House Bill 4386: Expand open records law to governor’s office: Passed 109 to 0 in the House

To repeal the exemption in the state Freedom of Information Act for records held by the governor and lieutenant governor’s offices and staff, subject to a broad range of exceptions. These exceptions include records related to gubernatorial appointments; sanctions on judges; pardons, reprieves and commutations; executive budget preparations; deficit-related spending cuts; the annual state-of-the-state address; records subject to executive privilege; communications with constituents; and information related to security, employee personal information and more.

House Bill 4383: Expand open records law to legislators and governor’s office: Passed 109 to 0 in the House

To extend the Freedom of Information Act to legislators, whose offices are currently exempt, subject to a broad range of exceptions and exemptions. This is part of a package comprised of House Bills 4383 to 4392.

Senate Resolution 31: Denounce Attorney General's refusal to investigate nursing home deaths: Passed 20 to 15 in the Senate

To denounce the decision by Attorney General Dana Nessel to not investigate the governor's nursing home policy early in the coronavirus epidemic, along with the data that was reported on deaths in nursing homes, and to encourage county prosecutors to pursue independent investigations.

House Bill 4210: Authorize selective tax breaks for some "broadband" companies: Passed 59 to 50 in the House

To exempt “broadband equipment” used by certain internet providers specified in the bill from personal property taxes levied on business tools and equipment.

House Bill 4171: Expand cancer liability presumption to more government jobs: Passed 106 to 3 in the House

To extend to ”forest fire officers" and “fire/crash rescue officers” a presumption that certain types of cancer arose out of and in the course of employment, for purposes of granting workers compensation benefits to these employees. A 2014 law did this for paid firefighters, and House Bill 4172 would expand that to volunteer firefighters.

House Bill 4115: Authorize 4:00 a.m. liquor licenses: Passed 61 to 47 in the House

To allow local governments to permit on-premises liquor sales in bars and restaurants between the hours of 2 a.m. and 4 a.m. If a municipality did allow this, a bar or restaurant would need to apply to the state Liquor Control Commission for a special license and pay $250 each year.

Senate Bill 209: Revise physician liability in seatbelt notes from doctor: Passed 20 to 15 in the Senate

To establish that a physician is not liable for civil damages that result from not providing a written verification that an individual is unable to wear a seat belt in a car or wear a helmet where that is required for ORVs, snowmobiles, etc.

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