STATE OF MICHIGAN
JOURNAL
OF THE
House of Representatives
100th
Legislature
REGULAR SESSION OF
2020
House Chamber, Lansing, Wednesday, October 7, 2020.
1:30 p.m.
The House was called to order by the Clerk.
The roll was called by the Clerk of the House of Representatives, who announced that a quorum was not present.
Motions and Resolutions
Rep. Manoogian offered the following resolution:
House Resolution No. 319.
A resolution to condemn Azerbaijan’s coordinated offensive in Nagorno-Karabakh and denounce Turkish interference in the conflict and to urge the United States Department of State to work with the co-chairs of the Minsk Group and the governments of Armenia, Azerbaijan, and the Republic of Artsakh to achieve a long-lasting and peaceful resolution to this conflict.
Whereas, Nagorno-Karabakh, also known as Artsakh, is a territory located in the South Caucasus region that has historically been populated by ethnic Armenians and is governed by the Republic of Artsakh; and
Whereas, The people of Artsakh overwhelmingly voted to support independence. On December 10, 1991, despite continued violence against the people of Artsakh, a popular referendum proclaiming an independent republic took place during the disintegration of the Soviet Union. Under the watchful eye of more than 50 international observers, and in full compliance with international standards for a free and fair election, more than 80 percent of eligible voters cast a ballot, and the measure passed with 98 percent in favor. On January 6, 1992, the democratically elected Parliament of Artsakh adopted the Declaration of Independence of the Nagorno-Karabakh Republic; and
Whereas, The State of Michigan supported the recognition of the independence of the Republic of Artsakh with the passage of Senate Resolution 99 of 2017; and
Whereas, Since September 27, 2020, Azerbaijan has engaged in the most significant military operation along the line of contact with Nagorno-Karabakh since the signing of the cease-fire agreement between Azerbaijan and Armenia in 1994. This attack follows increasingly aggressive rhetoric and destabilizing actions on the part of Azerbaijan President Ilham Aliyev’s government towards Nagorno-Karabakh and Armenia, including a July 2020 Defense Ministry threat to bomb Armenia’s Metsamor Nuclear Power Plant; and
Whereas,
Azerbaijan’s ongoing military offensive, which includes the shelling of
Stepanakert, Nagorno-Karabakh’s most densely populated city with a population
of 55,200, has resulted in the deaths of dozens of civilians and wounded
hundreds. The conflict has resulted in the deaths of at least 84
Nagorno-Karabakh service members; and
Whereas, Both Armenia and Azerbaijan have declared martial law, mobilized their armed forces, and called up reserve forces; and
Whereas, According to multiple news reports, Azerbaijan’s military actions in Nagorno-Karabakh may be part of a planned military operation. The conflict follows joint military exercises conducted by Turkey and Azerbaijan in August 2020. News accounts state that in weeks prior to Azerbaijan’s military operation, Turkey recruited mercenaries from Syria and has facilitated their deployment to Azerbaijan. Additionally, the Armenian Foreign Ministry claims that Turkey is operating F-16 fighter jets in the region and shot down an Armenian Su-25 fighter jet in Armenian airspace, killing the pilot; and
Whereas, The conflict has the potential to escalate into proxy warfare among regional powers, including Turkey, and to further entrench the conflict and threaten peace and stability in the region. The United States, France, and Russia serve as co-chairs of the Minsk Group tasked with finding a peaceful solution to the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict. The co-chairs have urged a cease-fire and advised the parties to return to substantive negotiations as soon as possible. The European Union and the United Nations support a peaceful resolution and immediate cease-fire; now, therefore, be it
Resolved by the House of Representatives, That we condemn Azerbaijan’s coordinated offensive in Nagorno-Karabakh and denounce Turkish interference in the conflict; and be it further
Resolved, That we urge the United States Department of State to work with the co-chairs of the Minsk Group and the governments of Armenia, Azerbaijan, and the Republic of Artsakh to achieve a long-lasting and peaceful resolution to this conflict; and be it further
Resolved, That copies of this resolution be transmitted to the President of the United States, the United States Secretary of State, the President of the United States Senate, the Speaker of the United States House of Representatives, and members of the Michigan congressional delegation.
The resolution was referred to the Committee on Government Operations.
Reports of Standing Committees
The Committee on Commerce and Tourism, by Rep. Marino, Chair, referred
House Bill No. 4897, entitled
A bill to amend 1936 (Ex Sess) PA 1, entitled “Michigan employment security act,” by amending section 15 (MCL 421.15), as amended by 2017 PA 229.
to the Committee on Ways and Means with the recommendation that the substitute (H-2) be adopted.
Favorable Roll Call
To Refer:
Yeas: Reps. Marino, Wendzel, Reilly, Schroeder, Wakeman, Wozniak, Cambensy, Camilleri, Sowerby and Manoogian
Nays: None
The bill and substitute were referred to the Committee on Ways and Means.
The Committee on Commerce and Tourism, by Rep. Marino, Chair, referred
House Bill No. 6141, entitled
A bill to amend 2018 PA 337, entitled “Improved workforce opportunity wage act,” (MCL 408.931 to 408.945) by adding section 4e.
to the Committee on Families, Children, and Seniors.
Favorable Roll Call
To Refer:
Yeas: Reps. Marino, Wendzel, Wakeman, Wozniak, Cambensy, Camilleri and Sowerby
Nays: None
The bill
was referred to the Committee on Families, Children, and Seniors.
The Committee on Commerce and Tourism, by Rep. Marino, Chair, reported
House Resolution No. 244.
A resolution to urge the President and the Congress of the United States to declare the waters of the Straits of Mackinac as “designated” for purposes of Great Lakes commercial ship pilotage.
(For text of resolution, see House Journal No. 29, p. 529.)
With the recommendation that the following substitute (H-1) be adopted and that the resolution then be adopted.
Substitute for House Resolution No. 244.
A resolution to urge the President and the Congress of the United States to declare the waters of the Straits of Mackinac as "designated" for purposes of Great Lakes commercial ship pilotage.
Whereas, The Great Lakes are integral to Michigan’s
environment, economic development, and recreation; and
Whereas, The federal Great Lakes Pilotage Act of 1960 established two distinct categories of pilotage on the Great Lakes – designated waters and undesignated waters – and authorized the President of the United States to determine designated waters. In 1960, President Dwight D. Eisenhower declared designated waters on the Great Lakes, including all United States waters of the St. Marys River, the Soo Locks, and approaches thereto. There have been no significant changes in designated waters since that time; and
Whereas, The act requires both United States and foreign-flagged vessels sailing in designated waters to be under the navigational direction of a United States or Canadian registered pilot to ensure marine safety and effective use of navigable waters. Further, foreign-flagged vessels operating in undesignated waters on the Great Lakes must have a United States or Canadian registered pilot on board to direct the navigation of the vessel or be available to assist in navigation if necessary; and
Whereas, Pilotage of foreign-flagged vessels on
the Great Lakes is an important function provided by individuals with years of
experience sailing on the largest freshwater sea in the world. Pilots are
charged with the safety of the vessel and boating public as well as protection
of infrastructure and the environment; and
Whereas, The Straits of Mackinac, an environmentally sensitive area of great importance to the entire Great Lakes ecosystem, is an undesignated water. The Straits are often congested with commercial and recreational vessel traffic. Additionally, the area has restricted visibility, narrow waterways, and important infrastructure including the Mackinac Bridge and pipelines contributing to the unique navigational challenges that exist in the Straits of Mackinac; now, therefore, be it
Resolved by the House of Representatives, That we urge the President and the Congress of the United States to declare the waters of the Straits of Mackinac as “designated” for purposes of Great Lakes commercial ship pilotage; and be it further
Resolved, That copies of this resolution be transmitted to the President of the United States, the President of the United States Senate, the Speaker of the United States House of Representatives, the members of the Michigan congressional delegation, and the Commandant of the United States Coast Guard.
Favorable Roll Call
To Report Out:
Yeas: Reps. Marino, Wendzel, Reilly, Wakeman, Wozniak, Cambensy, Camilleri, Sowerby and Manoogian
Nays: None
COMMITTEE ATTENDANCE REPORT
The following report, submitted by Rep. Marino, Chair, of the Committee on Commerce and Tourism, was received and read:
Meeting held on: Wednesday, October 7, 2020
Present: Reps. Marino, Wendzel, Reilly, Schroeder, Wakeman, Wozniak, Cambensy, Camilleri, Sowerby and Manoogian
Absent: Rep. Hope
Excused: Rep. Hope
Introduction of Bills
House Bill No. 6292, entitled
A bill to amend 1974 PA 258, entitled “Mental health code,” (MCL 330.1001 to 330.2106) by adding sections 273a and 273b.
The bill
was read a first time by its title and referred to the Committee on
Appropriations.
The Clerk declared the House adjourned until Thursday, October 8, at 12:00 Noon.
GARY L. RANDALL
Clerk of the House of Representatives