to adopt the meeting minutes from February 8, 2024.
Representative Scott moved to adopt the meeting minutes from February 8, 2024. There being no objection, the motion prevailed by unanimous consent. The Chair laid a presentation on Communities First Incorporated before the Committee. Glen Wilson and Joel Arnold, representing Communities First Incorporated, gave a presentation on Communities First Incorporated. The Chair laid a presentation on an Overview of Supportive Housing before the Committee. Molly Smith, representing Avalon, and Catherine Distelrath, representing Supportive Housing, gave a presentation on an Overview of Supportive Housing. Questions and discussion followed. The Chair laid HB 5236 and HB 5237 before the committee: HB 5236 (Rep. Rheingans) A bill to amend 1978 PA 454, entitled "Truth in renting act," (MCL 554.631 to 554.641) by adding section 4a. HB 5237 (Rep. Dievendorf) A bill to provide legal services at public expense for individuals who are parties to civil actions and to landlords of residential premises; to provide for the powers and duties of state and local governmental officers and entities; and to require appropriations. Representative Rheingans testified in support of HB 5236. Questions and discussion followed. Representative Dievendorf testified in support of HB 5237. Tonya Myers Phillips, representing the Detroit Right to Council Coalition, testified in support of HB 5237. Ruth Johnson, representing Community Development Advocates of Detroit, testified in support of HB 5237. Lisa Chapman, representing the Michigan Coalition Against Homelessness, testified in support of HB 5237. Representative Dievendorf returned to answer questions from the Committee. David Ellis, representing himself, testified in support of HB 5237. Erika Farley, representing the Rental Property Owners Association of Kent County Michigan, testified in opposition to HB 5237. Brad Ward, representing Michigan Realtors, testified in opposition to HB 5237. Angana Shah, representing Detroit Action, testified with no position on HB 5237. William Lawrence, representing the Rent is Too Damn High Coalition, testified in support of HB 5237. The following people submitted a card with a neutral position on HB 5236, but did not wish to speak: Erika Farley, representing the Rental Property Owners Association of Kent County Michigan. Holly Tatman, representing the Apartment Association of Michigan. The following person submitted a card in support of HB 5236, but did not wish to speak: William Lawrence, representing the Rent is Too Damn High Coalition. The following people submitted a card in support of HB 5237, but did not wish to speak: Ponsella Hardaway, representing Metropolitan Organizing Strategy Enabling Strength. Bonsitu Kitaba-Gaviglio, representing the American Civil Liberties Union of Michigan. Ashley Lowe, representing Lakeshore Legal. Tony Gant, representing Nation Outside. The following people submitted a card in opposition to HB 5237, but did not wish to speak: John Shay. John Lindley, representing the Michigan Manufactured Housing Association. Tim Langholz, representing the National Federation of Independent Business Michigan. Holly Tatman, representing the Apartment Association of Michigan. The following people submitted a card in support of HB 5236 and HB 5237, but did not wish to speak: Nathan Triplett, representing the State Bar of Michigan. Beth Berglin, representing the Michigan Transformation Collective. Rachel Richards, representing the Michigan League for Public Policy. Simon L. Ponce Potes, representing the Rent is Too Damn High Coalition. Ashley Heidenrich, representing the Michigan Coalition Against Homelessness. Jim Schaafsma, representing the Michigan Poverty Law Program.