Category Archives: Legislative Link Articles

Package of Bills Dealing with “Squatters” Taken Up In House Committee

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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 or more for a one family home or $100,000 or more for a two family home and relieve the landlord from damage liability for unlawful interference when dealing with a squatter.  The sponsor (Rep. Kurt Heise, Plymouth) stressed this was in no way trying to give landlords more power in evicting tenants.  This was to deal with squatters only, those who take up residents in a location without a lease, title, etc.

Committee members had concerns with the SEV threshold and many felt that should be eliminate; squatting is squatting regardless of the SEV. Additionally, there was some concern regarding this being a felony.

This package of legislation is scheduled for another committee hearing this week.

Nikki Brown is a legislative associate for the League handling economic development issues.  She can be reached at nbrown@mml.org or 517-908-0305.

Bill Allowing Communities to Combine Election Activities Passes House Committee

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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 handle election administration duties such as handling absent voter ballot applications/ballots and processing voter registrations and maintenance of the qualified voter file.  Two communities (city or township) could also enter into a contract to prepare and conduct election day operations.  The governing body of each of the participating units would have to approve the action by resolution in order for the written agreement to be entered into.  A local unit can terminate this agreement with 60 days written notice to the other participating party.

This legislation also allows a local governmental unit to approve the bureau of elections or a county, city or township to handle an election if the office of the clerk becomes vacant in close proximity to an election.

Nikki Brown is a legislative associate with the League handling economic development issues.  She can be reached at nbrown@mml.org or 517-908-0305.

Crowdfunding Legislation Moves Out of House Commerce Committee

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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 of Michigan.  Any Michiganders who do not fit the federal definition of an accredited investor are given the opportunity to support their local entrepreneurs, existing small businesses, and real estate investments.

The city of Adrian has passed a resolution in support of HB 4996.  If you are interested in doing something similar, here is a copy of that resolution: crowdfundingresolution.

A big thank you to Rep. Jenkins and staff, the city of Adrian, and all those involved in working so diligently on this and putting forth a product that can be a positive economic driver for the state of Michigan.

Nikki Brown is a legislative associate for the League.  She can be reached at nbrown@mml.org or 517-908-0305.

Michigan Local Government Benchmarking Consortium to Host Conference

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Michigan Local Government Benchmarking Consortium’s Benchmarking for Success Conference will take place on Tuesday, December 3 at the Lansing Center from 9;30 am to 4:00 pm. This one-day conference opens with a conversation on Local Fiscal Crisis, Bankruptcy, and Emergency Managers with Eric Scorsone, Extension Specialist, Michigan State University and the Honorable Dayne Walling, Mayor of Flint. Other topics include benchmarking and best practices, and the general macroeconomic outlook and implications for Michigan local governments. A detailed agenda and registration information can be found here.

John LaMacchia is a Legislative Associate for the League handling transportation and infrastructure issues. He can be reached at jlamacchia@mml.org or 517-908-0303.

Vulnerable Roadway User Legislation Pedals Forward

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House Criminal Justice Committee this week voted out HB 5080. This bill would increase the penalties for a driver who committed a moving violation that injured a killed a vulnerable roadway user on a roadway who was in compliance with the vehicle code.

A vulnerable roadway user is defined a pedestrian, a wheelchair user, a bicyclist, or a person operating a transportation device that is in compliance with the Michigan Vehicle Code such as an electric assist bicycle or wheelchair.

Also moving the week was HB 4866 which would add an outward extended right arm as an allowable indicator for a right hand turn while riding a bicycle. This legislation in moving on to the Senate after being voted unanimously out of the House.

The Michigan Municipal League Supports both of these bills.

John LaMacchia is a Legislative Associate for the League handling transportation and infrastructure issues. He can be reached at jlamacchia@mml.org or 517-905-0303.

SAW Grant Application Now Available

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The Michigan Department of Environmental Quality has released the finalized application for SAW Grants. A link to the application can be found here. We encourage each community to carefully consider applying for the grants and to keep a few things in mind while doing so. Consider the implication it may have on your ability to negotiate the terms and conditions of future permits, consider how accepting the grant could affect your flexibility in maintaining your systems in the future, and the short term and long term affect it could have on your community and the services it provides.

John LaMacchia is a Legislative Associate for the League handling transportation and infrastructure issues. He can be reached at jlamacchia@mml.org or 517-908-0303.

Drainage District Legislation Voted Out of House Local Government Committee

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With the support of the Michigan Municipal League HB 4622 was pass out of House Local Government Committee without opposition today. This legislation would set an additional process to review changes to drainage district boundaries that would not utilize the board of determination.

The League advocated for, and received, language that would require the use of the new review process or the use of a board of determination for any change, large or small, to the boundaries of a drainage district. Under the new process notice must be provided to each of the municipalities within the changing drainage district, notification must be publish in the newspaper that a revision and review of the boundary will be taking place, and any change in the boundary must be supported by substantial, material, and competent evidence.

John LaMacchia is a Legislative Associate for the League handling transportation and infrastructure issues. He can be reached at jlamacchia@mml.org or 517-908-0303.

ORV Legislation Signed by the Governor

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With the help of the Michigan Municipal League the Governor signed three pieces of legislation that improve access and local control over the use of ORVs in Michigan.

Senate Bill 50 would allow the DNR to create free ORV riding days. These would be similar to the free fishing weekends currently established by the DNR and would allow riders to use Michigan’s trail system without purchasing a license.

House Bill 4284 would establish a process for local units of government to approach MDOT with a request allowing ORV use on State Trunklines within their jurisdiction. It would also limit MDOTs ability to designate State Trunklines for ORV use for the purpose of connecting trails for access to food, fuel, or lodging, without consulting with the affected local units of government.

House Bill 4299 would expand the ability of a local unit of government to pass an ordinance allowing or preventing the use of ORVs on roadways under their jurisdiction in all 83 counties.

Through discussion with the sponsors of these bills all of the League’s requests to protect local control were met resulting in support from the League on these bills.

John LaMacchia is a Legislative Associate for the League handling transportation and infrastructure issues. He can be reached at jlamacchia@mml.org or 517-908-0303.

Scrap Tire Grants Available Through DEQ

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The Department of Environmental Quality announced the availability of grant applications for the fiscal year 2014 Scrap Tire Market Development Program and the Scrap Tire Cleanup Program.

The Scrap Tire Market Development Program Grants are available to reimburse up to 50 percent of the cost of purchasing scrap tires to support the development of increased markets for scrap tires. Grants are also available to reimburse up to 50 percent of the cost of purchasing equipment and/or for research and development to provide for a new or increased use for scrap tires. More information can be found here.

FY14 Market Development PRESS RELEASE

The Scrap Tire Cleanup Grant Program is available to property owners with abandon scrap tires or scrap tires at collection sites. The DEQ will give priority to funding activities at collection sites where the scrap tires were accumulated prior to January 1, 1991, and collection sites that pose an imminent threat to public health, safety, welfare, or the environment. More information can be found here.

FY14 Cleanup Grant PRESS RELEASE

John LaMacchia is a Legislative Associate for the League handling transportation and infrastructure issues. He can be reached at jlamacchia@ml.org or 517-908-0303.

 

Crippling Rental Inspection Legislation Hearing Likely

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A bill that would severely cripple local rental inspection programs could see a hearing on Wednesday, October 2 at 3:00 pm in the Senate Local Government and Elections committee.  SB 313 (Senator Dave Robertson, R-Grand Blanc) makes multiple changes to the Michigan Housing Law. The legislation limits both registration fees and inspection fees for rental inspections as well as change the timeline for inspections to not less than 6 years but no longer than 10 years. The bill would also require an inspector to inform the lessee of their right to refuse an inspection and request and obtain permission from the lessee to inspect.

The League has expressed opposition to similar legislation in the past, and will oppose this bill as well.  Here is a memo to Senator Robertson with our concerns: SB313 Memo SenRobertson_RentalHousing_edits

If you are interested in testifying next week or providing feedback on SB 313, please feel free to contact me.

Nikki Brown is a legislative associate for the League handling economic development and land use issue. She can be reached at nbrown@mml.org or 517-908-0305.