MichiganVotes Weekly Report: February 12, 2021

The legislature met this week but held no votes on bills of general interest. Rather than votes, this Roll Call Report describes some newly introduced bills of interest.

Senate Bill 13: Give tax break to certain business owners and developers

Introduced by Sen. Dale W. Zorn (R), to give tax breaks equal to 50% of their state business tax liability by certain developers and business owners selected by political appointees on the board of a state Strategic Fund agency. If the tax break exceeded the firm’s tax liability the difference could be applied to future tax bills for up to 10 years. Referred to committee, no further action at this time.

Senate Bill 22: Require property tax votes be in November

Introduced by Sen. Jim Runestad (R), to require all property tax millage elections to be held on the state’s November election date. Senate Bill 23 applies the same rule to school property tax votes. Referred to committee, no further action at this time.

Senate Bill 32: Reallocate gas tax money to counties

Introduced by Sen. Michael MacDonald (R), to allocate revenue from the state motor fuel tax (gas and diesel tax) to counties on the basis of the amount of fuel sold in each. Referred to committee, no further action at this time.

Senate Bill 42: Give tax breaks for agri-tourismIntroduced by Sen. Roger Victory (R). to establish that a building on a farm used for agricultural tourism activities during part of the year is exempt from certain building code provisions if the tourism revenue is less than half the total farming revenue. Referred to committee, no further action at this time.

2021 House Bill 4006: Exempt office holders from concealed pistol permit ‘gun free zone’ restrictions

Introduced by Rep. Gary Eisen (R), to exempt elected officials from the “gun free zone” restrictions in the state concealed pistol license law. The exemption would remain in effect for two years after they leave office. These zones include schools, day care facilities, sports stadiums or arenas, bars, restaurants, places of worship, colleges, hospitals, casinos, entertainment facilities and courts. Referred to committee, no further action at this time.

House Bill 4008: Revise vaccine conscientious objector law

Introduced by Rep. Gary Eisen (R), to revise the law authorizing exceptions to government vaccine mandates so as to establish that they also may be claimed by an individual who objects that coronavirus immunization violates their personal religious beliefs, or for minors, those of their parent, guardian, or person in loco parentis. Referred to committee, no further action at this time.

2021 House Bill 4015: Authorize sanctions for offering faux-government services

Introduced by Rep. Sarah Lightner (R), to add a new provision to the state consumer protection act, which would ban a person from offering what appears to be “online services that are performed by a state agency, department, or division” without “conspicuously” indicating that the operation is not a government entity, and without disclosing the prices and terms. Referred to committee, no further action at this time.

House Bill 4032: Reduce student test score measures in teacher ratings

Introduced by Rep. Bronna Kahle (R), to reduce from 40 percent to 25 percent the amount that student growth and assessment data (meaning test results) contributes to annual year-end evaluation ratings of classroom teachers, with the rest of the measure based on more subjective factors determined by local school administrators. Referred to committee, no further action at this time.

House Bill 4008: Give residents first crack at state campground, cabin, yurt and lodge reservations

To revise the fee and reservation system for state campgrounds, cabins, yurts, or lodges so that openings must be held open for state residents only before opening them up for everyone. Referred to committee, no further action at this time.