to adopt the meeting minutes from November 13, 2024.
Representative Churches moved to adopt the meeting minutes from November 13, 2024. There being no objection, the motion prevailed by unanimous consent. The Chair laid before the committee a presentation by Patrice Neely, Founder and CEO of GoLogicsolutions. Patrice Neely, representing GoLogicsolutions, spoke regarding enabling governments to increase small business success rates. Questions and discussion followed. The Chair laid HB 5606, HB 5607, HB 5608 and HB 5609 before the committee: HB 5606 (Rep. Filler) A bill to amend 1939 PA 3, entitled "An act to provide for the regulation and control of public and certain private utilities and other services affected with a public interest within this state; to provide for alternative energy suppliers and certain providers of electric vehicle charging services; to provide for licensing; to include municipally owned utilities and other providers of energy under certain provisions of this act; to create a public service commission and to prescribe and define its powers and duties; to abolish the Michigan public utilities commission and to confer the powers and duties vested by law on the public service commission; to provide for the powers and duties of certain state governmental officers and entities; to provide for the continuance, transfer, and completion of certain matters and proceedings; to abolish automatic adjustment clauses; to prohibit certain rate increases without notice and hearing; to qualify residential energy conservation programs permitted under state law for certain federal exemption; to create a fund; to encourage the utilization of resource recovery facilities; to prohibit certain acts and practices of providers of energy; to allow for the securitization of stranded costs; to reduce rates; to provide for appeals; to provide appropriations; to declare the effect and purpose of this act; to prescribe remedies and penalties; and to repeal acts and parts of acts," by amending section 10h (MCL 460.10h), as amended by 2023 PA 245. HB 5607 (Rep. Andrews) A bill to create a nuclear and hydrogen graduate attraction and retention program to award grants to certain graduates of a postsecondary school who are employed in this state at a qualified electric generation facility after graduation; to provide for the powers and duties of certain state governmental officers and entities; to prohibit the submission of false information and prescribe penalties; to provide remedies; to create certain funds; to provide for the distribution of money from certain funds; and to allow the promulgation of rules. HB 5608 (Rep. McFall) A bill to create a program that awards grants to certain postsecondary schools in this state that establish or expand certain educational programs that lead to degrees or credentials supportive of the nuclear and hydrogen industries; and to provide for the powers and duties of certain state officers and entities. HB 5609 (Rep. Steckloff) A bill to create a fund for a program that awards grants to certain postsecondary schools in this state that establish or expand certain educational programs that lead to degrees or credentials supportive of the nuclear and hydrogen industries; and to provide for the powers and duties of certain state officers and entities. Representative Andrews and Representative Filler testified in support of HB 5606, HB 5607, HB 5608 and HB 5609. Questions and discussion followed. Mike O'Brien, representing the I & M Power Company, testified in support of HB 5606, HB 5607, HB 5608 and HB 5609. Questions and discussion followed. Dr. Todd Allen, representing the Department of Nuclear Engineering and Radiological Sciences, University of Michigan, testified in support of HB 5606, HB 5607, HB 5608 and HB 5609. Angela Wojtowicz, representing DTE, testified in support of HB 5606, HB 5607, HB 5608 and HB 5609. Mike Alaimo, representing the Michigan Chamber of Commerce, testified in support of HB 5606, HB 5607, HB 5608 and HB 5609. The following people submitted a card in support of HB 5606, HB 5607, HB 5608 and HB 5609, but did not wish to speak: Ed Rivet, representing the Michigan Conservative Energy Forum. Katie Witkowski, representing the Michigan Community College Association. Chris Iannuzzi, representing Consumers Energy. Mike Johnston, representing the Michigan Manufacturers Association. Stephanie Johnson, representing the UWUA.