Inside 208

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”, [...]

Last week the House Local Government Committee reported on House Bill 4939, a bill that would allow a department head to serve as a city manager. The legislation was prompted by a community in Rep. Knezek’s district where the police chief if serving as interim city manager. Under the current [...]

CALL MISS-DIG. Under the legislation passed unanimously today by the House Energy & Technology Committee a local unit of government faces penalties if they do not call the MISS-DIG system when beginning a project that involves digging. If a local unit does call MISS-DIG there is no liability. This morning [...]

Today the House Commerce Committee passed HB 4996, the crowdfunding legislation on a 17-1 vote.  This legislation now moves to the house floor. HB 4996, a creative approach to economic development, will allow the sales of securities to an unlimited number of non-accredited investors, provided the issuer registers with the State [...]

Last week the League presented our Partnership for Place proactive legislative agenda to the legislature’s Talent and Place caucus. The newly formed caucus is a bi-partisan group of legislators seeking to increase awareness about the importance of attracting and retaining talent as well as placemaking. The caucus tracks nicely with [...]

Last week the House Local Government Committee heard testimony on House Bill 4939, a bill that would allow a department head to serve as a city manager. The legislation was prompted by a community in Rep. Knezek’s district where the police chief if serving as interim city manager. Under the [...]

Lats week the House Local Government Committee passed House Bill 4624, a bill that would make a full-time firefighter’s ability to work as a firefighter in another community a prohibited subject of bargaining.The legislation is supported by the fire chiefs and the Michigan Townships Association. The League is opposed to [...]