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Public Act 131 of 2011

1. Introduced by Rep. Kenneth Horn (R) on March 10, 2011, to eliminate some of the loopholes from a supposed 48 month lifetime cap on the length of time a person can collect cash welfare benefits, and eliminate a 2011 sunset on imposing that cap. Among other things, this and House Bill 4410 would increase sanctions for violating certain welfare work or study requirements, no longer define 19 year old high school students as “children” eligible for welfare, require legal resident status be checked using the federal “e-verify” system in certain cases, require more frequent eligibility reviews, and more. The House and Senate Fiscal Agencies estimate the two-bill package would save the state around $60 million annually.
   • Referred to the House Families, Children, and Seniors Committee on March 10, 2011.
     • Reported in the House on May 3, 2011, with the recommendation that the substitute (H-2) be adopted and that the bill then pass.
   • Substitute offered in the House on May 10, 2011, to replace the previous version of the bill with one that revises details but does not change the substance as previously described. The substitute passed by voice vote in the House on May 10, 2011.
   • Amendment offered by Rep. Rashida Tlaib (D) on May 10, 2011, to require the Department of Human Services to adopt a policy for providing exceptions to a 48 month welfare cap. The amendment failed by voice vote in the House on May 10, 2011.
   • Amendment offered by Rep. Thomas Stallworth, III (D) on May 10, 2011, to require Department of Human Services caseworkers to visit welfare recipients' homes before cash welfare benefits are granted. The amendment failed by voice vote in the House on May 10, 2011.
   • Amendment offered by Rep. Harvey Santana (D) on May 10, 2011, to exempt welfare recipients in counties with above-25 percent unemployment rates from the 48 month welfare cap. The amendment failed by voice vote in the House on May 10, 2011.
   • Amendment offered by Rep. Kenneth Horn (R) on May 10, 2011, to clarify references in the bill to other programs. The amendment passed by voice vote in the House on May 10, 2011.
   • Substitute offered by Rep. Dian Slavens (D) on May 10, 2011, to adopt a version of the bill that does not repeal a provision that "sunsets" the four-year welfare cap. In other words, the cap would no longer apply. The substitute failed 48 to 62 in the House on May 10, 2011.
     Who Voted "Yes" and Who Voted "No"
     
     
2. Passed 72 to 36 in the House on May 12, 2011.
   Who Voted "Yes" and Who Voted "No"
   
   
3. Motion by Rep. Jim Stamas (R) on May 12, 2011, to give the bill immediate effect. The motion failed 62 to 46 in the House on May 12, 2011.
   Who Voted "Yes" and Who Voted "No"
   
   
4. Received in the Senate on May 17, 2011.
   • Referred to the Senate Families, Seniors & Human Services Committee on May 17, 2011.
   • Substitute offered in the Senate on July 13, 2011, to replace the previous version of the bill with one that expands the exceptions to the 48-month lifetime welfare cap and other requirements. In particular, these would not apply to a person caring for a disabled child or spouse. The substitute passed by voice vote in the Senate on July 13, 2011.
   • Amendment offered by Sen. Vincent Gregory (D) on July 13, 2011, to not count time toward a person's welfare cap if he or she lives in a county where the unemployment rate exceeds the state average by 25 percent or more. The amendment failed 13 to 23 in the Senate on July 13, 2011.
     Who Voted "Yes" and Who Voted "No"
     
     
5. Passed 24 to 12 in the Senate on July 13, 2011, to eliminate some of the loopholes from a supposed 48 month lifetime cap on the length of time a person can collect cash welfare benefits, and eliminate a 2011 sunset on imposing that cap. Among other things, this and House Bill 4410 would increase sanctions for violating certain welfare work or study requirements, no longer define 19 year old high school students as “children” eligible for welfare, require legal resident status be checked using the federal “e-verify” system in certain cases, require more frequent eligibility reviews, and more. The House and Senate Fiscal Agencies estimate the two-bill package would save the state around $60 million annually.
   Who Voted "Yes" and Who Voted "No"
   
   
6. Motion by Sen. Arlan Meekhof (R) on July 13, 2011, to allow the bill to go into effect on Oct. 1, 2011, rather than in the spring of 2012. A two-thirds majority is required for this "immediate effect" motion, and two Republicans were absent from this party-line vote. The motion failed by voice vote in the Senate on July 13, 2011.
7. Motion in the Senate on August 24, 2011, to give the bill immediate effect. The motion passed 26 to 12 in the Senate on August 24, 2011.
   Who Voted "Yes" and Who Voted "No"
   
   
8. Received in the House on August 24, 2011.
9. Passed 73 to 34 in the House on August 24, 2011, to concur with the Senate-passed version of the bill.
   Who Voted "Yes" and Who Voted "No"
   
   
10. Signed by Gov. Rick Snyder on September 6, 2011.