House Bill 5040, "Driver responsibility fees” repeal and amnesty: Passed 36 to 0 in the Senate

To repeal the “driver responsibility fees” that are assessed for various traffic violations in addition to the fine for the violation itself. This and related bills would go into effect on Sept. 30, 2018, and would also clear any outstanding liability an individual may have to pay these fees, and allow reinstatement of drivers licenses suspended for non-payment with no charge. These very expensive fees were originally adopted in 2003 to increase state revenue collections.

House Bill 5040, "Driver responsibility fees” repeal and amnesty: Passed 109 to 0 in the House

The House vote on the bill described above.

Senate Bill 748, Increase Michigan income tax personal exemption: Passed 36 to 0 in the Senate

To increase the $4,000 personal exemption that is currently allowed under the Michigan state income tax. The bill would immediately increase it to $4,050, and then gradually to $4,900 by 2021, with inflation adjustments thereafter. Taxpayers can claim a personal exemption for themselves, their spouse and each dependent, and these are subtracted from the amount of income that is subject to income tax.

Senate Bill 748, Increase Michigan income tax personal exemption: Passed 107 to 2 in the House

The House vote on the bill described above.

House Bill 5220, Increase allowable pepper spray concentration: Passed 88 to 21 in the House

To revise a prohibition on the use of pepper spray with more than a 10 percent oleoresin capsicum concentration in the reasonable defense of one's person or property. The bill would increase the maximum concentration to 18 percent, and allow the formulas to contain an ultraviolet dye. Reportedly, 45 other states allow 18 percent pepper spray concentrations.

Senate Bill 400, Increase tax imposed to pay for 9-1-1 cell phone services: Passed 98 to 11 in the House

To increase taxes imposed to pay for local 9-1-1 emergency phone service for cell phones. A monthly state user fee (tax) would go up from 19 cents to 25 cents per device, and the tax on pre-paid service from 1.92 percent to 5 percent.

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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