Bill would allow new Michigan governors to undo agreements of their predecessors

LANSING — It's an obscure bill having to do with memorandum of understanding agreements that are signed by Michigan governors.

But the implications could be far reaching. Sen. Mike Shirkey, R-Clarklake, wants those agreements to be compiled in one place — in the state Office of the Great Seal — and, more importantly, to be subject to approval or disapproval by subsequent governors.

That would mean that whoever succeeds Gov. Rick Snyder could undo agreements that Snyder signed during his eight years in office.

Some of those agreements, which have bypassed legislative approval, seek to improve trade and marketing opportunities with China and Canada.

And in 2012, when he couldn't get the Legislature to move forward with the construction of a bridge between Windsor and Detroit across the Detroit River, Snyder signed an agreement with Canada to collaborate on the new bridge. It has since escalated far beyond the agreement stage with properties being purchased on both sides of the bridge, federal and international approvals granted and a name chosen for the span—the Gordie Howe International Bridge.

More: Canadians see summer groundbreaking for long-sought Gordie Howe International Bridge

More: Who says Gordie Howe Bridge won't be built? Leaders show off $350M worth of busy site work

Shirkey said it's not his intention to undo any of those agreements with his legislation. He just wants more transparency with the agreements signed by the governor. And it's not clear that the bridge agreement could be undone.

"I've just found it was impossible to search for them. They’re not in the same locations, there are no recordings of what they actually are and an uncertainty of how long they last," Shirkey said. "This just provides for a common repository. And it's also putting in language that future governors can re-initiate the memorandums of understanding, but they don’t automatically carry over between administrations."

The concept of the bridge agreement didn't cross his mind when he was drafting the legislation, Shirkey said. "There is nothing nefarious going on."

But the troubled history and continued legal fights from the Moroun family, which owns the competing Ambassador Bridge, could add another wrinkle in the saga of the Gordie Howe International Bridge.

"No, not at all. The intent of the bill doesn’t have anything to do with any specific project," Shirkey said. "But it will generate some healthy discussion."

Other bills introduced in the Legislature last week:

HB 5545: Provide for alternative options for determining taxable income. Sponsor: Rep. Shane Hernandez, R-Port Huron.

HB 5546: Allow property ownership transfers to be exempt from uncapping the taxes after the transfer. Sponsor: Rep. Larry Inman, R-Williamsburg.

HB 5547: Authorize the payment of legal expenses associated with a drainage district. Sponsor: Rep. Roger Victory, R-Hudsonville.

HB 5548-5549: Allow for people to register to vote online. Sponsors: Reps. Julie Calley, R-Portland, Michael Webber, R-Rochester Hills.

HB 5550: Prohibit conversion therapy on children. Sponsor: Rep. Adam Zemke, D-Ann Arbor.

HB 5551: Require schools to provide transportation of students if the school district or public school academy receives public funds. Sponsor: Rep. Adam Zemke, D-Ann Arbor.

HB 5552-5553: Provide for personal protection insurance coverage choices in no-fault auto insurance and revise the attendant care benefits. Sponsor: Rep. Jeff Yaroch, R-Richmond.

HB 5554: Create an office of ombudsman in higher education. Sponsor: Rep. John Reilly, R-Oakland Township.

HB 5555: Modify the penalties for the improper use of a slow-moving vehicle sign. Sponsor: Rep. Scott Dianda, D-Calumet.

HB 5556-5557: Require instruction and training in child sex abuse prevention in public and non-public school districts. Sponsor: Rep. Robert Kosowski, D-Westland.

HB 5558-5559: Place the burden of proof in claims of self defense on the party seeking to rebut the claim. Sponsor: Rep. Jeffrey Noble, R-Plymouth.

HB 5560: Provide for general revisions to Michigan bridge cards and payments of assistance. Sponsor: Rep. John Reilly, R-Oakland Township.

HB 5561-5583 Create the budget bills for the departments of state police, corrections, capital outlay, community colleges, health and human services, judiciary, general government, agriculture and rural development, natural resources, military and veterans affairs, higher education, transportation, environmental quality, licensing and regulatory affairs, insurance and financial services, school aid appropriations, education, omnibus budget appropriations and omnibus appropriations for schools and a school aid supplementals. Sponsor: Rep. Aaron Miller, R-Sturgis, Dave Pagel, R-Berrien Springs, Larry Inman, R-Williamsburg, Chris Afendoulis, R-Grand Rapids Township, Edward Canfield, R-Sebawaing, Rob VerHeulen, R-Walker, Roger Victory, R-Hudsonville, Sue Allor, R-Wolverine, John Bizon, R-Battle Creek, Kimberly LaSata, R-St. Joseph, Shane Hernandez, R-Port Huron, Mary Whiteford, R-Casco Township, Tommy Brann, R-Wyoming, Tim Kelly, R-Saginaw Township, Laura Cox, R-Livonia.

HB 5584: Provide for the definition of individuals eligible for different fees and procedures to obtain a birth certificate. Sponsor: Rep. Vanessa Guerra, D-Saginaw.

HB 5585-5586: Revise the age of consent for sexual contact between a school employee and a student to include a student who is at least 16 and who is a student at a public or nonpublic school. Sponsor: Rep. Bronna Kahle, R-Adrian.

HB 5587: Eliminate the lower wage rate for persons with physical or mental disabilities. Sponsor: Rep. Frank Liberati, D-Allen Park.

HB 5588: Prohibit the use of drones to deliver phones into correctional facilities. Sponsor: Rep. Patrick Green, D-Warren.

HB 5589-5590: Require a high school diploma or a GED degree and work requirements for a person to be eligible for food assistance from the state and require the state to request a federal waiver to accommodate those requirements. Sponsor: Rep. Klint Kesto, R-Commerce Township.

HB 5591: Modify the time period for filing a complaint against an appraiser for violations. Sponsor: Rep. Brandt Iden, R-Kalamazoo.

Senate bills

SB 809-812 and 814: Repeal and remove obsolete provisions in state election laws. Sponsor: Sen. David Robertson, R-Grand Blanc.

SB 813: Provide for sentencing guidelines for violations of Michigan election law. Sponsor: Sen. David Robertson, R-Grand Blanc.

SB 815: Modify the vehicle registration fee for vans modified with a wheelchair lift. Sponsor: Sen. Kenneth Horn, R-Frankenmuth.

SB 816-817: Provide for income tax checkoff for contributions to the Michigan World War II Legacy Memorial fund. Sponsor: Sen. Marty Knollenberg, R-Troy.

SB 818: Require lobbyists appointed to positions by the governor to disclose certain financial information. Sponsor: Sen. Rick Jones, R-Grand Ledge.

SB 819-820: Create the vehicle insurance verification act to show proof of insurance. Sponsor: Sen. Dale Zorn, R-Ida.

SB 821: Create Blue Star family vehicle registration plates. Sponsor: Sen. Phillip Pavlov, R-St. Clair.

SB 822: Modify the filing and duration of memoranda of understanding enacted by the governor. Sponsor: Sen. Mike Shirkey, R-Clarklake.

SB 823: Provide for the exemption of certain prescription drugs from Medicaid's prior authorization process. Sponsor: Sen. Margaret O’Brien, R-Portage.

SB 824: Prohibit employers from mandating seven-day work weeks for employees. Sponsor: Sen. Hoon-Yung Hopgood, D-Taylor.

SB 825: Require manufacturers of prescription drugs to file an annual report on the costs associated with prescription drugs. Sponsor: Sen. Steven Bieda, D-Warren.

SB 826: Provide for the licensure of naturopathic physicians. Sponsor: Sen. Rick Jones, R-Grand Ledge.

SB 827: Create filing, storage and notice of rules regarding do-not-resuscitate orders and care plans for students in school districts. Sponsor: Sen. Rick Jones, R-Grand Ledge.

SB 828-829: Allow library employees to administer drugs to reverse the effects of opioid overdoses and allow prescribers to prescribe such drugs to public libraries. Sponsors: Sens. Rick Jones, R-Grand Ledge, Margaret O’Brien, R-Portage.

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