To revise a 2017 “Good Jobs For Michigan” law that authorized the state to give ongoing cash subsidies to Detroit developer Dan Gilbert and potentially other business owners, by stripping-out provisions requiring business subsidies to “result in an overall positive fiscal impact to this state.” Unlike the other corporate and developer subsidy schemes enacted in the name of “economic development,” this law’s revenue transfers appeared to create incentives for businesses in other Michigan communities to move to Detroit, rather than grow the state economy as a whole. The bill would also increase an annual cap on how much a subsidized company could get.
To cap at 6.7% the return estimate that managers of the state’s government employee pension system use to determine state pension fund assets will grow over time (and whether it’s enough to meet the state’s pension promises to employees). Also, to require that if new unfunded liability gaps appear, they must be filled (“caught-up on”) within 10 years or less.
To revise requirements and procedures for an animal control agency taking possession of an abused animal seized by police, and its ultimate disposition, including forfeiture and humane euthanization. Under this and House Bill 4704 the owner would be responsible for all related costs, including euthanization if ordered. The bills are intended to provide uniformity in several sections of state animal cruelty law.
To extend to a private Michigan prison that contracts with a federal agency to hold inmates the same penalties for giving a prisoner a cell phone or certain other contraband that applies to state-run prisons. The bill comes after activists who oppose prison privatization have been caught tossing potentially dangerous contraband over the fence to prisoners.
To require medical records referencing treatment of an individual that involves vaginal or anal penetration by a health professional to be retained for 15 years by the health professional and health facility or agency, with violations subject to criminal sanctions. Also, to require the licensure boards for different medical specialties to produce “guidance to licensees on generally accepted standards of medical practice for medical services involving vaginal or anal penetration, including internal pelvic floor treatments.”
To expand a provision of a state consumer protection act that restricts third parties from offering online services that are similar to ones performed by a governmental agency, by requiring them to “conspicuously” indicate that the operation is not a government entity, plus disclosing the prices and terms.
To authorize state grants equal to 80% of the amount spent by developers and owners on shipping ports and improvements. As introduced the bill would have required the developer to permit public use of the port for at least 10 years, but this was deleted from the House-passed version.
To prohibit public schools from teaching "critical race theory." Specifically, the bill prohibits instructing children that because of their race or gender individuals comprising a racial or ethnic group or gender all act in certain ways, hold certain opinions, are born racist or sexist, bear collective guilt for historical wrongs, or regard race or gender as a better predictor of outcome than character, work ethic, or skills. Also, to ban teaching that the cultural norms or practices of a racial or ethnic group or gender are flawed and must be eliminated or changed to conform; that racism (or sexism) is inherent in individuals from a particular race or ethnic group (or gender); that a racial or ethnic group or gender is in need of deconstruction, elimination, or criticism; or that the actions of some individuals serve as an indictment against their race or gender. Democrats abstained from voting on the bill.
To deduct manufacturer rebates from the purchase price of a new car, boat or RV for purposes of calculating sales tax. The bill would require foregone school aid revenue generated by the narrow tax break to be taken from other state taxes and fees.
To require state regulators to refund civil penalties they imposed on employers for violating emergency orders issued under a 1945 emergency powers law that has been ruled unconstitutional because it let a governor declare a state of emergency and govern unilaterally with no time limit.
To require public schools that impose epidemic-related face mask mandates on students to grant waivers; ban districts from requiring school board meeting attendees to wear a face mask or get a COVID test; prohibit schools from requiring asymptomatic students to get a COVID test, and more.
To prohibit public or private schools from mandating student get a vaccine authorized solely for emergency use (meaning the COVID vaccines available when the bill was introduced). Also, to ban different requirements for vaccinated and unvaccinated students including separated seating, facemask requirements and more.
To prohibit the state health department from issuing an order that requires schoolchildren who are asymptomatic for COVID-19 to wear a face mask, receive an experimental drug vaccination (meaning one for COVID), or get tested for COVID-19. This would apply to attending school, riding the bus, or participating in on- or off-campus extracurriculars. This would also apply to adults attending school board meetings.
To repeal the Oct. 1, 2021 sunset on a law that caps the 32% tobacco tax imposed on cigars at 50 cents per cigar. In other words, if the bill becomes law the 50 cent cap would remain in effect.
To exempt feminine hygiene products from sales tax.
To amend the definition of “brownfield” subsidies in a way that would allow a certain developer to collect these taxpayer-funded benefits on a particular venture.
To preempt local governments from enacting any ordinance, rule, or tax relating to the transportation, possession, carrying, sale, transfer, purchase, gift, devise, licensing, registration, or use of a knife or knife making components that is more restrictive than state law. Also, to preempt local rules or ordinances relating to the manufacture of a knife that are more restrictive than those relating to the manufacture of any other commercial goods.
To revise population thresholds in a law that permits certain communities to levy property taxes for public safety services, so as to allow Romulus to impose this type of tax. The bill would also let governments in Berkley, Harper Woods and the city of Saginaw impose these levies
To allow local governments to restrict a person from doing Airbnb-type short term rentals on more than two properties within their jurisdiction, and to limit the total number of short term rentals to 30% of the local rental market. With some narrow exceptions locals could not enforce zoning restrictions that restrict short term rentals. Locals could adopt regulations on noise, advertising, traffic, nuisances, dwelling capacity, inspections, fees and taxes otherwise permitted by law.
To create a K-12 “student opportunity scholarship program” that would allow individuals and companies to get a tax credit for contributing to a nonprofit “scholarship organization” that would provide grants to lower income families to pay tuition at a non-pubic school, or pay for other education expenses, services and supplies. Beneficiaries would get individual accounts from which families could draw money for permitted expenses. Senate Bill 688 and House Bill 5405 would authorize up to $500 million in annual tax credits for this, which would increase with demand according to a specified formula.
The House version of the school choice tax credit bill described above.
To authorize state grants to local governments, with the amounts determined using criteria devised by a particular social-welfare organization. This would pay for sending one or more “community crisis responder clinicians or community crisis responder peers” on 911 calls, who among other things would do “ screening and assessment” for referral of individuals to “mental health, substance use disorder, social, health, or other services and supports as needed.” Reportedly there are 51 organizations that would be the ultimate recipients of the money.
To establish a process to allow a township to change the township’s name. Two thirds of the township board would have to agree to put the question on the ballot in a regular November or August election, and voters would have to approve it.
To exempt from sales tax the delivery and installation costs necessary to complete a purchase, which are taxable under current law.
To impose a new licensure and $75 per charger fee regime on paid electric vehicle charging services.
To retroactively make a particular developer’s project eligible for increased “refundable” state business tax credits under a suspended program that authorized actual cash payments from the state treasury to a relative handful of companies and developers approved by state officials. The bill would allow the particular developer to "shuffle" the credits/subsidies he was granted between two separate projects in a way that maximizes how much is collected.
The bill would also increase the total subsidies the developer will receive, and allow another five years to complete the project. The House Fiscal Agency estimates this will result in a $12.8 million increase in either foregone state revenue, or in actual cash disbursements to this developer.
To restrict access to the state's qualified voter file (QVF) database to the Secretary of State office and other authorized election officials, local and county election clerks, and state employees or vendors who do maintenance and security work on the QVF. The bill would remove a provision authorizing access by a “designated voter registration agency.” The Senate also passed House Bill 4838 by the same margin, which would have banned connecting the electronic poll book at election precincts from being connected to the internet on election day. Note: Both bills were vetoed by Gov. Gretchen Whitmer on Oct. 3.
To add to teacher continuing education courses a requirement that they include “mental health first aid” training, and require the Department of Education in conjunction with the Department of Health and Human Services to "develop or adopt" a program for this. This would include "identifying potential risk factors and warning signs for mental illness, and strategies for helping an individual experiencing a mental health crisis."
To include absent students who are "in quarantine" and "being educated through physical educational materials” as defined in the bill to be deemed present on the school district enrollment “count days" on which state aid is determined.
To require the board of state canvassers to complete the canvass of signatures collected on an initiated law petition within 100 days after it is filed with the Secretary of State. If canvassers declare there are enough valid signatures then the proposed law must be immediately forwarded to the legislature for consideration. Under the state constitution, unless the legislature enacts the law proposed by an initiative that gains the required number of signatures, it goes on the next general election ballot for a vote of the people.
The House vote on amending the initiated law process described above.
The non-education of the state budget for the fiscal year that begins Oct. 1, 2021. The bill appropriates $50.706 billion for all non-education state spending, of which $10.378 billion is federal money, including unprecedented amounts enacted by Congress as part of epidemic "stimulus" and relief bills.
When the state education spending authorized in House Bill 4400 is added (see below), the combined budgets propose spending a grand total of $68.9 billion in the 2021-22 fiscal year, which is $10.4 billion more than the state has ever spent prior to the pandemic. That includes $3.6 billion more in state spending, a 10.4% increase, and $6.7 billion more in federal spending, a 28.4% increase.
The legislature did not appropriate the total amount available for the year, leaving about $11 billion in federal grants and higher-than expected state revenue collections to be allocated later.
The House vote on the budget bill described above.
The state education budget for the fiscal year that begins Oct. 1, 2021. The bill appropriates $19.218 billion for all state education spending. This includes $431.9 million for community colleges, $1.808 billion for the state's four-year colleges and universities, and $1.978 billion for K-12 public schools.
The House vote on the budget bill described above.
To prohibit officials including the governor from using an official “Integrated Public Alert Warning System” to transmit an announcement of a new law or change in government policy, and instead limit its use to emergencies involving immediate or imminent loss of life or property. Gov. Gretchen Whitmer received criticism for using this system during a 2020 state of emergency to make announcements that did not meet this standard. The system is described as a “secure network connecting all of the public alert and warning systems in the United States into a single system.” In the House six Democrats supported the bill, but the Senate vote was a party line vote.
To establish that portable fuel containers that are completely made in Michigan and sold here only are not subject to federal regulations, notwithstanding court judgments that hold federal rules to be controlling under the U.S. Constitution’s interstate commerce clause.
To expand a law that requires a school-aged minor to get a work permit from a school district official in order to get a job (with a number of exceptions). The bill would extend to home-schooled students a requirement that their parent or guardian issue the required permit.
To restrict access to the state's qualified voter file (QVF) database to the Secretary of State office, other election officials it authorizes, local and county election clerks, and state employees or vendors who do maintenance and security work on the QVF. The bill would remove a provision authorizing access by a “designated voter registration agency.” Twenty Democrats joined all Republicans in voting 'yes' on this and House Bill 4838.
To prohibit the electronic poll book at each election precinct from being connected to the internet on election day until its votes have been tabulated. It would also prohibit connecting an electronic voting system to the internet until after the votes are counted, and then only to upload the results to the appropriate clerk.
Showing 40 Results Show Entire Session
Contact my lawmakers
Sen. Curtis Hertel, Jr., D-East Lansing, District 23. 517-373-1734. senchertel@senate.michigan.gov
Rep. Sarah Anthony, D-Lansing, District 68. (517) 373-0826. sarahanthony@house.mi.gov
SOURCE: MichiganVotes.org, a free, non-partisan website created by the Mackinac Center for Public Policy, providing concise, non-partisan, plain-English descriptions of every bill and vote in the Michigan House and Senate. Please visit www.MichiganVotes.org.
Permission to reprint this legislative summary in whole or in part is hereby granted, provided that www.MichiganVotes.org is properly cited.
