House passes package of bills including shorter boat-storage lien timeline and Great Lakes decal reauthorization

The Michigan House on April 29 approved a set of bills on third reading, moving multiple measures to final passage and, in several cases, ordering immediate effect.

Representative Saint Germain led floor remarks on House Bill 4708, which amends the Michigan Marina and Boatyard Storage Lien Act to allow marinas and storage facilities to begin the lien process for boats in default after 60 days rather than the longer timelines under current law. The Clerk announced the roll-call: 93 yeas and 13 nays, and the House passed the bill and ordered immediate effect.

Representative Borton spoke in support of House Bill 5308, a measure to reauthorize a voluntary Great Lakes protection watercraft decal that would fund the Michigan Great Lakes Protection Fund and support work on aquatic invasive species. The House recorded 105 yeas and 1 nay; the bill passed and immediate effect was ordered.

The chamber also passed House Bill 5388 (a penal-code amendment) on a 61–45 roll-call and House Bill 5515 (another penal-code amendment) on a 58–48 roll-call; for both measures the majority moved and the House ordered immediate effect. Representative Beierlein spoke in support of House Bills 5425 and 5426 to close a gap in law that currently allows registered offenders to work in businesses primarily serving minors; the measures passed on recorded votes announced from the floor and immediate effect was ordered for at least one of the measures.

What this means: Several bills that modify civil, environmental and criminal statutes moved quickly through the chamber with recorded votes; members who supported immediate effect made those measures effective upon the Governor’s and administrative processing steps that follow legislative enactment.