BILL PACKAGE HBs 5298-5299:  HB 5298 (Harris) would insert limousines and buses to the existing list of passenger transportation entities exempt from paying PIP benefits. HB 5299 (Morgan) would update definitions related to ride sharing entities in the section of the Insurance Code requiring PIP benefits.

Sponsors:  Reps. Harris (R) & Morgan (D)                          

Passages:  67-40 with Immediate Effect

Why I voted YES: Limos have been unfairly required to be the policy by which injured passengers claim PIP benefits through despite other transportation vehicles being exempt, this would remedy that issue and create parity among transportation entities.

– – –

HB 5210:  Allows the same vessel to be listed on multiple licenses and permits vessels to be added or subtracted from a license via written notification to the Department of Natural Resources (DNR).

Sponsor:  Rep. Alexander (R)                  

Passage:  106-1 with Immediate Effect

Why I voted YES: This legislation will help commercial fishers have more flexibility. A vessel can be utilized for various types of fishing, such as trap nets or gill nets, if they are covered under different licenses held by the same or different operators.

– – –

HB 4932:  Allows 100% of pharmacists’ continuing education requirements to be completed online.

Sponsor:  Rep. Cavitt (R)                           

Passage:  107-0 with Immediate Effect

Why I voted YES: Especially since pharmacists typically do not work on patients directly, completing continuing education online is a simple and effective way to fulfill such requirements.

– – –

HB 4934:  Clarifies that when a temporary psychologist licensure expires, the license holder can be relicensed, and relicensure counts towards the renewal limit.

Sponsor:  Rep. Frisbie (R)                         

Passage:  107-0 with Immediate Effect

Why I voted YES: The bill makes a simple, logical, clarifying change.

– – –

HB 5517:  Provides Michigan beer and soft drink distributors a tax credit per returnable container sold.

Sponsor:  Rep. Aragona (R)                      

Passage:  94-12 with Immediate Effect

Why I voted YES: Sustained investment in the infrastructure necessary to implement the Bottle Bill helps ensure the system works appropriately.

– – –

BILL PACKAGE HBs 4593-4594:  Limit who can describe themselves as dental specialists.

Sponsors:  Reps. Bierlein (R) & Martus (D)                        

Passages:  105-1 with Immediate Effect

Why I voted YES: Currently, less qualified dentists could advertise as specializing in various areas, while those more qualified (certified as a specialist) are more restricted in what they hold themselves as.

– – –

HB 5102:  Eliminates the long dormant dental task force, advising the dentistry board on the health profession specialty fields.

Sponsor:  Rep. Kuhn (R)                             

Passage:  106-0 with Immediate Effect

Why I voted YES: Since the task force is dormant, there is no use in keeping the statute creating it.

– – –

HB 4909:  Modifies the requirement for reporting cosmetology school records to LARA.

Sponsor:  Rep. Rigas (R)                            

Passage:  105-1 with Immediate Effect

Why I voted YES: This reduces the volume of potentially useless information coming into LARA, allowing them to request only information they need instead of sorting through a pile of monthly reports.

– – –

BILL PACKAGE HBs 4346-4347:  Revises cap on funds deposited in AEIDF & Horse Racing Law amended.

Sponsors:  Reps. Witwer (D) & Kunse (R)                           

HB 4346 Passage:  88-18 with Immediate Effect

HB 4347 Passage:  86-20 with Immediate Effect

Why I voted YES: Historically, the AEIDF balance has been raided to help balance the state budget, it is time to at least partially provide for the opportunity to restore some of those funds.