Aug. 20 Michigan Legislature 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 version shown here instead contains a link to the complete roll call tally in either the House or Senate. To find out who your state senator is and how to contact him or her go here; for state representatives go here.

House Bill 5830, Abolish homeowner construction lien recovery fund, passed in the Senate (36 to 1)

To abolish the state homeowner construction lien recovery fund, which is which is essentially insolvent, and cannot meet claims. Money in the fund comes from assessments against licensed contractors, fees on laborers who recover from the Fund, and on certain other lien claimants. It is used to pay the claims of subcontractors, suppliers, and laborers if a residential property owner already paid a general contractor for the contracted services.

Complete Roll Call Vote Tally

Senate Bill 1345, Streamline hazardous material spill regulatory regime, passed in the Senate (29 to 9)
To streamline the regulations, procedures, reporting and inspection requirements, definitions, and more for cleanups of hazardous materials that exist on a property or are spilled. In general, rather than requiring the Department of Natural Resources and Environment to promulgate generic rules for all cleanups, the bill would instead give more discretion to determine correct responses on a case-by-case basis.

Complete Roll Call Vote Tally

Senate Resolution Confirm, Confirm governor's state board appointments, failed in the Senate (21 to 17)
To confirm Gov. Jennifer Granholm's appointment to eight different state boards of a number of nominees whose terms would not begin until after she leaves office.

Complete Roll Call Vote Tally

House Bill 5819, Restrict certain landfill lawsuits, passed in the House (102 to 0)
To prohibit a private party lawsuit against a landfill operator for permit violations if the Department of Natural Resources is already "diligently enforcing" an administrative order. Under current law the ban applies only if the department is already in court over the violation.

Complete Roll Call Vote Tally

House Bill 5036, Ban lawsuits to stop public participation, passed in the House (68 to 34)
To prohibit "strategic lawsuits against public participation" (SLAPP suits), which are filed against a person critical of a business or organization who communicates with a governmental unit, public official, or other person to seek relief, influence action, inform, communicate, and otherwise participate in the process of government.

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 https://www.michiganvotes.org.

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