The House and Senate are out for several weeks. Therefore, this report contains several recently introduced bills of interest.

Senate Bill 324: Require policy for police involved in a death

Introduced by Sen. Coleman Young, II (D), to require local police and sheriff departments to have a policy on deaths that involve a law enforcement officer. This would have to include requiring an investigation by two officers who are not employed by the same agency. Referred to committee, no further action at this time.

Senate Bill 326: Establish B-24 Liberator as symbolic "state airplane"

Introduced by Sen. Rebekah Warren (D), to establish that the B-24 Liberator flown by the U.S. Army Air Force and Navy in WW II shall be deemed the “official airplane” of the state of Michigan. The B-24 was a sophisticated four-engine bomber produced in huge numbers by the Ford Motor Company on an unprecedented mile-length assembly line at the purpose-built Willow Run plant in Wayne County. Reported from committee, pending before full Senate.

Senate Bill 340: Increase penalties for tobacco sales to minors

Introduced by Sen. Steve Bieda (D), to increase the penalties for selling tobacco to minors, from $50 to $100 for a first offense, and $500 for a subsequent offense. The increased penalties would also apply to a minor who tries to buy or who possesses tobacco. Reported from committee, pending before full Senate.

Senate Bill 352: Authorize “designated caregivers” for hospital patients

Introduced by Sen. Margaret O'Brien (R), to require hospitals to give patients the opportunity to designate a friend or family member as the individual’s “designated caregiver.” Hospitals would have to notify this person when the patient is transferred or released, consult with them about the discharge plan, instruct them about the patient’s needs after discharge, etc. Referred to committee, no further action at this time.

Senate Bill 370: Authorize alcohol manufacturer retail shop tax breaks

Introduced by Sen. Jack Brandenburg (R), to exempt from sales tax the tools and equipment purchased by a brewer, winemaker or distiller create products it sells directly to customers at its own locations. Reported from committee, pending before full Senate.

House Bill 4511: Revise state oil pipeline regulation

Introduced by Rep. Sarah Roberts (D), to give the Department of Environmental Quality explicit authority to regulate pipelines used to transport oil or petroleum; mandate that pipeline owners have “emergency response plans” for pipeline leaks that include consultation with local governments; require pipeline owners to pay for regular state inspections of underwater pipelines and more. Referred to committee, no further action at this time.

House Bill 4512: Impose oil pipeline “impact fees”

Introduced by Rep. Jeff Irwin (D), to authorize the imposition of an annual per-mile oil or petroleum “pipeline impact fee” in an amount that would be determined by the state Public Service Commission, with half the revenue given to the county where a pipeline is located. Referred to committee, no further action at this time.

House Bill 4515: Mandate employers create job description for each position

Introduced by Rep. Erika Geiss (D), to mandate that employers must create a job description for each position. This would have to include “a list of the essential duties and responsibilities; a description of the skills, training, and effort required to perform the job; and the working conditions and schedule.” Also, to mandate that these be available to job applicants, and prohibit employers from changing a job description until the employee has a chance to review and initial the change. Referred to committee, no further action at this time.

House Bill 4531: Impose licensure on “naturopathic physicians”

Introduced by Rep. Lisa Lyons (R), to impose licensure and regulation on “naturopathic physicians,” with license fees, education requirements, and more. The bill defines “naturopathic” medicine as “a system of practice that is based on the natural healing capacity of individuals.” Referred to committee, no further action at this time.

House Bill 4551: Authorize energy efficient new home purchase tax breaks

Introduced by Rep. Derek Miller (D), to authorize a $5,000 income tax credit for a person who buys a new home that has been deemed a “green structure” by a particular private entity specified in the bill (“Green Built Michigan”), and a $2,000 credit for an addition or renovation that meets this entity’s criteria, or by a similar one if authorized by a state agency. Referred to committee, no further action at this time.

House Bill 4559: Prohibit independent Strategic Fund revenue and spending

Introduced by Rep. Martin Howrylak (R), to cut off the Indian casino compact revenue stream that currently flows automatically to the Michigan “Strategic Fund,” which is the parent entity of the Michigan Economic Development Corporation. This money is used to support the agencies’ corporate subsidy-granting operations. The bill would declare all Strategic Fund revenue and assets to be “public money and assets,” and only disbursed through an appropriations bill passed by the legislature. Referred to committee, no further action at this time.

House Bill 4560: Use some auto injury reserve fund money for roads

Introduced by Rep. Peter Lucido (R), to take $1 billion from the insurance reserve fund of the Michigan Catastrophic Claims Association (MCCA), and use it for road repairs. The MCCA is the reinsurance provider that covers unlimited vehicle crash medical claims when they go above $545,000, coverage that is mandated by the state no-fault auto insurance law. Referred to committee, no further action at this time.

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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