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House Bill 4616: Make local governments liable for gun ban preemption violations
Passed 69 to 39 in the House on September 27, 2017
To authorize private lawsuits against a local government that violates a state preemption on local firearms ownership or use restrictions. The bill would allow plaintiffs to collect actual damages and costs if they prevail.
Rep. Beau LaFave (R) 'Voted Yes'
House Bill 4781: Regulate electric bicycle use of improved or forest trails
Passed 107 to 0 in the House on September 28, 2017
To regulate electric bicycles on paved, gravel or converted rail trails. Low-power, "Class 1" electric bikes would be allowed unless specifically prohibited from a trail by state or local officials. Faster and more powerful Class 2 and 3 e-bikes would be banned from trails unless specifically allowed. All electric bikes would be prohibited from non-motorized forest trails unless specifically allowed on one.
Rep. Beau LaFave (R) 'Voted Yes'
House Bill 4782: Permit and regulate electric bicycles on roads
Passed 107 to 0 in the House on September 28, 2017
To regulate and define classes of electric bicycle for use on streets and highways. "Class 1" are the lowest power bikes, and Classes 2 and 3 have more power and can go faster. The bill would ban individuals less than age 14 from using a Class 3 bike, and allow electric bicycles to be used on streets, bike-lanes and highways (not freeways) subject to the same rules and restrictions as regular bikes. Minors would have to wear a helmet.
Rep. Beau LaFave (R) 'Voted Yes'
Senate Bill 335: Revise campaign finance law to reflect Citizens United ruling
Passed 62 to 45 in the House on September 19, 2017
To revise Michigan campaign finance law provisions that violate the holding of the U.S. Supreme Court in the Citizens United case. That decision limited the power of congress and state legislatures to restrict election-related political speech by corporations, under a definition that includes non-profit groups motivated by ideological or political concerns.
The bill would authorize "independent expenditure committees" (dubbed "super-PACs") that could advocate for a candidate or ballot initiative but not contribute to or coordinate with a candidate. Candidates could solicit money for these committees, however. Committees would be subject to campaign finance filings but would not have to disclose the identity of donors, and there would be no cap on spending or contributions, which could come from corporations and unions.
Rep. Beau LaFave (R) 'Voted Yes'
Senate Bill 356: Impose "salespersons license" mandate on liquor industry
Passed 106 to 1 in the House on September 20, 2017
To impose licensure, regulation and legal training requirements on any person who works for a beer or wine manufacturer, wholesaler or outstate seller and is involved in selling these products to retailers. This would essentially convert a Liquor Control Commission rule into state law.
Rep. Beau LaFave (R) 'Voted Yes'
Senate Bill 73: Repeal life without parole for some cocaine sale crimes
Passed 35 to 0 in the Senate on September 20, 2017
To revise a law that authorized a mandatory life sentence for possessing or selling large quantities of cocaine or other "hard" drugs. This bill would change the law to instead authorize twice the usual drug trafficking sentence for these crimes. Senate Bill 72 would make prisoners convicted of these offenses eligible for parole after serving five years in prison.
Sen. Tom Casperson (R) 'Voted Yes'