New Legislation Slated For E-Cigarettes As Compromise Builds

The bills addressing the sale of e-cigarettes to minors are being held in the enrollment process while a compromise is being struck in the form of new bills pertaining to the issue. Governor Snyder is interested in the idea of e-cigarette and other nicotine delivery products regulation being similar to the regulation of other tobacco products. Due to the Governor’s stance on the issue House Bill 4997 as well as Senate Bills 667 and 668, which do not regulate e-cigarettes as if they are tobacco products, have not been presented to him even though all of the bills have been enrolled in their respective chambers.

Senate Majority Leader Randy Richardville (R-Monroe) has said that he expects action will take place in August on the new bills. The spokesperson for House Speaker Jase Bolger (R-Marshall), Ari Adler, verified that a compromise is in the works and added that the new bills will most likely start in the Senate.

Both chambers held session on Wednesday; however, neither chamber voted on any bills. The next scheduled session day for both chambers is August 13.

posted by PAA Online , Friday, July 18, 2014 10:20 AM
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Richardville Introduces Wide-Ranging Tobacco Tax Change

On Wednesday, legislation that would categorize alternative nicotine products and e-cigarettes as smokeless tobacco as well as initiate a tax on these products was introduced by Senate Majority Leader Randy Richardville (R-Monroe). The tax on vapor products that would be established by this legislation is 15 cents per 1.5 milliliters and a proportional rate on all fractions of 1.5 milliliters. Senate Bill 1018 would also change the way in which loose tobacco is taxed to 53 cents per ounce from the current ad volume rate of 32 percent. The bill will also create a 15 cent per 500 milligrams and proportionate rate tax on nicotine products meant to be consumed.

Mr. Richardville’s spokesperson, Amber McCann, said that SB 1018 is a piece in the compromise between the Legislature and the Governor regarding e-cigarettes. The Governor has leaned towards treating the e-cigarettes as tobacco products so taxing them may be a way to get the Governor to sign the bills. Mr. Richardville said that Governor Snyder has met with the tobacco industry and is meeting with other groups who hold interest in the bill to determine if the new bills are a good compromise.

Currently smokeless tobacco, non-cigarette smoking tobacco, and cigars are taxed at 32 percent of the wholesale price causing opponents of the bill to deem the bills as a tax cut for tobacco companies. The anti-tobacco industry sees the new classification for e-cigarettes as a win for tobacco companies and as e-cigarettes receiving an exemption to the rules.

posted by PAA Online , 10:20 AM
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Richardville: Transportation Work Group Likely to Meet in August

Senate Majority Leader Randy Richardville (R-Monroe) announced Tuesday that a six-person work group has been selected to explore transportation funding, truck weight fines, and other related topics. The team is expected to meet for the first time in August. Majority Leader Richardville, Majority Floor Leader Arlan Meekhof (R-West Olive), Senator Mike Kowall (R-White Lake Township), Minority Leader Gretchen Whitmer (D-East Lansing), Senator Rebekah Warren (D-Ann Arbor), and Senator Bert Johnson (D-Highland Park) will make up the group. The House of Representatives is not expected to be involved in the discussion at this time.

According to Mr. Richardville, the Senators that make up the group are all genuinely interested in solving the infrastructure problem. Spokesperson for Ms. Whitmer, Bob McCann, agreed that all members in the group are willing to discuss solutions to the problem, but he added that Senate Democrats are still focused on making sure that a tax hike would not burden low-income Michigan residents.

Mr. McCann continued saying that the decision to join the work group does not mean that Senate Democrats are committing to any solutions.

posted by PAA Online , 10:19 AM
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Senate Panel Approves Medical Marijuana Bills

The Senate Government Operations committee met Wednesday and reported two bills, on a 3-1 vote, that would allow medical marijuana dispensaries and create regulations for them. The substitute for House Bill 4271 would give protection from criminal and civil sanctions to dispensaries as well as registered patients and primary caregivers. The bill also gives municipalities the power to permit dispensaries as well as require these establishments to test their marijuana for pesticides, fungi, and mold.

The substitute for HB 5104 would legalize the use of medical marijuana through edible and topical forms. It would also set out labeling guidelines and outline that any transmission of medicinal marijuana to a non-registered patient is a felony punishable by up to two years in prison and $2,000.

Senate Majority Leader Randy Richardville (R-Monroe), who chairs the Government Operations committee, said that he wants to see the bills signed by the Governor but acknowledged that the bills will go through significant changes before being brought up on the Senate floor.

The committee heard testimony from citizens who supported and opposed the bill for a variety of reasons as well as from the State Police who questioned the safety of dispensaries and why the bills did not address more safety concerns. Jim Powers from Pediatric Cannabis Therapy supported the bills saying that some patients who qualify for medicinal marijuana need marijuana in a smoke-free form.

posted by PAA Online , 10:15 AM
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House Appropriations Oks Community Service in Lieu of Driver Fees

The House Appropriations Committee met Wednesday and reported Senate Bill 633 allowing for community service to be accepted as payment for delinquent Driver’s Responsibility Fees. The $150 and $200 fines were eliminated in 2012, but according to the House Fiscal Agency around $103.5 million is still owed to the state. Ten hours of community service would be required for each assessment.

The bill would require the Department of State to make community service forms available in their offices, online, and at the Department of Treasury. Treasury would be required to mail a notice informing those owing a responsibility fee of the new option. The person owing the money would be required to mail the form back to the Department of Treasury by December 31, 2015. After the Department of State is notified that the community service option has been chosen, the person would be required to complete the community service in a 45-day span.

posted by PAA Online , 10:15 AM
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Unemployment Rate Unchanged In June

The State’s unemployment rate was unchanged in June finishing at 7.5 percent; however, total employment fell by 3,000 people. This decrease in employment marked the first time since August of last year that the State has seen a decline in the workforce.

posted by PAA Online , 10:14 AM
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Quote of the Week

“We know that 90 percent of the felons in our prisons are former children.”

-Rep. Debbie Stabenow, 1982.

posted by PAA Online , 10:14 AM
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