Reform will help homeowners save money  The House on Wednesday (May 22nd) approved a package of bills that would eliminate regulatory hurdles that burden job creators who are providing access to new technology through the installation of advanced home monitoring systems. The measures were approved with strong, bipartisan support. House Bills 4591 and 4737, introduced [...]

LANSING, Mich. – Gov. Rick Snyder Tuesday (May 21) signed legislation that further protects Michigan’s vulnerable adults by strengthening the ability of judges to impose stricter sentences for criminals who embezzle from seniors or the mentally ill. “This is a good bill that will help in our efforts to combat the abuse of vulnerable citizens [...]

Lawmaker: Auditors should stick to the facts The House Tax Policy Committee has approved a bill sponsored by state Rep. Aric Nesbitt that makes Michigan friendlier to small businesses already operating here and could lure more job creators to the state. Nesbitt, R-Lawton, said House Bill 4289 is a simple, common-sense reform to give taxpayers [...]

LANSING, Mich. – Gov. Rick Snyder signed legislation Thursday (May 16) that allows school districts that have exceeded their allotted six days of school closure to extend the length of remaining school days instead of adding days to the year in order to meet the required minimum 1,098 hours of instruction. “This will help schools [...]

Legislation now heads to Senate for consideration  The House Thursday (May 16th) unanimously approved a bill introduced by state Rep. Matt Lori to allow the use of rifles for deer hunting in densely populated areas now limited to pistols, shotguns and muzzleloaders. House Bill 4283 would allow the use of a straight-walled pistol cartridge in [...]

Special ammunition would ease public safety risk The House Tourism Committee Thursday (May 9th) approved a bill introduced by state Rep. Matt Lori that allows limited use of rifles for deer hunting in an area now limited to shotguns, muzzleloaders and pistols. House Bill 4283 would allow the use of a straight-walled pistol cartridge in [...]

Measure to fund Crime Stoppers also approved A package of bills to keep boaters, snowmobilers and off-road vehicle enthusiasts safer were approved today by the House Criminal Justice Committee. Another bill that funds Crime Stoppers, sponsored by state Rep. Matt Lori, also was approved by the panel and sent to the House for a vote. [...]

Daily economic espionage cost American companies hundreds of billions of dollars per year WASHINGTON, DC – Each day, private American businesses are confronted with an onslaught of cyber attacks from individual hackers and those sponsored by countries like China, Iran, and Russia, which are seeking to steal valuable U.S. research and development.  Rampant cyber exploitation [...]

Measure now goes to Senate for consideration The House of Representatives Wednesday (April 10) approved legislation sponsored by state Rep. Matt Lori allowing Michigan residents to contribute part of their tax returns to the Michigan Alzheimer’s Association Fund. House Bills 4081 and 4082 add the Michigan Alzheimer’s Association Fund to the list of organizations where [...]

State Reps. Matt Lori and Dave Pagel introduced legislation to bring the blood alcohol content (BAC) for boaters and operators of snowmobiles in line with limits for those operating automobiles. House Bills 4441-4444 set the legal BAC for watercraft and snowmobiler operators at .08, the same level that classifies automobile drivers as being legally intoxicated, [...]

A two-bill legislative package unveiled Thursday (March 14) would modify the Michigan Merit Curriculum so high school students have the flexibility to explore career and vocational training education options. Reps. Ed McBroom, Joel Johnson, Aric Nesbitt and Peter Pettalia hosted a news conference at the Jackson Academy for Manufacturing Careers/Jackson Area Career Center to make [...]

LANSING—Sen. John Proos on Monday (March 4) met with area business owners and career and technical education (CTE) directors of local schools at the Michigan Works! of Benton Harbor office. The meeting focused on discussing the best way to structure legislation to improve access for students to alternative or CTE courses. “Every Southwest Michigan student [...]

State Rep. Kenneth Kurtz Friday (March 1) announced legislation that would help funeral directors and grieving Michigan families. House Bills 4303, 4329 and 4330 would allow Midwest funeral directors to cross state lines to participate in the removal, document signing, and transportation process.  Michigan funeral directors would be allowed the same rights in other states [...]

LANSING­ – Sen. John Proos has sponsored legislation in the Michigan Senate to allow options for students to count additional career and technical education (CTE) courses toward meeting the state’s high school graduation requirements. “I support a rigorous education that prepares our children for success in college and beyond, but we must also acknowledge that [...]

LANSING – Governor Snyder has signed Senate Bill 1121 into law as Public Act 589 of 2012.  This legislation, sponsored by Senator Bruce Caswell, amends the Motor Vehicle Code to clarify what constitutes a farm implement, or implement of husbandry, taking away the vagueness that has caused confusion for farmers and law enforcement for decades. [...]

WASHINGTON, DC – Congressman Fred Upton (R-St. Joseph) issued the following statement following the vote in the House to provide permanent tax relief for struggling families and small businesses as well as stop the federal government from going over the so-called “fiscal cliff”: “Last night, the House passed a plan to permanently extend tax relief [...]

LANSING, Mich. ‒ Gov. Rick Snyder has signed legislation that requires the consolidation of local substance abuse treatment agencies with their local mental health partners, synthesizing management functions for all substance abuse services into common entities under Community Mental Health Services Programs (CMHSPs).   The effective date of the transfer of responsibilities to the CMHSPs would [...]

Rep. Sharon Tyler announced that Gov. Rick Snyder has signed legislation that allows local governments to enter into every-day mutual aid agreements with local units across state lines. Public Act 459, allows firefighters and emergency personnel to cross state lines to protect residents if needed. The legislation will benefit border communities, including several that Tyler [...]

Employers in Michigan will be prohibited from asking applicants and employees for Internet passwords and other account information used to access private Internet accounts, such as a Facebook profile or an email account under a new law signed by Gov. Rick Snyder. The governor signed House Bill 5523 as Public Act 478 of 2012, a [...]

LANSING, Mich. ‒ Gov. Rick Snyder Friday (December 28) signed a bill to increase safety standards at abortion clinics and put measures in place to help prevent coercive abortions. “This bill respects a woman’s right to choose while helping protect her health and safety, including making sure a pregnant person is not being coerced into [...]