MichiganVotes.org July 23 Weekly Roll Call Report

Every week, MichiganVotes.org sends a report to newspapers and TV stations showing how just the state legislators in each publication's service area voted on the most important and interesting bills and amendments of the past seven days. The Legislature did not meet this week, so instead of votes this report contains eight newly introduced bills of interest:

Senate Bill 1308, Strengthen "protectionist" auto dealer contract regulations, passed in the House (104 to 2) and the Senate (33-0)
To impose additional restrictions on auto manufacturers seeking to downsize their dealer networks, including a 50 percent increase in the size of protected dealer "territories." Other provisions would prohibit dealer contracts that have a disparate impact on low-volume dealers. The package that includes Senate Bill 1309 and House Bills 6099 and 6100 would generally strengthen provisions in this state's dealer protectionism laws, which essentially create a de facto "entitlement" for existing new car dealers to retain their status, regardless of market changes or impacts on consumer choice. The bills would also make litigation cost awards to a dealer who wins a complaint under this law optional rather than required.

Complete House Roll Call Vote Tally

Complete Senate Roll Call Vote Tally

Senate Bill 797, Appropriate "stimulus" money for food stamps, passed in the Senate (31 to 2)
To appropriate $121.7 million of federal "stimulus" money for additional food stamp spending. Also, to reduce current year appropriations by $46.6 million to reflect state employee "banked leave time," furlough days, the elimination of pre-shift meetings and other savings.

Complete Roll Call Vote Tally

Senate Bill 1077, Facilitate for-credit high school firefighter courses, passed in the Senate (33 to 0)
To add various provisions to current law that facilitate fire departments providing for-credit courses in high schools leading to a student becoming qualified to become a volunteer fire fighter. Among other things the bill would waive the "certified" teacher mandate that restricts who can teach in Michigan schools.

Complete Roll Call Vote Tally

Senate Bill 1284, Require failing school student intervention programs, passed in the Senate (33 to 0)
To require the 5 percent lowest-achieving public schools to provide additional instruction to students identified as needing intervention by screening the bill would also require in various grades. These schools would also have to notify parents when a student failed to meet grade level content expectations, assign adult "advocates" to high school students at risk of dropping out, and more.

Complete Roll Call Vote Tally

House Bill 6099, Strengthen "protectionist" auto dealer contract regulations, passed in the Senate (33 to 0)
To impose additional restrictions on auto manufacturers seeking to downsize their dealer networks, including a 50 percent increase in the size of protected dealer "territories." Other provisions would prohibit dealer contracts that have a disparate impact on low-volume dealers. The package that includes House Bill 6100 and Senate Bills 1308 and 1309 would generally strengthen provisions in this state's dealer protectionism laws, which essentially create a de facto "entitlement" for existing new car dealers to retain their status, regardless of market changes or impacts on consumer choice. The bills would also make litigation cost awards to a dealer who wins a complaint under this law optional rather than required.

Complete Roll Call Vote Tally

SOURCE: MichiganVotes.org, a free, nonpartisan website created by the Mackinac Center for Public Policy, providing concise, nonpartisan, plain-English descriptions of every bill and vote in the Michigan House and Senate. Please visit www.MichiganVotes.org.

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