While the Legislature is on a summer break the Roll Call Report is reviewing key votes of the 2013-2014 session.

Initiated Legislation 1, Ban abortion coverage through federal health care law exchange: Passed 27 to 11 in the Senate on December 11, 2013

To prohibit health insurance policies sold in Michigan through the federal health care law’s “exchange” from including abortion coverage. Individuals could use their own money to purchase a policy “rider” for this outside the exchange if they choose, but no federal subsidy would cover the cost. The measure was placed before the legislature through a petition drive organized by Right to Life of Michigan, after Gov. Rick Snyder vetoed a 2012 bill with the same measure.

Who Voted "Yes" and Who Voted "No"

Senate Bill 661, Prohibit mandating issue-ad contributor disclosure: Passed 20 to 18 in the Senate on November 14, 2013

To establish that third party political "issue ads" need not include a disclosure of who paid for the ad, which preempts a proposal made by the Secretary of State. The bill would also allow the Republican and Democratic caucuses in the legislature to raise and spend money promoting their preferred candidates in primary elections, and increase the maximum campaign contributions allowed by state election law.

Who Voted "Yes" and Who Voted "No"

Senate Bill 443, End automatic school tax increases to pay union contract lawsuit judgments: Passed 27 to 10 in the Senate on October 30, 2013

To revise a provision that requires school property taxes be raised to pay off lawsuit-related judgments against a school district, by establishing that this does not apply for judgments to enforce union labor or other contracts that specifically relate to school operations.

Who Voted "Yes" and Who Voted "No"

Senate Bill 711, Extend Cobo sales tax exemption; Passed 34 to 1 in the Senate on January 29, 2014

To extend for another two years the 2014 sunset on a law that exempts from sales tax the purchase of tools and equipment by a contractor if these are used to fix or renovate Cobo Hall in Detroit.

Who Voted "Yes" and Who Voted "No"

Senate Bill 319, Repeal mandatory life sentences for minors: Passed 36 to 0 in the Senate on October 24, 2013

To revise Michigan's mandatory life sentence with no chance of parole for certain very serious crimes committed by minors. Life without parole would no longer be automatic in these cases but prosecutors could request it. The measure responds to a U.S. Supreme Court decision, and would not automatically apply retroactively to the approximately 350 current prisoners in this category.

Who Voted "Yes" and Who Voted "No"

Senate Bill 396, Restrict replacement-construction property tax hikes: Passed 38 to 0 in the Senate on November 14, 2013

To revise a provision restricting property tax assessment increases on construction that replaces parts of a structure damaged by accident or an act of God, so that no assessment would be imposed as long as the construction is of substantially the same materials and square footage. This cap would also apply to value-increasing improvements required to meet current health, sanitary, zoning, safety, fire, or construction codes and ordinances.

Who Voted "Yes" and Who Voted "No"

Senate Bill 553, Extend already-extended renaissance zone tax breaks longer: Passed 36 to 1 in the Senate on October 31, 2013

To allow an eight year extension of the extensive tax breaks granted to residents and businesses in a particular "renaissance zone" located in Saginaw County. This would be in addition to a previous seven-year extension.

Who Voted "Yes" and Who Voted "No"

Initiated Legislation 1, Ban abortion coverage through federal health care law exchange: Passed 62 to 47 in the House on December 11, 2013

The House vote on the bill described above. No signature from the Governor is required for initiated legislation to become law, which this did as "Public Act 182 of 2013."

Who Voted "Yes" and Who Voted "No"

Senate Bill 661, Prohibit mandating issue-ad contributor disclosure: Passed 56 to 52 in the House on December 11, 2013

The House vote on the bill described above. The House clarified that issue ads must still disclose the organization sponsoring them, but not the individual contributors. This was signed into law Gov. Rick Snyder on December 26, 2013.

Who Voted "Yes" and Who Voted "No"

Senate Bill 443, End automatic tax increases to pay union contract lawsuit judgments: Passed 76 to 33 in the House on December 12, 2013

The House vote on the bill described above. The House added several exceptions to the proposed ban. This was signed into law on December 13, 2013.

Who Voted "Yes" and Who Voted "No"

Senate Bill 319, Repeal mandatory life sentences for minors: Passed 62 to 48 in the House on February 4, 2014

The House vote on the bill described above. This was signed into law on March 4, 2014.

Who Voted "Yes" and Who Voted "No"

Senate Bill 396, Restrict replacement-construction property tax hikes: Passed 82 to 27 in the House on February 11, 2014

The House vote on the bill described above. This was signed into law on February 13, 2014.

Who Voted "Yes" and Who Voted "No"

Senate Bill 553, Extend already-extended renaissance zone tax breaks longer: Passed 87 to 21 in the House on February 18, 2014

The House vote on the bill described above. This was signed into law by Gov. Rick Snyder on March 4, 2014.

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.

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