6/15/22 - Governor Whitmer Signs A Number of Bills Into Law

Governor Whitmer signed a number of bills into law , which include measures that impact unemployment insurance, carnival operators, long-term care services and election laws, to name a few.

LANSING, Mich., (WPBN/WGTU) -- Several bills were signed Tuesday by Governor Gretchen Whitmer, with many aimed at supporting state businesses.

Business legislation:

House Bill 4232 will allow 17-year-old waitstaff to sell and serve alcohol at restaurants and other businesses. These Individuals must complete a server training program and be supervised by personnel who are at least 18-years-old.

House Bills 5983 and 5984 allow for the consumption of food and beverages in public swimming pools and the service of alcohol in public swimming pools, under certain circumstances.

Employer tax legislation:

House Bill 5555 eases the up-front unemployment insurance tax burden of seasonal small businesses by allowing first-quarter payments to be spread out throughout the year. Small businesses are those with 100 or fewer employees.

Local government legislation:

Senate Bill 821 allows emergency authorities to purchase real or personal property under an installment purchase agreement. The bill also allows emergency authorities to issue bonds or notes.

“This legislation opens the door to offer a new and more cost-efficient option for cities, townships, and villages to equip their EMS authorities and provide care to area residents,” said Senator Wayne Schmidt, R-Traverse City.

“Installment purchase agreements have been available for other local entities to purchase real or personal property, and now emergency services will be able to take advantage of this more effective financing option," Schmidt said.

House Bill 5387 allows the option for township boards to allocate costs of private road improvements equally among property owners who would benefit form the road maintenance or improvements.

Health and safety legislation:

House Bill 4527 increases safety requirements on owners or operators of carnival or amusement rides. The bill also establishes sanctions for those who violate safety provisions within the Carnival Amusement Act.

House Bill 5875 extends the sunset date of a provision which limits a county's maintenance of effort rate for Medicaid funded long-term care services.

Election law legislation:

House Bill 5258 amends the Michigan Election Law to change the timetable for filing, processing and distributing proof ballots for elections.

"HB 5258 saves taxpayer dollars while easing communication between clerks and candidates,” said Representative Matt Koleszar, D-Plymouth. “It’s a common sense solution that is a win for everyone."