Michigan Votes Forum

Introduced in the House on November 4, 2003, to revise a provision of the legislation implementing the 1998 tobacco lawsuit master settlement agreement. Under the bill tobacco companies which are not parties to the agreement, and which pay into escrow accounts established to ensure future payments under the agreement, would not get annual refunds based on a formula of the aggregate escrow payments from both participating and non-participating companies. See Senate Bill 782 and House Bill 5221

The vote was 88 in favor, 16 opposed and 6 not voting

(House Roll Call 628 at House Journal 86)

Click here to view bill details.

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

"Mr. Speaker and members of the House:

I do not believe that the tobacco companies that were not in existence when the offense on which the original companies settled should be taxed or put at a disadvantage for what they had no part."