2006-SJ-03-14-025.htm

No. 25

STATE OF MICHIGAN

Journal of the Senate

93rd Legislature

REGULAR SESSION OF 2006

Senate Chamber, Lansing, Tuesday, March 14, 2006.

10:00a.m.

The Senate was called to order by the President, Lieutenant Governor John D. Cherry, Jr.

The roll was called by the Secretary of the Senate, who announced that a quorum was not present.

Allen--present Garcia--present Olshove--present

Barcia--present George--present Patterson--present

Basham--present Gilbert--present Prusi--present

Birkholz--present Goschka--present Sanborn--present

Bishop--present Hammerstrom--present Schauer--present

Brater--present Hardiman--present Scott--present

Brown--present Jacobs--present Sikkema--present

Cassis--present Jelinek--present Stamas--present

Cherry--present Johnson--present Switalski--present

Clark-Coleman--present Kuipers--present Thomas--present

Clarke--present Leland--present Toy--present

Cropsey--present McManus--present Van Woerkom--present

Emerson--present

Pastor Dan Dickerson of Calvary Baptist Church of Midland offered the following invocation:

Father God, thank You for the privilege of being here in this place. We teach our people in our local churches to pray for those who are in authority over us. Lord, how much we do need to pray for Your wisdom and Your leadership to each of these who lead us. We thank You today that You have taught us to pray in Your Word. So we do come in the name of Jesus, and we pray our Father which art in heaven. We recognize You, God, as the One who is eminent. You are close. You allow a relationship for us with Yourself.

We thank You, Lord, that though You are the holy God of heaven, You care about us and You allow us to approach Your holy presence. So we do acknowledge that Your name is holy, that Your character is holy, and we recognize our need to give respect and honor and worth to who You are. So we come looking to You as our supplier, as our source, as our strength, and we humbly ask that You would forgive us our debts and our trespasses. Cleanse us of our sins when we enter into Your presence. We recognize the need for cleansing. We thank You that You have supplied that through the blood of the Lord Jesus Christ. We ask You to supply our needs. Give us this day our daily bread. We know each person here who serves also has needs in their own lives. We know our state has great needs, and so we do pray that You will bless each of those who serve us.

I thank You for Senator Stamas. I thank You for Senator Goschka--men who have taken time to come and even be in our local church and encourage our people; for Senator Cropsey and then many of the others here who I've met and don't know as intimately. I know each of them have needs in their personal lives and in their families. I would pray that You would supply their needs. Help each of them to have strong and godly homes, for we do believe, Lord, that our nation and our churches will be no stronger than our families. So we pray that You will bless each of these in their personal needs, in their private needs, and that You will meet their physical and financial and spiritual needs.

Lord, we come not only worshiping You, but recognizing that we want to serve You. So we pray, meet our needs so that we in turn can glorify God in our lives day by day. Use this day; may it not be just another day, but a day where we sense the presence of God. Fill each one here with the power of God to do the work of God, being servant leaders for the people here in the state of Michigan.

We pray these things in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ. Amen.

The President, Lieutenant Governor Cherry, led the members of the Senate in recital of the Pledge of Allegiance.

Recess

Senator Schauer moved that the Senate recess subject to the call of the Chair.

The motion prevailed, the time being 10:06a.m.

10:51a.m.

The Senate was called to order by the President, Lieutenant Governor Cherry.

During the recess, Senators Gilbert, McManus, Patterson, Cassis, George, Stamas, Hammerstrom, Jelinek, Van Woerkom, Sikkema, Kuipers, Johnson, Bishop, Brown, Birkholz, Garcia, Hardiman and Allen entered the Senate Chamber.

A quorum of the Senate was present.

Motions and Communications

Senator Toy entered the Senate Chamber.

Senator Hammerstrom moved that consideration of the following bill and resolution be postponed for today:

Senate Bill No.246

Senate Resolution No.71

The motion prevailed.

The following communications were received:

Department of State

Administrative Rules

Notices of Filing

February 22, 2006

In accordance with the provisions of Section 46(1) of Act 306, Public Acts of 1969, as amended, and Executive Order 1995-6, this is to advise you that the Michigan Department of Labor and Economic Growth, State Office of Administrative Hearings and Rules filed at 1:00p.m. this date, administrative rule (06-02-04) for the Department of Labor and Economic Growth, Director's Office, entitled "Barber." These rules become effective immediately upon filing with the Secretary of State unless adopted under sections 33, 44, or 45a(6) of 1969 PA 306. Rules adopted under these sections become effective 7 days after filing with the Secretary of State.

March 2, 2006

In accordance with the provisions of Section 46(1) of Act 306, Public Acts of 1969, as amended, and Executive Order 1995-6, this is to advise you that the Michigan Department of Labor and Economic Growth, State Office of Administrative Hearings and Rules filed at 1:05p.m. this date, administrative rule (06-03-01) for the Department of Labor and Economic Growth, Workers' Compensation Agency, entitled "Group Self-Insurance; Employee Leasing." These rules become effective immediately upon filing with the Secretary of State unless adopted under sections 33, 44, or 45a(6) of 1969 PA 306. Rules adopted under these sections become effective 7 days after filing with the Secretary of State.

March 2, 2006

In accordance with the provisions of Section 46(1) of Act 306, Public Acts of 1969, as amended, and Executive Order 1995-6, this is to advise you that the Michigan Department of Labor and Economic Growth, State Office of Administrative Hearings and Rules filed at 1:07p.m. this date, administrative rule (06-03-02) for the Department of Labor and Economic Growth, Workers' Compensation Agency, entitled "Workers' Compensation Health Care Services Rules." These rules become effective 7 days after filing with the Secretary of State.

March 2, 2006

In accordance with the provisions of Section 46(1) of Act 306, Public Acts of 1969, as amended, and Executive Order 1995-6, this is to advise you that the Michigan Department of Labor and Economic Growth, State Office of Administrative Hearings and Rules filed at 4:50p.m. this date, administrative rule (06-03-03) for the Department of Natural Resources, Law Enforcement Division, entitled "Local Snowmobile Control." These rules become effective 7 days after filing with the Secretary of State.

Sincerely,

Terri Lynn Land

Secretary of State

Robin Houston, Office Supervisor

Office of the Great Seal

The communications were referred to the Secretary for record.

The following communication was received:

Office of the Auditor General

March 8, 2006

Enclosed is a copy of the following audit report:

Financial audit of the Michigan State Fair and Exposition Center, Department of Agriculture.

Sincerely,

Thomas H. McTavish, C.P.A.

Auditor General

The communication was referred to the Secretary of record.

The Secretary announced that the following House bills were received in the Senate and filed on Thursday, March 9:

House Bill Nos. 4807 5580 5640

The Secretary announced that the following official bills were printed on Thursday, March 9, and are available at the legislative website:

Senate Bill Nos. 1122 1124

House Bill Nos. 5841 5842 5843 5844 5845 5846 5847

The Secretary announced that the following official bills were printed on Friday, March 10, and are available at the legislative website:

Senate Bill Nos. 1123 1125 1126 1127 1128 1129 1130

House Bill Nos. 5848 5849 5850 5851

Messages from the Governor

Senator Hammerstrom moved that consideration of the following bills be postponed for today:

Senate Bill No.272

Senate Bill No.271

Senate Bill No.264

Senate Bill No.274

Senate Bill No.281

Senate Bill No.175

Senate Bill No.236

Senate Bill No.892

Senate Bill No.893

Senate Bill No.956

Senate Bill No.957

Senate Bill No.179

The motion prevailed.

The following messages from the Governor were received:

Date: March 9, 2006

Time: 11:40a.m.

To the President of the Senate:

Sir--I have this day approved and signed

Enrolled Senate Bill No.783 (Public Act No.56), being

An act to amend 1994 PA 451, entitled "An act to protect the environment and natural resources of the state; to codify, revise, consolidate, and classify laws relating to the environment and natural resources of the state; to regulate the discharge of certain substances into the environment; to regulate the use of certain lands, waters, and other natural resources of the state; to prescribe the powers and duties of certain state and local agencies and officials; to provide for certain charges, fees, assessments, and donations; to provide certain appropriations; to prescribe penalties and provide remedies; and to repeal acts and parts of acts," by amending section 11546 (MCL 324.11546), as amended by 2004 PA 41.

(Filed with the Secretary of State on March 13, 2006, at 11:35a.m.)

Date: March 9, 2006

Time: 11:42a.m.

To the President of the Senate:

Sir--I have this day approved and signed

Enrolled Senate Bill No.570 (Public Act No.53), being

An act to amend 1975 PA 228, entitled "An act to provide for the imposition, levy, computation, collection, assessment and enforcement, by lien or otherwise, of taxes on certain commercial, business, and financial activities; to prescribe the manner and times of making certain reports and paying taxes; to prescribe the powers and duties of public officers and state departments; to permit the inspection of records of taxpayers; to provide for interest and penalties on unpaid taxes; to provide exemptions, credits, and refunds; to provide penalties; to provide for the disposition of funds; to provide for the interrelation of this act with other acts; and to provide an appropriation," by amending section 39c (MCL 208.39c), as amended by 2001 PA 69.

(Filed with the Secretary of State on March 9, 2006, at 1:48p.m.)

Date: March 9, 2006

Time: 11:44a.m.

To the President of the Senate:

Sir--I have this day approved and signed

Enrolled Senate Bill No.569 (Public Act No.52), being

An act to amend 1967 PA 281, entitled "An act to meet deficiencies in state funds by providing for the imposition, levy, computation, collection, assessment, and enforcement by lien and otherwise of taxes on or measured by net income; to prescribe the manner and time of making reports and paying the taxes, and the functions of public officers and others as to the taxes; to permit the inspection of the records of taxpayers; to provide for interest and penalties on unpaid taxes; to provide exemptions, credits and refunds of the taxes; to prescribe penalties for the violation of this act; to provide an appropriation; and to repeal certain acts and parts of acts," by amending section 266 (MCL 206.266), as amended by 2001 PA 70.

(Filed with the Secretary of State on March 9, 2006, at 1:46p.m.)

Respectfully,

Jennifer M. Granholm

Governor

The following message from the Governor was received and read:

March 9, 2006

I respectfully submit to the Senate, pursuant to Section 6 of Article 5 of the Michigan Constitution of 1963, the following appointment and reappointments to state office under Section 20 of the Michigan Boxing Regulatory Act, 2004 PA 403, MCL 338.3620:

Michigan Boxing Commission

Mr.Charles K. Zurawski of 116 Green Valley Drive, Milan, Michigan 48160, county of Washtenaw, succeeding Bradley Wright, whose term has expired, representing the general public, for a term commencing March 9, 2006 and expiring February 19, 2010.

Mr.Albert J. Low of 9742 Tioga Trail, Pinckney, Michigan 48169, county of Livingston, reappointed to represent licensees, for a term expiring February 19, 2010.

Mr.Douglas J. Maskin of 87 Boulder Lane, Bloomfield Hills, Michigan 48304, county of Oakland, reappointed to represent licensees, for a term expiring February 19, 2010.

Sincerely,

Jennifer M. Granholm

Governor

The appointments were referred to the Committee on Government Operations.

Messages from the House

Senator Hammerstrom moved that consideration of the following bill be postponed for today:

Senate Bill No.932

The motion prevailed.

Senate Bill No.208, entitled

A bill to allow reimbursement to municipalities for certain costs for inmates housed in municipal jails or county jails; and to provide certain powers and duties of municipal officials and county officials.

The House of Representatives has amended the bill as follows:

1. Amend page 1, line 7, after "of" by striking out "1,000,000" and inserting "500,000".

2. Amend page 5, line 24, after "the" by striking out "county" and inserting "municipality".

The House of Representatives has passed the bill as amended and ordered that it be given immediate effect.

Pursuant to rule 3.202, the bill was laid over one day.

Senate Bill No.372, entitled

A bill to allow for the review, oversight, and providing of recommendations regarding the operation of certain water and sewer systems within this state; to create the water accountability advisory board; and to provide for the powers and duties of certain governmental officials and entities.

The House of Representatives has passed the bill and ordered that the bill be given immediate effect.

The question being on concurring in the committee recommendation to give the bill immediate effect,

The recommendation was concurred in, 2/3 of the members serving voting therefor.

The bill was referred to the Secretary for enrollment printing and presentation to the Governor.

House Bill No.4446, entitled

A bill to amend 1978 PA 368, entitled ""An act to protect and promote the public health; to codify, revise, consolidate, classify, and add to the laws relating to public health; to provide for the prevention and control of diseases and disabilities; to provide for the classification, administration, regulation, financing, and maintenance of personal, environmental, and other health services and activities; to create or continue, and prescribe the powers and duties of, departments, boards, commissions, councils, committees, task forces, and other agencies; to prescribe the powers and duties of governmental entities and officials; to regulate occupations, facilities, and agencies affecting the public health; to regulate health maintenance organizations and certain third party administrators and insurers; to provide for the imposition of a regulatory fee; to provide for the levy of taxes against certain health facilities or agencies; to promote the efficient and economical delivery of health care services, to provide for the appropriate utilization of health care facilities and services, and to provide for the closure of hospitals or consolidation of hospitals or services; to provide for the collection and use of data and information; to provide for the transfer of property; to provide certain immunity from liability; to regulate and prohibit the sale and offering for sale of drug paraphernalia under certain circumstances; to provide for the implementation of federal law; to provide for penalties and remedies; to provide for sanctions for violations of this act and local ordinances; to provide for an appropriation and supplements; to repeal certain acts and parts of acts; to repeal certain parts of this act; and to repeal certain parts of this act on specific dates," by amending section 17015 (MCL 333.17015), as amended by 2002 PA 685.

The House of Representative has amended the Senate amendment as follows:

1. Amend the Senate Amendment, page 6, line 16, after the second "VIEW" by striking out the comma and "OR NOT TO VIEW," and inserting "OR DECLINE TO VIEW".

The House of Representatives has concurred in the Senate amendment as amended and agreed to the full title.

Pursuant to rule 3.202, the bill was laid over one day.

Senate Bill No.120, entitled

A bill to amend 1927 PA 175, entitled "The code of criminal procedure," (MCL 760.1 to 777.69) by adding section 27b to chapter VIII.

(For text of amendment, see Senate Journal No.23, p. 392.)

The question being on concurring in the amendment made to the bill by the House,

The amendment was concurred in, a majority of the members serving voting therefor, as follows:

Roll Call No.133 Yeas--37

Allen Clarke Jacobs Sanborn

Barcia Cropsey Jelinek Schauer

Basham Emerson Johnson Scott

Birkholz Garcia Kuipers Sikkema

Bishop George Leland Stamas

Brater Gilbert McManus Switalski

Brown Goschka Olshove Thomas

Cassis Hammerstrom Patterson Toy

Cherry Hardiman Prusi Van Woerkom

Clark-Coleman

Nays--0

Excused--0

Not Voting--0

In The Chair: President

The question being on concurring in the committee recommendation to give the bill immediate effect,

The recommendation was concurred in, 2/3 of the members serving voting therefor.

The Senate agreed to the full title.

The bill was referred to the Secretary for enrollment printing and presentation to the Governor.

Senate Bill No.263, entitled

A bill to amend 1927 PA 175, entitled "An act to revise, consolidate, and codify the laws relating to criminal procedure and to define the jurisdiction, powers, and duties of courts, judges, and other officers of the court under the provisions of this act; to provide laws relative to the rights of persons accused of criminal offenses and ordinance violations; to provide for the arrest of persons charged with or suspected of criminal offenses and ordinance violations; to provide for bail of persons arrested for or accused of criminal offenses and ordinance violations; to provide for the examination of persons accused of criminal offenses; to regulate the procedure relative to grand juries, indictments, informations, and proceedings before trial; to provide for trials of persons complained of or indicted for criminal offenses and ordinance violations and to provide for the procedure in those trials; to provide for judgments and sentences of persons convicted of criminal offenses and ordinance violations; to establish a sentencing commission and to prescribe its powers and duties; to provide for procedure relating to new trials and appeals in criminal and ordinance violation cases; to provide a uniform system of probation throughout this state and the appointment of probation officers; to prescribe the powers, duties, and compensation of probation officers; to provide penalties for the violation of the duties of probation officers; to provide for procedure governing proceedings to prevent crime and proceedings for the discovery of crime; to provide for fees of officers, witnesses, and others in criminal and ordinance violation cases; to set forth miscellaneous provisions as to criminal procedure in certain cases; to provide penalties for the violation of certain provisions of this act; and to repeal all acts and parts of acts inconsistent with or contravening any of the provisions of this act," (MCL 760.1 to 777.69) by adding section 27c to chapter VIII.

Substitute (H-1).

The question being on concurring in the substitute made to the bill by the House,

The substitute was concurred in, a majority of the members serving voting therefor, as follows:

Roll Call No.134 Yeas--37

Allen Clarke Jacobs Sanborn

Barcia Cropsey Jelinek Schauer

Basham Emerson Johnson Scott

Birkholz Garcia Kuipers Sikkema

Bishop George Leland Stamas

Brater Gilbert McManus Switalski

Brown Goschka Olshove Thomas

Cassis Hammerstrom Patterson Toy

Cherry Hardiman Prusi Van Woerkom

Clark-Coleman

Nays--0

Excused--0

Not Voting--0

In The Chair: President

The question being on concurring in the committee recommendation to give the bill immediate effect,

The recommendation was concurred in, 2/3 of the members serving voting therefor.

The Senate agreed to the title as amended.

The bill was referred to the Secretary for enrollment printing and presentation to the Governor.

Senate Bill No.462, entitled

A bill to amend 1954 PA 116, entitled "Michigan election law," by amending section 737a (MCL 168.737a), as added by 1996 PA 461.

(For text of amendment, see Senate Journal No.23, p. 393.)

The question being on concurring in the amendment made to the bill by the House,

The amendment was concurred in, a majority of the members serving voting therefor, as follows:

Roll Call No.135 Yeas--37

Allen Clarke Jacobs Sanborn

Barcia Cropsey Jelinek Schauer

Basham Emerson Johnson Scott

Birkholz Garcia Kuipers Sikkema

Bishop George Leland Stamas

Brater Gilbert McManus Switalski

Brown Goschka Olshove Thomas

Cassis Hammerstrom Patterson Toy

Cherry Hardiman Prusi Van Woerkom

Clark-Coleman

Nays--0

Excused--0

Not Voting--0

In The Chair: President

The question being on concurring in the committee recommendation to give the bill immediate effect,

The recommendation was concurred in, 2/3 of the members serving voting therefor.

The Senate agreed to the full title.

The bill was referred to the Secretary for enrollment printing and presentation to the Governor.

Senate Bill No.728, entitled

A bill to amend 1978 PA 368, entitled "Public health code," by amending sections 9201, 9204, 9207, and 9227 (MCL 333.9201, 333.9204, 333.9207, and 333.9227), sections 9201 and 9227 as amended and section 9207 as added by 1996 PA 540.

(For text of amendment, see Senate Journal No.23, p. 393.)

The question being on concurring in the amendment made to the bill by the House,

The amendment was concurred in, a majority of the members serving voting therefor, as follows:

Roll Call No.136 Yeas--37

Allen Clarke Jacobs Sanborn

Barcia Cropsey Jelinek Schauer

Basham Emerson Johnson Scott

Birkholz Garcia Kuipers Sikkema

Bishop George Leland Stamas

Brater Gilbert McManus Switalski

Brown Goschka Olshove Thomas

Cassis Hammerstrom Patterson Toy

Cherry Hardiman Prusi Van Woerkom

Clark-Coleman

Nays--0

Excused--0

Not Voting--0

In The Chair: President

The question being on concurring in the committee recommendation to give the bill immediate effect,

The recommendation was concurred in, 2/3 of the members serving voting therefor.

The Senate agreed to the full title.

The bill was referred to the Secretary for enrollment printing and presentation to the Governor.

By unanimous consent the Senate proceeded to the order of

General Orders

Senator Hammerstrom moved that the Senate resolve itself into the Committee of the Whole for consideration of the General Orders calendar.

The motion prevailed, and the President, Lieutenant Governor Cherry, designated Senator Barcia as Chairperson.

After some time spent therein, the Committee arose; and, the President, Lieutenant Governor Cherry, having resumed the Chair, the Committee reported back to the Senate, favorably and without amendment, the following bill:

House Bill No.5258, entitled

A bill to amend 1981 PA 230, entitled "Michigan economic and social opportunity act of 1981," by amending section 11 (MCL 400.1111), as amended by 2003 PA 123.

The bill was placed on the order of Third Reading of Bills.

The Committee of the Whole reported back to the Senate, favorably and with a substitute therefor, the following bill:

House Bill No.4555, entitled

A bill to amend 1951 PA 51, entitled "An act to provide for the classification of all public roads, streets, and highways in this state, and for the revision of that classification and for additions to and deletions from each classification; to set up and establish the Michigan transportation fund; to provide for the deposits in the Michigan transportation fund of specific taxes on motor vehicles and motor vehicle fuels; to provide for the allocation of funds from the Michigan transportation fund and the use and administration of the fund for transportation purposes; to set up and establish the truck safety fund; to provide for the allocation of funds from the truck safety fund and administration of the fund for truck safety purposes; to set up and establish the Michigan truck safety commission; to establish certain standards for road contracts for certain businesses; to provide for the continuing review of transportation needs within the state; to authorize the state transportation commission, counties, cities, and villages to borrow money, issue bonds, and make pledges of funds for transportation purposes; to authorize counties to advance funds for the payment of deficiencies necessary for the payment of bonds issued under this act; to provide for the limitations, payment, retirement, and security of the bonds and pledges; to provide for appropriations and tax levies by counties and townships for county roads; to authorize contributions by townships for county roads; to provide for the establishment and administration of the state trunk line fund, local bridge fund, comprehensive transportation fund, and certain other funds; to provide for the deposits in the state trunk line fund, critical bridge fund, comprehensive transportation fund, and certain other funds of money raised by specific taxes and fees; to provide for definitions of public transportation functions and criteria; to define the purposes for which Michigan transportation funds may be allocated; to provide for Michigan transportation fund grants; to provide for review and approval of transportation programs; to provide for submission of annual legislative requests and reports; to provide for the establishment and functions of certain advisory entities; to provide for conditions for grants; to provide for the issuance of bonds and notes for transportation purposes; to provide for the powers and duties of certain state and local agencies and officials; to provide for the making of loans for transportation purposes by the state transportation department and for the receipt and repayment by local units and agencies of those loans from certain specified sources; and to repeal acts and parts of acts," by amending section 10k (MCL 247.660k), as amended by 1982 PA 438.

Substitute (S-4).

The Senate agreed to the substitute recommended by the Committee of the Whole, and the bill as substituted was placed on the order of Third Reading of Bills.

The Committee of the Whole reported back to the Senate, favorably and with a substitute therefor, the following bill:

Senate Bill No.969, entitled

A bill to authorize the state administrative board to convey certain interests in property in Ingham county; to prescribe certain conditions for the conveyance; and to provide for disposition of the revenue derived from the conveyance.

Substitute (S-2).

The following is the amendment to the substitute recommended by the Committee of the Whole:

1. Amend page 1, line 4, after "reentry" by inserting "contained".

The Senate agreed to the substitute, as amended, recommended by the Committee of the Whole, and the bill as substituted was placed on the order of Third Reading of Bills.

Resolutions

The question was placed on the adoption of the following resolution consent calendar:

Senate Resolution No.104

The resolution consent calendar was adopted.

Senators Cherry, Olshove, Emerson, Johnson, Cassis, Bishop and Jacobs offered the following resolution:

Senate Resolution No.104.

A resolution commemorating March 26, 2006, as Support Our Troops Day.

Whereas, Our troops who are currently serving our country deserve to have a day where they can be honored and recognized for the service they continue to provide us; and

Whereas, Alexandra Lynn McGregor, a sophomore at Waterford Kettering High School, is to be commended for seeking out this day to pay tribute to our soldiers around the world; and

Whereas, We need to have a day that shows the support of the present-day soldier; and

Whereas, It is important for the men and women of this country who serve to know that we respect them and thank them for their tireless, and sometimes thankless, service to all of us; and

Whereas, We would like to honor our troops at six o'clock Eastern Standard Time on the evening of March 26, 2006, by taking a moment of silence for our thoughts and prayers; now, therefore, be it

Resolved by the Senate, That we hereby proclaim March 26, 2006, as Support Our Troops Day in Michigan and urge the appropriate observance thereof; and be it further

Resolved, That a copy of this resolution be transmitted to Alexandra Lynn McGregor as a token of our esteem and support for her efforts.

Senators Barcia, Clarke, Cropsey, Garcia, Gilbert, Goschka, Hammerstrom, Jelinek, Prusi, Schauer, Scott, Switalski and Toy were named co-sponsors of the resolution.

Senators Hardiman, Brown, Allen, Birkholz, Jelinek, Sikkema, Cropsey offered the following concurrent resolution:

Senate Concurrent Resolution No.41.

A concurrent resolution urging the Republican National Committee to consider Detroit as the host site for the 2008 Republican National Convention.

Whereas, Detroit is one of 31 cities to receive invitations to bid for the 2008 Republican National Convention. Cities have been asked to make their proposals to the National Republican Committee by early June 2006, and a decision on the site is expected to be made by February 1, 2007; and

Whereas, The capacity of the Motor City to host as large an event as a national political party convention can hardly be questioned, for in the past year Detroit successfully hosted the 2005 Major League Baseball All Star Game and Super Bowl XL. In addition, in 2005 the Progressive National Baptist Convention met in the Motor City, and in 2004 the National Urban League and the Lions Clubs International held their conventions in Detroit; and

Whereas, If the Republican National Committee chooses Detroit as the site for the 2008 presidential nomination convention, it would not be the first time Detroit was selected for a Republican National Convention, since it was the site of the 1980 GOP National Convention that launched Ronald Reagan into the presidency; and

Whereas, The selection of Detroit as the host city for the 2008 Republican National Convention would be an important step in the rejuvenation of Detroit as a major urban center. In recent years, the city has made great economic strides with the relocation of the Compuware Corporation to downtown Detroit and the nearly $500 million investment that General Motors has made to its Renaissance Center global headquarters. The Super Bowl infused more than
$300 million dollars into the local economy, and the hosting of the 2008 Republican National Convention would be another boost in the rejuvenation of this great and unique city; now, therefore, be it

Resolved by the Senate (the House of Representatives concurring), That we urge the Republican National Committee to select Detroit as the site of the 2008 Republican Convention; and be it further

Resolved, That copies of this resolution be transmitted to the Republican National Committee.

Pursuant to rule 3.204, the concurrent resolution was referred to the Committee on Government Operations.

Senators Bishop, Garcia, Gilbert, Goschka, Kuipers, Switalski and Van Woerkom were named co-sponsors of the concurrent resolution.

By unanimous consent the Senate proceeded to the order of

Statements

Senator Brater stated that had she been present on March 9 when the vote was taken on postponing the motion to discharge the Committee on Technology and Energy from further consideration of the following resolution, she would have voted "nay":

Senate Resolution No.71

Senator Brater stated that had she been present on March 9 when the votes were taken on the adoption of the substitute offered by Senator Sikkema and the final passage of the following bill, she would have voted "yea":

Senate Bill No.318

Senators Scott and Patterson asked and were granted unanimous consent to make statements and moved that the statements be printed in the Journal.

The motion prevailed.

Senator Scott's statement is as follows:

I would like to read this statement from my website. It says, "Senator M. Scott, just a note to let you know that I have recently changed home insurance carriers. As with my automobile insurance, my home insurance costs were a joke. Allstate insurance initially was $1,440 per year for my new home from September 2004-2005. Since this is my first home, I didn't know any better. Allstate then increased my insurance premiums to $1,550 beginning September 2005.

I have researched and found that my auto insurance carrier with Unitrin Direct also has homeowners insurance available. They gave me a policy last week for $475 for 12 months. That's a difference of 70 percent. I dropped Allstate and went with Unitrin homeowners insurance which is based in Scranton, Pennsylvania.

With all the talk in the news about outsourcing our money and jobs to other countries, I would think companies such as Allstate would want to keep their prices competitive to retain customers locally. Unfortunately, I outsource my money to another state just as Michigan manufacturing companies have outsourced their money and labor to other countries. Same difference, different scenario. It's a shame, but this area is something that I do not read anywhere in the news."

Senator Patterson's statement is as follows:

I just want to remind everybody of a very pertinent statement that was put on the record back on March 8. I would like to read a pertinent part. This is a letter from a constituent of a previous speaker, the Senator from Highland Park. In pertinent part it says, "Redlining is the way it is in Detroit because Governor Granholm, U.S. Senators Levin and Stabenow, congressional members Conyers and Kilpatrick, State Senators and Representatives, city council members, Mayor Kilpatrick, county executives, and county commissions are not on the same page, and they only see Detroit residents at election time. Why? Because we allow it and they know that we will march, talk, meet, and go to church, but we will still vote them back into office with no real results for Detroit." And it ends, "Nevertheless, keep the faith and good luck. May the force be with you because Democratic leadership won't be."

I would just like that to be placed on the record. I would like it printed as something with which I, again, concur.

By unanimous consent the Senate returned to the order of

Introduction and Referral of Bills

Senators Jacobs and Hardiman introduced

Senate Bill No.1131, entitled

A bill to amend 1939 PA 280, entitled "The social welfare act," by amending section 44 (MCL 400.44), as amended by 1990 PA 270.

The bill was read a first and second time by title and referred to the Committee on Families and Human Services.

Senators Prusi, Schauer, Leland, Basham, Jacobs, Olshove, Cherry, Clarke, Thomas, Brater, Switalski, Barcia, Scott, Garcia, Clark-Coleman, Emerson, Van Woerkom and George introduced

Senate Bill No.1132, entitled

The bill was read a first and second time by title and referred to the Committee on Transportation.

Senators Prusi, Garcia, Cherry, Allen, George, Clarke, Kuipers and Schauer introduced

Senate Bill No.1133, entitled

A bill to amend 1941 PA 207, entitled "Fire prevention code," by amending sections 1, 2, 2a, 2b, 2c, 3b, 3c, 3e, 4, 5a, 5d, 5g, 5h, 5i, 5p, 10, 16, 21b, 21c, 21d, 23, 24, 26, 28, 29, 30, and 32 (MCL 29.1, 29.2, 29.2a, 29.2b, 29.2c, 29.3b, 29.3c, 29.3e, 29.4, 29.5a, 29.5d, 29.5g, 29.5h, 29.5i, 29.5p, 29.10, 29.16, 29.21b, 29.21c, 29.21d, 29.23, 29.24, 29.26, 29.28, 29.29, 29.30, and 29.32), sections 1, 3b, 3c, 5a, and 5d as amended by 1996 PA 152, sections 2a and 21c as amended and sections 2b, 3e, and 5i as added by 1980 PA 247, section 2c as added by 1996 PA 147, section 4 as amended by 1980 PA 516, section 5g as amended by 1987 PA 70, section 5p as added by 1986 PA 67, and sections 26, 28, 29, 30, and 32 as added by 1982 PA 144, and by adding sections 1b, 1c, and 1d; and to repeal acts and parts of acts.