Sixty-nine million dollars for critical upgrades to road and water infrastructure and environmental cleanup is being dedicated to the Renew Michigan Fund under legislation signed last Friday by Gov. Rick Snyder. The legislation is a result of the Renew Michigan's Environment proposal Snyder announced earlier this year to increase annual investments to protect Michigan's environment and public health.
"As we continue to build a stronger foundation for Michigan's future, it's critical that we invest in improvements to our environment and infrastructure," Snyder said. "This legislation allows for upgrades to our road and water infrastructure while investing in environmental cleanup, ensuring a better and brighter future for Michiganders today, tomorrow and for generations to come."
House Bill 4991, sponsored by state Rep. Ed Canfield, redirects a portion of income tax to pay for environmental cleanup and additional road repairs. The bill also exempts compensation received for wrongful imprisonment from taxable income and total household resources.
Snyder also signed the following bills:
- HB 4522, sponsored by state Rep. Mary Whiteford, provides an additional personal exemption for stillborn birth.
- HB 4700, sponsored by state Rep. Jim Lilly, eliminates provisions related to allowing precinct delegates to file as a write-in candidate on election day and modifies references to board of primary election inspectors.
- HB 6050, sponsored by state Rep. Dan Lauwers, allows for the breeding of black bears under certain conditions.
- HB 5778, sponsored by state Rep. Thomas Albert, would allow zoos to breed large carnivores like tigers in certain situations.
- SB 1038, sponsored by state Sen. Jim Stamas, modifies and creates deadlines for completion of audit of Medicaid cost reports.
- HB 4602, sponsored by state Rep. Laura Cox, provides for technical amendments to the Budget Stabilization Fund.
- HB 4734, sponsored by state Rep. Jeremy Moss, modifies provisions regarding boards of county election commissioners and boards of county canvassers.
- HB 6122, sponsored by state Rep. Tom Barrett, increases allowable moisture level in soil from sugar beet production.
- HB 6348, sponsored by state Rep. Rob VerHeulen, modifies the distribution of local community stabilization act share revenues.
- HB 5813, sponsored by state Rep. Jim Runestad, requires the use of a standard investigation form involving the physical or financial abuse of a vulnerable adult or elder adult.
All above bills have been filed with the Office of the Great Seal.
Snyder also vetoed the following bills:
- HB 6485, sponsored by state Rep. Triston Cole, would have clarified exemptions of income and expenses of producing oil and gas. In his veto letter, Snyder wrote that tax reforms in recent years have sought to eliminate tax deductions and loopholes that resulted in unfair benefit for some taxpayers. This bill would run contrary to that objective.
- SB 362, sponsored by state Sen. Darwin Booher, would have amended the Financial Institution Tax Act to revise the apportionment formula for a financial institution with respect to gross business attributable to the foreign business of a controlled foreign corporation. In his veto letter, Snyder wrote that the legislation represents a significant departure from the tax policy practices that have allowed Michigan to return to solid financial footing.
- SB 1097, sponsored by state Sen. Jack Brandenburg, would have decoupled state interest expense deductions from federal limitations. In his veto letter, Snyder wrote that the bill proposed amendments in a manner inconsistent with the sound budgetary practices this administration has followed during the past eight years.
- SB 1170, sponsored by state Sen. Dave Hildenbrand, would have allowed certain taxpayers who are members of a flow-through entity to claim a corporate income tax credit. In his veto letter, Snyder wrote that this substantial change to the state tax code was passed in a short period of time and that the implementation of a brand-new tax in such a limited time is inappropriate given the significance of such a change, and the risk of IRS action.
- SB 304, sponsored by state Sen. Joe Hune, would have removed the sunset on the cap of 50 cents per cigar tax. In his veto letter, Snyder wrote that it is appropriate to maintain the current expectation for expiration of the cap on October 1, 2021 and return the tax to 32% of the wholesale price.
- HB 4081, sponsored by state Rep. Tom Barrett, would have provided for general amendments to bingo and charitable gaming millionaire parties. In his veto letter, Snyder wrote that this legislation would undermine the work the Michigan Gaming Control Board has done over the past six years and return millionaire parties to an underregulated market ripe with potential for fraud and abuse.
- SB 35, sponsored by state Sen. Rick Jones, would have provided for general amendments to bingo and charitable gaming millionaire parties. In his veto letter, Snyder wrote that this legislation would undermine the work the Michigan Gaming Control Board has done over the past six years and return millionaire parties to an underregulated market ripe with potential for fraud and abuse.
- HBs 4926-4928, sponsored by state Reps. Brandt Iden and Klint Kesto, would have allowed and regulated internet gaming, and enacted guidelines for violation of the lawful internet gaming act. In his veto letter, Snyder wrote that he is vetoing these bills largely due to unknown revenue implications and believes more study and comparison with other states is necessary before authorizing online gambling.
- HB 5881, sponsored by state Rep. Brandt Iden, would have provided for general amendments to the Michigan gaming control and revenue act. In his veto letter, Snyder wrote that since this bill was tie-barred to HB 4926, which he previously vetoed, this bill cannot take effect.
- HB 4611, sponsored by state Rep. Dan Lauwers, would have amended the Horse Racing Law of 1995. In his veto letter, Snyder wrote that this bill was tie-barred to HB 4926 which he previously vetoed and therefore it cannot take effect.
- HB 6420, sponsored by state Rep. Brandt Iden, would have created the fantasy contests consumer protection act to regulate betting on fantasy sports in Michigan. In his veto letter, Snyder wrote that he does not believe this legislation would accomplish positive results for Michigan and therefore is returning it for approval.
For additional information on this and other legislation, visit www.legislature.mi.gov.
Published: Thu, Jan 03, 2019
