January 24, 2014, MichiganVotes Weekly Vote Report

Senate Bill 337: Revise business tax collection procedures and deadlines: Passed 36 to 0 in the Senate

To establish limits on the personal liability of a business owner or manager for taxes the firm collects from another person but then fails to pay to the state. Also, to require the Department of Treasury confirm a business's known tax liability for a purchaser within 60 days if the owner requests this, and establish limits on a buyer's liability for unpaid taxes. Also, to require the department to complete audits and "clear" a taxpayer within specified time limits. Finally, the bill would establish that if a tax overpayment refund claim is not approved within one year it can be considered denied, which lets the taxpayer appeal to the state tax tribunal or court of claims. Note: After Gov. Rick Snyder vetoed Senate Bill 64 due to department objections to some details, that bill's other provisions were folded into this one. Both measures respond to complaints from the business community that the department is being overly and unreasonably aggressive in enforcing various business-related tax provisions.

House Bill 4715: Ban felons having ammo: Passed 38 to 0 in the Senate

To expand current prohibitions on convicted felons having a gun, so that their possession of ammunition is also banned. The gun ban applies to individuals convicted of a crime punishable by four years or more. It prohibits gun possession for three to five years after all fines are paid and sentences served.

House Bill 4003: Expand state Treasurer tax dispute deal making authority: Passed 107 to 0 in the House

To authorize the state treasurer to compromise disputed tax matters under certain conditions, and establish associated disclosures and record keeping requirements.

House Bill 5158: Create state “human trafficking commission”: Passed 109 to 1 in the House

To create a government “human trafficking commission” to seek grants, fund research and training for criminal justice and social service personnel, recommend changes to current law and more.

Senate Bill 337: Revise business tax collection procedures and deadlines: Passed 108 to 0 in the House

The House vote on the business tax enforcement bill described above.

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.

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