2005 House Bill 4737 / Public Act 197

Allow higher Detroit utility tax

Introduced in the House

May 5, 2005

Introduced by Rep. George Cushingberry (D-8)

To eliminate a provision in the law authorizing a Detroit utility tax that lowers the tax rate if more than $45 million is collected in a given year unless the extra money is used to hire and retain additional police officers above the number employed on November 1, 1984 (3,537 officers). Detroit now has less than this number of police, and will have collected approximately $10 million more in 2005 than the $45 million amount.

Referred to the Committee on Tax Policy

Sept. 21, 2005

Reported without amendment

Without amendment and with the recommendation that the bill pass.

Sept. 22, 2005

Passed in the House 96 to 9 (details)

Received in the Senate

Sept. 27, 2005

Referred to the Committee on Finance

Oct. 11, 2005

Reported without amendment

With the recommendation that the substitute (S-1) be adopted and that the bill then pass.

Oct. 12, 2005

Substitute offered

To replace the previous version of the bill with one that specifies that the money could be used exclusively to retain or hire police officers, meaning officers, investigators, or sergeants, (rather than administrative-types).

The substitute passed by voice vote

Oct. 18, 2005

Passed in the Senate 37 to 1 (details)

To eliminate a provision in the law authorizing a Detroit utility tax that lowers the tax rate if more than $45 million is collected in a given year unless the extra money is used to hire and retain additional police officers above the number employed on November 1, 1984 (3,537 officers). Detroit now has less than this number of police, and will have collected approximately $10 million more in 2005 than the $45 million amount.

Received in the House

Oct. 18, 2005

Oct. 25, 2005

Passed in the House 100 to 6 (details)

To concur with the Senate-passed version of the bill.

Signed by Gov. Jennifer Granholm

Nov. 9, 2005