Under the Dome - What to Watch for in Lansing
A weekly look at the happenings in Michigan's state capital.
REVIEW
Passed in the House
June 1 – June 5, 2009
SB 280 – A bill to revise restricted and prohibited species lists. Given the enormous problem of invasive species in Michigan this bill would amend Part 413 (Transgenic and Nonnative Species) of the Natural Resources and Environmental Protection Act to do the following:
* Remove yellow flag iris (Iris pseudacorus) and a hybrid or genetically engineered variant of yellow flag iris from the definition of "prohibited species".
* Expand the definition to include particular bird, crustacean, mammal, and mollusk species, in addition to fish, insect, and aquatic plant species.
* Add certain aquatic plant and fish species to the definition.
* Include in the definition of "restricted species" particular mollusk species.
* State legislative intent regarding criteria for listing an organism as a prohibited or restricted species.
* Delete a sunset date on annual reporting requirements
The bill has been returned to the Senate for final passage.
Passed in the Senate
June 1 – June 5, 2009
HB 4286 – A bill to provide for no net loss of hunting land under state control. This has been transmitted to the Governor for her signature. She is expected to sign it.
HB 4579 - A bill to revise restricted and prohibited species lists. This is similar to SB 280.
PREVIEW
On the Floor of the Senate
June 8 -12, 2009
SB 388-89 – Bills that place of vehicles registration a $10.00 fee for annual state park registration on all bills for car titles in Michigan.
SB 418 - A bill to increase funding for Centers of Energy Excellence Program.
In Senate Committee:
Appropriations: Environmental Quality Subcommittee will meet on Wednesday (6/10) at 3:00 pm for a testimony by Steve Chester, Director of the Department of Environmental Quality and public comment.
Energy Policy and Public Utilities will meet on Thursday (6/11) at 1:00 pm for two presentations:
* Presentation on the "Status of Telecommunications Competition in Michigan" report by the Michigan Public Service Commission
* Presentation on the proposed report of the Michigan Wind Energy Resource Zone Board
Natural Resources and Environmental Affairs will meet on Wednesday (6/10) at 1:00 pm for an advice and consent hearing on the appointments of Mr. Timothy Nichols and Mr. Frank Wheatlake to the Commission on Natural Resources.
On the Floor of the House
June 8 – June 12, 2009
HB 4677 - 4678 – Bills that would change the ways we fund state parks. Instead of daily and annual permits, a fee of $10 would be placed on the bill when you register your vehicle. Your Michigan license plate would become your passport for using state facilities. A person could opt out of paying the $10 by certifying that they do not use state recreation areas.
HB 4610 – A bill to regulate and promote the use of horses in state recreational land. Some areas that have been closed to use by horses (due to erosion and other issues) would be re-opened.
HB 4887 – A bill to allow installation of renewable energy devices on agricultural property and not jeopardize favorable tax treatment.
HB 4940-1 – Bills to prohibit the reuse of certain medical equipment and supplies; prohibit, and provide penalties and sentence guidelines for violations.
HB 4520 – A bill to allow cities to create central city districts (for special assessment purposes.
SB 349 - A bill to remove the limit on amount the department may discount the price of license.
SB 490 – A bill to create a self-insured program for Mackinac bridge authorit
In House committee:
Energy and Technology will meet Tuesday (6/9) at 9:00 am for a presentation by the Michigan Public Service Commission on the Implementation of the Renewable Portfolio Standard and the Energy Optimization Plans set by Public Act 295 of 2008
Health Policy will meet on Tuesday (6/9) at 10:30 am to take up:
* HB 4161 – Remove prohibition on dispensing a prescription for a controlled substance received via electronic means from a physician prescriber in a state other than Michigan.
* HB 4476, HB 4183 – Bills to provide that health care corporations provide coverage for certain treatments related to autism.
Tax Policy will meet on Wednesday (6/10) at 9:00 am for presentations regarding tax policy by:
* Michigan League of Human Services.
* Michigan Manufacturers Association.
* Dr. Charles Ballard.
Transportation will meet Tuesday (6/9) at 3:00 pm (or after session) to take up:
* HB 4962 – A bill to enhance the scope of asset management program.
* HB 4963 – A bill to expand a transit asset management plans.
* HR 106 - A resolution to memorialize the Congress of the United States to rectify the imbalance in federal transportation funding that has consistently put Michigan near the bottom of the 50 states in the percentage of federal transportation tax dollars returned to this state each year.
* Presentation by the County Road Association of Michigan on the status of transportation funding
* Presentation by the Michigan Municipal League on the status of transportation funding
Urban Policy will meet on Friday (6/19) at 2:30 pm at the Historic East Lake Baptist Church 12400 E. Jefferson Ave. Detroit, MI 48215 for a presentation on Urban Grocery Stores given by United Food Commercial Workers.
