To exempt owners of private general aviation aircraft from having to pay sales tax on parts. Fiscal agency projections indicate this and a related use tax exemption will save aircraft owners $4 million annually, and reduce state revenue by the same amount.
House Bill 5902, Allow cross-subsidization of utility rates for Dow solar-cell maker: Passed 35 to 1 in the Senate
To allow the indefinite continuation of special discounted electricity rates granted by Consumers Energy to the Hemlock Semiconductor subsidiary of Dow Corning, which under a 2010 law was exempted from a ban on cross-subsidization between residential and commercial/industrial customers.
Senate Bill 704, Protect tourism marketing bureau tax from lawsuit: Passed 27 to 9 in the Senate
To amend and potentially expand a law that authorizes private convention and tourism bureaus in various regions to impose a room tax on local hotel and motel owners to support tourism marketing programs. The bill was introduced after the progress of a Mackinac Center Legal Foundation lawsuit appeared to place the authority of these private bureaus to impose the fees in legal jeopardy.
Senate Bill 919, Clarify that the operator is liable for drone crimes: Passed 36 to 0 in the Senate
To define unmanned aerial drones as “an extension of the person” for purposes of assigning responsibility for criminal misuse. Bills have been introduced to essentially add "it's also illegal if done with a drone" provisions to various criminal statutes, and this bill would make that presumption automatic.
Senate Bill 1023, Impose training mandate on used (but not new) car dealers: Passed 35 to 1 in the Senate
To mandate that existing and prospective used car dealers - but not new car dealers - complete a training program as a condition of getting a required state license, and also impose a continuing education requirement on used car dealers.
House Bill 5548, Authorize electronic voter registration: Passed 107 to 0 in the House
To require the Secretary of State to develop a system for online voter registration, which would work for individuals who already have a drivers license or state ID card. Individuals who register this way would have to vote in person in their first election (rather than with an absentee ballot).
House Bill 6011, Enroll state in multistate driver license compact: Passed 105 to 2 in the House
To enroll Michigan in a national driver license compact that shares traffic violation records with other states. Under the compact, a traffic violation in another state would generate "points" on a Michigan driver's license, and vice versa.
Senate Bill 477, Mandate 10 mph speed reduction when passing emergency vehicles: Passed 107 to 0 in the House
To require drivers to slow to 10 mph below the posted speed limit when passing police or emergency vehicles on the side of the road, and also require this when passing roadside tow trucks, garbage trucks, maintenance and utility vehicles that have amber lights flashing. Violations would be a civil offense subject to a $400 fine. The bill does not define which posted limit on freeways would apply (the one for cars, for trucks, for work-zones, etc.).
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