BILL PACKAGE HBs 4375-4376:  Provides sales and use tax exemptions on the trade-in value for electronic devices.

Sponsors:  Reps. Frisbie (R) & Snyder (D)                          

Passages:  71-33 with Immediate Effect

Why I voted YES: This protects consumers from double taxation – as sales and use taxes were already paid on the device upon initial purchase, the value of the trade-in should not be taxed as well.

– – –

HB 4747:  Provides an income tax deduction for contributions to a 529 plan.

Sponsor:  Rep. Tisdel (R)                           

Passage:  72-32 with Immediate Effect

Why I voted YES: We should be encouraging saving for education, whether that is in Michigan’s plan or through a different plan.

– – –

HB 4484:  Codifies the existing Medicaid reimbursement for licensed Speech-Language Pathologists.

Sponsor:  Rep. Fox (R)                

Passage:  102-1 with Immediate Effect

Why I voted YES: The bill would protect speech-language pathologists from changing department policy.

– – –

BILL PACKAGE HBs 4690 & 4691:  Would add new mandatory minimum sentences to the crimes of fleeing and eluding police, 1st – 4th degrees.

Sponsors:  Reps. Linting (R) & Mueller (R)                         

Passages:  59-44 with Immediate Effect

Why I voted YES: Proponents of the bill may argue that, when police attempt to stop a vehicle, and the person operating the vehicle flees, the high speeds and erratic driving associated with the flight from police often leads to injury or death for innocent bystanders. Local law enforcement and prosecutors believe that the current penalty schedule for this offense is insufficient to deter this inherently dangerous conduct.

– – –

HB 4422:  Increases the fee paid by the Michigan Liquor Control Commission (MLCC) to authorized distribution agents (ADAs).

Sponsor:  Rep. Wendzel (R)                     

Passage:  93-10 with Immediate Effect

Why I voted YES: The ADA fee has not kept pace with inflation, and this change is necessary to help offset rising fuel and labor costs.

– – –

HB 4823:  Makes updates to the Liquor Code, including defining nonalcoholic beer under the definition of “beer”, modifying the definition of “brand”, and promotional beer offerings.

Sponsor:  Rep. Aragona (R)                      

Passage:  100-3 with Immediate Effect

Why I voted YES: This updates the Liquor Control Code to more accurately reflect today’s market with nonalcoholic beer, mixed spirit drinks, and wine coolers.

– – –

HB 4824:  Amends the definition of “brand” and “brand extension to clarify and ensure distributors maintain exclusive rights to distribute products that fall under the same brand.

Sponsor:  Rep. Bierlein (R)                       

Passage:  99-4 with Immediate Effect

Why I voted YES: Distributors spend time and money promoting brands, and this helps preserve their brand equity.

– – –

HB 4045:  Would enact the “Uniform Public Expression Protection Act.” This new act would address lawsuits that are known as Strategic Lawsuits Against Public Participation (“SLAPP” lawsuits).

Sponsor:  Rep. Hope (D)                            

Passage:  103-0 with Immediate Effect

Why I voted YES: Proponents of the bill may argue that individuals’ First Amendment rights should be protected, and that the law should discourage lawsuits designed to silence individuals who petition their government for redress of grievances.

– – –

HB 4666:  Would remove references to “colored persons” and “white persons” within a section of the Insurance Code.

Sponsor:  Rep. B. Carter (D)                     

Passage:  104-1 with Immediate Effect

Why I voted YES: Removing offensive, outdated language from the MCL is a worthy endeavor.

– – –

HB 4665:  Requires a public school to consider a student’s absence from school to be excused if the student is attending an approved agricultural event and is in good academic standing.

Sponsor:  Rep. Witwer (D)                        

Passage:  101-4 with Immediate Effect

Why I voted YES: Students spend a lot of time and talent preparing for these events so allowing the absence to be excused would be beneficial for them and for agriculture in general.

– – –

BILL PACKAGE HBs 4793-4795:  Eliminate the requirement for regular and intermediate school board members, as well as community college board of trustee members, to file an acceptance of office.

Sponsors:  Reps. Hoadley (R), Rigas (R), & Smit (R)                     

Passages:  105-0 with Immediate Effect

Why I voted YES: Having to file an acceptance of office, when an official oath of office is already required, is not only redundant to candidates who won a schoolboard or trustee election, but it is also burdensome. The oath of office already gives sufficient accountability to these candidates, as it does for candidates of every other political office, and any extra piece of paperwork is unnecessary. By removing the acceptance of office, the clerical process becomes streamlined and clear, and the people of Michigan will be represented by the candidate whom they voted for.

– – –

HB 4039:  Amends the Administrative Procedures Act of 1969 to require that for each rule an agency proposes, at least 2 existing rules must be rescinded.

Sponsor:  Rep. Outman (R)                      

Passage:  59-46 with Immediate Effect

Why I voted YES: This bill aims to make Michigan more competitive by improving the regulatory environment, which is a determining factor for many businesses when choosing where to operate.