Michigan Manufacturers Association    620 South Capital Avenue    P.O. Box 14247    Lansing, MI 48901-4247    517-372-5900    800-253-9039    Fax: 517-372-3322    www.mma-net.org    E-mail: ask@mma-net.org 2009-2010 House Votes Environmental Policy HB 4766 RC 225 Require Registration of Products Containing Certain Chemicals This bill would require manufacturers to register products’ containing certain “chemicals of concern” with the Department of Community Health. This would add an undue burden on Michigan industry by requiring this registration based upon the subjective opinion of the State as to what chemicals rise to the level of being a “chemical of concern.” SB 785 RC 485 Reform & Streamline State Wetlands Program This bill reforms Michigan Wetlands Program to more consistent with federal requirements eliminating the need for duplicating in permits from both the state and Federal Governments. The reforms streamline several requirements under the state program making it more cost efficient and less burdensome on industry. Human Resources SB 981 RC 688 Education Reform This bill increased the number of high quality charter schools, established merit pay and a greater ability to get rid of ineffective teachers as a means to improve the quality of our K-12 education system. HB 4183 RC 331 New Health Insurance Mandate This is a bill to mandate health care coverage for the diagnosis and treatment of Autism. Specific health care benefit mandates ultimately drive up the cost of employer-sponsored health insurance and reduce flexibility in benefit design. HB 4786 RC 217 Expand Unemployment Benefits A bill to permanently expand the state’s employer financed unemployment insurance (UI) system to individuals not currently eligible for benefits. This bill equates to a new UI tax on job providers. SB 1227 RC 194 Reduce Cost of Public School Employee Retirement This bill is a step toward reducing the cost of the state’s public school employee retirement system through a pension incentive for early retirement, a hybrid retirement plan for new employees and by requiring employees to pay 3% of salary toward retirement health care costs. Savings estimated at $680 million in FY 10-11 and $3 billion over 10 years. HB 4317 RC 90 Extending Pharmaceutical Mfg Liability This bill would increase lawsuits and discredit the FDA’s approval as the gold standard for product approval. We oppose this bill, which will increase the cost of healthcare and reduce Michigan’s ability to attract pharmaceutical companies to locate in Michigan. Tax SB 319 RC 84 Attract Advanced Battery Mfg This bill supports retaining the future of the auto industry in Michigan by attracting advance battery manufacturers to Michigan through tax incentives for integrative cell manufacturing facilities. HB 4515 RC 35 Attract Advanced Battery Mfg This bill supports the future of the auto industry in Michigan by expanding tax incentives for the construction of integrated battery cell manufacturing facilities and vehicle engineering to support battery integration, prototyping, and launch expenses. Transportation HB 4961 RC223 Improve International Commerce Infrastructure (DRIC) This bill would authorize the construction of the Detroit River International Crossing to improve capacity at North America’s busiest international connection to Canada.