Michigan Votes Forum

Introduced in the House on January 22, 2009, to authorize and establish procedures for setting reasonable fees to be charged by the state Fire Marshal to cover the actual cost of all the functions it performs, including inspections, review of building plans and specifications, issuance of certificates of acceptability, testing and evaluation of new products, methods and processes of construction or alteration, inspection of construction and alteration, inspection of construction undertaken pursuant to a permit, the issuance of certificates of use and occupancy, and the hearing of appeals

The vote was 91 in favor, 19 opposed and 0 not voting

(House Roll Call 142 at House Journal 0)

Click here to view bill details.

Rep. Meltzer, having reserved the right to explain her protest against the passage of the bill, made the following statement:

“Mr. Speaker and members of the House:

No Vote Explanation

House Bill 4026

I have concerns with this legislation as it allows a non-elected state official to set new fees without Legislative oversight. I believe that this lack of accountability is problematic to taxpayers across the state. In response to the poor economy, there has been no greater outcry for accountability when it comes to how taxpayer dollars are spent. Setting up a system where there are no checks and balances creates a system that has the potential to prioritize an agenda separate from that which was intended.

For this reason, I cannot support this legislation at this time.”