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By Jack McHugh
Senate Bill 54, Ban using a drone to interfere with hunters: Passed 38 to 0 in the Senate
To prohibit using an aerial drone to interfere with or harass a person who is hunting. This would expand an existing law that bans interfering with or harassing hunters. Senate Bill 55 bans using a drone for hunting and also passed unanimously.
Who Voted “Yes” and Who Voted “No”
Senate Bill 53, Expand “gun free zone” concealed pistol exception: Passed 37 to 1 in the Senate
To revise the “gun free zone” provision of the concealed pistol permit law to exempt retired federal law enforcement officers who carried a firearm during their employment. This provision prohibits regular citizens who have received a permit after meeting the background check and training requirements from carrying a pistol in specified places including schools, bars, restaurants, churches, arenas and more.
Who Voted “Yes” and Who Voted “No”
House Bill 4110, Revise school aid budget: Passed 62 to 48 in the House
To shift funding sources in the current year school budget to compensate for lower than expected balances in the state general fund. This is due to higher than expected payouts to corporations granted selective “tax credit” deals lasting up to 20 years by the previous administration (in many cases these are actually cash subsidies). This unexpected draw-down in some state accounts is happening despite revenue collections actually rising faster than spending this year. The bill also reduces previously authorized spending to reflect lower than expected school enrollment, and suspends payments intended to “catch up” on underfunding of the school employee pension system.
Who Voted “Yes” and Who Voted “No”
Senate Bill 44, Hold GOP presidential primary on March 8, 2016: Passed 72 to 38 in the House
To hold the Republican presidential primary election on March 8, 2016, rather than Feb. 23 as currently authorized.
Who Voted “Yes” and Who Voted “No”
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.
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