New Bills Introduced In Michigan

Some of the bills introduced last week in Michigan from the Michigan Legislature:

Michigan House

HB 4574: Provide a special card to veterans or active duty military members to ride public transportation free-of-charge. Sponsor: Rep. Robert Kosowski, D-Westland.

HB 4576 and SB 326: Designate the B-24 Liberator as the official state airplane. Sponsors: Rep. David Rutledge, D-Ypsilanti; Sen. Rebekah Warren, D-Ann Arbor.

HB 4580: Allow for the revocation of certain tax abatements if the business receiving the abatement doesn’t live up to the agreement reached with the municipality granting the abatement. Sponsor: Rep. Andy Schor, D-Lansing.

HB 4582-83: Create an Interstate Medical Licensure Compact to make it easier for doctors to work in multiple states. Sponsor: Rep. Jim Tedder, R- Clarkston.

HB 4584-85: Provides protections against defamation suits brought by foreign countries. Sponsor: Rep. Thomas Hooker, R-Byron Center.

HB 4586: Lower allowable truck weights on Michigan roads to 120,000 pounds. Sponsor: Rep. George Darany, D-Dearborn.

HB 4587: Prohibit claims of bad-faith patent infringement and provide for damages. Sponsor: Rep. Mike Callton, R-Nashville.

HB 4588: Authorize private colleges and universities to create a private security force to enforce university rules and state law. Sponsor: Rep. Kurt Heise. R-Plymouth.

HB 4590-92: Require a background check for a purchase of a firearm. Sponsor: Rep. Jim Townsend, D-Royal Oak.

HB 4593: Provide an exemption for licensing and fee costs for veterans applying for a concealed weapons permit. Sponsor: Rep. Holly Hughes, R-White River Township.

HB 4594: Allow home-schooled children in grades Kindergarten through 12 to participate in extra-curricular activities offered by a school district or charter school or academy. Sponsor: Rep. Ed McBroom, R-Vulcan.

HB 4598: Provide for licensing and fee schedules for midwives. Sponsor: McBroom.

HB 4600: Allow for “do not resuscitate” designations on drivers’ licenses or state identification cards. Sponsor, Rep. Henry Vaupel, R-Handy Township.

HB 4601: Increase the gas tax from $.19 cents per gallon to $.34 cents per gallon through 2018, with proceeds going to the state Transportation Fund. Sponsor: Rep Rutledge. D

HB 4602: Prohibit non-teaching school district employees, who have teaching certificates, from getting tenure. Sponsor: Rep Dave Pagel, R-Berrien Springs.

HB 4605-16: The House Repubilcan plan for roads: Distribute a portion of the income taxes levied on Michigan residents to the Transportation Fund, starting with $192 million in 2016 up to $717 million in 2019; designate a portion of the sales tax charged on fuel sales to the transportation fund; designate $75 million from the 21^st Century Jobs fund and $60 million from tribal game casino revenues to roads; eliminate the Earned Income Tax Credit; require competitive bidding for projects over $100,000; increase vehicle registration fees for hybrid or electric vehicles by $100-$400; require and publicly report any warranties on road projects that cost more than $1 million; raise the tax on diesel and alternative fuels to match the tax on regular fuel; tie the fuel tax to the rate of inflation. Sponsors: Rep. Al Pscholka, R-Stevensville; Phil Potvin, R-Cadillac; Peter Pettalia, R-Presque Isle; Lee Chatfield, R-Levering; Jeff Farrington, R-Utica; Aaron Miller, R-Sturgis; Eric Leutheuser, R-Hillsdale; Dan Lauwers, R-Brockway; Andrea LaFontaine, R-Columbus; Robert VerHuelen, R-Walker; Mike McCready, R-Birmingham.

HR 86: Create a House special committee on Roads and Economic Development to deal with bills on road improvements in the state. Sponsor: Rep. Kevin Cotter, R-Mt. Pleasant.

Michigan Senate

SB 319: Repeal a law that requires a study on the cost of educating Michigan students. Sponsor: Sen. Mike Shirkey, R-Clarklake.

SB 320: Modify the scope of practice for certified nurse anesthetists. Sponsor: Sen. Mike Kowall, R-White Lake.

SB 324: Require that investigations of deaths by law enforcement officers be done by an outside agency. Sponsor: Sen. Coleman Young, D-Detroit.

SB 325: Require police officers to use body cameras. Sponsor: : Sen. Coleman Young, D-Detroit.

SB 328: Remove the classification of policewoman in the grades and duties of officers at the Michigan State Police. Sponsor: Tonya Schuitmaker, R-Lawton.

SB 330: Prohibit local ordinances that conflict with federal labor laws. Sponsor: Sen. John Proos, R-St. Joseph.

SB 332-33: Change minor in possession charges from a criminal to a civil infraction. A third violation would become a misdemeanor punishable by up to 60 days in jail and suspension of drivers’ license. Sponsor: Sen. Rick Jones, R-Grand Ledge.

SB 334: Allow for online reporting of child abuse and neglect in certain circumstances. Sponsor: Judy Emmons, R-Sheridan.

SB 336: Create “blue alerts” to broadcast information regarding attacks on law enforcement. Sponsor: Sen. Schuitmaker R - Lawton

SB 337: Prohibit local units of government from enacting wage, benefit or leave time ordinances. Sponsor: Sen. Peter MacGregor. R-Rockford.