On a nearly party-line vote, the House of Representatives passed House Bill (HB) 4158 Wednesday, repealing the law that requires most retail items to be individually priced. Six Democrats (Representatives Tim Bledsoe (D-Grosse Pointe), Harold Haugh (D-Roseville), Lesia Liss (D-Warren), Tim Melton (D-Auburn Hills), Roy Schmidt (D-Grand Rapids) and Maureen Stapleton (D-Detroit) joined all 63 Republican caucus members in what ended up being a 69-41 final vote tally.
HB 4158, sponsored by Representative Lisa Lyons (R-Alto) still requires retailers to place signs displaying the price near every item sold, but no-longer requires each item to be individually priced. Added to the support of retailers and grocers was the AAR P and Attorney General Bill Schuette who’s office will received $100,000 under the measure to educate the public on the changes in statute.
Republicans hold out that the measure sends a positive message about the new manner in which the State Government will treat business. The bill will now move to the State Senate.