The Legislature has begun its summer recess, with no votes until July 18 at the earliest. This report contains recent votes of interest not included in previous issues, so they would not become too long.
Y = Yes, N = No, X = Not Voting
Senate Bill 175, Undo National Guard pension reform: Passed 37 to 0 in the Senate
To reverse a 2010 reform that eliminated "defined benefit" pensions for future Michigan National Guard commanders and their assistants, and instead provided 401k benefits. The 2010 reform was adopted following reports of these "Adjutant Generals" being granted generous state pensions based on limited state service ($78,000 to $133,000 for 1.5 years to 13 years service).
Who Voted 'Yes" and Who Voted "No"
Senate Bill 327, Ban tax collector “quotas”: Passed 36 to 0 in the Senate
To establish that Department of Treasury tax collectors and third party contractors or agents are prohibited from using tax collection amount “quotas” and must apply tax laws and rules equally to all taxpayers.
Who Voted 'Yes" and Who Voted "No"
Senate Bill 221, Increase sex offender registry fees: Passed 33 to 2 in the Senate
To require individuals on the public sex offender registry to pay $50 each year, rather than just a one-time $50 fee.
Who Voted 'Yes" and Who Voted "No"
House Bill 4264, Allow consecutive sentences for financial exploitation crime: Passed 37 to 0 in the Senate
To allow sentences imposed for committing certain “financial exploitation” crimes against a vulnerable or incapacitated adult to be served consecutively with sentences imposed for other violations of this statute. Consecutively means "back-to-back" sentences, as opposed to "concurrently," which means sentences are served at the same time.
Who Voted 'Yes" and Who Voted "No"
House Bill 4541, Extend "Obsolete Property" tax break for particular project: Passed 38 to 0 in the Senate
To revise the criteria in the law that authorizes tax breaks for the rehabilitation and reuse of "obsolete structures" in a way that will allow granting these tax breaks to a particular project. The bill would also require the state Tax Commission to post online information about applications for these tax break exceptions that are approved or disapproved, and also send this information to the legislators representing the area where an applicant is located.
Who Voted 'Yes" and Who Voted "No"
House Bill 4541, Extend "Obsolete Property" tax break for particular project: Passed 108 to 0 in the House
The House vote on the Senate-passed bill described above.
Who Voted 'Yes" and Who Voted "No"
House Bill 4264, Allow consecutive sentences for financial exploitation crime: Passed 102 to 8 in the House
The House vote on the Senate-passed bill described above.
Who Voted 'Yes" and Who Voted "No"
House Bill 4242, Raise burden of proof to justify new government regulations: Passed 108 to 0 in the House
To require government agencies to demonstrate that a rule they want to impose is “necessary and suitable to achieve its purpose in proportion to the burdens it places on individuals.”
Who Voted 'Yes" and Who Voted "No"
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 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.
