Inside 208

The Michigan House of Representatives passed the crowdfunding legislation, HB 4996, with 108 yes votes and 0 no votes!  It moves one step closer to full passage and assisting a segment of our economy that will prove to be huge economic drivers, those new small businesses and those wishing to [...]

The package of blight bills related to communities who have administrative hearings bureaus, SB 35-39, passed the House Local Government committee on Thursday. If you recall, financial institutions and credit unions are exempt from the enhanced penalties outlined in the legislation. However, and amendment was added stating that any entity [...]

HB 5037, a bill to require local inspectors hold tenants responsible for violations that occur in the area that is under their control received a hearing in the House Local Government committee last week.  This legislation would also state that liens and other sanctions shall not be added onto the [...]

On November 13, 2013, the Michigan Chapter of the National Brownfield Association is presenting a program on the newest developments on brownfield issues in Michigan. The program will be held at the Lansing Center, 333 E. Michigan Avenue, Lansing, MI 48933. Program speakers will include representatives of both the Michigan [...]

Currently state statute prohibits angled parking on state trunklines in Michigan. As more and more communities look to reinvent their downtown’s there is a great need for flexibility to help create vibrant and livable spaces. Many of our cities and villages across Michigan have state trunklines that are a main [...]

This afternoon the Senate Energy & Technology held a hearing on Senate Bill 314, a bill that would lift the yard waste ban for landfills that meet certain criteria. This is, however, a community option. The League is supportive of this legislation as we have for the last few legislative [...]

HB 4494 sponsored by Representative Joe Graves was taken up for testimony in House Local Government Committee. This bill would limit a municipalities ability to retroactively charge a sewer tap-in fee to two years from the time a building permit is issued. The Michigan Municipal League has some serious concerns [...]

A package of bills to assist in dealing with “squatting,” a growing problem throughout the state, was taken up in the House Criminal Justice committee for testimony only.  HB 5069, 5070 and 5071 would collectively make it a felony for a squatter to occupy a home with an SEV of $50,000 [...]

A bill to allow local communities to enter into written agreements with other local governmental units for election activities passed the House Ethics and Election Committee.  HB 4878 would allow a city or township clerk to enter into a written contract with the county or another city or township to [...]

Last week the House Financial Liabilities Reform Committee heard a second week of testimony on a package of bills, Senate Bills 541-545, that make positive clarifying changes to PA 152 of 2011, the Publicly Funded Health Insurance Contribution Act. Senate Bill 541 would amend the definition of “medical benefit plan”, [...]