In both the House and Senate, this week was dominated by appropriations committee deliberation on the state budget for the fiscal year that begins on Oct. 1. There were only a few final-passage floor votes on noteworthy bills, or ones of general interest.
Y = Yes, N = No, X = Not Voting
House Bill 4393, Give drunk minors immunity if they turn themselves in: Passed 38 to 0 in the Senate
To extend immunity from “minor in possession” of alcohol and related laws for a drunk minor who shows up at a health facility for observation or treatment. This would also apply a friend who accompanies the drunk one, or who contacts the proper authorities.
Who Voted "Yes" and Who Voted "No"
House Bill 5245, Increase penalty on delinquent hotel marketing tax: Passed 83 to 26 in the House
To increase from 1.5 percent to 3.0 percent the monthly "delinquency charge" imposed on a hotel or motel owner who is late paying a room tax imposed to pay for regional marketing schemes, or to pay the debts of regional convention facilities. (For Detroit metro area lodging facilities this means Cobo Hall debt.) The "delinquency charge" is imposed on top of a 1.5 percent per month interest charge. As introduced by Rep. Wayne Schmidt, the bill would have increased this extra charge to 10 percent per month.
Who Voted "Yes" and Who Voted "No"
Senate Bill 29, Allow concealed pistol permit holders to keep and bear tasers: Passed 106 to 4 in the House
To allow holders of concealed pistol licenses (CPLs) to also keep and bear tasers (electro-muscular disruption devices), subject to the same regulations and restrictions that apply to legally carrying concealed pistols, plus the requirement to obtain training in the use and effects of tasers. Under current law, citizens who are not law enforcement officers are prohibited from possessing tasers.
Who Voted "Yes" and Who Voted "No"
Interested in a cumulative list of all weekly Roll Call Report Votes for 2012?
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.
Get insightful commentary and the most reliable research on Michigan issues sent straight to your inbox.
The Mackinac Center for Public Policy is a nonprofit research and educational institute that advances the principles of free markets and limited government. Through our research and education programs, we challenge government overreach and advocate for a free-market approach to public policy that frees people to realize their potential and dreams.
Please consider contributing to our work to advance a freer and more prosperous state.