HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
COMMITTEE ON COMMERCE AND TOURISM
REP. STEVE MARINO
CHAIR
COMMITTEE MEETING MINUTES
Thursday, October 31, 2019
9:00 a.m.
Room 327, House Office Building
The House Standing Committee on Commerce and Tourism was called to order by the Chair.
The Chair requested attendance be called:
Present: Reps. Marino, Wendzel, Reilly, Meerman, Schroeder, Wakeman, Cambensy,
Camilleri, Hope, Manoogian, Robinson.
Absent/Excused: None.
Representative Wakeman moved to adopt the meeting minutes from October 24, 2019. There
being no objection, the motion prevailed by unanimous consent.
The Chair laid SB 455 before the committee:
SB 455
(Sen. Stamas)
A bill to amend 1893 PA 206, entitled “The
general property tax act,” by amending section 7ff (MCL
211.7ff), as amended by 2005 PA 165.
Senator Jim Stamas, the bill sponsor, explained SB 455, and introduced John Lindley, lobbyist
for Public Affairs Associates, who submitted a testimony card in support of SB 455. Questions
followed.
At 9:03 a.m., the Chair laid the committee at ease.
At 9:07 a.m., the Chair called the committee back to order.
Jennifer Smith, Director of Government Relations for the Michigan Association of School
Boards, testified in opposition to SB 455. Questions followed. Ms. Smith’s written testimony is
attached.
Natalie Stewart, Vice President of Government and Public Affairs for Switch, and John Lindley,
lobbyist for Public Affairs Associates, testified in support of the bill. Questions followed.
Alexa Kramer, Director of Government Affairs for Grand Rapids Chamber of Commerce and
Dan Papineau, Director of Tax and Regulatory Affairs for the Michigan Chamber of Commerce,
testified in support of SB 455. Questions followed.
Chris Glass, Director of Legislative Affairs for West Michigan Talent Triangle, representing Kent
County ISD and Caledonia Community Schools, testified with a neutral position on SB 455.
Questions followed.
At 9:48 a.m., the Chair laid the committee at ease.
At 9:58 a.m., the Chair called the committee back to order.
The following individuals submitted a testimony card in opposition to SB 455, and did not wish
to speak:
Bob Kefgen, Director of Government Relations for the Michigan Association of
Secondary School Principals;
Todd Tennis, representing the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers;
Peter Spadafore, Associate Executive Director for Advocacy and Communications for the
Michigan Association of Superintendents and Administrators:
Julie Rowe, Legislative Coordinator for the American Federation of Teachers-Michigan: and
Joe DeVault, Director of Education Policy and Special Education at Macomb ISD.
Jason Puscas, Director of Government and Community Affairs for MICHauto, submitted a testimony card
and written testimony in support of SB 455, but did not wish to speak.
Representative Wakeman moved to adopt substitute (H-1) to SB 455. The motion prevailed 9-2-
0:
FAVORABLE ROLL CALL
Yeas: Reps. Marino, Wendzel, Reilly, Meerman, Schroeder, Wakeman, Cambensy,
Manoogian, Robinson.
Nays: Reps. Camilleri, Hope.
Pass: None.
Representative Cambensy explained and offered the following amendment to SB 455 (H-1):
1. Amend page 5, following line 3, by inserting:
"Enacting section 1. This amendatory act does not take effect unless all of the following
bills of the 100th Legislature are enacted into law:
(a) House Bill No. 5187 (request no. 04842'19).
(b) House Bill No. 5188 (request no. 04843'19).".
Representative Cambensy moved to adopt the amendment to SB 455. The motion did not prevail
5-6-0:
UNFAVORABLE ROLL CALL
Yeas: Reps. Cambensy, Camilleri, Hope, Manoogian, Robinson.
Nays: Reps. Marino, Wendzel, Reilly, Meerman, Schroeder, Wakeman.
Pass: None.
Representative Wakeman moved to refer SB 455 to the committee on Ways and Means, with
recommendation as substitute (H-1). The motion prevailed 6-4-1:
FAVORABLE ROLL CALL
Yeas: Reps. Marino, Manoogian, Robinson Wendzel, Schroeder, Wakeman.
Nays: Reps. Camilleri, Hope, Reilly, Meerman.
Pass: Rep. Cambensy.
The Chair laid HB 4303 before the committee:
HB 4303
(Rep. Hoitenga) A bill to provide for the official time
followed in this state; and to provide for the elimination of
daylight savings time in this state.
Representative Schroeder moved to adopt substitute (H-2) to HB 4303. The motion prevailed 6-
2-3:
FAVORABLE ROLL CALL
Yeas: Reps. Marino, Reilly, Meerman, Schroeder, Wakeman, Robinson.
Nays: Reps. Wendzel, Hope.
Pass: Reps. Cambensy, Camilleri, Manoogian.
The Chair laid HB 5127 and HB 5128 before the committee:
HB 5127
(Rep. Kahle)
A bill to amend 1937 PA 94, entitled “Use
tax act.” by amending section 4cc (MCL 205.94cc), as added
by 2015 PA 252.
HB 5128
(Rep. Warren)
A bill to amend 1933 PA 167, entitled
“General sales tax act,” by amending section 4ee (MCL
205.54ee), as added by 2015 PA 251.
Tim Greimel, Legislative Director for the AFSCME Council 25, testified in opposition to HB 5127
and HB 5128. Questions followed.
Peter Spadafore, Associate Executive Director for Advocacy and Communications for the Michigan
Association of Superintendents and Administrators, testified in opposition to HB 5127 and HB 5128.
David Randels, Director of Government Relations for Oakland Schools, testified in opposition to HB
5127 and HB 5128.
Representative Bronna Kahle, bill sponsor, testified in support of HB 5127 and HB 5128. Questions
followed.
Representative Rebekah Warren, the bill sponsor, testified in support to HB 5127 and HB 5128.
Questions followed.
Tim Greimel, Legislative Director for the AFSCME Council 25, returned to testified on HB 5127 and
HB 5128.
Jonathan Byrd, Legislative Director for the Michigan Laborers Union District Council, submitted a
card with a neutral position on HB 5127 and HB 5128, but did not wish to speak.
The following individuals submitted a testimony card in support of HB 5127 and HB 5128, and
did not wish to speak:
NetChoice;
Lisa Canada, Political and Legislative Director for the Michigan Regional Council of
Carpenters and Millwrights;
Ronald G. Khoury, representing the Operating Engineers; and
Rob Cleveland, President and Chief Executive Officer of Cornerstone Alliance.
The following individuals submitted a testimony card in opposition to HB 5127 and HB 5128,
and did not wish to speak:
Jennifer Smith, Director of Government Relations for the Michigan Association of School
Boards;
Julie Rowe, Legislative Coordinator for the American Federation of Teachers-Michigan;
Chris Glass, Director of Legislative Affairs for West Michigan Talent Triangle;
Joe DeVault, Director of Education Policy and Special Education at Macomb ISD;
Bob KeFgen, Director of Government Relations for the Michigan Association of
Secondary School Principals;
Paul Liabenow, Executive Director for the Michigan Elementary and Middle Schools
Principals Association;
Dirk Weeldreyer, Executive Director for the School Equity Caucus: and
Kathleen Merry, Executive Director, Legislative Affairs for Wayne RESA;
Representative Robinson moved to postpone HB 5127 until a later date. The motion did not
prevail 5-6-0:
UNFAVORABLE ROLL CALL
Yeas: Reps. Cambensy, Camilleri, Hope, Manoogian, Robinson.
Nays: Reps. Marino, Wendzel, Reilly, Meerman, Schroeder, Wakeman.
Pass: None.
At 11:01 a.m., the Chair laid the committee at ease.
At 11:06 a.m., the Chair called the committee back to order.
There being no further business before the committee, Representative Schroder moved to
adjourn the Committee. There being no objection, the motion prevailed by unanimous consent.
The Chair adjourned the meeting at 11:07 a.m.
Representative Steve Marino, Chair
Joy Brewer
Committee Clerk
joybrewer@house.mi.gov