FOCUS: Legislature Passes Michigan Business Tax
SB 94, legislation to enact the Michigan Business Tax, was approved by both chambers on June 28. The legislation was passed on a 32-3 vote in the Senate and a 75-34 vote in the House. Final amendments to the bill included language to address concerns raised by contractors and limited liability corporations. SB 94 was one bill in a five-bill package that restructures how businesses are taxed. Technical amendments are anticipated in follow-up legislation.

Read Legislative Analysis 

Related News:
State Lawmakers Finalize Business Tax Plan
(Lansing State Journal, 6/29/07)

Business Tax Replacement Gets Approval
(Detroit News, 6/29/07)

State Lawmakers Finalize Business Tax
(AP, 6/29/07)

In the Capitol
The Michigan legislature is adjourned on June 28 for the July 4 holiday. Both the House and Senate were not scheduled to return until July 12 but revised session schedules announced last week include the House returning to session on July 10 and the Senate with tentative session days on July 10 and 11.

Complete Committee Meeting List

New Public Acts

Legislation Introduced 6/26 – 6/28
Of General Interest
HB 4981 Natural resources; other; easements across state owned land; revise policy for granting. Amends secs. 2123 & 2124 of 1994 PA 451 (MCL 324.2123 & 324.2124).

HB 4989 Environmental protection; water pollution; CAFOs; provide for private civil actions against. Amends 1994 PA 451 (MCL 324.101 - 324.90106) by adding sec. 8635. TIE BAR WITH: HB 4983'07, HB 4984'07, HB 4985'07, HB 4986'07, HB 4987'07, HB 4988'07, HB 4990'07, HB 4991'07

HB 4993 Insurance; no-fault; rate-making oversight and review; provide for. Amends secs. 2106, 2108, 2109, 2110, 2114 & 2127 of 1956 PA 218 (MCL 500.2106 et seq.) & adds sec. 2109a.

HB 4994 Insurance; no-fault; notice and statute of limitations; provide for general amendments. Amends secs. 3141 & 3145 of 1956 PA 218 (MCL 500.3141 & 500.3145).

HB 4995 Insurance; no-fault; medical expenses paid from damages recovery; provide for reimbursement. Amends 1956 PA 218 (MCL 500.100 - 500.8302) by adding sec. 3136.

HB 4996 Insurance; no-fault; minimum residual bodily injury coverage amounts; increase. Amends sec. 3009 of 1956 PA 218 (MCL 500.3009).

HB 4997 Insurance; no-fault; case management, incurred expenses, work loss, and home care services; provide for general amendments. Amends sec. 3107 of 1956 PA 218 (MCL 500.3107) & adds sec. 3107c.

HB 4998 Insurance; no-fault; duty to deal fairly; provide for general amendments. Amends 1956 PA 218 (MCL 500.100 - 500.8302) by adding sec. 3149.

HB 4999 Insurance; no-fault; rates, residual liability insurance, personal protection insurance, home care coverage, coordinated benefits, uninsured motorist coverage, threshold standards, notices, statute of limitations, and duty to deal fairly; provide for general amendments. Amends secs. 2106, 2108, 2109, 2110, 2114, 2127, 3009, 3103, 3107, 3109a, 3135, 3141, 3145 & 3177 of 1956 PA 218 (MCL 500.2106 et seq.) & adds secs. 2109a, 3107c, 3136, 3149 & 3160.

SB 607 Labor; collective bargaining; right to work state; create. Creates new act. TIE BAR WITH: SB 0608'07

SB 608 Labor; collective bargaining; collection of service fee from unrepresented public workers; disallow. Amends sec. 10 of 1947 PA 336 (MCL 423.210). TIE BAR WITH: SB 0607'07

SB 622 Mental health; code; contracting with third parties for corrections mental health services for prisoners; allow. Amends sec. 1003 of 1974 PA 258 (MCL 330.2003).

SB 624 Elections; primary; presidential primary process; revise. Amends secs. 613a, 614a, 615a, 624g, 641 & 759a of 1954 PA 116 (MCL 168.613a et seq.); adds secs. 615c & 759c & repeals secs. 562b, 618, 619 & 620a of 1954 PA 116 (MCL 168.562b et seq.).

SB 625 Elections; primary; presidential primary process; revise. Amends secs. 613a, 614a, 615a, 624g, 641 & 759a of 1954 PA 116 (MCL 168.613a et seq.); adds secs. 615c & 759c & repeals secs. 562b, 618, 619 & 620a of 1954 PA 116 (MCL 168.562b et seq.).

In the Hall of Justice
Juror Appreciation Month to be Celebrated by Courts Across Michigan: Jurors Honored for Role in Democracy
Supreme Court to study jury reform proposals through pilot project courts.

State News
GOP Leader Demands Deal from Granholm
(Lansing State Journal, 6/29/07)

Granholm: Lawmakers Should Take Pay Cut
(Lansing State Journal, 6/29/07)

Senate Moves on Retiree Reform
(Detroit News, 6/27/07)

Links of Interest
Public Policy Resource Center | Michigan Supreme Court | Michigan Legislature | MCL Search Engines