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By Jack McHugh
The Legislature did not meet this week, so the Roll Call Report continues its review of key votes from the 2015-2016 session.
House Bill 4615, Raise gas tax a lot: Passed 19 to 19 in the Senate on July 1, 2015 (Lieutenant Governor broke tie)
To increase the state gasoline and diesel fuel tax to 34 cents per gallon, an increase of 15 cents and 19 cents, respectively. This would have given Michigan the second highest gas tax in the nation. The House voted to send this to a conference committee, and a smaller gas tax hike plus a vehicle registration tax hike was ultimately adopted.
Who Voted “Yes” and Who Voted “No”
Senate Bill 384, Authorize welfare agency police force: Passed 27 to 11 in the Senate on September 10, 2015
To give the Department of Human Services (the state welfare agency) the authority to appoint agents with the same powers as peace (police) officers and limited arrest powers, for the purpose of investigating welfare fraud. The House has not voted on this bill.
Who Voted “Yes” and Who Voted “No”
Senate Bill 281, Repeal 36th district court bailiff's "job for life" law: Passed 37 to 0 in the Senate on May 14, 2015
To allow a bailiff of the 36th district court to be dismissed for inability to do the job. This is the former Detroit “Recorders Court,” and the law that replaced it with the 36th district court permitted the current bailiffs to keep their jobs for life even if no longer capable of doing the job.
Who Voted “Yes” and Who Voted “No”
Senate Bill 281, Repeal 36th district court bailiff's "job for life" law: Passed 67 to 36 in the House on September 16, 2015
The House vote on the bill described above.
Who Voted “Yes” and Who Voted “No”
Senate Bill 144, Repeal inspection requirement for low risk food sellers: Passed 35 to 1 in the Senate on May 19, 2015
To give local health departments the option of requiring an "in-office consultation" rather than a facility inspection of a temporary food service establishment that serves only low risk foods as defined in the bill (examples include precooked hotdogs, popcorn or ice cream).
Who Voted “Yes” and Who Voted “No”
Senate Bill 144, Repeal inspection requirement for “low risk food” sellers: Passed 89 to 16 in the House on September 24, 2015
The House vote on the bill described above. This was signed into law by the Governor two weeks later.
Who Voted “Yes” and Who Voted “No”
Senate Bill 239, Ban local restrictions on particular dog breeds: Passed 25 to 11 in the Senate on October 8, 2015
To prohibit local governments from enforcing an ordinance that imposes regulations or restrictions on dogs based solely on their breed or type (such as pit bulls or Dobermans). The House has not voted on this bill.
Who Voted “Yes” and Who Voted “No”
Senate Bill 421, Make it a crime to not pull over for ambulance: Passed 36 to 2 in the Senate on October 21, 2015
To make it a crime subject to 90 days in jail to not yield the right of way and pull over at the approach of an emergency vehicle with its flashing lights and siren activated. Under current law this is a civil offense subject to fines of $100 to $250. Also, to authorize up to 15 years in prison if the failure to yield costs the life of emergency personnel, and two years if it causes an injury. The House has not voted on this bill.
Who Voted “Yes” and Who Voted “No”
Senate Bill 225, Simplify, clarify inherited pistol procedure: Passed 36 to 1 in the Senate on September 30, 2015
To revise the law that requires an individual who obtains a pistol from a private person to first get a government permit. (This does not apply to purchases from a licensed firearms dealer.) The bill would clarify that a person who inherits a pistol would have 30 days to get this government license after taking physical possession of the pistol.
Who Voted “Yes” and Who Voted “No”
Senate Bill 225, Simplify, clarify procedure for taking ownership of inherited pistol: Passed 99 to 6 in the House on October 29, 2015
The House vote on the bill described above.
Who Voted “Yes” and Who Voted “No”
Senate Bill 510, Restrict commercial use of student data: Passed 38 to 0 in the Senate on November 4, 2015
To prohibit websites or apps designed for K–12 school purposes to sell, share or use for targeted advertising any information in a student’s educational record. The House has not voted on this bill.
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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