Legislation to help boost development of grocery stores in urban areas

Legislation signed last Thursday by Michigan Gov. Rick Snyder will eliminate certain barriers to help boost development and access to grocery stores in urban areas. "A healthier Michigan is a stronger Michigan, and this bill helps promote the development of grocery stores to provide more Michiganders with access to healthier food options," Snyder said. "We have the second most agriculturally diverse state in the nation, and it's important that we expand the accessibility of Michigan's world-class food products to all Michiganders." House Bill 4207, sponsored by state Rep. Andy Schor, expands the definition of "eligible property" for community revitalization incentives to include property utilized for a Neighborhood and Commercial Corridor Food Initiative. The bill also requires at least five percent of community revitalization incentives be awarded by the Michigan Economic Development Commission to these food initiatives. It is now Public Act 239 of 2017. Snyder also signed six additional bills: - House Bill 4807, sponsored by state Rep. Dan Lauwers, codifies existing oversight by the Michigan Department of State Police (MSP) to outline the process used by MSP to approve or reject rates, fares, charges or tariffs for carriers of water who primarily transport vehicles between two state highways. It is now Public Act 240 of 2017. - Senate Bill 44, sponsored by state Sen. Goeff Hansen, adds dealing in stolen or embezzled property or motor vehicles, retail fraud, and failure to make a court-ordered appearance to the list of crimes from which a court may order reimbursement for certain enforcement costs accrued by state or local government. The bill also adds a violation or attempted violation of the Organized Retail Crime Act to the list of convictions for which a court must order the reimbursement of costs. It is now Public Act 241 of 2017. - Senate Bill 375, sponsored by state Sen. Darwin Booher, expands the list of energy projects eligible for specialized financing to include Anaerobic Digester Energy Systems, which are devices used to generate electricity or heat, or store gas produced by the digester. It is now Public Act 242 of 2017. - Senate Bills 483, 485 and 486, sponsored by state Sens. Ken Horn, Jim Stamas and Jim Ananich, respectively, make various amendments to rules associated with the employment of junior ice hockey players. SB 483 amends the Workforce Opportunity Wage Act to specify that it would not apply to individuals between the ages of 16 and 21 that are playing hockey for a Junior Ice Hockey team that is part of a regional, national or international junior ice hockey league. SB 485 adds a section to the Youth Employment Standards Act to state that the Act does not apply to individuals playing hockey for a Junior Ice Hockey team that is part of a regional, national or international junior ice hockey league. SB 486 amends the Working at Point Away from Home Locality Act to specify that the Act does not apply to individuals between the ages of 16 and 21, if the individual is a player for a junior hockey team that is part of a regional, national or international junior ice hockey league. The measures are now Public Acts 243-245 of 2017. For additional information on this and other legislation, visit www.legislature.mi.gov. Published: Mon, Dec 25, 2017