2009 Senate Bill 818 / Public Act 241

Authorize more electric car battery maker subsidies

Introduced in the Senate

Sept. 15, 2009

Introduced by Sen. Bill Hardiman (R-29)

To revise references in the Michigan Business Tax law so as to reflect the merger of the Department of Environmental Quality and the Department of Natural Resources. This is part of a legislative package comprised of Senate Bills 806 to 824 which would amend various public acts so as to (re)combine the two departments. The bill was subsequently used as a "vehicle" to authorize new electric car battery maker tax breaks and subsidies.

Referred to the Committee on Appropriations

Nov. 18, 2009

Reported without amendment

With the recommendation that the bill pass.

Dec. 2, 2009

Passed in the Senate 22 to 15 (details)

Received in the House

Dec. 2, 2009

Referred to the Committee on Government Operations

Dec. 17, 2009

Substitute offered by Rep. Ed Clemente (D-14)

To use the bill as a "vehicle" (along with House Bill 5469) to authorize a total of up to $120 million in subsidies for three electric car battery makers, and establishes eligibility criteria and production benchmarks for these. The maximum subsidy for any one of the firms would be $78 million. The bill also revises details in previous authorizations of other business subsidies, including four $100 million battery maker subsidies.

The substitute passed by voice vote

Passed in the House 98 to 4 (details)

To authorize (along with House Bill 5469) a total of up to $120 million in subsidies for three electric car battery makers, Ford, GM and a German company called "Fortu." The maximum subsidy for any one of the firms would be $78 million, with the amount determined by certain specified production and investment benchmarks, and revise details of certain other business subsidy programs.

Received in the Senate

Dec. 17, 2009

To concur with the House-passed version of the bill, which along with House Bill 5469, would authorize a total of up to $120 million in subsidies for three electric car battery makers, Ford, GM and a German company called "Fortu".

Passed in the Senate 34 to 0 (details)

Signed by Gov. Jennifer Granholm

Dec. 31, 2009