November 23, 2012, MichiganVotes.org Weekly Roll Call

Y = Yes, N = No, X = Not Voting

The House and Senate did not meet this week, so rather than votes, this report instead contains several recently introduced bills of interest.

Senate Bill 1340: Increase fine for illegally shooting deer with big antlers

Introduced by Sen. Phil Pavlov (R), to increase the amount of restitution a person must pay for shooting a deer out of season or without a proper license if the animal has big antlers, with the penalty amount based on how big the antlers are. Referred to committee, no further action at this time.

Senate Bill 1345: Retain DNA profile from all felony arrests

Introduced by Sen. Rick Jones (R), to permanently retain in a state database DNA sample “profiles” taken from anyone arrested for an alleged felony offense, even if the person is not convicted. Referred to committee, no further action at this time.

2012 Senate Bill 1350: Allow wolf hunting season 
Introduced by Sen. Tom Casperson (R), to authorize a gray wolf hunting season. Referred to committee, no further action at this time.

Senate Bill 1355: Authorize online horserace gambling

Introduced by Sen. Roger Kahn (R), to allow "advance deposit account betting” on Michigan horse races, in which an individual may establish an account to place bets in person, via telephone, or electronically. The bill establishes licensure, regulations and fees for entities wishing to provide this type of gambling. Referred to committee, no further action at this time.

Senate Bill 1363: Allow higher residential utility rates to subsidize Hemlock Semiconductor

Introduced by Sen. Roger Kahn (R), to allow the indefinite continuation of the special electricity rates granted by Consumers Energy to the Hemlock Semiconductor subsidiary of Dow Corning, which under a 2010 law were exempted from a ban on making residential customers pay more so industrial customers can pay less. Hemlock was one of the recipients of extensive state subsidies granted by the previous two legislatures to “renewable” energy companies. Referred to committee, no further action at this time.

Senate Bill 1366: Create new layer of “metropolitan” governments

Introduced by Sen. Steve Bieda (D), to establish a new layer of government in addition to the state, county and municipal governments, called “metropolitan” governments. The bill would create a state “metropolitan authority” and council to develop, promote and execute the creation of this kind of government. Referred to committee, no further action at this time.

House Bill 5880: Establish utility customer use self-reporting option

Introduced by Rep. Paul Opsommer (R), to require utilities to implement a system for allowing customers to read their own meters and self-report electricity or gas use. Utilities would still check meters themselves once per year, and would be prohibited from charging extra to allow this option. The option would remain available only for customers who are regular and “reasonably accurate” in their reporting. Referred to committee, no further action at this time.

House Bill 5881: Allow pension double-dipping by some “retired” prison workers
Introduced by Rep. Joseph Haveman (R), to exempt certain former prison employees from a law that restricts simultaneously collecting state pension and retirement benefits and a paycheck for current work in the Department of Corrections. Specifically, the exception would apply to retirees paid on a per-diem basis for a limited term with no (additional) benefits, who work less than 1,040 hours annually (the equivalent of 26 40-hour weeks). Referred to committee, no further action at this time.

House Bill 5894: Ban mandating “common core standards” in public schools
Introduced by Rep. Tom McMillin (R), to prohibit the Michigan state Board of Education from implementing the “common core standards” promoted by the “Common Core State Standards Initiative” associated with the National Governor Association and the Council of Chief State School Officers. Also, to require the board to rescind its adoption of those standards in a 2010 resolution. Referred to committee, no further action at this time.

House Bill 5895: Create open records law compliance commission
Introduced by Rep. Paul Opsommer (R), to create a state commission comprised of lawmakers and media representatives to investigate complaints about the state and local governments compliance with the Freedom Of Information Act, including fees charged and exemptions or exclusions claimed. The commission could refer complaints to the state Attorney General or issue opinions which in some cases may be binding.

House Bill 5900: Authorize certain lawsuit liability waiver for recreational activity
Introduced by Rep. Jud Gilbert (R), to establish that a participants in a recreational activity, coaches, organizers, sponsors, teams or leagues are not liable for lawsuit damages from the injury or death of another participant, except in cases of willful or wanton misconduct. Referred to committee, no further action at this time.

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 https://www.michiganvotes.org.