No. 27
STATE OF MICHIGAN
Journal of the Senate
98th Legislature
REGULAR SESSION OF 2015
Senate Chamber, Lansing, Wednesday, March 18, 2015.
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.
Ananich—present Hopgood—present Pavlov—present
Bieda—present Horn—present Proos—present
Booher—present Hune—present Robertson—present
Brandenburg—excused Johnson—present Rocca—present
Casperson—present Jones—present Schmidt—present
Colbeck—present Knezek—present Schuitmaker—present
Emmons—present Knollenberg—present Shirkey—present
Green—present Kowall—present Smith—present
Gregory—present MacGregor—present Stamas—present
Hansen—present Marleau—present Warren—present
Hertel—present Meekhof—present Young—present
Hildenbrand—present Nofs—present Zorn—present
Hood—present O’Brien—present
Reverend Glenn Grant of Kirkridge Presbyterian Church of Grand Blanc offered the following invocation:
Creator, Great Spirit, Elohim, Allah, Vishnu, Lord: We, the people of this state, call You by many names, yet we call on You as one in asking for Your presence with this body and its members. Be with this Senate as it struggles and deliberates on how to lead and what must be done in service to the residents of this state.
Guide the members of this body. Grant them a spirit of peace and cooperation, a spirit of servanthood and wisdom. Continue, we pray, O Lord, to bless the people of this great state through the work of our elected officials.
We ask all things in Your name. Amen.
The President, Lieutenant Governor Calley, led the members of the Senate in recital of the Pledge of Allegiance.
Motions and Communications
Senator Kowall moved that Senators Casperson, MacGregor, Schuitmaker and Booher be temporarily excused from today’s session.
The motion prevailed.
Senator Hood moved that Senators Hertel and Johnson be temporarily excused from today’s session.
The motion prevailed.
Senator MacGregor entered the Senate Chamber.
The Secretary announced that the following House bill was received in the Senate and filed on Tuesday, March 17:
House Bill No. 4075
By unanimous consent the Senate proceeded to the order of
Introduction and Referral of Bills
Senator Robertson introduced
Senate Bill No. 216, entitled
A bill to amend 1979 PA 94, entitled “The state school aid act of 1979,” by amending sections 4, 6, 98, 107, 230, and 256 (MCL 388.1604, 388.1606, 388.1698, 388.1707, 388.1830, and 388.1856), section 4 as amended by 2012 PA 201 and sections 6, 98, 107, 230, and 256 as amended by 2014 PA 196.
The bill was read a first and second time by title and referred to the Committee on Education.
Senator Booher introduced
Senate Bill No. 217, entitled
A bill to amend 1893 PA 206, entitled “The general property tax act,” by amending sections 7dd and 7jj (MCL 211.7dd and 211.7jj[1]), section 7dd as amended by 2013 PA 44 and section 7jj as amended by 2013 PA 42.
The bill was read a first and second time by title and referred to the Committee on Natural Resources.
Senators Schmidt, Jones, Horn, Bieda, Knezek, Ananich, Gregory, Brandenburg, Zorn, MacGregor, Rocca, Hood, Nofs, Proos, Schuitmaker, Casperson, Hildenbrand and O’Brien introduced
Senate Bill No. 218, entitled
A bill to amend 2004 PA 46, entitled “Public safety officers benefit act,” by amending the title and section 2 (MCL 28.632) and by adding section 4a.
The bill was read a first and second time by title and referred to the Committee on Appropriations.
Senators Jones, Bieda, Knezek, Brandenburg, Rocca, Kowall and Knollenberg introduced
Senate Bill No. 219, entitled
A bill to amend 1931 PA 328, entitled “The Michigan penal code,” by amending sections 49, 50, 50b, and 158 (MCL 750.49, 750.50, 750.50b, and 750.158), section 49 as amended by 2006 PA 129, section 50 as amended by 2007 PA 152, and section 50b as amended by 2008 PA 339.
The bill was read a first and second time by title and referred to the Committee on Judiciary.
Senators Bieda, Jones, Knezek, Brandenburg, Rocca, Kowall and Knollenberg introduced
Senate Bill No. 220, entitled
A bill to amend 1935 PA 120, entitled “An act to prescribe a method for the fingerprinting of residents of the state, and to provide for the recording and filing thereof by the central records division of the department of state police,” by amending section 3 (MCL 28.273), as amended by 2012 PA 318.
The bill was read a first and second time by title and referred to the Committee on Judiciary.
Senator Schuitmaker introduced
Senate Bill No. 221, entitled
A bill to provide for the reciprocal exchange of distance education between this state and other states or a higher education compact; to prescribe the powers and duties of certain state agencies and officials; to provide for collection of fees; to designate the state agency for negotiating distance education agreements; to establish a complaint process for students enrolled in distance education programs at participating colleges and universities; to establish an authorization and approval process for out-of-state distance education providers and participating colleges and universities in this state; and to provide penalties.
The bill was read a first and second time by title and referred to the Committee on Regulatory Reform.
Senators Knezek, Bieda, Schmidt, Rocca, Hertel, Booher, Horn, Gregory, Hildenbrand, O’Brien, Schuitmaker, Colbeck, Marleau, MacGregor, Knollenberg, Ananich, Zorn, Hood, Robertson, Johnson, Hopgood, Warren, Smith, Hune, Brandenburg, Emmons, Nofs, Shirkey, Hansen, Proos, Pavlov, Stamas, Casperson, Jones, Kowall, Young, Green and Meekhof introduced
Senate Bill No. 222, entitled
A bill to designate February 1 of each year as “Blue Star Mothers Day”.
The bill was read a first and second time by title and referred to the Committee on Veterans, Military Affairs and Homeland Security.
House Bill No. 4075, entitled
A bill to amend 1895 PA 161, entitled “An act to require county treasurers to furnish transcripts and abstracts of records, and fixing the fees to be paid therefor,” by amending section 1 (MCL 48.101), as amended by 1984 PA 291.
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 Local Government.
Senators Casperson, Booher, Hertel and Schuitmaker entered the Senate Chamber.
Senator Kowall moved that Senator Brandenburg be excused from today’s session.
The motion prevailed.
By unanimous consent the Senate returned to the order of
General Orders
Senator Kowall 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 Hopgood 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. 24, entitled
A bill to amend 1893 PA 206, entitled “The general property tax act,” by amending section 7cc (MCL 211.7cc), as amended by 2014 PA 40.
Substitute (S-1).
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.
The Committee of the Whole reported back to the Senate, favorably and with a substitute therefor, the following bill:
Senate Bill No. 100, entitled
A bill to amend 1941 PA 122, entitled “An act to establish the revenue collection duties of the department of treasury; to prescribe its powers and duties as the revenue collection agency of this state; to prescribe certain powers and duties of the state treasurer; to establish the collection duties of certain other state departments for money or accounts owed to this state; to regulate the importation, stamping, and disposition of certain tobacco products; to provide for the transfer of powers and duties now vested in certain other state boards, commissions, departments, and offices; to prescribe certain duties of and require certain reports from the department of treasury; to provide procedures for the payment, administration, audit, assessment, levy of interests or penalties on, and appeals of taxes and tax liability; to prescribe its powers and duties if an agreement to act as agent for a city to administer, collect, and enforce the city income tax act on behalf of a city is entered into with any city; to provide an appropriation; to abolish the state board of tax administration; to prescribe penalties and provide remedies; and to declare the effect of this act,” by amending section 22 (MCL 205.22), as amended by 2007 PA 194.
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.
The Committee of the Whole reported back to the Senate, favorably and with a substitute therefor, the following bill:
Senate Bill No. 106, entitled
A bill to amend 1933 PA 167, entitled “General sales tax act,” by amending section 4o (MCL 205.54o), as amended by 2004 PA 173.
Substitute (S-1).
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.
The Committee of the Whole reported back to the Senate, favorably and with a substitute therefor, the following bill:
Senate Bill No. 139, entitled
A bill to amend 1976 PA 451, entitled “The revised school code,” by amending section 1272b (MCL 380.1272b).
Substitute (S-1).
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.
During the Committee of the Whole, Senator Johnson entered the Senate Chamber.
By unanimous consent the Senate returned to the order of
Messages from the House
Senate Bill No. 137, entitled
A bill to amend 2012 PA 101, entitled “Autism coverage reimbursement act,” by amending section 8 (MCL 550.1838), as added by 2014 PA 401.
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. 138, entitled
A bill to amend 1989 PA 196, entitled “An act to abolish the criminal assessments commission; to prescribe certain duties of the crime victim services commission; to create the crime victim’s rights fund; to provide for expenditures from the fund; to provide for assessments against criminal defendants and certain juvenile offenders; to provide for payment of crime victim’s rights services; and to prescribe the powers and duties of certain state and local agencies and departments,” by amending section 4 (MCL 780.904), as amended by 2014 PA 299.
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.
Third Reading of Bills
Senator Kowall moved that the following bills be placed at the head of the Third Reading of Bills calendar:
Senate Bill No. 160
Senate Bill No. 161
Senate Bill No. 162
Senate Bill No. 163
Senate Bill No. 164
Senate Bill No. 84
The motion prevailed.
The following bill was read a third time:
Senate Bill No. 160, entitled
A bill to amend 1909 PA 279, entitled “The home rule city act,” by amending section 36a (MCL 117.36a), as amended by 2011 PA 143.
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. 46 Yeas—36
Ananich Hildenbrand Kowall Rocca
Bieda Hood MacGregor Schmidt
Booher Hopgood Marleau Schuitmaker
Casperson Horn Meekhof Shirkey
Emmons Hune Nofs Smith
Green Johnson O’Brien Stamas
Gregory Jones Pavlov Warren
Hansen Knezek Proos Young
Hertel Knollenberg Robertson Zorn
Nays—1
Colbeck
Excused—1
Brandenburg
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. 161, entitled
A bill to amend 1980 PA 299, entitled “Occupational code,” by amending sections 103, 316, and 2404b (MCL 339.103, 339.316, and 339.2404b), section 103 as amended by 1994 PA 257, section 316 as amended by 1998 PA 90, and section 2404b as amended by 2014 PA 175, and by adding article 14A; and to repeal acts and parts of acts.
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. 47 Yeas—37
Ananich Hildenbrand Kowall Rocca
Bieda Hood MacGregor Schmidt
Booher Hopgood Marleau Schuitmaker
Casperson Horn Meekhof Shirkey
Colbeck Hune Nofs Smith
Emmons Johnson O’Brien Stamas
Green Jones Pavlov Warren
Gregory Knezek Proos Young
Hansen Knollenberg Robertson Zorn
Hertel
Nays—0
Excused—1
Brandenburg
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. 162, entitled
A bill to amend 1968 PA 330, entitled “Private security business and security alarm act,” by amending the title and sections 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 8, 9, 10, 11, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 22, 25, 26, 29, 31, and 33 (MCL 338.1052, 338.1053, 338.1054, 338.1055, 338.1056, 338.1058, 338.1059, 338.1060, 338.1061, 338.1063, 338.1064, 338.1065, 338.1066, 338.1067, 338.1068, 338.1072, 338.1075, 338.1076, 338.1079, 338.1081, and 338.1083), the title and sections 3, 4, 8, 14, 17, 25, and 29 as amended by 2010 PA 68, section 2 as amended by 2012 PA 581, sections 6 and 9 as amended by 2014 PA 128, sections 10, 13, 18, and 31 as amended by 2002 PA 473, section 11 as amended by 2004 PA 270, and sections 22 and 33 as amended by 2000 PA 411, and by adding section 15a; and to repeal acts and parts of acts.
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. 48 Yeas—37
Ananich Hildenbrand Kowall Rocca
Bieda Hood MacGregor Schmidt
Booher Hopgood Marleau Schuitmaker
Casperson Horn Meekhof Shirkey
Colbeck Hune Nofs Smith
Emmons Johnson O’Brien Stamas
Green Jones Pavlov Warren
Gregory Knezek Proos Young
Hansen Knollenberg Robertson Zorn
Hertel
Nays—0
Excused—1
Brandenburg
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. 163, entitled
A bill to amend 2012 PA 580, entitled “Security alarm systems act,” by amending section 2 (MCL 338.2182).
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. 49 Yeas—37
Ananich Hildenbrand Kowall Rocca
Bieda Hood MacGregor Schmidt
Booher Hopgood Marleau Schuitmaker
Casperson Horn Meekhof Shirkey
Colbeck Hune Nofs Smith
Emmons Johnson O’Brien Stamas
Green Jones Pavlov Warren
Gregory Knezek Proos Young
Hansen Knollenberg Robertson Zorn
Hertel
Nays—0
Excused—1
Brandenburg
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. 164, entitled
A bill to amend 1979 PA 152, entitled “State license fee act,” (MCL 338.2201 to 338.2277) by adding section 33.
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. 50 Yeas—29
Ananich Hood Kowall Rocca
Bieda Hopgood MacGregor Schmidt
Booher Horn Marleau Shirkey
Emmons Hune Meekhof Smith
Green Johnson Nofs Warren
Gregory Jones O’Brien Young
Hertel Knezek Robertson Zorn
Hildenbrand
Nays—8
Casperson Hansen Pavlov Schuitmaker
Colbeck Knollenberg Proos Stamas
Excused—1
Brandenburg
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. 84, entitled
A bill to amend 1949 PA 300, entitled “Michigan vehicle code,” (MCL 257.1 to 257.923) by adding section 811aa.
The question being on the passage of the bill,
Senator Hopgood offered the following amendments:
1. Amend page 1, line 6, after “THIS” by striking out “SECTION” and inserting “SUBSECTION”.
2. Amend page 3, following line 3, by inserting:
“(7) THE SECRETARY OF STATE SHALL DEVELOP UNDER SECTION 811E AND ISSUE UNDER SECTION 811F A FUND-RAISING PLATE RECOGNIZING WOMEN’S HEALTH. THE SECRETARY OF STATE, IN CONJUNCTION WITH PLANNED PARENTHOOD AFFILIATES OF MICHIGAN, SHALL DESIGN THE FUND-RAISING PLATES AUTHORIZED IN THIS SUBSECTION.
(8) THE WOMEN’S HEALTH FUND IS CREATED WITHIN THE STATE TREASURY. THE STATE TREASURER MAY RECEIVE MONEY OR OTHER ASSETS FROM ANY SOURCE FOR DEPOSIT INTO THE FUND. THE STATE TREASURER SHALL DIRECT THE INVESTMENT OF THE FUND. THE STATE TREASURER SHALL CREDIT TO THE FUND INTEREST AND EARNINGS FROM FUND INVESTMENTS. MONEY IN THE FUND AT THE CLOSE OF THE FISCAL YEAR SHALL REMAIN IN THE FUND AND SHALL NOT LAPSE TO THE GENERAL FUND.
(9) THE SECRETARY OF STATE SHALL TRANSFER THE DONATION MONEY FROM THE SALE OF FUND-RAISING PLATES RECOGNIZING WOMEN’S HEALTH TO THE STATE TREASURER, WHO SHALL CREDIT THE DONATION MONEY TO THE WOMEN’S HEALTH FUND CREATED UNDER SUBSECTION (8).
(10) THE STATE TREASURER SHALL DISBURSE MONEY IN THE WOMEN’S HEALTH FUND CREATED IN SUBSECTION (8) ON AN ANNUAL BASIS TO THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES.
(11) THE SECRETARY OF STATE SHALL BE THE ADMINISTRATOR OF THE WOMEN’S HEALTH FUND CREATED UNDER SUBSECTION (8) FOR AUDITING PURPOSES.
(12) MONEY DISBURSED TO THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES UNDER SUBSECTION (10) SHALL BE USED TO MATCH THE MATERNAL AND CHILD HEALTH BLOCK GRANT AND SHALL ONLY BE USED TO SUPPORT WOMEN’S HEALTH.”.
The amendments were not adopted, a majority of the members serving not voting therefor.
Senator Hood requested the yeas and nays.
The yeas and nays were ordered, 1/5 of the members present voting therefor.
The amendments were not adopted, a majority of the members serving not voting therefor, as follows:
Roll Call No. 51 Yeas—11
Ananich Hertel Johnson Warren
Bieda Hood Knezek Young
Gregory Hopgood Smith
Nays—26
Booher Horn Meekhof Rocca
Casperson Hune Nofs Schmidt
Colbeck Jones O’Brien Schuitmaker
Emmons Knollenberg Pavlov Shirkey
Green Kowall Proos Stamas
Hansen MacGregor Robertson Zorn
Hildenbrand Marleau
Excused—1
Brandenburg
Not Voting—0
In The Chair: President
Senator Hopgood offered the following amendments:
1. Amend page 2, line 18, after “501,” by striking out the balance of the line through “ABORTION” on line 19 and inserting “AND THAT PROVIDE HEALTH CARE SERVICES TO WOMEN AND PRACTICAL SUPPORT TO PREGNANT WOMEN”.
2. Amend page 2, line 20, after “SUBSECTION” by striking out the balance of the line through “ORGANIZATIONS”” on line 21 and inserting a comma and ““ELIGIBLE NONPROFIT ORGANIZATIONS””.
3. Amend page 2, line 23, after “THAT” by striking out the balance of the line through “AND” on line 24.
4. Amend page 2, line 25, after “PROJECTS” by striking out the balance of the line through “ABORTION” on line 26.
5. Amend page 2, line 27, by striking out all of subdivision (B).
The amendments were not adopted, a majority of the members serving not voting therefor.
Senator Hood requested the yeas and nays.
The yeas and nays were ordered, 1/5 of the members present voting therefor.
The amendments were not adopted, a majority of the members serving not voting therefor, as follows:
Roll Call No. 52 Yeas—11
Ananich Hertel Johnson Warren
Bieda Hood Knezek Young
Gregory Hopgood Smith
Nays—26
Booher Horn Meekhof Rocca
Casperson Hune Nofs Schmidt
Colbeck Jones O’Brien Schuitmaker
Emmons Knollenberg Pavlov Shirkey
Green Kowall Proos Stamas
Hansen MacGregor Robertson Zorn
Hildenbrand Marleau
Excused—1
Brandenburg
Not Voting—0
In The Chair: President
Senator Bieda offered the following amendments:
1. Amend page 2, line 11, by striking out all of line 11 and inserting “DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES. MONEY RECEIVED BY THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES UNDER THIS SUBSECTION SHALL ONLY BE USED ON PROGRAMS THAT SEEK TO REDUCE INFANT MORTALITY RATES IN ALL AREAS OF THIS STATE, FOCUSING ON AREAS WHERE INFANT MORTALITY RATES ARE AT CRITICAL LEVELS.”.
2. Amend page 2, line 15, by striking out all of subsection (6).
The amendments were not adopted, a majority of the members serving not voting therefor.
Senator Hood requested the yeas and nays.
The yeas and nays were ordered, 1/5 of the members present voting therefor.
The amendments were not adopted, a majority of the members serving not voting therefor, as follows:
Roll Call No. 53 Yeas—11
Ananich Hertel Johnson Warren
Bieda Hood Knezek Young
Gregory Hopgood Smith
Nays—26
Booher Horn Meekhof Rocca
Casperson Hune Nofs Schmidt
Colbeck Jones O’Brien Schuitmaker
Emmons Knollenberg Pavlov Shirkey
Green Kowall Proos Stamas
Hansen MacGregor Robertson Zorn
Hildenbrand Marleau
Excused—1
Brandenburg
Not Voting—0
In The Chair: President
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. 54 Yeas—26
Booher Horn Meekhof Rocca
Casperson Hune Nofs Schmidt
Colbeck Jones O’Brien Schuitmaker
Emmons Knollenberg Pavlov Shirkey
Green Kowall Proos Stamas
Hansen MacGregor Robertson Zorn
Hildenbrand Marleau
Nays—11
Ananich Hertel Johnson Warren
Bieda Hood Knezek Young
Gregory Hopgood Smith
Excused—1
Brandenburg
Not Voting—0
In The Chair: President
The Senate agreed to the title of the bill.
Protests
Senators Warren, Hood, Ananich, Young, Hopgood, Hertel, Gregory and Johnson, under their constitutional right of protest (Art. 4, Sec. 18), protested against the passage of Senate Bill No. 84.
Senator Warren moved that the statement she made during the discussion of the bill be printed as her reasons for voting “no.”
The motion prevailed.
Senator Warren’s statement, in which Senators Hood, Ananich, Young, Hopgood, Hertel, Gregory and Johnson concurred, is as follows:
I rise today in opposition to Senate Bill No. 84. You have heard some of my colleagues who have spoken before me today reference a number of plates that already exist in the state of Michigan. You can go to Secretary of State Ruth Johnson’s website and get a picture of each of the license plates that we currently allow. You can choose to spend your money to get a plate that supports one of the 15 public colleges and universities here in our state. We can support our agricultural heritage, breast cancer awareness, our veterans, the Salvation Army, and the Red Cross.
This, however, would be the first and most politically-blatant license plate that we have in our state. Currently, although it was referenced by the sponsor of this bill that there are some states that offer a Choose Life plate already, there are two cases pending before the Supreme Court. Arguments will be heard on one of these cases next week on the 23rd of this month. The issue is whether or not states are allowed to have a state-issued specialty license plate that shows only one side of a political issue and not both.
The first case, Berger v. The American Civil Liberties Union of North Carolina, introduced such legislation for a Choose Life plate. U.S. District Judge James C. Cox ruled in December 2012 that it violated that important state neutrality. The Fourth Circuit upheld his decision. That case has been appealed to the Supreme Court, along with a case from Texas, Walker v. Tex Division of the Sons of Confederate Veterans.
As the Supreme Court is currently reviewing this issue, I do not think it is in our best interest to move this bill forward today, and if we are going to, we should take what other courts have already said and offer a plate on both sides of a politically-charged issue. This was referenced by one of my colleagues who spoke before me who actually has a bill to do such a thing.
Let’s not put political speech on our license plates; buy a bumper sticker. I urge my colleagues to vote “no.”
Senators Hopgood, Colbeck, Bieda and Hertel asked and were granted unanimous consent to make statements and moved that the statements be printed in the Journal.
The motion prevailed.
Senator Hopgood’s first statement is as follows:
I rise to offer an amendment to Senate Bill No. 84 that would ensure that funding from the Choose Life Michigan Fund goes to practical health services for pregnant women. This proposed fundraising license plate, the one that is currently before us, is divisive not because of the broad issue it addresses, but because of the organizations and activities it will actually be funding. If this bill is truly about the lives of Michigan’s children, then this money should only go to organizations and efforts directly related to the life and health of Michigan women and children, not advertising, media outreach, political activities, or anything else that detracts from the intent of this fund.
Many important organizations in Michigan promote reproductive health and responsibility and offer important health care services and sensible support to expectant mothers, especially lower-income women or those without adequate health care, and that specific work should be what this plate and this money will be supporting. This plate should not be used as a fundraising tool and propaganda piece for a political organization. I think we should all be able to agree that this funding should be dedicated to the hands-on work of our state’s health care organizations and directly address the health of all Michigan mothers and their babies.
I urge you all to vote for this amendment, and stand up for all Michigan women and children.
Senator Hopgood’s second statement is as follows:
I rise to offer a second amendment to Senate Bill No. 84 that would establish a comparable Women’s Health fundraising license plate. Too often, the debate on reproductive health gets mired in divisive rancor and politics. But this amendment is simply about fairness and providing an equal funding mechanism for the variety of organizations that address the health of Michigan children and pregnant women.
If we want to establish a Choose Life Michigan Fund to raise funds for that cause, we should enable other citizens to equally support Planned Parenthood and other important health care organizations that provide vital services for expectant mothers. It is not for this body to decide what organizations or, furthermore, what political causes the people we represent can support. The choice should be left to our citizens, and this amendment will provide the latitude they deserve in being able to support a variety of organizations.
Planned Parenthood’s services focus on the health and well-being of Michigan women and children and provide an important service for women who are below the federal poverty line. These women’s health organizations are in need of financial support as much as any other organizations in the state, and we should give them equal consideration in any discussion of the fundraising of license plates.
This amendment would also allow our citizens’ dollars to be leveraged even further to support Michigan women and children by directing the funds raised through this license plate to be used as matching funds for the Maternal and Child Health Block Grant. We should not be making something as small as fundraising license plates so political and polarizing, and it doesn’t have to be.
If this bill before us is about supporting Michigan women and children, we should be supporting all related organizations equally, not playing favorites with pet political causes. I urge you all to support my amendment, and allow the people we serve to choose which causes and groups they support, not dictate it here today along party lines.
Senator Colbeck’s first statement is as follows:
I would like to point out to my colleagues that the state of Michigan already provides $4,388,000 to Planned Parenthood as an organization. They are also provided with millions of dollars in addition to that from the federal government.
Unlike this bill, our taxpayers currently don’t have the choice of whether or not those funds go to those organizations. This bill simply provides a choice for our taxpayers to support life-affirming choices. So I urge a “no” vote on this amendment.
Senator Bieda’s statement is as follows:
Colleagues, today I rise to offer an amendment to Senate Bill No. 84 that would ensure that funding from the Choose Life Michigan Fund only go to programs directed toward lowering infant mortality rates in Michigan. Governor Snyder has identified infant mortality as a top priority to help make Michigan a healthier state, and we should be working in the Legislature to address this issue.
Michigan’s infant mortality rate is higher than the national rate, with 7 deaths in every 1,000 births. That rate almost doubles for African-American children. Detroit’s infant mortality rate is even worse, rivaling that of the third world countries, but we as public servants have the opportunity and a responsibility to change that. By supporting this amendment and helping fund efforts to reduce the infant mortality rate in Michigan, we can directly and positively affect the lives of Michigan women and children.
In Michigan, there are numerous programs to fight infant mortality. If we really care about choosing life as this bill indicates, let’s direct these funds toward the variety of programs that ensure life. In voting for this amendment, we can change this bill from largely supporting a political organization to supporting the services that will directly affect and reduce the infant mortality in our state. I ask for your support of this amendment and the children of Michigan.
Senator Colbeck’s second statement is as follows:
Colleagues, this bill already addresses a leading cause of infant mortality, so I urge a “no” vote.
Senator Colbeck’s third statement is as follows:
I am honored to sponsor Senate Bill No. 84 along with 19 of my fellow Senators. Twenty-nine other states, plus the District of Columbia, already offer this plate to their citizens. If successfully passed into law, this legislation would allow the citizens of Michigan to choose a Choose Life license plate. The plate would cost citizens who choose the design $35 in addition to their vehicle registration fees. Twenty-five dollars of this fee would go toward eligible nonprofit organizations and projects, while $10 would cover the cost of the plate.
Eligible nonprofit organizations include those which provide crisis pregnancy centers, homes for pregnant women, and other organizations that promote life-saving programs. Eligible projects are those which promote alternatives to abortion, such as specialty outreaches to at-risk populations, including minorities, teenagers, college-age women, post-abortive women, media campaigns, and campaigns to promote adoption. The purchase of a Choose Life license plate is itself a choice. No one is required to purchase this license plate. The principle of choice is embedded in the title of this license plate, as it simply states “Choose Life.”
A common criticism of those who oppose life-affirming choices is that we tend to focus too much on the life of the baby and not enough on the needs of the mother. It is my hope that those who are so inclined to accept this view are supportive of this legislation, as it is, indeed, focused on the needs of the mother. The proceeds from the license plate enabled under this legislation would help satisfy the material needs of the mother, such as diapers, gas money, or shelter, all within a loving environment that seeks what is best for the mother as well as the child in her womb.
We all know that the baby in the mother’s womb is not the only vulnerable life that is impacted by unwanted pregnancy. The mother is also vulnerable; vulnerable to fear, financial hardship, and to the sense that they are all alone. Well, they do not need to face this challenge all alone. There are many individuals and organizations throughout our state who truly care about their well-being. Not only are they not alone, but the passage of Senate Bill No. 84 would provide the mother, baby, and those who lovingly look after them with the resources and sense of hope that they all sorely need. Your vote in support of Senate Bill No. 84 is more than a vote for a license plate. It is a vote to support the most vulnerable in our society—pregnant mothers and the child within their wombs.
The Choose Life message is a simple message. It is a message of love; love for baby in the womb, love for the mother facing an unplanned pregnancy, and love for a nation founded on the principle that governments are instituted to secure our unalienable rights, including the right to life.
Each of us has a choice before us at this moment. It is my sincere hope that you will join me in choosing life.
Senator Hertel’s statement is as follows:
I rise in opposition to Senate Bill No. 84. We don’t always get great examples of irony in the Legislature, but I think this is an excellent one. The term “choose life” is being used by an organization that actually wants to remove rights for women and remove their health care choices. If we want to promote life, let’s create a fund that invests in family planning programs like those run by Planned Parenthood. Let’s invest in adoption subsidies and in solving our huge infant mortality issues. Let’s not use “choose life” as a slogan, but let’s actually choose life here in Michigan by investing in our future.
By unanimous consent the Senate proceeded to the order of
Resolutions
The question was placed on the adoption of the following resolution consent calendar:
Senate Resolution No. 24
The resolution consent calendar was adopted.
Senator Hood offered the following resolution:
Senate Resolution No. 24.
A resolution honoring the accomplishments of women from the city of Detroit in observance of Women’s History Month.
Whereas, The Senate recognizes the outstanding contributions of women from the city of Detroit throughout the history of the state; and
Whereas, Martha Griffiths was an outstanding pioneer public servant, being the first Michigan woman appointed to Detroit Recorder’s Court, first woman elected to Congress, first woman elected as Lieutenant Governor, and was a great champion of adding women to the Civil Rights Act; and
Whereas, Erma Henderson, passionate advocate for equality in workplaces, restaurants, and hotels, was the first African-American woman to serve on the Detroit City Council, first African-American woman to be City Council president, and inductee into the Michigan Women’s Hall of Fame; and
Whereas, Eleanor Josaitis, co-founder of Focus: HOPE, an organization that seeks practical solutions to the problems of hunger, economic disparity, inadequate education, and racial divisiveness, provided community support and leadership to those around her and national assistance through her congressionally-approved Supplemental Nutrition Program for women and children; and
Whereas, Maryann Mahaffey, former president of the Detroit City Council, advocated for creating programs to make low-income housing accessible, architect of the first Rape Crisis Center in the city of Detroit, delegate of the National League of Cities, and chair of the Michigan delegation to the United Nations Conference on Women; and
Whereas, Rosa Parks, fervent civil rights leader and activist, was known for standing up by not surrendering her seat during the Montgomery Bus Boycott, Detroit resident since 1957, deaconess of Detroit’s African Methodist Church, recipient of numerous awards and honorary doctoral degrees, and co-founder of the Rosa and Raymond Parks Institute for Self Development, an organization to enrich the lives of youth ages 11-17 years old; now, therefore, be it
Resolved by the Senate, That we hereby honor the accomplishments of women from the city of Detroit in observance of Women’s History Month; and be it further
Resolved, That the lives and efforts of Michigan women embody a study in the power of hard work, dedication, and commitment to calling, community, family, and state. We are indeed grateful for all of their achievements, which will continue to have an impact on many people across Michigan in the years to come; and be it further
Resolved, That we offer words of praise and gratitude for Michigan’s women, not just during Women’s History Month, but every day of the year.
Senators Ananich, Bieda, Booher, Green, Gregory, Hertel, Jones, Marleau, Proos, Schmidt and Warren were named co‑sponsors of the resolution.
Senate Concurrent Resolution No. 4.
A concurrent resolution to memorialize the President of the United States and the U.S. Congress to support the continued and increased development and importation of oil derived from North American reserves and to urge the U.S. Secretary of State to approve the newly-routed Keystone XL pipeline application from TransCanada.
The question being on the adoption of the following committee substitute:
Substitute (S-1).
The substitute was adopted.
The concurrent resolution as substituted was adopted.
Senator Proos asked and was granted unanimous consent to make a statement and moved that the statement be printed in the Journal.
The motion prevailed.
Senator Proos’ statement is as follows:
I appreciate the opportunity to speak on the concurrent resolution before us today. Senate Concurrent Resolution No. 4 of 2015, noting the date because this is, in fact, the third time this body has had this resolution before it for its consideration. The TransCanada Keystone Expansion Pipeline project was first thought of and sought permits at the federal level both from the President and State Department, because it involves an international border, back in 2008. In 2011, we passed a resolution in this body in a bipartisan way that said, how can we make sure that the Keystone Pipeline gets built? After all, it is going to be built by those individuals who have the high-skilled labor jobs that we need and want to be put to work in the state of Michigan. Building some of those valves that would be used at Delta Machine in Niles, Michigan, right in my community, is something that is of value to the people who work at Delta Machine.
When you consider that this resolution passed in a bipartisan fashion in 2011, the President and the State Department had not found a resolution. In 2013, we passed it again. The resolution then called upon the President to approve it because the State Department had already given the go-ahead that, in fact, this was a worthwhile project.
We again bring it up this year. Why? Because, unfortunately, it has become entirely political. Now the President has vetoed a work project pipeline, a pipeline that would allow the United States to wean itself off of foreign oil that is oftentimes unfriendly foreign oil. How can unfriendly foreign oil be our problem? Saudi Arabia is considered one of our largest trading partners in oil, 12 percent of our entire take of 5 million barrels per day. Seventeen percent of that comes from Venezuela, another country that is not a friendly country by any stretch of the imagination.
Ninety thousand construction jobs are expected, and 7,000 manufacturing companies, like Delta Machine, have already been hard at work building the component parts.
I urge my colleagues to support this resolution to ask the President to do what he should have done in the first place. We had to add an (S-1) substitute. Why? There is a substitute because he vetoed it; a veto that should be overridden by the House of Representatives, sending a signal that Michigan jobs, U.S. jobs, and the oil that is rightly manufactured and pulled from the ground in Canada, a friendly trading partner, ought to be where we focus our time and attention. Please adopt this concurrent resolution, and send a strong signal that Washington, D.C., should override the veto of President Obama.
Committee Reports
COMMITTEE ATTENDANCE REPORT
The Committee on Education submitted the following:
Meeting held on Tuesday, March 17, 2015, at 12:00 noon, Room 110, Farnum Building
Present: Senators Pavlov (C), Knollenberg, Booher, Colbeck and Knezek
COMMITTEE ATTENDANCE REPORT
The Subcommittee on Natural Resources submitted the following:
Meeting held on Tuesday, March 17, 2015, at 1:00 p.m., Room 210, Farnum Building
Present: Senators Green (C), Booher and Hopgood
COMMITTEE ATTENDANCE REPORT
The Subcommittee on Environmental Quality submitted the following:
Meeting held on Tuesday, March 17, 2015, at 2:00 p.m., Senate Appropriations Room, 3rd Floor, Capitol Building
Present: Senators Green (C), MacGregor and Hopgood
COMMITTEE ATTENDANCE REPORT
The Subcommittee on Agriculture and Rural Development submitted the following:
Meeting held on Tuesday, March 17, 2015, at 3:00 p.m., Rooms 402 and 403, Capitol Building
Present: Senator Green (C), Stamas and Hopgood
COMMITTEE ATTENDANCE REPORT
The Subcommittee on K-12, School Aid, Education submitted the following:
Meeting held on Wednesday, March 18, 2015, at 8:30 a.m., Senate Appropriations Room, 3rd Floor, Capitol Building
Present: Senators Hansen (C), Pavlov and Hopgood
COMMITTEE ATTENDANCE REPORT
The Subcommittee on Licensing and Regulatory Affairs submitted the following:
Meeting held on Wednesday, March 18, 2015, at 8:30 a.m., Room 110, Farnum Building
Present: Senators Knollenberg (C), Marleau and Young
COMMITTEE ATTENDANCE REPORT
The Subcommittee on Higher Education submitted the following:
Meeting held on Wednesday, March 18, 2015, at 9:30 a.m., Rooms 402 and 403, Capitol Building
Present: Senators Schuitmaker (C), MacGregor and Hertel
Scheduled Meetings
Appropriations -
Subcommittees -
Agriculture and Rural Development - Tuesday, March 24, 3:00 p.m., Rooms 402 and 403, Capitol Building (373-2768)
Community Colleges - Wednesday, March 25, 9:00 a.m., Room 405, Capitol Building (373-2768)
Corrections - Thursdays, March 19, 9:00 a.m., Room 110, Farnum Building and March 26, 9:00 a.m., Room 405, Capitol Building (373-2768)
Environmental Quality - Tuesday, March 24, 1:30 p.m., Room 210, Farnum Building (373-2768)
General Government - Thursdays, March 19 and March 26, 8:30 a.m., Room 100, Farnum Building (373-2768)
Higher Education - Thursday, March 26, 9:30 a.m., Senate Appropriations Room, 3rd Floor, Capitol Building (373‑2768)
Judiciary - Wednesday, March 25, 1:00 p.m., Senate Appropriations Room, 3rd Floor, Capitol Building (373-2768)
K-12, School Aid, Education - Wednesday, March 25, 8:30 a.m., Senate Appropriations Room, 3rd Floor, Capitol Building (373-2768)
Natural Resources - Tuesday, March 24, 1:00 p.m., Room 210, Farnum Building (373-2768)
State Police and Military Affairs - Tuesday, March 24, 8:30 a.m. and Thursday, March 26, 1:00 p.m. (CANCELED), Rooms 402 and 403, Capitol Building (373-2768)
Transportation - Thursdays, March 19 and March 26, 8:30 a.m., Senate Appropriations Room, 3rd Floor, Capitol Building (373-2768)
Economic Development - Thursday, March 19, 1:30 p.m., Room 210, Farnum Building (373-5312)
Transportation - Thursday, March 19, 8:30 a.m., Room 210, Farnum Building (373-5323)
Veterans, Military Affairs and Homeland Security - Thursday, March 19, 2:00 p.m., Room 110, Farnum Building (373-5314)
Senator Kowall moved that the Senate adjourn.
The motion prevailed, the time being 11:00 a.m.
The President, Lieutenant Governor Calley, declared the Senate adjourned until Thursday, March 19, 2015, at 10:00 a.m.
JEFFREY F. COBB
Secretary of the Senate
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