2009 House Bill 4091

Require citizenship and resident preferences in subsidies & tax breaks

Introduced in the House

Jan. 22, 2009

Introduced by Rep. Mike Huckleberry (D-70)

To prohibit a local government from granting Obsolete Property Rehabilitation property tax breaks unless the recipient promises in writing not to knowingly hire illegal aliens, and to only hire Michigan residents or contract with firms that promise the same, unless the project cannot be completed only with just Michigan residents. Violators could have their tax breaks revoked and required to pay all or part of their tax breaks. Local governments would have to report annually to the Michigan Strategic Fund board on the number of residents employed by beneficiaries of these tax breaks, and the specific reasons for each exemption granted from the proposed state-resident-job requirements.

Referred to the Committee on Labor

Feb. 10, 2009

Reported without amendment

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

March 12, 2009

Substitute offered

To replace the previous version of the bill with one that revises details but does not change the substance of the bill as previously described.

The substitute passed by voice vote

Amendment offered by Rep. Fred Miller (D-31)

To transfer the duty to file compliance and job-creation reports with state targeted tax break-granting officials from the local government authorizing these particular tax breaks to to the recipient.

The amendment passed by voice vote

Passed in the House 80 to 27 (details)

To prohibit a local government from granting Obsolete Property Rehabilitation property tax breaks unless the recipient promises in writing not to knowingly hire illegal aliens, and to only hire Michigan residents or contract with firms that promise the same, unless the project cannot be completed only with just Michigan residents. Violators could have their tax breaks revoked and required to pay all or part of their tax breaks. Tax break recipients would have to report annually to the Michigan Strategic Fund board on the number of residents employed by the beneficiaries of these bonds and tax breaks, and their "good faith efforts" to comply with the employee residency and related mandates.

Received in the Senate

March 18, 2009

Referred to the Committee on Commerce and Tourism

April 1, 2009

Motion by Sen. Samuel B. Thomas (D-4)

To discharge the Committee on Commerce and Tourism from further consideration of House Bills 4083 to 4093, and move them directly to the Senate floor for immediate consideration and debate. The bills would impose citizenship and resident preferences on companies that benefit from subsidies or tax breaks, or that have contracts with the state. A single motion covered all 11 bill, and the roll call vote on that is <a href="http://www.michiganvotes.org/RollCall.aspx?ID=380801">here</a>.

The motion failed by voice vote