Senate Bill 1253: Limit state health department epidemic orders without legislative approval: Passed 22 to 16 in the Senate
To restrict emergency orders issued by state Department of Health and Human Services in response to an epidemic to 28 days unless an extension is approved by the legislature.
House Bill 5679: Remove retroactive restrictions from sex offender registry law and more: Passed 21 to 17 in the Senate
To revise the state’s public sexual offender registry law in response to a court ruling that banned enforcing new registrations, restrictions and requirements on individual registrants if these were not in force when the individual was required to register. The bill also adds some new restrictions and requirements.
House Bill 6190: Extend public swimming pool regulations to private ‘learn to swim’ facilities: Passed 37 to 1 in the Senate
To impose the same state regulations that apply to a “public swimming pool" to private "learn to swim facilities,” defined as a swimming pool used primarily for a member-based swim instruction business.
House Bill 4042: Authorize interstate nurse licensure compact: Passed 21 to 17 in the Senate
To authorize Michigan’s participation in an interstate nurses licensure compact that would allow registered nurses (RNs) and licensed practical/vocational nurses (LPNs/VNs) to get a multi-state license that is good in all states that join the compact.
House Bill 4187: Expand data breach response requirements: Passed 38 to 0 in the Senate
To establish detailed rules for personal information data breaches that create a substantial risk of identity theft or fraud, including notice requirements, reporting requirements, guidelines, penalties and more for businesses, associations and state agencies.
House Bill 5856: Repeal minimum sentences in various laws: Passed 38 to 0 in the Senate
To eliminate mandatory minimum sentences for many violations of the state’s environmental protection laws. This is part of a legislative criminal law reform package that makes similar changes in other laws.
House Bill 5846: Repeal drivers license suspension penalty in many laws: Passed 38 to 0 in the Senate
To repeal provisions that authorize the state to revoke, suspend or deny an individual’s drivers license for violations of a large number of laws, many unrelated to driving or vehicles. This is part of a bipartisan legislative package that makes similar changes in other laws.
House Bill 4488: Limit using criminal background to bar occupational licensure: Passed 38 to 0 in the Senate
To limit the use of criminal records to determine whether an individual is eligible to get an occupational license mandated by the state, which is required to earn a living in many professions. Specifically, with some exceptions a licensing board or agency could not consider past civil judgments or lawsuits against an individual, or the mere fact of a criminal conviction, as evidence of a “lack of good moral character." This is one of several bills amending different license laws.
Senate Bill 1256: Restrict county road commission power to regulate and tax “5G”: Passed 36 to 2 in the Senate
To include county road commissions in a 2018 law that caps the amount the state and local governments can charge for zoning, permits and other fees imposed on these "5G" networks. The bill would limit the power of county road commissions to regulate and tax this industry.
Senate Bill 1215: Authorize local government bridge operation deals with developers: Passed 94 to 15 in the House
To establish rules for a city that contracts with a private developer (a “public-private partnership”) to build and operate a toll bridge for as long as 75 years. This is said to be focused on Bay City.
Senate Bill 1251: Borrow money for Flint water contamination settlements: Passed 103 to 5 in the House
To authorize borrowing $600 million to resolve and settle claims for the Flint water contamination litigation, as part of a settlement agreement. Senate Bill 1252 specifies annual payments of $35 million through 2050-51 fiscal year.
Senate Bill 1105: Create alternative tax for multi-acre industrial solar installations: Passed 73 to 34 in the House
To exempt large industrial solar energy arrays covering many acres from the state “personal property tax,” and instead levy a tax on an installation equal to $3,500 per megawatt of the solar panels’ nominal “nameplate capacity,” with the revenue allocated to different taxing units using the same formula as regular property taxes. The Senate Fiscal Agency estimates the bill would likely reduce local collections by a modest amount, but that state school tax receipts potentially could be reduced.
House Resolution 342: Subpeona Detroit and Livonia clerks for 2020 election irregularities information: Passed 58 to 51 in the House
To grant the House Standing Committee on Oversight the authority to issue subpoenas, administer oaths and examine books and records of persons, agencies or institutions related to the 2020 primary and general elections. The committee issued subpoenas to the Livonia and Detroit clerks on the same day the resolution was adopted.
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By Jack McHugh
