Senate Bill 122, Postpone more rigorous teacher evaluation standards: Passed 38 to 0 in the Senate

To delay for one year a requirement that annual year-end evaluation ratings of classroom teachers be 40 percent based on student growth and assessment data (state-administered tests), with the rest of the evaluation based on more subjective factors determined by local school administrators. Under current law this standard would go into effect for the 2018-2019 school year. This law’s requirement that 50 percent of the teacher evaluation be based on student test results in “core content areas” would remain.

Sen. Ed McBroom, R – Vulcan, Yes

Senate Bill 42, Authorize a Kiwanis specialty license plate: Passed 37 to 1 in the Senate

To authorize a Kiwanis Club specialty license plate, with the net revenue from its sale going to the Kiwanis Club.

Sen. Ed McBroom, R – Vulcan, Yes

House Bill 4102, Add “cryptocurrency” references and definition to various statutes: Passed 108 to 1 in the House

To revise the law that bans dogfighting to include “any other thing of value” in the definition of ill-gotten gains and revenue derived from dog fighting. This is part of a legislative package comprised of House Bills 4102 to 4107 that adds “cryptocurrency” to the definition of money in various criminal statutes.

Rep. Beau LaFave, R – Iron Mountain, Yes

Senate Bill 203, Establish marijuana business license “applicant” definition: Passed 109 to 1 in the House

To revise details of a 2018 law establishing the definition of an “applicant” for a marijuana business license. The bill would specify that applicants include a company’s manager and officers, partners, directors and stockholders who own at least 10 percent, and their spouses. Applicants are subject to an extensive background check process.

Rep. Beau LaFave , R – Iron Mountain, Yes

House Bill 4225, Exempt hospice painkiller from “bona fide prescriber-patient relationship” requirement: Passed 110 to 0 in the House

To establish a hospice exception from a law that prohibits prescribers who do not have a “bona fide prescriber-patient relationship” from prescribing controlled substance painkillers. This requirement otherwise requires a medical service provider to have reviewed a patient’s relevant medical records, and completed a full medical history and current condition assessment including an examination. The exception is intended to let hospice care providers adjust medication to the meet serious and rapidly changing needs of a dying individual.

Rep. Beau LaFave, R – Iron Mountain, Yes

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Source: MichiganVotes.org, a free, non-partisan website