The legislature is on summer break with no votes until at least August. Rather than votes this report contains some interesting or noteworthy recent bill introductions.

Senate Bill 380: Authorize teacher college loan repayment grants

Introduced by Sen. Rosemary Bayer (D), to give college loan repayment grants of up to $20,000 to new teachers who teach in a school defined as “at risk,” meaning more than half the children come from households with incomes low enough to make them eligible for a federal meal subsidies. Ten percent of the grant would be paid for each year the beneficiary works in at at-risk school. Referred to committee, no further action at this time.

Senate Bill 385: Repeal ticket scalping ban

Introduced by Sen. Tom Barrett (R), to repeal a state law that bans ticket “scalping” at sports and entertainment events, but prohibit the sale or use of software primarily designed to interfere with an event sponsor’s internet ticket sale operation, or a website that is designed to ensure an equitable ticket allocation process. Versions of this bill passed the House in each of the last three Legislatures but were not taken up by the Senate. Referred to committee, no further action at this time.

House Bill 4658: Restrict use of data from “machine-readable” drivers license

Introduced by Rep. John Chirkun (D), to prohibit businesses from collecting personal information by scanning a machine-readable state-issued driver’s license or state-issued identification card. The bill permits scanning but limits to limited identity-confirming and fraud-avoiding purposes. Referred to committee, no further action at this time

House Bill 4659: Require tick warnings in state parks

Introduced by Rep. Sheryl Kennedy (D), to require state parks, campgrounds, and trails to have signs posted that warn of tick-borne diseases. Referred to committee, no further action at this time.

House Bill 4666: Increase front-line social service worker pay

Introduced by Rep. Brenda Carter (D), to increase reimbursement rates to child care providers in public assistance and foster care programs, for the purpose of giving wage hikes to front-line staff. Referred to committee, no further action at this time.

House Bill 4667: Authorize putting three-year-olds in government preschool

Introduced by Rep. Kristy Pagan (D), to extend eligibility for government preschool programs to three-year-olds from low income households.

A related bill, HB 4668 introduced by Rep. Lori Stone (D), would extend eligibility for these programs to children from households whose income is under 350 percent of the federal poverty rate, and 400 percent if a program has room. Under current law an income cap of 250 percent of the federal poverty rate applies. Referred to committee, no further action at this time.

House Bill 4672: Authorize grants to try pavement ideas solicited from public

Introduced by Rep. Shane Hernandez (R), to create a state board to solicit, filter and assess ideas from the public on better road pavement materials and processes. House Bill 4673 proposes spending $10 million in state transportation dollars annually to try some of the ideas, and House Bill 4674 authorizes grants to local governments for the purpose. Referred to committee, no further action at this time.

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Source: MichiganVotes.org