No. 32

STATE OF MICHIGAN

Journal of the Senate

93rd Legislature

REGULAR SESSION OF 2005

Senate Chamber, Lansing, Tuesday, April 19, 2005.

10:00a.m.

The Senate was called to order by the President, Lieutenant Governor John D. Cherry, Jr.

The roll was called by the Secretary of the Senate, who announced that a quorum was not present.

Allen--present Emerson--present Olshove--present

Barcia--excused Garcia--present Patterson--present

Basham--present George--present Prusi--present

Bernero--present Gilbert--present Sanborn--present

Birkholz--present Goschka--present Schauer--present

Bishop--present Hammerstrom--present Scott--present

Brater--present Hardiman--present Sikkema--present

Brown--present Jacobs--present Stamas--present

Cassis--present Jelinek--present Switalski--present

Cherry--present Johnson--present Thomas--excused

Clark-Coleman--present Kuipers--present Toy--present

Clarke--present Leland--present Van Woerkom--present

Cropsey--present McManus--present

Father Stanley Wyczawski of St. Mary's Church of Port Huron offered the following invocation:

This morning being the 10th anniversary of the bombing in Oklahoma City and being the celebration of the conclave in Rome choosing a new pope, there is an awful lot of prayer going on. Prayer is a great energy, I believe, and a great force. Adam Clark once wrote, "Praying is like plugging a lamp cord into an electrical outlet. Plugging the cord into the outlet does not create the electrical power, but it simply makes contact with it. It enables power to flow from the outlet through the cord into the lamp. It is the same with praying. Praying does not create divine power; it simply makes contact with it. It enables the divine power to flow from God through us into the lives of other people. Prayer requires more of the heart than of the tongue."

As legislators, as citizens of Michigan, whatever job you have, whether it is an aide, a janitor, a priest, or a cardinal in Rome, it doesn't make much difference. Prayer is the energy by which we operate and we communicate with our God, a loving God, whether we know Him as Adonai, whether we know Him as Allah, or whether we know Him as Jesus Christ. Prayer is the power that motivates and helps our lives to integrate and stay firmly together. This morning we want to remember especially those who have survived the Oklahoma City bombing, and we pray especially for them.

To the Son we pray. Heavenly Father, fill us with the power of prayer. May Your energy channel through us, that through our prayer we can offer love and concern to others. Help those who have survived the Oklahoma City bombing and make them whole again. Remove all bitterness and all fear from their lives.

Make all of us greater signs of Your love, and we ask this of You, our God, in Your name, forever and ever. Amen.

The President, Lieutenant Governor Cherry, led the members of the Senate in recital of the Pledge of Allegiance.

Recess

Senator Hammerstrom moved that the Senate recess subject to the call of the Chair.

The motion prevailed, the time being 10:05a.m.

10:42a.m.

The Senate was called to order by the President, Lieutenant Governor Cherry.

During the recess, Senators Sanborn, Brown, Johnson, Hardiman, Van Woerkom, Cassis, Stamas, Kuipers, McManus, Toy, Bishop, George, Sikkema, Jelinek, Garcia, Cropsey, Goschka, Allen and Birkholz entered the Senate Chamber.

A quorum of the Senate was present.

Motions and Communications

Senator Schauer moved that Senators Barcia and Thomas be excused from today's session.

The motion prevailed.

Senator Clarke asked and was granted unanimous consent to make a statement and moved that the statement be printed in the Journal.

The motion prevailed.

Senator Clarke's statement is as follows:

This is a relatively sad day for me. Today is the last day of Alan Mlynek, who is an intern in our office. He's a junior at the University of Michigan. And even though he is an undergraduate, he has helped me substantially with drafting legislation that I will be introducing sometime soon to help protect workers in the workplace.

I would like to acknowledge all the hard work that Alan Mlynek has done for me and for the citizens of the 1st Senatorial District.

The following communications were received:

Department of State

Administrative Rules

Notices of Filing

March 25, 2005

In accordance with the provisions of Section 46(1) of Act 306, Public Acts of 1969, as amended, and Executive Order 1995-6, this is to advise you that the Office of Regulatory Reform, Legal Division filed at 3:50p.m. this date, administrative rule (05-03-01) for the Department of Labor and Economic Growth, Office of Financial and Insurance Services entitled "Clarification of Reasonable Classification System under Insurance Code," effective 7 days after filing with the Secretary of State.

March 29, 2005

In accordance with the provisions of Section 46(1) of Act 306, Public Acts of 1969, as amended, and Executive Order 1995-6, this is to advise you that Michigan Department of Labor & Economic Growth, State Office of Administrative Hearings and Rules filed at 11:45a.m. this date, administrative rule (05-03-02) for the Department of Environmental Quality, Water Bureau entitled "Part 21. Wastewater Discharge Permits," effective 7 days after filing with the Secretary of State.

March 29, 2005

In accordance with the provisions of Section 46(1) of Act 306, Public Acts of 1969, as amended, and Executive Order 1995-6, this is to advise you that Michigan Department of Labor & Economic Growth, State Office of Administrative Hearings and Rules filed at 11:47a.m. this date, administrative rule (05-03-03) for the Department of Environmental Quality, Water Bureau entitled "Supplying Water to the Public-Part 1. General Provisions," effective 7 days after filing with the Secretary of State.

March 29, 2005

In accordance with the provisions of Section 46(1) of Act 306, Public Acts of 1969, as amended, and Executive Order 1995-6, this is to advise you that Michigan Department of Labor & Economic Growth, State Office of Administrative Hearings and Rules filed at 11:49a.m. this date, administrative rule (05-03-04) for the Department of Environmental Quality, Water Bureau entitled "Supplying Water to the Public-Part 3. Variances and Exemptions," effective 7 days after filing with the Secretary of State.

March 29, 2005

In accordance with the provisions of Section 46(1) of Act 306, Public Acts of 1969, as amended, and Executive Order 1995-6, this is to advise you that Michigan Department of Labor & Economic Growth, State Office of Administrative Hearings and Rules filed at 11:51a.m. this date, administrative rule (05-03-05) for the Department of Environmental Quality, Water Bureau entitled "Supplying Water to the Public-Part 6. State Drinking Water Standards and Analytical," effective 7 days after filing with the Secretary of State.

March 29, 2005

In accordance with the provisions of Section 46(1) of Act 306, Public Acts of 1969, as amended, and Executive Order 1995-6, this is to advise you that Michigan Department of Labor & Economic Growth, State Office of Administrative Hearings and Rules filed at 11:53a.m. this date, administrative rule (05-03-06) for the Department of Environmental Quality, Water Bureau entitled "Supplying Water to the Public-Part 7. Surveillance, Inspection and Monitoring," effective 7 days after filing with the Secretary of State.

March 29, 2005

In accordance with the provisions of Section 46(1) of Act 306, Public Acts of 1969, as amended, and Executive Order 1995-6, this is to advise you that Michigan Department of Labor & Economic Growth, State Office of Administrative Hearings and Rules filed at 11:55a.m. this date, administrative rule (05-03-07) for the Department of Environmental Quality, Water Bureau entitled "Supplying Water to the Public-Part 15. Operation Reports and Recordkeeping," effective 7 days after filing with the Secretary of State.

March 29, 2005

In accordance with the provisions of Section 46(1) of Act 306, Public Acts of 1969, as amended, and Executive Order 1995-6, this is to advise you that Michigan Department of Labor & Economic Growth, State Office of Administrative Hearings and Rules filed at 11:57a.m. this date, administrative rule (05-03-08) for the Department of Environmental Quality, Water Bureau entitled "Supplying Water to the Public-Part 27. Laboratory Certification," effective 7 days after filing with the Secretary of State.

Sincerely,

Terri Lynn Land

Secretary of State

Robin Houston, Office Supervisor

Office of the Great Seal

The communications were referred to the Secretary for record.

The following communications were received:

Department of Human Services

April 11, 2005

Pursuant to Section 1002 of P.A. 344 of 2004, we are enclosing a copy of the following report:

Type of ReportFacilityReport #License #

Special Investigation Cheboygan County DHS 2005C0102008 CP160201035

This report was performed in compliance with the requirements of P.A. 116 of 1973 as amended, and the Administrative Rules for Child Caring Institutions. The report may also be viewed on our website, within 48 hours, under "News, Publications & Information" at the following address: http://www.michigan.gov/fia/.

If you have any questions regarding this information, please feel free to contact Miriam E.J. Bullock at 517-373-8383.

April 11, 2005

Pursuant to Section 1002 of P.A. 344 of 2004, we are enclosing a copy of the following report:

Type of ReportFacilityLicense #

Renewal Presque Isle County DHS CP710201368

This report was performed in compliance with the requirements of P.A. 116 of 1973 as amended, and the Administrative Rules for Child Caring Institutions. The report may also be viewed on our website, within 48 hours, under "News, Publications & Information" at the following address: http://www.michigan.gov/fia/.

If you have any questions regarding this information, please feel free to contact Miriam E.J. Bullock at 517-373-8383.

Sincerely,

Marianne Udow

The communications were referred to the Secretary for record.

The following communications were received:

Office of the Auditor General

April 14, 2005

Enclosed is a copy of the following audit report:

Performance audit of Solid Waste Disposal and Scrap Tire Program Activities, Waste and Hazardous Materials Division, Department of Environmental Quality.

April 15, 2005

Enclosed is a copy of the following audit report:

Performance audit of Bellamy Creek Correctional Facility, Department of Corrections.

April 15, 2005

Enclosed is a copy of the following audit report:

Performance audit of Chippewa Correctional Facility and Straits Correctional Facility, Department of Corrections.

April 15, 2005

Enclosed is a copy of the following audit report:

Performance audit of the Center for Forensic Psychiatry and Related Bureauwide Reimbursement Activities, Bureau of Hospitals, Centers, and Forensic Mental Health Services, Department of Community Health.

Sincerely,

Thomas H. McTavish, C.P.A.

Auditor General

The communications were referred to the Secretary for record.

The Secretary announced that the following House bills were received in the Senate and filed on Thursday, April 14:

House Bill Nos. 4082 4242 4570

The Secretary announced the enrollment printing and presentation to the Governor on Monday, April 18, for her approval the following bill:

Enrolled Senate Bill No.194 at 10:58a.m.

The Secretary announced that the following official bills were printed on Thursday, April 14, and are available at the legislative website:

Senate Bill Nos. 372 373 374 375 376 377 378 379 380 381

House Bill Nos. 4592 4593 4594 4595 4596 4597 4598 4599 4600 4601 4602 4603 4604 4605 4606 4607 4608

The Secretary announced that the following official bills were printed on Friday, April 15, and are available at the legislative website:

Senate Bill Nos. 382 383 384 385 386 387 388 389 390

House Bill Nos. 4609 4610 4611 4612 4613 4614 4615 4616 4617 4618 4619 4620 4621 4622

Messages from the House

Senator Hammerstrom moved that consideration of the following bills be postponed for today:

Senate Bill No.171

Senate Bill No.174

The motion prevailed.

Senate Bill No.235, entitled

A bill to make, supplement, and adjust appropriations for certain capital outlay programs and state departments and agencies for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2005; to implement the appropriations within the budgetary process; to prescribe standards and conditions relating to the appropriations; and to provide for the expenditure of appropriations.

The House of Representatives has passed the bill and ordered that the bill be given immediate effect.

The question being on concurring in the committee recommendation to give the bill immediate effect,

The recommendation was concurred in, 2/3 of the members serving voting therefor.

The bill was referred to the Secretary for enrollment printing and presentation to the Governor.

By unanimous consent the Senate proceeded to the order of

General Orders

Senator Hammerstrom moved that the Senate resolve itself into the Committee of the Whole for consideration of the General Orders calendar.

The motion prevailed, and the President, Lieutenant Governor Cherry, designated Senator Scott as Chairperson.

After some time spent therein, the Committee arose; and, the President pro tempore, Senator Birkholz, having assumed the Chair, the Committee reported back to the Senate, favorably and without amendment, the following bills:

House Bill No.4012, entitled

A bill to amend 1986 PA 281, entitled "The local development financing act," by amending sections 4 and 16 (MCL 125.2154 and 125.2166), section 4 as amended by 2000 PA 248.

House Bill No.4013, entitled

A bill to amend 1980 PA 450, entitled "The tax increment finance authority act," by amending sections 3 and 17 (MCL 125.1803 and 125.1817), section 3 as amended by 1983 PA 148.

The bills were placed on the order of Third Reading of Bills.

The Committee of the Whole reported back to the Senate, favorably and with amendments, the following bill:

House Bill No.4227, entitled

A bill to amend 1966 PA 261, entitled "An act to provide for the apportionment of county boards of commissioners; to prescribe the size of the board; to provide for appeals; to prescribe the manner of election of the members of the county board of commissioners; to provide for compensation of members; to prescribe penalties and provide remedies; and to repeal acts and parts of acts," by amending section 15 (MCL 46.415), as amended by 1980 PA 187.

The following are the amendments recommended by the Committee of the Whole:

1. Amend page 2, line 8, after "election," by inserting "PROVIDED THAT IT IS VOTED UPON BEFORE THE COMMENCEMENT OF THE NEW TERMS OF OFFICE,".

2. Amend page 2, line 15, after "UNDER" by striking out "SUBSECTION (1)" and inserting "SUBSECTIONS (1) AND (3)".

The Senate agreed to the amendments recommended by the Committee of the Whole, and the bill as amended was placed on the order of Third Reading of Bills.

The Committee of the Whole reported back to the Senate, favorably and with a substitute therefor, the following bill:

Senate Bill No.226, entitled

A bill to amend 1994 PA 451, entitled "Natural resources and environmental protection act," (MCL 324.101 to 324.90106) by adding part 23.

Substitute (S-2).

The Senate agreed to the substitute recommended by the Committee of the Whole, and the bill as substituted was placed on the order of Third Reading of Bills.

Introduction and Referral of Bills

Senator Switalski introduced

Senate Bill No.391, entitled

A bill to amend 1915 PA 31, entitled "Youth tobacco act," by amending sections 1, 2, and 4 (MCL 722.641, 722.642, and 722.644), sections 1 and 2 as amended by 1988 PA 314 and section 4 as amended by 1992 PA 272.

The bill was read a first and second time by title and referred to the Committee on Judiciary.

Senators Clarke, Clark-Coleman, Thomas and Scott introduced

Senate Bill No.392, entitled

A bill to amend 1990 PA 72, entitled "Local government fiscal responsibility act," by amending section 11 (MCL 141.1211).

The bill was read a first and second time by title and referred to the Committee on Government Operations.

Senators Olshove, Barcia, Bernero, Brater and Patterson introduced

Senate Bill No.393, entitled

A bill to amend 1967 PA 281, entitled "Income tax act of 1967," (MCL 206.1 to 206.532) by adding section 272.

The bill was read a first and second time by title and referred to the Committee on Commerce and Labor.

Senators Basham, Scott, Jacobs and Clarke introduced

Senate Bill No.394, entitled

A bill to amend 1978 PA 368, entitled "Public health code," by amending section 12905 (MCL 333.12905), as amended by 1993 PA 242, and by amending the heading to part 129; and to repeal acts and parts of acts.

The bill was read a first and second time by title and referred to the Committee on Government Operations.

Senators George, Bishop and Basham introduced

Senate Bill No.395, entitled

A bill to amend 1978 PA 368, entitled "Public health code," by amending section 12601 (MCL 333.12601), as amended by 1988 PA 315; and to repeal acts and parts of acts.

The bill was read a first and second time by title and referred to the Committee on Government Operations.

Senators Sanborn, Toy, Cropsey, Kuipers, Bishop, Gilbert, Goschka, Hardiman, Van Woerkom, Stamas, Hammerstrom, George, McManus, Patterson, Garcia and Allen introduced

Senate Bill No.396, entitled

A bill to amend 1967 PA 150, entitled "Michigan military act," (MCL 32.501 to 32.851) by adding section 234.

The bill was read a first and second time by title and referred to the Committee on Appropriations.

Senators Sanborn and Bishop introduced

Senate Bill No.397, entitled

A bill to amend 1956 PA 218, entitled "The insurance code of 1956," by amending sections 4501 and 4503 (MCL 500.4501 and 500.4503), as added by 1995 PA 276.

The bill was read a first and second time by title and referred to the Committee on Banking and Financial Institutions.

Senators Stamas, Allen, Kuipers, Gilbert, Van Woerkom, Goschka, Bishop, Hardiman, Cropsey and Garcia introduced

Senate Bill No.398, entitled

A bill to amend 1994 PA 451, entitled "Natural resources and environmental protection act," (MCL 324.101 to 324.90106) by adding section 74126.

The bill was read a first and second time by title and referred to the Committee on Agriculture, Forestry and Tourism.

Senators Van Woerkom, Toy, Kuipers, Gilbert, Birkholz, Goschka, Hardiman and Cropsey introduced

Senate Bill No.399, entitled

A bill to amend 1978 PA 368, entitled "Public health code," (MCL 333.1101 to 333.25211) by adding sections 13538 and 13833.

The bill was read a first and second time by title and referred to the Committee on Economic Development, Small Business and Regulatory Reform.

House Bill No.4082, entitled

A bill to amend 1949 PA 300, entitled "Michigan vehicle code," by amending sections 310, 806, and 809 (MCL 257.310, 257.806, and 257.809), section 310 as amended by 2004 PA 495, section 806 as amended by 2003 PA 152, and section 809 as amended by 1987 PA 238.

The House of Representatives has passed the bill and ordered that it be given immediate effect.

The bill was read a first and second time by title and referred to the Committee on Appropriations.

House Bill No.4242, entitled

A bill to amend 1978 PA 368, entitled "Public health code," by amending section 2830 (MCL 333.2830), as amended by 1994 PA 242.

The House of Representatives has passed the bill and ordered that it be given immediate effect.

The bill was read a first and second time by title and referred to the Committee on Judiciary.

House Bill No.4570, entitled

A bill to amend 1893 PA 206, entitled "The general property tax act," by amending section 34d (MCL 211.34d), as amended by 1996 PA 476.

The House of Representatives has passed the bill and ordered that it be given immediate effect.

The bill was read a first and second time by title and referred to the Committee on Education.

Statements

Senators Scott, Clark-Coleman, Brater and Prusi asked and were granted unanimous consent to make statements and moved that the statements be printed in the Journal.

The motion prevailed.

Senator Scott's statement is as follows:

Today I would like to share with my colleagues a couple of e-mails that I have received recently from my constituents about the high costs of auto and homeowners insurance. As their voice in Lansing, it is my political duty to listen to their concerns and to take action.

Well, here's one. This is from one of our Catholic priests in the city of Highland Park, "I am outraged at these rates. I knew my rates were high, but I didn't know how much more than the rates of others. It seems to me the accidents on the highways every morning and evening are those from nonurban coming and going from the urban areas. We are paying for their accidents plus. We have to be able to develop the urban areas as long as these rates remain that much higher than other areas. I support anything you do to reduce them." Tom McGuire, St. Benedict Church in Highland Park.

Another one, "I agree with the fact that insurance rates in Detroit/Hamtramck are outrageous. It would be well in with the Governor's Cool Cities if insurance rates were lower in the city because how can cities be cool if no one can afford to be there? You may want to bring this up with the Governor. My friends live in White Lake and are paying $30 a month for basic liability. I have a spotless record and I am paying twice that. Thank you very much."

And there is one more, if you'll just indulge me, "Thank you for the updates. I would like to see some returns for the cost of my car insurance. What I mean is if I maintain a safe driving record with no loss of parts or equipment stolen from my vehicles, my insurance rate would be compatible with any other community within a 25-mile radius. This would stop redlining." This is from Detroit, Michigan.

So this is all I will indulge you with today, but there will be more tomorrow.

Senator Clark-Coleman's statement is as follows:

I rise to share with you the expressions of outrage at the insensitivity and arrogance expressed by the Majority Leader's spokesperson regarding the extension of exhausted unemployment benefits for thousands of Michigan's unemployed. I had been called out there, and they are just outraged at the insensitivity. The quote, if I may add, is from Ari Adler, and it was "Before you get any legislation through that would extend the benefits, that will be as soon as you see pigs fly over the dome."

But you don't have to listen to me about this issue. I would suggest that any of you go out in that hallway and just listen to the grief that is being expressed by the individuals out there to understand why these workers are really insulted.

I have spoken to several and here are the stories of just a few. This is from Marion Carlisle, "My unemployment benefits ran out December 14, 2004. I worked for 16 years at the Board of Education, straight. I and many others were very shocked last June to be 1 of 1,000 people laid off. We are in great need today of money to pay our bills. I am two months behind in my house note, water bills, and electric, etc. Please help me and others."

Another one, "I am a man of God. I must do the right thing to make my living. God told me to ask and it shall be given. Have faith and every mountain shall be moved, and pray for one another. That is what I am doing today. I am praying for my brothers and sisters who are laid off and their families." That was from Willie Brown.

Ron Archibald states that he just drew his last check, his very last check. He can't find a job and does not know when he is going to be able to get another piece of money to pay his bills.

Also John Cromwall, an electrician who was laid off his job nine months ago and has been without benefits for three months. He has a wife and children. He has already had to withdraw $25,000 from his children's college accounts just to meet the family's ongoing expenses. John says, "That's gone now. I don't know what to do next. There has been no hope of getting a job for a while now."

And then there is Mike Meier. He said he has had to beg, borrow, and steal since his benefits expired last May. "I couldn't even get a job at Home Depot," he says. Since then he's had to leave the state to find temporary work in Nevada just to pay the bills. He says that the stress has been unbelievable. It's led to problems in his marriage to the point that his wife has filed for divorce.

Another, "I've watched my friends and family totally disintegrate. I'm not looking for a handout. I've worked my whole life." Mike just wants a job. He also will tell you how hard it has been on his former co-workers, some of whom have ended up in homeless shelters. He says the level of dismay is saddening and has even resulted in suicides.

Now, as one of these unemployment workers suggests, Ari Adler needs to learn what unemployment is all about. I would suggest that he go out there and talk with some of these gentlemen to know what unemployment is all about. We've got to do something to help these people to extend their lives, to allow them to live a respectable life. So I'm urging the support, and I respectfully confirm their recommendation.

Senator Brater's statement is as follows:

First, if I could begin my statement with an introduction and welcome to the people in the north Gallery today who are here to remind us about the importance of extending unemployment benefits. I would ask my colleagues to help me welcome them.

I do also have a statement to make to remind my colleagues that today is Michigan Pay Equity Day. What is Pay Equity Day? Just to remind you, we mark this day every year. It is a sad day, in fact. It is the day that women, on average, have to work to this year in order to equal the pay that men, on average, in Michigan made last year. So women in general in Michigan make 67 percent on the dollar of what men make.

Wage discrimination is not just a problem for women. It is a problem for men and their families because families, as we know, depend on women's and men's incomes to make it today in Michigan. It's just not a problem of having a job, getting a job, but also once you have a job, making a wage that is equitable and fair enough to put food on the table.

Wage discrimination costs a woman and her family more than $500,000 over her lifetime. Currently, the average family's loss is $5,130 per year as a result of the wage gap. The state loses the income tax and sales tax that that money would generate. Women's work is still undervalued and underpaid. Another way of looking at this is that not only do women have to work until April 19th of this year to make what men made last year in one year--12 months--but women on average have to work Monday and Tuesday of each week to earn in total what a man would have made on average last week in those five days. So that is why we always mark Pay Equity Day on a Tuesday.

Now people will say, "Well, don't we prohibit wage discrimination in federal law?" The answer is yes, but the way employers get around this problem is through job titles and job description manipulation. Job studies have been done trying to evaluate the type of work women do compared to men based on responsibilities, stress level, and the kind of activities that are required. They have come up with comparisons such as a registered nurse compared to a mechanical engineer. A nurse will make 88 percent less of what the mechanical engineer does. A maid or a hotel housekeeper makes less than a janitor; 911 dispatchers, who tend to be women, make less than fire dispatchers, who tend to be men.

These are all wage gaps that we hope to rectify. I have introduced legislation that would address this issue, as has Representative Whitmer in the House. Madam President, we would ask today that our colleagues would consider taking up these bills for hearing so that we can address the inequities of pay between men and women in Michigan.

Senator Prusi's statement is as follows:

I had intended to reserve my comments on the unemployment extension until we actually had the SUTA bills and amendments before us, but my colleague from the city of Detroit read her statement just prior to this, and it brought back some memories of 23 years ago in my own life when I was laid off from the mining company that I had been employed at for seven years. It was supposed to be temporary. It turned out to be almost two years of a layoff that materially contributed to my divorce and caused me to lose my home and vehicle.

One of the only things that helped keep me going was that at that point in the 1980s we did get an extension, and it was one of the most welcomed things that I could think of that got me through that period of time, even though after the extension I did have to leave the state and go to work somewhere else--in Colorado.

That unemployment extension is not a theoretical thing. When we have an economy like we have and we have people who are laid off beyond the 26 weeks limit, I think it is incumbent upon this body and upon this Legislature to start considering those issues and start considering the people who have suffered through these layoffs as I have. I am probably one of the few in this chamber who has run an unemployment claim to its end and beyond through an extension.

I don't believe that we need to wait for barnyard animals to levitate to discuss this issue. I think that we need to discuss this issue today and tomorrow to get it resolved. We need to look out for the people of this state, who, through no fault of their own, have suffered unemployment and are not slackers and are not losers. They are simply going through a rough patch, and I think it's incumbent upon us to give them a little hand here.

Committee Reports

The Committee on Education reported

Senate Bill No.83, entitled

A bill to amend 1964 PA 287, entitled "An act to provide for the organization and functions of the state boards of education under the constitutions of 1908 and 1963; to provide for the appointment and functions of the superintendent of public instruction under the constitution of 1963; and to repeal certain acts and parts of acts," by amending section 9a (MCL 388.1009a), as amended by 1983 PA 240.

With the recommendation that the bill pass.

The committee further recommends that the bill be given immediate effect.

Wayne Kuipers

Chairperson

To Report Out:

Yeas: Senators Kuipers, Cassis, Van Woerkom, Clark-Coleman and Leland

Nays: None

The bill was referred to the Committee of the Whole.

The Committee on Education reported

Senate Bill No.180, entitled

A bill to amend 1980 PA 300, entitled "The public school employees retirement act of 1979," by amending section 6 (MCL 38.1306), as amended by 1995 PA 272.

With the recommendation that the bill pass.

The committee further recommends that the bill be given immediate effect.

Wayne Kuipers

Chairperson

To Report Out:

Yeas: Senators Kuipers, Cassis, Van Woerkom, Clark-Coleman and Leland

Nays: None

The bill was referred to the Committee of the Whole.

COMMITTEE ATTENDANCE REPORT

The Committee on Education submitted the following:

Meeting held on Thursday, April 14, 2005, at 2:00p.m., Room 210, Farnum Building

Present: Senators Kuipers (C), Cassis, Van Woerkom, Clark-Coleman and Leland

COMMITTEE ATTENDANCE REPORT

The Committee on Natural Resources and Environmental Affairs submitted the following:

Joint meeting held on Thursday, April 14, 2005, at 8:00a.m., Room 519, House Office Building

Present: Senators Birkholz (C), Patterson, Van Woerkom, Brater and Basham

COMMITTEE ATTENDANCE REPORT

The Joint Subcommittee on Capital Outlay submitted the following:

Meeting held on Thursday, April 14, 2005, at 9:00a.m., Senate Appropriations Room, 3rd Floor, Capitol Building

Present: Senators Johnson (C), George, Cropsey, Goschka, Hardiman, Prusi, Clarke and Cherry

COMMITTEE ATTENDANCE REPORT

The Subcommittee on Family Independence Agency submitted the following:

Meeting held on Thursday, April 14, 2005, at 11:00a.m., Room 110, Farnum Building

Present: Senators Hardiman (C), George and Scott

COMMITTEE ATTENDANCE REPORT

The Subcommittee on State Police and Military Affairs submitted the following:

Meeting held on Thursday, April 14, 2005, at 1:00p.m., Senate Hearing Room, Ground Floor, Boji Tower

Present: Senators Brown (C), Stamas and Clarke

COMMITTEE ATTENDANCE REPORT

The Committee on Local, Urban and State Affairs submitted the following:

Public hearing held on Thursday, April 14, 2005, at 2:00p.m., Western Michigan University, John E. Fetzer Center, Putney Lecture Hall, Kalamazoo

Present: Senators Toy (C) and Birkholz

Excused: Senators Goschka, Basham and Bernero

COMMITTEE ATTENDANCE REPORT

The Subcommittee on Agriculture submitted the following:

Meeting held on Thursday, April 14, 2005, at 3:05p.m., Senate Hearing Room, Ground Floor, Boji Tower

Present: Senators Brown (C) and Jelinek

Excused: Senator Barcia

Scheduled Meetings

Agriculture, Forestry and Tourism - Thursday, April 21, 9:00a.m., Room 110, Farnum Building (373-1635)

Appropriations -

Subcommittees -

Agriculture - Thursdays, April 21 (CANCELED) and April 28, 2:30p.m., Senate Appropriations Room, 3rd Floor, Capitol Building (373-5932)

Capital Outlay - Thursday, April 21, 9:00a.m., Senate Appropriations Room, 3rd Floor, Capitol Building (373-2523)

Commerce, Labor and Economic Development - Wednesdays, April 20 and April 27, 3:00p.m., Senate Appropriations Room, 3rd Floor, Capitol Building (373-2420)

Community Health Department - Thursdays, May 5, 2:30p.m., and May 12, 2:00p.m., Senate Hearing Room, Ground Floor, Boji Tower; May 19, 2:30p.m., Rooms 402 and 403, Capitol Building; and June 2, 2:00p.m., Senate Hearing Room, Ground Floor, Boji Tower (373-7946)

General Government - Thursday, April 21, 8:30a.m., and Tuesday, April 26, 1:00p.m., Room 810, Farnum Building (373-2420)

Higher Education - Fridays, April 29, 10:00a.m., University of Michigan-Dearborn, Henry Ford Estate, Music Room, 4901 Evergreen Road, Dearborn; May 6, 10:00a.m., Grand Valley State University, Kirkhof Center, 2nd Floor, Pere Marquette Room, 1 Campus Drive, Allendale; May 13, 10:00a.m., Northwood University, 4000 Whiting Drive, Midland; and May 20, 10:00a.m., Eastern Michigan University, Welch Hall, Room 201, 900 W. Cross Street, Ypsilanti (373-1760)

History, Arts, and Libraries - Tuesday, April 26, 3:00p.m., Room 810, Farnum Building (373-0793)

K-12, School Aid, Education - Thursday, April 28, 12:30p.m., Rooms 402 and 403, Capitol Building (373-6960)

State Police and Military Affairs - Thursday, April 21, 2:00p.m., Senate Hearing Room, Ground Floor, Boji Tower (CANCELED), and Wednesday, April 27, 1:00p.m., Senate Appropriations Room, 3rd Floor, Capitol Building (373-5932)

Transportation Department - Tuesday, April 26, 1:00p.m., Senate Appropriations Room, 3rd Floor, Capitol Building (373-2523)

Economic Development, Small Business and Regulatory Reform - Wednesday, April 20, 3:00p.m., Rooms 402 and 403, Capitol Building (373-7670)

Education - Thursday, April 21, 2:00p.m., Room 210, Farnum Building (373-6920)

Finance and House Tax Policy - Wednesday, April 20, 8:30a.m., House Appropriations Room, 3rd Floor, Capitol Building (373-1758)

Health Policy - Wednesday, April 20, 1:00p.m., Senate Hearing Room, Ground Floor, Boji Tower (373-3543)

Judiciary - Friday, April 22, 10:00a.m., Detroit Sportsmen's Congress, 49800 Dequindre Road, Utica (373-3760)

Senator Hammerstrom moved that the Senate adjourn.

The motion prevailed, the time being 11:20a.m.

The President pro tempore, Senator Birkholz, declared the Senate adjourned until Wednesday, April 20, 2005, at 10:00a.m.

CAROL MOREY VIVENTI

Secretary of the Senate