend PA 451, which regulates the investment of funds of public corporations, to allow public corporations to invest in certain certificates of deposit in insured credit unions. Public Act 308 of 2008 was enacted last session to give public corporations the ability to invest funds in certificates of deposit in depository institutions which participate in programs such as the Certificate of Deposit Account Registry Service Program (CDARS). Senate Bill 195 would allow investments in insured credit unions participating in such registry programs (if in the future, there is a registry option for credit unions).
Clarify Recreational Vehicle Registration Requirements
HB 4781
HB 4781 would define several types of recreational vehicles or RVs and clarify the type of registration and certification necessary for each.
Create the "Recreational Vehicle Franchise Act"
HB 4782
SB 363
HB 4782 and SB 363 would create the "Recreational Vehicle Franchise Act" to regulate the relationship between dealers and manufacturers of recreational vehicles (RVs).
No Reason Absentee Voting
HB 4367
House Bill 4367 would permit a qualified Michigan voter to vote by absentee ballot without requiring a justification when applying for the ballot.
Establish Equal Pay Day
HR 84
House Resolution 84 proclaims April 28, 2009, as Equal Pay Day in the State of Michigan and urges the citizens to recognize the full value of women's skills and their significant contribution to the labor force. It also urges businesses to conduct an internal pay evaluation to ensure women are being paid fairly.
Resolutions Urging Governor To Divest In Hedges Funds That Hold Chrysler Bonds
HCR 20
HR 90
The content of House Resolution 90 and House Concurrent Resolution 20 is identical. The resolutions call on Governor Granholm to divest all state money from hedge funds that refuse to accept a settlement on the Chrysler bonds that they hold.
Adoption Leave Time For Parents
HB 4470
House Bill 4470 requires an employer that provides leave with pay to an employee following the birth of the employee's child shall provide the same leave with pay to an employee when a child under one year of age is placed with the employee for adoption.
Restrict Parental Rights Terminations in Some Circumstances
HB 4535
HB 4820
Currently, DHS can initiate termination proceedings against a parent who has voluntarily terminated his or her parental rights to a prior child. House Bill 4535 amends the Probate Code to prevent these proceedings from beginning with a subsequent child, unless the previous voluntary termination involved an intentional act such as severe abuse, sexual assault or the death of a child. House Bill 4820 adds the same language to the Child Protection Law. This changes means that DHS will not be required to initiate termination proceedings unless the prior termination involved the same severe intentional acts as are in HB 4525.
Create a Michigan New Markets Tax Credit Program
HB 4175
HB 4176
HB 4177
HB 4178
These bills would create a state-level New Markets Tax Credit program to supplement the federal program and encourage investment in underserved areas in the state. The bills would create income tax, MBT, and retaliatory tax credits for individuals or businesses that invest in federally-approved "Community Development Entities," which are organizations that manage and facilitate investments in designated low-income and distressed communities.
Deductions for Contributions to Advance Tuition Payment Fund
HB 4191
HB 4629
The bills create corresponding deductions in the income tax and the Michigan Business Tax for taxpayers that make charitable contributions to the Advance Tuition Payment Fund in the Michigan Education Trust (MET) program.
Allow Courts to Award Restitution for the Replacement Value of an Object
SB 146
Senate Bill 145 allows the replacement value of property to be ordered as part of a defendant's restitution to a victim. Senate Bill 146 makes the same change in the William Van Regenmorter Crime Victims Rights Act. The court would order fair market value in typical situations, but where this cannot be assessed or is impractical, the replacement value could be ordered.
Support the Credit Cardholders' Bill of Rights
HR 89
House Resolution 89 urges Congress to pass the Credit Cardholders' Bill of Rights (H.R. 627).
Federal Toxic Substances Control Act
HR 74
House Resolution 74 urges Congress to comprehensively rewrite the Toxic Substances Control Act to improve the screening of existing and new chemicals to ensure their safety with respect to public health and the environment.
Allow school districts to establish recreational authorities with one or more municipalities
HB 4700
House Bill 4700 amends the recreational authorities act by adding school districts to the definition of municipalities, allowing them to establish a recreational authority with one or more municipalities.
Memorialize the United States Congress to Increase Funding for Autism Research
HR 71
House Resolution 71 memorializes the United States Congress to increase funding for research into the causes and treatment of autism and to improve training and support for individuals with autism as well as those who care for individuals with autism.
Register and Regulate Trauma Scene Waste Management Practitioners
HB 4458
House Bill 4458 would require trauma scene waste management practitioners, who engage in the cleanup, handling, and transport of waste from a trauma scene. to register with the Department of Energy, Labor and Economic Growth; establish registration and renewal fees; and prescribe various duties of a practitioner and the department. House Bill 4458 is tie-barred to House Bill 4459.
Regulate Trauma Scene Clean-Ups
HB 4459
House Bill 4459 would add trauma scene clean-ups under the Medical Waste Act, impose new regulations on medical waste disposal procedures and require new medical waste treatment technology to be reviewed and approved by the state.
Update References to the Uniform Securities Act
HB 4683
HB 4684
HB 4685
HB 4686
HB 4687
HB 4688
HB 4689
HB 4690
HB 4691
HB 4692
HB 4693
HB 4694
HB 4695
HB 4696
House Bills 4683-4696 amend various statutes to update references in the acts to refer to the new Uniform Securities Act that passed last session. The new Uniform Securities Act, was designed to coordinate federal and state securities legislation, and regulate the issuance, sale, and purchase of securities, and prohibits fraudulent practices in relation to securities.
Prohibit Insurance Price Hike During Term Of Paid-Up Policy
HB 4070
HB 4070 prohibits an auto or home insurer from increasing the premium during the term of a policy once the premium has been paid in part or in full, unless the premium was based on incorrect information provided by the insured.
FY '09 Negative Supplemental
HB 4309
House Bill 4309 reduces the budgets for the Judiciary and the Legislature, and Legislative Auditor General. These cuts represent approximately 4% of total General Fund appropriations for each of these budgets totaling $6.9 million. The appropriation reductions address a portion of the projected FY 2008-09 GF/GP budget deficit.
Extend Unemployment Benefits for Worker Training
HB 4785
House Bill 4785 provides displaced workers who exhaust regular unemployment benefits with up to 26 weeks of "training benefits" during the time period they are enrolled, and are satisfactorily completing an approved job training program.
Expand Unemployment Benefits
HB 4786
House Bill 4786 provides for unemployment benefits to eligible individuals seeking only part-time work.
Create the Family Military Leave Act
HB 4751
House Bill 4785 would allow employees up to ten days unpaid time off from work when a spouse or their child is called into active duty.
Expand Tax credits for Solar Energy Companies
HB 4523
House Bill 4523 would expand certain Michigan Business Tax (MBT) credits in order to provide incentives to photovoltaic (solar energy) companies to relocate or expand into Michigan from outside of the state or the United States.
Technical Changes to Anchor Zone Provisions
HB 4674
House Bill 4674 would make technical "clean up" changes to the Anchor Zone Michigan Economic Growth Authority (MEGA) provisions passed last session. In an Anchor MEGA, the anchor company would receive a refundable tax credit based on the value of the personal income taxes captured from new jobs created within the anchor company's supply chain or customer base.
Revise CountyAudit Requirements
HB 4184
The bill would require counties to obtain an annual audit of its financial records and remove requirements for the department of Treasury to perform audits of the county records and publish a comparative analysis.
Technical Corrections to Supportive Housing Act
HB 4758
The bill would correct a drafting error from last lame duck session. By eliminating the inaccurate tie-bar in the enacting section, Treasury will be able to recognize certain supportive housing units owned by non-profits as principal residence as permitted by the 2008 Supportive Housing package.
Require Disclosure of Relatives When a Child is Being Placed in Foster Care
HB 4169
House Bill 4169 requires the parents of a child who is being removed from the home and placed in foster care to give the Department of Human Services the names and addresses of any relatives of the child.
Expand Advanced Battery Tax Credits
SB 466
The bill would further expand the Michigan Business Tax advanced battery credits by adding an additional credit for the building of a battery manufacturing facility ($100 million), intended for LG Chem, and increasing the vehicle engineering credit ($45 million), intended for Chrysler.
Allow MacombCounty to Disband Road Commission through New Charter
HB 4830
HB 4830 lowers the population threshold for a county to be eligible to transfer 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 (with voter approval), rather than amending a charter that is already in place. Wayne, Oakland, and Macomb are the only counties that meet the population threshold. Wayne disbanded its road commission in the 1980s and Oakland does not have a county charter and would not be impacted by the bill.
Protecting Kids from Toxic Chemicals in Toys
HB 4763
HB 4764
HB 4765
HB 4766
HB 4767
HB 4768
HB 4769
The seven-bill package establishes the Children's Safe Products Act within the Public Health Code. Key provisions include: requiring the Department of Community Health (DCH) to establish and regularly update lists of "chemicals of concern" and "chemicals of highest concern" based on specific health impacts; requiring manufacturers or distributors of children's products to identify such products sold in the state that contain one or more chemicals of highest concern; requiring DCH to report to the legislature every two years on its progress identifying chemicals of concern and chemicals of highest concern and informing consumers about such chemicals; and establishing penalties for noncompliance and authorizing the Attorney General to initiate an injunction to prevent the sale of non-compliant children's products.
Protecting Struggling Homeowners Who Seek Help to Avoid Foreclosure
HB 4453
HB 4454
HB 4455
House Bills 4453, 4454 and 4455 would amend the Revised Judicature Act and the process for home foreclosures in Michigan. The bills would impose a 90 day "freeze" on the foreclosure proceedings, if the borrower requests a meeting with the lender to attempt to modify their mortgage. The borrower could elect to have a housing counselor present at the meeting. The bills would also provide that if the parties could not reach a modified mortgage agreement and certain financial calculations show that the borrower should have been eligible for an agreement, the lenders would be required to proceed with judicial foreclosure, instead of foreclosure by advertisement.
Waive Recretational Fees for Disabled Veterans & POWs.
HB 4203
House Bill 4203 wouldreduce the hunting and fishing license fee from $6.00 to $2.00 and waives state park and forest entry and camping fees for residents who are totally disabled veterans or have been a prisoner of war.
Allow Department of Community Health to Make List of Reportable Diseases
HB 4899
House Bill 4899 would amend the Public Health Code to allow the Department of Community Health to create, maintain, and update a list of reportable diseases.
Provide for Consistent Enforcement of Communicable Diseases
HB 4900
House Bill 4900 would amend the Public Health Code to clarify penalties for the violation of a local health department regulation or a local health officer. The bill ensures that local health departments and officers can operate uniformly statewide.
Protect Prison Guards When They Are Exposed to Bodily Fluids
HB 4901
HB 4901 revises statutory references in the law that allows a prison guard who suffers an open wound exposure to the blood or body fluids of a prisoner to request that the prisoner be tested for HIV infection and HBV infection.
Allow 16 And 17 Year Olds to "Pre-register" to Vote
HB 4337
HB 4261
House Bills 4261 and 4337 would allow for voter pre-registration of sixteen and seventeen year olds when they go to the Secretary of State to get their drivers licenses.
Allow for Multiyear Hunting and Fishing Licenses
SB 409
Senate Bill 409 would allow the Natural Resources Commission to issue an order to create multi-year hunting and fishing licenses.
Establish Michigan Pollinator Week
HR 79
HR 79 recognizes the importance of pollinators to ecosystem health and agriculture in Michigan and the value of partnership efforts that increase awareness about pollinators and build support for protecting and sustaining pollinators by designating June 21-27, 2009, as Michigan Pollinator Week in Michigan.
Encourage Funds for Advanced Batteries
HR 99
The resolution would urge the US Department of Energy to give full consideration to advanced battery manufacturing grant applications from Michigan-based manufacturers.
Prohibit Stranger Originated Life Insurance
HB 4890
HB 4891
House Bill 4890 would outlaw Stranger Originated Life Insurance schemes and pass new statutes to regulate the Life Insurance Settlement Industry under the authority of the Insurance Commissioner within the Michigan Office of Finance and Insurance Regulation. House Bill 4891 would amend the Michigan Sentencing Guidelines to reflect criminal acts contained in House Bill 4890.