Inside 208

The conference committee charged with crafting a new federal transportation authorization act met for the first time last week. And although the first meeting was more about ceremonial introductory statements by members of the committee, a willingness to negotiate was noted by all. Behind the scenes, staff is working on ironing...

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 Mayor Richard Root. Mayor Root is retiring after serving as...

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 agreement deals with the design, construction, alteration, repair or maintenance...

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 organizations on this issue in the past several days. Late...

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 use from being covered by personal injury protection (PIP) in...

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” as an exception to governmental immunity and specifically defines acts...

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 would establish that a supplemental tax bill is not issued...

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 kb) This legislation seeks to open State Police communication towers...

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 rescission for “foreclosure entities.” The League opposed the bill as...

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 the last week, regarding issues with the bill. It is...