No. 21

STATE OF MICHIGAN

Journal of the Senate

96th Legislature

REGULAR SESSION OF 2012

Senate Chamber, Lansing, Thursday, March 1, 2012.

10:00 a.m.

The Senate was called to order by the President, Lieutenant Governor Brian N. Calley.

The roll was called by the Secretary of the Senate, who announced that a quorum was present.

Anderson—excused Hood—present Pappageorge—present

Bieda—present Hopgood—present Pavlov—present

Booher—present Hune—present Proos—present

Brandenburg—present Hunter—present Richardville—present

Casperson—present Jansen—present Robertson—present

Caswell—present Johnson—present Rocca—present

Colbeck—present Jones—present Schuitmaker—present

Emmons—present Kahn—present Smith—present

Gleason—present Kowall—present Walker—present

Green—present Marleau—present Warren—present

Gregory—present Meekhof—present Whitmer—present

Hansen—present Moolenaar—present Young—present

Hildenbrand—present Nofs—excused

Pastor Larry Jordan of Family Victory Fellowship Church of Southfield offered the following invocation:

Lord, I pray for all of the governmental officials throughout this nation, especially the leaders of this state. Through trust, they have been sent by the people, sanctioned and ordained by You, to govern this great state of Michigan. With integrity, may they truly represent the needs of the people and work in harmony for the advancement of all men, women, and children.

With such challenges facing this state, grant each of these leaders the gifts of wisdom, justice, counsel, and fortitude that they may conduct our affairs in accordance with the will that You have for this great state. Father, I ask that You guide them. Create through them and reveal to them effective governmental processes. Give them a spirit of innovation and creativity. Give them the strategies for leveraging every resource where nothing would be wasted.

Finally, Lord, I ask You to bless their families, and give their homes solidarity and peace. I pray that their families understand the divine honor in which their family members serve the great state of Michigan.

We ask all of this in Christ’s name. Amen.

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

Motions and Communications

Senator Meekhof moved that Senators Jansen, Brandenburg and Marleau be temporarily excused from today’s session.

The motion prevailed.

Senator Meekhof moved that Senator Nofs be excused from today’s session.

The motion prevailed.

Senator Bieda moved that Senators Johnson and Young be temporarily excused from today’s session.

The motion prevailed.

Senator Bieda moved that Senator Anderson be excused from today’s session.

The motion prevailed.

Senators Young, Marleau, Jansen and Brandenburg entered the Senate Chamber.

Senator Meekhof moved that rule 3.902 be suspended to allow the guests of Senator Moolenaar admittance to the Senate floor.

The motion prevailed, a majority of the members serving voting therefor.

Senators Walker, Moolenaar and Richardville asked and were granted unanimous consent to make statements and moved that the statements be printed in the Journal.

The motion prevailed.

Senator Walker’s statement is as follows:

I have a staff member who is leaving our employ. I would like to recognize his efforts in our office. I want to honor his work here today and would like to read this tribute that we prepared for him:

“LET IT BE KNOWN, That it is our great pleasure to honor and thank Rory Carroll as he departs from the Michigan State Senate this week in order to assume the role of managing editor with Autoweek Magazine. Rory’s service to Senator Walker’s office and to the Michigan State Senate as a whole has contributed a great deal to the institution and to the people of this state. On behalf of the lawmakers, staff, and all who have worked with him, we extend our best wishes to this talented and conscientious member of Senator Walker’s staff.

Rory’s public service career began when he was a political science student at Michigan State University. He worked in constituent relations for State Senator Michelle McManus and later for Representative David Palsrok. He has handled numerous tasks with the characteristic efficiency and skill we have come to expect through his duties as Constituent Relations Coordinator. Between his time in Representative Palsrok’s office and the beginning of his tenure here, Rory worked for Hagerty Insurance in Traverse City. This background has served him well in dealing with the unique pressures of the legislative process, and we are sure that it will continue to work to his benefit as he pursues his new career.

In his time with Senator Walker’s office, Rory Carroll has contributed to the resolution of a host of constituent issues and has contributed to a number of systematic improvements to various processes that have ensured that the people of Michigan’s 37th District are well-served by their State Senator. He will certainly be missed by all who have worked with him in the past, and we wish him the best in the months and years to come.

IN SPECIAL TRIBUTE, Therefore, This document is signed and dedicated to congratulate and thank Rory Carroll as he transitions from his role as Constituent Relations Coordinator with the Office of State Senator Howard Walker to a career in journalism. May his future be filled with health, happiness, and prosperity.”

Congratulations, Rory.

Senator Moolenaar’s statement is as follows:

I want to rise today to recognize a staff member who is departing whom I think very highly of. Trevor VanDyke will be joining the Department of Natural Resources as their legislative liaison. I know he will do a great job in that role, and we will get to work with him here in the Senate as well.

I want to commend him for all of his hard work. He is here today with his family, his wife Katie and daughter Chloe. They are a wonderful family. Trevor has been my legislative director and chief of staff. Prior to joining us, he worked in the Senate with Majority Leader Bishop, working in the appointments area, and also Senator McManus. He is recently from Traverse City, a Hope College graduate, and is currently working on his law degree at Cooley Law School.

Please join me in thanking him for his service in the Senate.

Senator Richardville’s statement is as follows:

I also have someone departing my office today. This is a major loss not just for me and my office, but for the entire institution because this is a graduate from the University of Michigan. Megan Noland started with me as an intern some five-plus years ago. She has done legislative work, constituent work, and is going to Oakland County to work for some sheriff.

We hate to lose her, but it is the kind of job that she has been looking for for a long time. We have a tribute also, but we are going to be giving it to her later on tonight. In the meantime, would you all please help me in offering Megan a great goodbye and best wishes for her future.

The Secretary announced that the following House bills were received in the Senate and filed on Wednesday, February 29:

House Bill Nos. 4552 4739

The Secretary announced that the following official bills were printed on Wednesday, February 29, and are available at the legislative website:

Senate Bill Nos. 982 983 984 992

House Bill Nos. 5438 5439 5440 5441 5442 5443 5444 5445

Messages from the House

Senator Meekhof moved that consideration of the following bill be postponed for today:

Senate Bill No. 291

The motion prevailed.

Senate Bill No. 611, entitled

A bill to amend 1939 PA 280, entitled “The social welfare act,” by amending section 109 (MCL 400.109), as amended by 2011 PA 53.

The House of Representatives has passed the bill, ordered that it be given immediate effect and pursuant to Joint Rule 20, inserted the full title.

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 Senate agreed to the full title.

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

Senate Bill No. 702, entitled

A bill to amend 1978 PA 368, entitled “Public health code,” by amending section 16174 (MCL 333.16174), as amended by 2006 PA 398.

The House of Representatives has passed the bill, ordered that it be given immediate effect and pursuant to Joint Rule 20, inserted the full title.

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 Senate agreed to the full title.

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

Third Reading of Bills

Senator Meekhof moved that the following bills be placed at the head of the Third Reading of Bills calendar:

Senate Bill No. 711

Senate Bill No. 712

Senate Bill No. 908

Senate Bill No. 428

The motion prevailed.

The following bill was read a third time:

Senate Bill No. 711, entitled

A bill to amend 1972 PA 239, entitled “McCauley-Traxler-Law-Bowman-McNeely lottery act,” (MCL 432.1 to 432.47) by adding section 32a.

The question being on the passage of the bill,

The bill was passed, a majority of the members serving voting therefor, as follows:

Roll Call No. 106 Yeas—34

Bieda Gregory Kowall Robertson

Booher Hansen Marleau Rocca

Brandenburg Hildenbrand Meekhof Schuitmaker

Casperson Hopgood Moolenaar Smith

Caswell Hune Pappageorge Walker

Colbeck Hunter Pavlov Warren

Emmons Jansen Proos Whitmer

Gleason Jones Richardville Young

Green Kahn

Nays—0

Excused—3

Anderson Johnson Nofs

Not Voting—1

Hood

In The Chair: President

The Senate agreed to the title of the bill.

Senator Johnson entered the Senate Chamber.

The following bill was read a third time:

Senate Bill No. 712, entitled

A bill to amend 1939 PA 280, entitled “The social welfare act,” by amending section 10c (MCL 400.10c), as added by 2011 PA 198, and by adding sections 10d and 10e.

The question being on the passage of the bill,

The bill was passed, a majority of the members serving voting therefor, as follows:

Roll Call No. 107 Yeas—26

Bieda Green Kowall Proos

Booher Hansen Marleau Richardville

Brandenburg Hildenbrand Meekhof Robertson

Casperson Hune Moolenaar Rocca

Caswell Jansen Pappageorge Schuitmaker

Colbeck Jones Pavlov Walker

Emmons Kahn

Nays—10

Gleason Hopgood Smith Whitmer

Gregory Hunter Warren Young

Hood Johnson

Excused—2

Anderson Nofs

Not Voting—0

In The Chair: President

The Senate agreed to the title of the bill.

Protest

Senator Gregory, under his constitutional right of protest (Art. 4, Sec. 18), protested against the passage of Senate Bill No. 712 and moved that the statement he made during the discussion of the bill be printed as his reasons for voting “no.”

The motion prevailed.

Senator Gregory’s statement is as follows:

I rise in opposition to this bill because it puts the wrongly-conceived DHS policy of imposing an asset test for food assistance in the statute. As three former budget directors who have worked for both Republican and Democratic governors—these budget directors are Robert Emerson who worked under Governor Granholm, Don Gilmer who worked under Governor Engler, and Mary Lannoye who worked under Governors Engler and Granholm. They have all come together and have all stated that this is the wrong policy at the wrong time.

Many receiving food assistance are the newly jobless who have never had to avail themselves of government assistance before. These households are more likely to have newer cars, houses they can’t sell but also can’t afford to live in, and modest savings. An asset test forces people to choose between selling a car they might need for transportation and feeding their family. Forcing people to liquidate their modest assets, namely any savings, also hampers families from avoiding poverty for getting back on their financial feet.

With 900,000 households required to file documents on their assets, the paperwork alone will place a huge burden on the DHS caseworkers, who already are assigned more than 900 cases each. Twenty-nine states do not apply an asset test for food assistance because they recognize the important role assets play in ending poverty. With the economic situation as it is in Michigan, we should not be one of the few states that impose this limitation now.

For all of these reasons, I rise in opposition to this bill and ask that you join me in voting “no.”

The following bill was read a third time:

Senate Bill No. 908, entitled

A bill to amend 2009 PA 75, entitled “Mortgage loan originator licensing act,” by amending sections 3, 5, 9, 15, and 29 (MCL 493.133, 493.135, 493.139, 493.145, and 493.159), sections 3 and 29 as amended by 2010 PA 356.

The question being on the passage of the bill,

The bill was passed, a majority of the members serving voting therefor, as follows:

Roll Call No. 108 Yeas—36

Bieda Gregory Jones Richardville

Booher Hansen Kahn Robertson

Brandenburg Hildenbrand Kowall Rocca

Casperson Hood Marleau Schuitmaker

Caswell Hopgood Meekhof Smith

Colbeck Hune Moolenaar Walker

Emmons Hunter Pappageorge Warren

Gleason Jansen Pavlov Whitmer

Green Johnson Proos Young

Nays—0

Excused—2

Anderson Nofs

Not Voting—0

In The Chair: President

The Senate agreed to the title of the bill.

The following bill was read a third time:

Senate Bill No. 428, entitled

A bill to amend 1933 PA 167, entitled “General sales tax act,” by amending section 6 (MCL 205.56), as amended by 2011 PA 71.

The question being on the passage of the bill,

The bill was passed, a majority of the members serving voting therefor, as follows:

Roll Call No. 109 Yeas—36

Bieda Gregory Jones Richardville

Booher Hansen Kahn Robertson

Brandenburg Hildenbrand Kowall Rocca

Casperson Hood Marleau Schuitmaker

Caswell Hopgood Meekhof Smith

Colbeck Hune Moolenaar Walker

Emmons Hunter Pappageorge Warren

Gleason Jansen Pavlov Whitmer

Green Johnson Proos Young

Nays—0

Excused—2

Anderson Nofs

Not Voting—0

In The Chair: President

The Senate agreed to the title of the bill.

By unanimous consent the Senate proceeded to the order of

General Orders

Senator Meekhof 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 Calley, designated Senator Warren as Chairperson.

After some time spent therein, the Committee arose; and the President, Lieutenant Governor Calley, having resumed the Chair, the Committee reported back to the Senate, favorably and with a substitute therefor, the following bill:

Senate Bill No. 542, entitled

A bill to amend 1961 PA 236, entitled “Revised judicature act of 1961,” (MCL 600.101 to 600.9947) by adding section 2977.

Substitute (S-3).

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.

By unanimous consent the Senate proceeded to the order of

Introduction and Referral of Bills

Senator Smith introduced

Senate Bill No. 993, entitled

A bill to amend 1927 PA 175, entitled “The code of criminal procedure,” by amending section 14d of chapter XVII (MCL 777.14d), as added by 2002 PA 29.

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

Senators Bieda, Whitmer, Smith, Young and Anderson introduced

Senate Bill No. 994, entitled

A bill to amend 1956 PA 218, entitled “The insurance code of 1956,” by amending section 2027 (MCL 500.2027), as amended by 1998 PA 26, and by adding section 2027a.

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

Senators Walker, Casperson, Hansen, Colbeck and Booher introduced

Senate Bill No. 995, entitled

A bill to amend 1978 PA 368, entitled “Public health code,” by amending section 20934 (MCL 333.20934), as amended by 2000 PA 375.

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

Senators Casperson, Walker and Hansen introduced

Senate Bill No. 996, entitled

A bill to provide for indemnification for livestock, domestic animals, and pets that are killed by certain wildlife; and to prescribe the powers and duties of certain state agencies and officials.

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

Senators Casperson, Green, Walker, Jones, Booher, Brandenburg, Pappageorge, Hansen, Marleau, Colbeck and Proos introduced

Senate Bill No. 997, entitled

A bill to amend 1976 PA 451, entitled “The revised school code,” by amending sections 1278a and 1278b (MCL 380.1278a and 380.1278b), section 1278a as amended by 2009 PA 205 and section 1278b as amended by 2010 PA 80.

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

Senators Walker, Green, Jones, Booher, Casperson, Brandenburg, Pappageorge, Marleau, Hansen and Colbeck introduced

Senate Bill No. 998, entitled

A bill to amend 1976 PA 451, entitled “The revised school code,” by amending section 10 (MCL 380.10), as added by 1995 PA 289.

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

Senator Brandenburg introduced

Senate Bill No. 999, entitled

A bill to create a new financing mechanism for public employee health benefits; to require the creation and operation of a public employee health benefits financing trust; to provide the powers and duties of certain state officers; to prescribe the powers and duties of the trust administrator; to require participation in the financing mechanism for state employee health benefits; and to allow other public employers to participate in the financing mechanism for public employee health benefits.

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

Senators Moolenaar, Green, Brandenburg, Schuitmaker, Marleau, Jansen, Colbeck and Walker introduced

Senate Bill No. 1000, entitled

A bill to amend 1970 PA 91, entitled “Child custody act of 1970,” by amending section 7a (MCL 722.27a), as amended by 1996 PA 19.

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

Senators Caswell, Hansen, Pappageorge, Green, Jansen and Colbeck introduced

Senate Bill No. 1001, entitled

A bill to amend 1982 PA 295, entitled “Support and parenting time enforcement act,” by amending section 23 (MCL 552.623), as amended by 1998 PA 334.

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

Senator Hansen introduced

Senate Bill No. 1002, entitled

A bill to amend 1998 PA 58, entitled “Michigan liquor control code of 1998,” by amending section 525 (MCL 436.1525), as amended by 2010 PA 279.

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

House Bill No. 4552, entitled

A bill to amend 1969 PA 317, entitled “Worker’s disability compensation act of 1969,” by amending sections 161, 372, 625, and 891 (MCL 418.161, 418.372, 418.625, and 418.891), sections 161 and 625 as amended by 2011 PA 266 and section 372 as added by 1980 PA 357.

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 Economic Development.

House Bill No. 4739, entitled

A bill to amend 1951 PA 51, entitled “An act to provide for the classification of all public roads, streets, and highways in this state, and for the revision of that classification and for additions to and deletions from each classification; to set up and establish the Michigan transportation fund; to provide for the deposits in the Michigan transportation fund of specific taxes on motor vehicles and motor vehicle fuels; to provide for the allocation of funds from the Michigan transportation fund and the use and administration of the fund for transportation purposes; to promote safe and efficient travel for motor vehicle drivers, bicyclists, pedestrians, and other legal users of roads, streets, and highways; to set up and establish the truck safety fund; to provide for the allocation of funds from the truck safety fund and administration of the fund for truck safety purposes; to set up and establish the Michigan truck safety commission; to establish certain standards for road contracts for certain businesses; to provide for the continuing review of transportation needs within the state; to authorize the state transportation commission, counties, cities, and villages to borrow money, issue bonds, and make pledges of funds for transportation purposes; to authorize counties to advance funds for the payment of deficiencies necessary for the payment of bonds issued under this act; to provide for the limitations, payment, retirement, and security of the bonds and pledges; to provide for appropriations and tax levies by counties and townships for county roads; to authorize contributions by townships for county roads; to provide for the establishment and administration of the state trunk line fund, local bridge fund, comprehensive transportation fund, and certain other funds; to provide for the deposits in the state trunk line fund, critical bridge fund, comprehensive transportation fund, and certain other funds of money raised by specific taxes and fees; to provide for definitions of public transportation functions and criteria; to define the purposes for which Michigan transportation funds may be allocated; to provide for Michigan transportation fund grants; to provide for review and approval of transportation programs; to provide for submission of annual legislative requests and reports; to provide for the establishment and functions of certain advisory entities; to provide for conditions for grants; to provide for the issuance of bonds and notes for transportation purposes; to provide for the powers and duties of certain state and local agencies and officials; to provide for the making of loans for transportation purposes by the state transportation department and for the receipt and repayment by local units and agencies of those loans from certain specified sources; and to repeal acts and parts of acts,” by amending section 10o (MCL 247.660o), as amended by 2000 PA 188.

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 Transportation.

Statements

Senators Gleason and Johnson asked and were granted unanimous consent to make statements and moved that the statements be printed in the Journal.

The motion prevailed.

Senator Gleason’s statement is as follows:

Yesterday was an historic day in our state. That is the ultimate exercise of democracy when we allow the people to be a part of the process itself. I represent a city that has been taken over twice. This is the second time the city of Flint has had an emergency financial manager. Some would say that would be cause for further intervention. I believe that when we were rushing this emergency financial manager act through, two things occurred. I thought I alarmed this body to one of them and certainly the other should have been apparent. The one that I tried to offer an amendment to several times was when our communities are taken over by a financial manager, that is the ultimate public exercise on futility. It says that those who went to the polls and cast their votes were not an important component to democracy itself. We did not give full consideration to the bond ratings of these communities that we took over. That has always been one of my major concerns of how we compromise the ability of communities. Once they are taken over and lose their representative bodies, their bond ratings can be compromised.

Now there is a discriminatory act in regard to bond ratings and the lowering of them. If your bond rating is lowered on the western side of the state, you normally get one percentage, and if it is lowered on the eastern side, you get another. Right now there is a propensity to look at the east with Detroit, Flint, Pontiac, Saginaw, and others because of the financial duress they are under. We should take full consideration of this bond rating. These people need to invest in schools. In most of the urban centers, their schools are deteriorating, physically deteriorating. They have antiquated HVAC systems. They pay more for utilities than they should. Now we are going to put a higher burden of borrowing on their backs with these financial managers.

Another concern that is equally as troubling in Flint, Michigan, is that they have destroyed the democratic process. That is who we are as Americans. They have stalled the ability of the public to have regular City Council meetings in that city. The financial manager swooped in and cleared the City Council meetings so the public could not address those who they voted for with concerns that they have with their homes, their streets, and public safety. I don’t believe any of us voted to disregard and throw away elected bodies. I’m told that they don’t even meet in City Hall, and they meet in the Mott Foundation Building. Now around the city of Flint they are calling the Mott Foundation building City Hall North because they don’t even have their meetings in the city chambers anymore. I don’t think any of us intended for these consequences.

I think we need to take another look at this financial manager act because we are not moving forward at the rate that is required to keep other cities from falling into the same condition. I hope the Finance Committee will take a look at that bond rating issue and see if we can do a better job of securing and stabilizing the ability of these communities and schools to borrow money; not only to improve the infrastructure that is antiquated, but you also put local people to work. Hopefully, they would use the people from that community to do the work that has been delayed for too long.

Mr. Lieutenant Governor, as a member of the administration, if you would kindly look at how the bond ratings can be affected. I know that has been your past.

Senator Johnson’s statement is as follows:

I rise today to shed a little light on what is happening in Highland Park with her school district. I think the question is appropriate, Mr. President: At what point is an honest conversation really an honest conversation?

Last week, this entire body, along with the House and leadership on both sides, including the Governor’s office, wrangled with the idea or the notion that a payless payday could, in fact, be the ultimate demise of the district and that the kids would be displaced in the city of Highland Park’s school district. Meeting after meeting, conversation after conversation yielded what many of us thought was a simple approach to maintain the buildings that the young people have an opportunity to go to every day and learn; with those buildings, the teachers they expect to be in those classrooms.

Yesterday, or the day before, there was a letter sent out by the administration office indicating to parents that a new law had been passed and that they were free as parents to explore the opportunity of going to neighboring districts and seeing the money that was then appropriated to follow those students to those neighboring districts—all under the guise of maintaining some semblance of continuity in education for these young people, which, in essence, flies in the face of the question that I posed to the administration which was very simple. Does the administration seek an end to a closing of, or is the financial manager who was appointed set to funeralize the city’s school district?

On each occasion, the answer that I received was no. Yet the tenor of the letter and the tone of what is happening now in the city of Highland Park’s school district is really just the opposite. We were told that best efforts would be made to see to it that teachers were paid by about Tuesday. That won’t happen until tomorrow, but that is not the curious piece of it. When I specifically posed a question about whether or not the teachers would be and could be paid through the city’s school district, I was vehemently told over and over that there was not going to be any more money forwarded as an advance to that school district because of their gross mismanagement. I continue to outline this as a simple component of a larger issue that this state has ignored call disinvestment.

Only to read in the papers in the last 24 hours that money is, in fact, going to be advanced to the school district and that is the way payroll will be met. That money, as advanced, would not be sucked up by other debts and deficits that the school district is under, but that it would go to support those teachers and would be, therefore, earmarked. It begs the question, Mr. President: At what point do Democrats get honest answers to questions we ask in open forums, when at some point we happen to be in those forums, by the majority party? Time after time, Democrats continue to be vilified when deals change along the way, and somehow we find ourselves in a position of having to back out.

Well, I will end here. Petition signatures have been filed that will, in fact, stay this law. I implore this body to begin deliberating in tandem with Democrats and the local officials who will be most affected a new law that will provide a clear and convincing road map back to solvency on the part of these school districts and cities that wrestle with this issue.

Committee Reports

The Committee on Finance reported

House Bill No. 5178, entitled

A bill to amend 1893 PA 206, entitled “The general property tax act,” by amending section 7u (MCL 211.7u), as amended by 2003 PA 140.

With the recommendation that the bill pass.

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

Jack M. Brandenburg

Chairperson

To Report Out:

Yeas: Senators Brandenburg, Jansen, Pappageorge, Proos, Robertson and Warren

Nays: None

The bill was referred to the Committee of the Whole.

COMMITTEE ATTENDANCE REPORT

The Committee on Finance submitted the following:

Meeting held on Wednesday, February 29, 2012, at 12:30 p.m., Room 210, Farnum Building

Present: Senators Brandenburg (C), Jansen, Pappageorge, Proos, Robertson and Warren

Excused: Senator Bieda

The Committee on Economic Development reported

Senate Bill No. 992, entitled

A bill to regulate the use and enforceability of certain loan covenants in nonrecourse commercial loan transactions in this state.

With the recommendation that the bill pass.

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

Michael W. Kowall

Chairperson

To Report Out:

Yeas: Senators Kowall, Hildenbrand, Emmons, Hansen, Hunter and Smith

Nays: None

The bill was referred to the Committee of the Whole.

The Committee on Economic Development reported

House Bill No. 5332, entitled

A bill to amend 1967 PA 281, entitled “Income tax act of 1967,” by amending sections 680 and 691 (MCL 206.680 and 206.691), as added by 2011 PA 38.

With the recommendation that the bill pass.

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

Michael W. Kowall

Chairperson

To Report Out:

Yeas: Senators Kowall, Hildenbrand, Emmons, Hansen, Hunter and Smith

Nays: None

The bill was referred to the Committee of the Whole.

COMMITTEE ATTENDANCE REPORT

The Committee on Economic Development submitted the following:

Meeting held on Wednesday, February 29, 2012, at 1:30 p.m., Room 110, Farnum Building

Present: Senators Kowall (C), Hildenbrand, Emmons, Hansen, Hunter and Smith

Excused: Senator Nofs

COMMITTEE ATTENDANCE REPORT

The Subcommittee on K-12, School Aid, Education submitted the following:

Meeting held on Wednesday, February 29, 2012, at 9:00 a.m., Senate Appropriations Room, 3rd Floor, Capitol Building

Present: Senators Walker (C), Caswell, Pappageorge and Hopgood

COMMITTEE ATTENDANCE REPORT

The Subcommittee on Community Colleges submitted the following:

Meeting held on Wednesday, February 29, 2012, at 12:00 noon, Senate Appropriations Room, 3rd Floor, Capitol Building

Present: Senators Booher (C) and Schuitmaker

Excused: Senator Anderson

COMMITTEE ATTENDANCE REPORT

The Subcommittee on Transportation submitted the following:

Meeting held on Wednesday, February 29, 2012, at 3:00 p.m., Senate Appropriations Room, 3rd Floor, Capitol Building

Present: Senators Pappageorge (C) and Colbeck

Excused: Senator Anderson

COMMITTEE ATTENDANCE REPORT

The Committee on Families, Seniors and Human Services submitted the following:

Meeting held on Wednesday, February 29, 2012, at 3:03 p.m., Room 210, Farnum Building

Present: Senators Emmons (C), Rocca and Gregory

Excused: Senator Nofs

Scheduled Meetings

Appropriations -

Subcommittees -

Community Colleges - Wednesday, March 28, 12:00 noon, Senate Appropriations Room, 3rd Floor, Capitol Building (373-2768)

Community Colleges and House Community Colleges Appropriations Subcommittee - Friday, March 9, 4:30 p.m. (Central Standard Time), Gogebic Community Center, David G. Lindquist Student Center, Upper Level Courtside Dining Room, E 4946 Jackson Road, Ironwood (373-2768)

Community Health Department - Thursdays, March 8 and March 15, 1:00 p.m., Senate Appropriations Room, 3rd Floor, Capitol Building (373-2768)

General Government - Tuesdays, March 6, March 13, March 20 and March 27, 2:30 p.m., Senate Appropriations Room, 3rd Floor, Capitol Building (373-2768)

Human Services Department - Tuesdays, March 6 and March 27, 2:00 p.m., Room 210, Farnum Building (373-2768)

K-12, School Aid, Education - Wednesday, March 7, 9:00 a.m., Senate Appropriations Room, 3rd Floor, Capitol Building (373-2768)

Economic Development - Wednesday, March 7, 1:30 p.m., Room 110, Farnum Building (373-5323)

Finance - Wednesday, March 7, 12:30 p.m., Room 210, Farnum Building (373-5307)

Judiciary - Tuesday, March 6, 2:30 p.m., Room 110, Farnum Building (373-5323)

Reforms, Restructuring and Reinventing - Monday, March 12, 10:00 a.m., Gibraltar Community Center, 29340 South Gibraltar Road, Gibraltar (373-5307)

Senator Meekhof moved that the Senate adjourn.

The motion prevailed, the time being 10:51 a.m.

The President, Lieutenant Governor Calley, declared the Senate adjourned until Tuesday, March 6, 2012, at 10:00 a.m.

CAROL MOREY VIVENTI

Secretary of the Senate

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