Senate Judiciary Bills

The Senate Judiciary Committee met Wednesday for the first time since before summer break. In their meeting, more than 15 bills were reported to the Senate floor, including an expansion on the state’s Good Samaritan Law.

The Good Samaritan Law would be changed to ensure individuals under 21 are not prosecuted for use or possession of certain controlled substances in the event that emergency services are required for a person who overdoses or needs medical attention from drug use. HB 5649 and HB 5650 allow the exemption for drug possession to apply to a person of any age and include any controlled substance or controlled substance analogue. Senator Patrick Colbeck (R-Canton Township) was the only no vote.

The committee also reported SB 1027, a bill to ban registered sex offenders from working in organizations that directly serve survivors of sexual assault. Senator Curtis Hertel Jr. (D-East Lansing), sponsor of the bill, believes sex offenders should have the opportunity to give back to their community, but protection of survivors should be of more importance. The bill was reported by a vote of 4-0 with Senator Steve Bieda (D-Warren) absent.

SB 1022, sponsored by Senator Rick Jones (R-Grand Ledge), was reported unanimously as well. The bill requires a law enforcement agency to maintain a record of the reasons and circumstances surrounding a law enforcement officer’s separation of service with the agency. The bill also allows the officer to review the record and be able to submit a responding statement if there are any disagreements.

posted by PAA Online , Friday, July 15, 2016 10:08 AM
LINK DIRECTLY TO THIS ARTICLE

Unemployment Agency Bill

The House Oversight and Ethics Committee reported a bill on Wednesday to change how the Unemployment Insurance Agency deals with potential fraud.

HB 4982 aims at shortens the statute of limitations and requires the use of certified mail to contact claimants and prohibs certain discrepancies from being identified solely by a computer. The Unemployment Insurance Agency would also be required to implement a program to provide advocacy assistance to claimants or employers upon request. Cases of identity fraud under the bill would be exempt from the three-year statute of limitations and the UIA is required to communicate the rights and responsibilities of claimants to them after two weeks and again at six months after collecting benefits.

Delaney McKinley with the Michigan Manufacturers Association spoke in opposition of the bill, specifically to the provision allowing an additional 30 days given to a claimant to appeal the fraud determination as well as the certified mail requirement. Committee members maintained their support and reported the bill unanimously.

posted by PAA Online , 10:08 AM
LINK DIRECTLY TO THIS ARTICLE

Business Tax Negative

The state’s Single Business Tax, Michigan Business Tax and Corporate Income Tax all came in negative for the third consecutive month and the sixth time in the last eight months.

In total, the revenue came out at negative $6.1 million in June 2016. Nearly all collections were below expected levels, with the Michigan Business Tax collecting $50.7 million below expectations. The Corporate Income Tax collected $114.3 million, a 5.2 percent drop from last year’s amount. The General Fund was $85 million below, while the School Aid Fund collections were $1.2 million above forecasted levels.

Individual income tax refunds were up 5.8 percent, which contributed to the negative revenue according to a report by the Senate Fiscal Agency. Also contributing was the lack of collections from the use tax, as those were down 23.2 percent from last year.

posted by PAA Online , 10:07 AM
LINK DIRECTLY TO THIS ARTICLE

Berrien County Courthouse Shooting

An inmate wrestled a firearm from a bailiff in the Berrien County Courthouse on Monday. Three were confirmed dead, including the shooter.

Reports from the scene state an inmate grabbed the firearm, shot a number of people in the courthouse before being killed. Two bailiffs were killed and a Berrien County sheriff’s deputy and another individual were injured in the shooting. Berrien County Sheriff Paul Bailey confirmed the report in a press release late Monday afternoon and announced his office will work with the Berrien County Homicide Task Force, the Department of State Police, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, and the Saint Joseph City Department of Public Safety to investigate the situation.

Governor Rick Snyder went to St. Joseph to be briefed on the matter shortly after 5 p.m. Several legislators and other figures offered their condolences to the city as well as the victims and their families.

posted by PAA Online , 10:07 AM
LINK DIRECTLY TO THIS ARTICLE

PAAdvisory Briefs

Lauren Plawecki

Lauren Plawecki, daughter of late Representative Julie Plawecki, was the only Democrat to file in the special election primary following her mother’s unexpected death last month. Republican Robert Pope of Garden City has also filed for the race, however traditionally the 11^th District has voted Democratic. A special election primary was originally scheduled, but given there are only two candidates it has been canceled and the special general election will be held on November 8^th.

Grether to DEQ

Heidi Grether has been named the head of the Department of Environmental Quality by Governor Rick Snyder. Interim Director Keith Creagh is returning to his position as director of the Department of Natural Resources. She is currently the deputy director of the Michigan Agency for Energy. Ms. Grether will assume the post on August 1.

Energy Emergency Extended

A release from Governor Rick Snyder’s office announced the federal government approved an extension to Michigan’s energy emergency until September 9. The extension is intended to ensure truck drivers transporting fuel across the state can do so in a timely manner. This is the second extension in response to the shutdown of the West Shore Pipeline in Wisconsin.

Vreibel New DHHS Chief Deputy

Nancy Vreibel will take over as chief deputy director for the Department of Health and Human Services on July 18. She is replacing Tim Becker, who resigned last week to become the executive vice president of the Hope Network. Ms. Vreibel has 40 years of experience in state government, including having helped oversee budget development from both the administrative and legislative side and previously served at the Department of Community Health.

posted by PAA Online , 10:02 AM
LINK DIRECTLY TO THIS ARTICLE

This Week's Newsletter

Past Newsletters