HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
COMMITTEE ON LOCAL GOVERNMENT AND MUNICIPAL FINANCE
REP. JAMES LOWER
CHAIR
COMMITTEE MEETING MINUTES
Wednesday, October 16, 2019
12:00 PM
Room 521, House Office Building
The House Standing Committee on Local Government and Municipal Finance was called to
order by Chair Lower.
The Chair requested attendance be called:
Present: Reps. Lower, Marino, Crawford, Calley, Howell, Eisen, Meerman, Paquette,
Ellison, Sowerby, Garza, Hope, Kuppa.
Absent/Excused: None.
The Chair laid HB 4851 before the committee:
HB 4851
(Rep. Hoitenga) A bill to amend 1893 PA 206, entitled "The
general property tax act," by amending sections 7b and 53b
(MCL 211.7b and 211.53b), section 7b as amended by 2013
PA 161 and section 53b as amended by 2017 PA 261.
Representative Marino moved to adopt substitute (H-1) to HB 4851. The motion prevailed 13-0-
0:
FAVORABLE ROLL CALL
Yeas: Reps. Lower, Marino, Crawford, Calley, Howell, Eisen, Meerman, Paquette, Ellison,
Sowerby, Garza, Hope, Kuppa.
Nays: None.
Pass: None.
Representative Marino moved to refer House Bill No. 4851 to the committee on Ways and
Means, with recommendation as substitute (H-1). The motion prevailed 13-0-0:
FAVORABLE ROLL CALL
Yeas: Reps. Lower, Marino, Crawford, Calley, Howell, Eisen, Meerman, Paquette, Ellison,
Sowerby, Garza, Hope, Kuppa.
Nays: None.
Pass: None.
The following person submitted a card in support of HB 4851 (H-1), but did not wish to speak:
Rachel Richards, representing the Michigan Department of Treasury.
The Chair laid HB 4915 before the committee:
HB 4915
(Rep. Berman) A bill to establish liability and provide
remedies for damage resulting from falling trees or tree
branches.
Representative Berman and Dr. Lance Stokes, representing himself as a West Bloomfield
resident, testified in support of HB 4915. Questions and discussion followed.
Brian Westin, representing Michigan Realtors Association, testified with no position on HB
4915. Questions and discussion followed.
The following people submitted a card in opposition to HB 4915, but did not wish to speak:
Debra Huff, representing the Michigan Forest Association.
Dave Hodgkins, representing the City of Rochester Hills.
Scott Robbins, representing the Michigan Forest Products Council.
Patrick Williams, representing Canton Township.
Rusty Merchant, representing the Insurance Alliance of Michigan.
Representative Marino moved to adopt the meeting minutes from October 2, 2019. There being
no objection, the motion prevailed by unanimous consent.
There being no further business before the committee, Rep. James Lower adjourned the meeting
at 12:34 PM.
Representative James Lower, Chair
Angie Lake
Committee Clerk
alake@house.mi.gov