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May 11, 2012

Long-time Kentwood Mayor Richard Root Honored for Years of Government Service

Kentwood Mayor Richard Root (center with his wife Karleen at his side) is honored by fellow Grand Rapids-area officials Thursday. KENTWOOD, Michigan - The League's Summer Minnick and I had the pleasure to attend a luncheon Thursday honoring long-time Kentwood…

May 11, 2012

Indemnification bill passes House Judiciary Committee

Yesterday the House Judiciary Committee passed HB 5466, a bill that would expand the anti-indemnification statute to apply to construction contracts with public entities. The bill would prohibit an indemnification agreement between a public entity and a contractor if the…

May 10, 2012

Senate Makes Significant Changes to Personal Property Tax Bills, League Responds With Neutral Position

LANSING, Michigan - Today (May 10, 2012), the Michigan Senate made significant changes to SBs 1065-1072, the package of bills which exempt significant portions of personal property taxes. The League participated in many negotiations with key Senate Republicans and other local government…

May 9, 2012

Senate passes its own medical marijuana package

Yesterday the Senate passed three bills that would address issues with medical marijuana. Senate Bill 505 would prohibit an individual from being a caregiver if he or she has been convicted of a felony. SB 321 would prohibit medical marijuana…

May 8, 2012

Governmental immunity exception receives hearing in Senate committee

This afternoon the Senate Energy & Technology committee held testimony on SB 1084, a bill that creates an exeption to governmental immunity for a municipal corporation with respect to its obligations under the MISS-DIG Act. The bill redefines "proprietary function"…

May 8, 2012

House Tax Policy Committee Takes Up Two Assessment Notification/Error Bills

This Wednesday, the House Tax Policy Committee is taking up HBs 4860 and 4861. HB 4860 increases penalties for failure to notify the assessing office of a transfer of ownership. The League is in support of this bill. HB 4861…

May 8, 2012

House committee considers limiting public colocation

This morning the House Energy & Technology Committee heard testimony on HB 5342, a bill that would inhibit local colocation on State Police communication towers. The latest substitute before the committee was the (H-4) version available here: HB 5342_h4.pdf (18.36…

May 8, 2012

Treasury Puts Out Info Regarding Changes to Principal Residence Exemption

Last week, the Department of Treasury put out information regarding the new law, PA 114 of 2012, which makes changes to the Principal Residence Exemption. The law was SB 349 and it creates an addition filing deadline and creates a conditional…

May 8, 2012

Senate Considers Voting on Personal Property Tax Package This Week

LANSING, Michigan - The Michigan Senate has listed the eight-bill package to repeal a significant portion of the personal property tax (SBs 1065-1072) on their agenda this week as tentative. There are many discussions that have been taking place over…

May 8, 2012

House Passes Bill to Increase Tribunal Interest Rates

Last week, the House of Representatives passed HB 5340, sponsored by Rep. Gilbert (R - Algonac). The bill would increase the interest rate paid on properties from Tax Tribunal judgments. The new interest rate from July 1, 2012 forward would be…

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