LIMIT DETENTION ASSISTANCE                                                                S.B. 94 (S-1):

                                                                                                      FLOOR SUMMARY

Senate Bill 94 (Substitute S-1 as reported)

Sponsor:  Senator Rick Jones

Committee:  Veterans, Military Affairs and Homeland Security

CONTENT

The bill would create a new statute to provide that no agency of the State, no political subdivision of the State, no employee of an agency of the State or a political subdivision, acting in his or her official capacity, and no member of the Michigan National Guard on active State service, could aid an agency of the U.S. Armed Forces in any investigation, prosecution, or detention of any person pursuant to Section 1021 of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2012, if that aid would place the State agency, political subdivision, employee, or National Guard member in violation of the U.S. Constitution, the State Constitution, or any Michigan law.

This prohibition would not apply to participation by State or local law enforcement or the Michigan National Guard in a joint task force, partnership, or other similar cooperative agreement with Federal law enforcement, if that arrangement were not for the purpose of investigating, prosecuting, or detaining any person pursuant to Section 1021 of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2012.

(Under Section 1021 of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2012, the authority of the U.S. President to use force pursuant to the Authorization for Use of Military Force (Public Law 107-40) includes the authority for the U.S. Armed Forces to detain covered persons pending disposition under the law of war.  (Public Law 107-40 is the joint resolution of Congress authorizing the use of military force against the September 11 terrorists.)

Under Section 1021, a "covered person" is a person who planned, authorized, committed, or aided the terrorist attacks that occurred on September 11, 2001, or harbored those responsible for those attacks; or a person who was a part of or substantially supported al-Qaeda, the Taliban, or associated forces that are engaged in hostilities against the United States or its coalition partners, including any person who has committed a belligerent act or has directly supported such hostilities in aid of such enemy forces.

Section 1021 also states:  "Nothing in this section shall be construed to affect existing law or authorities relating to the detention of United States citizens, lawful resident aliens of the United States, or any other persons who are captured or arrested in the United States.")

                                                                            Legislative Analyst:  Patrick Affholter

FISCAL IMPACT

The bill would have no fiscal impact on State or local government.

Date Completed:  2-27-13                                                     Fiscal Analyst:  Bruce Baker

This analysis was prepared by nonpartisan Senate staff for use by the Senate in its deliberations and does not constitute an official statement of legislative intent.