LANSING, Mich. — The unprecedented outpouring of activism from students after the shooting at Marjorie Douglas Stoneman High School in Parkland, Fla., in February is the genesis for a bill introduced in the Legislature last week that would change the voting age in Michigan to 16.
"We allow 16-year-olds to go off and get jobs and pay taxes, but we fail to allow them to exercise their voice come election time," said Sen. David Knezek, D-Dearborn Heights. "Young people are setting aside their differences and identifying issues they think need to change. And they can do everything to get that change except vote."
The shooting at Parkland, which left 17 students and teachers dead, prompted multiple school walkouts and large demonstrations across the nation by students calling for more gun control.
The bills, simultaneously introduced in both the House and Senate, also would require a change in the federal and state constitutions. To change the state constitution, it would require a supermajority in the House and the Senate, which is unlikely in the Republican-controlled Legislature, and a vote of the people. To change the U.S. Constitution, Congress would have to pass the change and send it back to the states for ratification. The last time the voting age was changed — from 21 to 18 — was 1971.
"People are trying to turn this into a partisan issue, but it’s a voting issue," Knezek said. "It’s integral in ensuring our democracy can survive in the United States."
The bill was one of dozens introduced by Democrats that are unlikely to get a hearing or vote in the GOP-controlled House and Senate, but will become talking points during the upcoming election season.
Others include reauthorizing the bonding for the Clean Michigan Initiative, which funds environmental cleanups; creating a program to provide free tuition for community colleges; removing language in state law that prohibits same-sex marriage — language that remains despite the 2015 Supreme Court decision that legalized the unions; rescinding the law that prohibits civil lawsuits against drug companies; allowing for the expungement of some marijuana convictions, and requiring schools to add instruction on the labor movement and labor strikes in Michigan.
Here's a look at the bills introduced Tuesday, on the last day of the session before lawmakers left on a 10-week summer break:
HB 6146: Require the state to identify the top 50 employers with the highest number of employees receiving medical assistance benefits from the state and to annually report those numbers to the Legislature. Sponsor: Rep. Patrick Green, D-Warren.
HB 6147: Designate a portion of M-53 as the Sergeant Wouters Memorial Highway. Sgt. Christopher Wouters of the Warren Police Department was shot and killed in 2000 by a suspect he had arrested. Sponsor: Rep. Patrick Green, D-Warren.
HB 6148-6149: Modify the probation and parole supervision fees for people on probation. Sponsor: Rep. Tommy Brann, R-Wyoming.
HB 6150: Modify the right-of-way rules for pedestrians. Sponsor: Rep. Ronnie Peterson, D-Ypsilanti.
HB 6151-6152: Revise the public notice requirements for drain project meetings. Sponsor: Steven Johnson, R-Wayland Township.
HB 6153: Repeal the forest and mineral resource development grant and loan program. Sponsor: Rep. Daire Rendon, R-Lake City.
HB 6154: Prohibit additional periods of driver license suspensions under certain circumstances. Sponsor: Rep. Klint Kesto, R-Commerce Township.
HB 6155-6159: Establish a special court for sex trade crimes; create a human trafficking assistance fund, and allow the expungement of criminal convictions for victims of human trafficking. Sponsors: Reps. Tom Cochran, D-Mason, Michele Hoitenga, R-Manton, Beth Griffin, Paw Paw.
HB 6160: Require awareness training for cosmetologists in domestic violence, sexual assault and human trafficking. Sponsor: Rep. Patrick Green, D-Warren.
HB 6161-6179 and 6184: Modify the definition of prostitutes and prostitution in various state laws, and require signs regarding human trafficking posting in schools and lodging facilities. Sponsors: Reps. Patrick Green, D-Warren, Vanessa Guerra, D-Bridgeport, Erika Geiss, D-Taylor, Christine Greig, D-Farmington Hill, Terry Sabo, D-Muskegon, Donna Lasinski, D-Ann Arbor, Stephanie Chang, D-Detroit, Winnie Brinks, D-Grand Rapids, Yousef Rabhi, D-Ann Arbor, Leslie Love, D-Detroit, Kristy Pagan, D-Canton, Jewell Jones, D-Inkster, Tom Cochran, D-Mason, Pam Faris, D-Clio, Tanisha Yancey, D-Harper Woods.
HB 6180-6181: Require local communities to use certain factors when designating affordable housing and require housing authorities to use best practice guidelines to determine needs for older adults displaced by residential revitalization projects. Sponsor: Rep. Stephanie Chang, D-Detroit.
HB 6182: Exempt zoo, animal sanctuary and fish and wildlife officials from certain restrictions in the large carnivore act, such as coming into contact with a large animal. Sponsor: Rep. Jim Ellison, D-Royal Oak.
HB 6183 and SB 1064: Change the legal voting age to 16. Sponsors: Reps. Yousef Rabhi, D-Ann Arbor and Sen. David Knezek, D-Dearborn Heights.
HB 6185-6186: Require the Department of Environmental Quality to report on the use and disposal of firefighting foam containing the chemical PFAS (polyfluoroalkyl substances) and prohibit fire departments from using PFAS in training. Sponsors: Reps. Sue Allor, R-Wolverine, Jeff Yaroch, R-Richmond.
HB 6187 and 6199-6201: Require Department of Natural Resources to install signs in the Straits of Mackinac alerting ship operators about the prohibition on using anchors in the Straits. Also establish penalties for anchoring in the Straits. Sponsors: Reps. Sue Allor, R-Wolverine, Triston Cole, R-Mancelona, Lee Chatfield, R-Levering.
HB 6188: Extend the presumption of the cause of cancer in worker’s compensation cases to include fire/crash and forest fire rescue officers. Sponsor: Rep. Sue Allor: R-Wolverine.
HB 6189: Expand notification of postsecondary education enrollment options to include home-schooled students. Sponsor: Rep. Sue Allor, R-Wolverine.
HB 6190-6191: Require that insurance coverage for mental health treatment be no more restrictive than medical coverage. Sponsor: Rep. Martin Howrylak, R-Troy.
HB 6192: Allow electronic monitoring devices in nursing homes. Sponsor: Rep. Jim Runestad, R-White Lake.
HB 6193: Modify the requirements for candidates filing an affidavit of identity. Sponsor: Rep. Julie Calley, R-Portland.
HB 6194-6195: Prohibit the transfer of school aid funds to community colleges, beginning in 2020. Sponsor: Rep. Thomas Albert, R-Lowell.
HB 6196: Establish drop-off locations for chronic wasting disease-infected deer carcasses. Sponsor: Rep. Thomas Albert, R-Lowell.
HB 6197: Provide for licensing of music therapists. Sponsor: Rep. Thomas Albert, R-Lowell.
HB 6198: Clarify that the union bargaining representatives of a local government employee union are not required to represent an employee in a grievance proceeding if they’re not a member of the union. Sponsor: Rep. Thomas Albert, R-Lowell.
HB 6202: Create a Michigan CARES hotline to deal with mental health crisis calls. Sponsor: Rep. Mary Whiteford, R-Casco Township.
HB 6203-6204: Expand the definition of assaultive crimes to include assaulting a health professional and medical volunteer who is assaulted while performing job-related duties. Sponsor: Rep. Hank Vaupel, R-Fowlerville.
HB 6205-6214 and 6216: Modify the definitions in the animal industry act to better define identification, treatment and movement of animals. Sponsors: Reps. Dan Lauwers, R-Brockway, Gary Howell, R-North Branch, Roger Victory, R-Hudsonville, Julie Alexander, R-Hanover, Hank Vaupel, R-Fowlerville, Jason Wentworth, R-Farwell, Julie Calley, R-Portland, Tom Barrett, R-Charlotte, Ben Frederick, R-Owosso, Triston Cole, R-Mancelona.
HB 6215: Prohibit payday lending institutions from charging service transaction fees greater than an annual 36% rate. Sponsor: Rep. William Sowerby, D-Clinton Township.
HB 6217: Prohibit employment discrimination based on an individual’s ethnic hairstyle. Sponsor: Rep. Erika Geiss, D-Taylor.
HB 6218: Prohibit campaign contributions from gubernatorial-appointed officials to the governor who appointed them. Sponsor: Rep. Tom Cochran, D-Mason.
HB 6219-6221: Revise the levy of a regional education enhancement millage so that it only benefits public school districts and prohibits distribution of funds to public school academies that contract with for-profit management companies. Sponsor: Rep. Kristy Pagan, D-Canton.
HB 6222: Expand online learning report data requirements to include cyber schools. Sponsor: Rep. Kristy Pagan, D-Canton.
HB 6223: Designate a portion of US-12 as Officer Lewis Stevens Memorial Highway. The Canton police officer was hit and killed in a car crash while on duty in 2003. Sponsor: Rep. Kristy Pagan, D-Canton.
HB 6224-6226: Repeal the law that limits lawsuits against drug manufacturers and allow drug product liability cases to resume three years after the repeal. Sponsors: Reps. Pam Faris, D-Clio, Brian Elder, D-Bay City, LaTanya Garrett, D-Detroit.
HB 6227: Allow for the expungement of some marijuana criminal convictions. Sponsor: Rep. Sheldon Neeley, D-Flint.
HB 6228: Expand special-event liquor licenses to include the Ladies Professional Golf Association Tour of Champions Tournament. Sponsor: Rep. Tim Sneller, D-Burton.
HB 6229: Provide for the second parent to adopt children in the case of non-married or same-sex couples. Sponsor: Rep. Jeremy Moss, D-Southfield.
HB 6230-6232: Rescind the law that allows adoption agencies to refuse to deal with potential parents based on religious or moral convictions. Sponsors: Reps. Tim Sneller, D-Burton, Jon Hoadley, D-Kalamazoo, Sam Singh, D-East Lansing.
HB 6233-6234: Remove the prohibition on same-sex marriage in the state’s family law and allow a same-sex couple to get a marriage license without public notice. Sponsors: Reps. Jeremy Moss, D-Southfield, Tim Sneller, D-Burton, Christine Greig, D-Farmington Hills.
HB 6236: Allow signs on the grounds and inside the state Capitol. Sponsor: Rep. Jeremy Moss, D-Southfield.
HB 6237: Modify the eligibility for state procurement contracts to include a small business preference. Sponsor: Rep. John Chirkun, D-Rosevillle.
HB 6238: Create a small business and entrepreneurship services office in the state’s economic development office. Sponsor: Rep. Donna Lasinski, D-Ann Arbor.
HB 6239: Modify the definition of a qualified city in the police and fire protection act. Sponsor: Rep. John Chirkun, D-Roseville.
HB 6240-6241, 6266 and 6270-6271: Qualify public safety and police officers of community colleges to investigate and report on crimes. Sponsors: Reps. John Chirkun, D-Roseville, Patrick Green, D-Warren, Gary Howell, R-North Branch.
HB 6242-6249: Reauthorize the issuance of bonds to fund the Clean Michigan Initiative, which was established to help clean up polluted sites in the state. Sponsors: Reps. Sam Singh, D-East Lansing, Terry Sabo, D-Muskegon, William Sowerby, D-Muskegon, Sara Cambensy, D-Marquette, Yousef Rabhi, D-Ann Arbor, Kevin Hertel, D-St. Clair Shores, Stephanie Chang, D-Detroit, Tim Sneller, D-Burton.
HB 6250: Provide for a freeze on the taxable values of a senior citizen’s primary residence. Sponsor: Rep. Stephanie Chang, D-Detroit.
HB 6251: Require a vegetative buffer or buyout of homes before a permit for an industrial facility is granted. Sponsor: Rep. Stephanie Chang, D-Detroit.
HB 6252: Create a suicide prevention commission. Sponsor: Rep. Jim Runestad, R-White Lake.
HB 6253-6254: Expand the definition of an embezzlement crime to include cryptocurrency. Sponsors: Reps. Klint Kesto, R-Commerce Township, Diana Farrington, R-Utica.
HB 6255: Include in the definition of the crime of dog fighting a prohibition on profiting from dog fights. Sponsor: Rep. Steve Marino, R-Mt. Clemens.
HB 6256: Expand the description of financial gain in the crime of rackateering to include money, property or any other thing of value. Sponsor: Rep. Beau LaFave, R-Iron Mountain.
HB 6257-6258: Expand the definition of the crime of forgery to include altering a record through a certain type of advanced technology. Sponsors: Reps. Curtis VanderWall, R-Ludington, Vanessa Guerra, D-Bridgeport.
HB 6259: Establish a state program for tuition-free community college education. Sponsor: Rep. Adam Zemke, D-Ann Arbor.
HB 6260: Provide for a remedial education plan for students transferring to an affiliated university upon completion of four years in a charter school. Sponsor: Rep. Sherry Gay-Dagnogo, D-Detroit.
HB 6261: Create a safety registry for school resource officers. Sponsor: Rep. Sherry Gay-Dagnogo, D-Detroit.
HB 6262: Require states to reimburse for the costs of special elections. Sponsor: Rep. Adam Zemke, D-Ann Arbor.
HB 6263: Require a third-party audit of the Michigan Catastrophic Claims Association every five years and refund any surplus. Sponsor: Rep. Michael Webber, R-Rochester Hills.
HB 6264: Create an emergency alert plan for the reporting of vulnerable missing veterans. Sponsor: Rep. Kimberly LaSata, R-St. Joseph.
HB 6265: Revise the process for the collection of delinquent property taxes by villages. Sponsor: Rep. Kimberly LaSata, R-St. Joseph.
HB 6267-6268: Authorize the electronic retention of construction documents and allow for the disposal of the original documents. Sponsors: Reps. Klint Kesto, R-Commerce Township, Robert Kosowski, D-Westland.
HB 6269: Provide for the state to assume the federal permit program for the disposal of coal combustion residual materials. Sponsor: Rep. Gary Howell, R-North Branch.
HB 6272: Create a fundraising vehicle license plate to benefit diffuse intrinsic pontine glioma (brain tumor) awareness and research. Sponsor: Rep. Phil Phelps, D-Flushing.
HB 6273: Require instruction on the labor movement and labor strikes in Michigan school curriculum. Sponsor: Rep. Phil Phelps, D-Flushing.
HB 6274: Require the Michigan departments of education and health and human services to develop and allow schools to offer annual concussion baseline testing for student athletes. Sponsor: Rep. Abdullah Hammoud, D-Dearborn.
HB 6275: Allow medical examiners to do virtual autopsies for certain conditions. Sponsor: Rep. Abdullah Hammoud, D-Dearborn.
HB 6276: Establish compensation rates for employees in companies receiving state economic development funds. Sponsor: Rep. Abdullah Hammoud, D-Dearborn.
HB 6277: Require judges to fully instruct jury members on their authority. Sponsor: Rep. Beau LaFave, R-Iron Mountain.
Senate bills
SB 1061: Authorize memorial recognition programs at state parks. Sponsor: Sen. Tonya Schuitmaker, R-Lawton.
SB 1062: Expand the valid forms of voter identification to include certain digital photographs. Sponsor: Sen. Steven Bieda, D-Warren.
SB 1063: Allow elections by mail for certain local elections. Sponsor: Sen. Steven Bieda, D-Warren.
SB 1065-1068: Create a large special events fund in the Michigan economic development agency budget. Sponsors: Sens. Kenneth Horn, R-Frankenmuth, John Proos, R-St. Joseph, David Knezek, D-Dearborn Heights, Curtis Hertel, D-East Lansing.
SB 1069: Modify the requirement that liquor license holders make enough money to operate independent of alcohol sales. Sponsor: Sen. Rick Jones, R-Grand Ledge.
SB 1070: Increase the cost of transcript fees in civil court proceedings. Sponsor: Sen. Joe Hune, R-Gregory.
SB 1071: Increase the production threshold for eligibility as a small wine maker. Sponsor: Sen. Goeff Hansen, R-Hart.
SB 1072: Require registration of people selling live nonnative aquatic species. Sponsor: Sen. Mike Kowall, R-White Lake.
For more information or to track the progress of bills, go to www.legislature.mi.gov
Contact Kathleen Gray: 313-223-4430, kgray99@freepress.com or on Twitter @michpoligal.
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