Governor signs bill to ensure crime victim restitution payments

Michigan Gov. Rick Snyder signed legislation Tuesday that requires criminals to continue to pay restitution in cases where a victim passes away. House Bill 4636, sponsored by state Rep. Tom Leonard, updates the William Van Regenmorter Crime Victim Rights Act to require the remaining restitution payments be made to a victim's estate. "This is a common-sense bill that will help victims' families get the justice they deserve," Snyder said. HB 4636 is now Public Act 139 of 2013. Snyder also signed two other bills Tuesday. Senate Bill 25, sponsored by state Sen. Dave Hildenbrand, allows homeowners to request a principal residence property tax exemption for any year that such an exemption erroneously was not included on the tax roll. Under current law, taxpayers may appeal for only the current year and the three immediately preceding years. It is now PA 140. SB 351, sponsored by state Sen. Arlan Meekhof, updates existing law to clarify that historic agricultural application of fertilizer, soil conditioner, manure, pesticide, crop residuals or processing byproducts, or aquatic plants, does not constitute a contaminated site. It is now PA 141. Visit legislature.michigan.gov for more information. Published: Thu, Oct 24, 2013