Senate Bill 863, K-12 School Aid budget: Passed 27 to 9 in the Senate

The Senate version of the K-12 school aid budget for the fiscal year that begins Oct 1, 2018. This bill would appropriate a total of $14.732 billion, compared to $14.580 billion approved last year. Of this, $1.724 billion is federal money. The House budget version proposes spending $14.823 billion. School districts with lower revenue would get a $230 increase in per-pupil aid, and higher spending ones would get an extra $115.

Senate Bill 856, Welfare and Medicaid budget: Passed 27 to 9 in the Senate

The Senate version of the Department of Health and Human Services budget for the fiscal year that begins Oct. 1, 2018. This covers welfare and Medicaid spending and is by far the state's largest annual appropriation. The bill would authorize spending $25.117 billion, of which $18.345 billion is federal money and the rest is from state and local taxes and fees.

House Bill 5100, Exempt bike racks, tow balls, etc. from ban on obscuring license plate: Passed 36 to 0 in the Senate

To establish that removable bicycle racks, trailer hitches, tow balls or similar devices are not included in the definition of “foreign materials that obscure or partially obscure” vehicle license plates, which is a civil offense. This would also apply to the object carried by the device.

House Bill 5767, Let alcohol producers and wholesalers sponsor beer tents: Passed 105 to 2 in the House

To revise the extraordinarily detailed law establishing a comprehensive regulatory regime on the wholesale distribution of beer, wine and liquor, so as to allow manufacturers, wholesalers or retailers to get a special license to hold a beer or wine festival in which they provide the sponsor with beer or wine dispensing or cooling equipment and a brand-logoed tent.

House Bill 5391, Impose regulations on electric skateboards: Passed 96 to 13 in the House

To prohibit riding an electric skateboard at a speed greater than 25 mph, and ban riding one on a street with a speed limit greater than 25 mph. The bill defines electric skateboard as one that is “no more than 60 inches long and 18 inches wide, is designed to transport only 1 person at a time, has an electrical propulsion system with power of no more than 2,500 watts, and has a maximum speed on a paved level surface of not more than 25 miles per hour.” Riders could go on streets subject to the same rules as bicycles.

Senate Bill 297, Mandate electrician have proof of licensure while on job: Passed 89 to 20 in the House

To mandate that an electrician on a job must show a government official or inspector a photo ID and evidence of licensure status if ordered. Also, to only allow an individual to get a "master electrician" license if an individual has at least 12,000 hours of experience in related work under the supervision of a master electrician, and has held an electrical journeyman's license for at least two years.

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 www.MichiganVotes.org.

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