House Bill 4729: Authorize COVID-19 epidemic response spending: Passed 37 to 0 in the Senate on March
To appropriate $125 million for state response activities to the coronavirus epidemic, with $50 million going to the state Department of Health and Human Services and $75 million to the Department of Technology, Management and Budget to be distributed to relevant programs.
House Bill 4729: Authorize COVID-19 epidemic response spending: Passed 92 to 0 in the House
The House vote on the epidemic response funding bill described above.
Senate Bill 718: Expand roadside drug testing pilot program: Passed 28 to 9 in the Senate
To revise a 2016 law that ordered a roadside drug testing pilot program in five counties by extending it to the entire state.
House Bill 4908: Increase cap on state housing subsidy debt: Passed 35 to 2 in the Senate
To increase to $5 billion the current $3.4 billion cap on the amount of debt backed by the Michigan State Housing Developing Authority, which subsidizes housing developer borrowing.
Senate Bill 592: Allow "double dipping" for corrections pensioners: Passed 37 to 0 in the Senate
To allow "retired" state prison employees to collect a pension while also getting paid to do corrections work as an independent contractor, or employed by one. Versions of this law are often passed when government agency employees who are permitted to begin collecting full pensions at a comparatively early age take advantage of this rather than continuing to work until a more typical retirement age.
House Bill 5576: Gov. Whitmer’s “Michigan Reconnect” scholarship proposal: Passed 35 to 2 in the Senate
To authorize a college and trade school grant program for individuals age 25 and above, with grants in the amount needed to cover tuition and fees for career-oriented classes at a community college that is above the amount covered by other scholarships and government aid. It would also authorize one-time grants of $1,500 for completing a private apprenticeship program. This is the “Michigan Reconnect” program proposed by Gov. Gretchen Whitmer in her 2019 State of the State address, and is projected to cost $46.3 million.
Senate Bill 268: Gov. Whitmer’s “Michigan Reconnect” scholarship proposal: Passed 81 to 12 in the House
The House version of this proposal, whose provisions will likely be divided among two or more bills.
House Bill 5024: Let townships impose property tax for mosquito control: Passed 72 to 21 in the House
To permit townships to impose a 1 mill property tax for six years for mosquito abatement if voters approve, which would let these governments use existing tax revenue to pay for other spending instead.
House Bill 4910: Criminalize false emotional support animal claim: Passed 59 to 33 in the House
To make it a crime to falsely represent to a housing provider that a person has a disability or is in possession of an emotional support animal prescribed by a licensed medical service professional, and permit a housing provider to require reliable documentation to confirm this. The bill would also establish procedures, standards and required credentials (including state licensure) for a medical professional prescribing an “emotional support animal.” Falsely claiming this status, or falsely prescribing for it, would be subject to fines, jail or community service.
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By Jack McHugh
