to excuse Representatives Filler, Wozniak, Liberati, Garrett and Clemente from the meeting.
Representative Ellison moved to excuse Representatives Filler, Wozniak, Liberati, Garrett and Clemente from the meeting. There being no objection the motion prevailed by unanimous consent. The Chair laid HB 5178 before the committee: HB 5178 (Rep. Vaupel) A bill to amend 1974 PA 258, entitled “Mental health code,"(MCL 330.1001 to 330.2106) by adding section 206a. At 10:37 A.M., the Majority Vice Chair Frederick took over the gavel. Chairman Vaupel testified in support of HB 5178. At 10:46 A.M., Chair Vaupel took over the gavel. Michael Garrett, representing CNS Healthcare, testified in support of HB 5178. Alan Bolter, representing CMH Association of Michigan, testified in support of HB 5178. The following people submitted a card in support of HB 5178, but did not wish to speak: Christine Shearer, representing the Michigan Association of Health Plans. The Chair laid HB 4978 and HB 4979 before the committee: HB 4978 (Rep. Brann) A bill to provide for the establishment of a wholesale prescription drug importation program; to provide for the powers and duties of certain state and local governmental officers and entities; and to require the promulgation of rules. HB 4979 (Rep. Johnson) A bill to provide for the establishment of an international wholesale prescription drug importation program; to provide for the powers and duties of certain state and local governmental officers and entities; and to require the promulgation of rules. Representative Brann and Representative Johnson testified in support of HB 4978 and HB 4979. Peter Fotos and Saiza Elyda, representing Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America, testified in opposition to HB 4978 and HB 4979. Don Bell and Shabbir Safdar, representing The Partnership for Safe Medicines, testified in opposition to HB 4978 and HB 4979. John Adams, representing Best Medicines Coalition, testified in opposition to HB 4978 and HB 4979. Melissa Seifert and Paula Cunningham, representing American Association of Retired Persons, testified in support of HB 4978 and HB 4979. The following people submitted a card with a neutral position on HB 4978 and HB 4979, but did not wish to speak: Brian Sapita, representing the Michigan Pharmacists Association. The following people submitted a card in support of HB 4978 and HB 4979, but did not wish to speak: Christine Shearer, representing the Michigan Association of Health Plans. Emily Schwerzkopf, representing the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services. The following people submitted a card in opposition to HB 4978 and HB 4979, but did not wish to speak: Wendy Block, representing the Michigan Chamber of Commerce. Andrew Schepers, representing the American Cancer Society and the Cancer Action Network. Delaney Mckenley, representing the Michigan Manufacturers Association. Stephen Rapundalo, representing the Michigan BIO. Ben Rathbun, representing the Michigan Lupus Foundation. There being no further business before the committee, Rep. Hank Vaupel adjourned the meeting at 11:41 AM. Representative Hank Vaupel, Chair Sondra Gordon Committee Clerk sgordon@house.mi.gov