Inside 208

The Michigan House and Senate each passed new language that was substituted into SB 865. The bill would give communities in a financial emergency the option of (1) having a state-appointed emergency manager, (2) going into Chapter 9 bankruptcy, (3) mediation or (4) a consent agreement.  The Governor is expected...

The Legislature passed the final two pieces of the Regional Transit Authority (RTA) legislation for Metro Detroit in the marathon lame duck session.  SB 912 would exempt the RTA from local zoning. SB 967 would require communities to provide access to rights-of-way for the system. Governor Snyder is expected to...

The Legislature has sent to the Governor SB 59, which deals with concealed weapons in gun free zones. This legislation will allow concealed weapons in most areas that had previously been considered no-carry zones such as schools, day care centers and churches. The CCW holder would need additional training and...

The Legislature has passed and sent SB 1210 and SB 1328 to the Governor for his signature. These bills makes a number of changes to Brownfield Refinancing and NREPA Parts 147, 196, 201, and 213 . The League indicated support for this legislation. One of the major changes that it...

The Legislature has passed HB 5466 and sent it to the Governor for his signature. This bill will prohibit a public entity from requiring a contractor, architect, engineer, or surveyor to defend the public entity or any other party from liability claims  or to indemnify the public entity or other...

The Legislature has sent legislation to the Governor that would expand the current state-based Strategic Water Quality Initiatives Loan Program for communities. These bills will provide more flexibility and expanded options for those municipalities that need to fix its sewers and water pipes. This legislation will create a grant program designed to...

Early Friday morning the Legislature passed a package of bills that reform the personal property tax. These bills contain significant changes over previous versions, and as a result the League took a neutral position. The bills are on the way to the Governor for his signature. The League participated in...

We’re hearing some members of the House of Representatives today, on the FINAL day of session, are proposing a whole new plan on personal property tax. We’re hearing this new plan will exempt ALL new personal property tax from local taxation as of January 1, 2013. This plan has NO...

The Senate today passed HB 5302, which is intended to be part of the “best practices” requirements for local units of government. The most recent copy of the bill passed committee offers much more flexibility for local road agencies. The bill in now headed to the House Floor. The version passed...

Legislation that would have eliminated background checks for people buying firearms from unlicensed sellers passed the Senate today but was amended to address some concerns of mayors and law enforcement. HB 5225 seeks to streamline the process for pistol permits by repealing the state’s “permit to purchase” system and eliminating...