Inside 208

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has announced they are extending the deadline for comments regarding their proposed “Waters of the U.S.” rule until October 20th. The proposed rule would change the definition of “Waters of the U.S.” in the Clean Water Act, which determines jurisdiction of water bodies under the...

This morning the House Tax Policy Committee considered HB 4245, a bill that would exempt eligible renewable energy systems from real property taxes. The League testified in opposition of this legislation. The legislation was introduced by Rep. Daley as a result of concerns he heard from farmers in his district...

Yesterday the House Local Government Committee continued a discussion regarding online legal notices. Last week the committee heard testimony from various groups including the League. For several years the League has been trying to pass legislation that would allow communities to publish legal notices online. The committee took up several...

Information has been recieved from the National Association of Telecommunication Officers and Advisors (NATOA) regarding denial of security attacks and an extortion scheme targeting US 911 centers. The materials come from the US Department of Homeland security and discuss the problem and local officials’ role in the solution. This information...

The MPSC issued its sixth annual status of competition for video services in Michigan as required by the Uniform Video Services Local Franchise Act (Public Act 480 of 2006). The MPSC made three recommendations to the legislature: changing the due date of the annual report to March 1 from February...

This afternoon the Senate Judiciary Committee unanimously passed Senate Bills 7 and 8, bills that would allow publication on a newspaper’s website if there were not other options available to the local unit of government. While the League is neutral on this legislation, we continue to push for a larger...

You have an opportunity to help improve the accuracy of the National Broadband Map (NBM). The FCC recently released a request for comments to update and correct the Map.  Comments are due January 4, 2013; reply comments are due January 22, 2013. This is NOT an opportunity to simply complain...

The House of Representatives passed SB 1291 and 1292, bills that would provide for regulation of a new product on the market that allows any web access device to be used to remotely control security and other devices (heater/air conditioner, etc) in a home or business.  While the senate passed...

UPDATE: The Senate has passed these bills. SB 1083 (S-4) and HB 1084 (S-1) each passed on a 26-12 vote. The Senate will be taking up SB 1083 and SB 1084 today. The bills as passed by the Senate Energy and Technology Committee rewrite the MISS-DIG Act to create a...

Governor Snyder today released a Special Message from the Governor to the Michigan Legislature on Ensuring our Future: Energy and the Environment. The message includes sections on:– Energy including efficiency, production, and transmission; – Environment, including land, water, invasive species, and a water plan You can read the Special Message...