The House Judiciary Committee today took up a package of bills designed to assist local units of government with the burden of unfunded mandates handed down by the State. HBs 5797, 5799-5801 would institute a process for making claims as well as setting up additional criteria of benefit to locals by preventing mandates in the first place. The bills wouldn't reimburse locals for all the lost funding each year, but they are a good step towards combating these unfunded mandates for the future.
The League, along with MAC and school administrators testified in support of these bills. The committee had several questions about the advisory board that is created to review whether legislation is a mandate or not, as Mitch Bean (Director of House Fiscal Agency) raised several concerns. The committee also had a long debate over schools and unfunded mandates. Chair Mark Meadows (D-East Lansing) decided that the bills need to see a little more time in workgroup and did not hold a vote on the bills. They are expected to be taken up again soon in committee and reported to the House floor.
Andy Schor is the Assistant Director of State Affairs for the Michigan Municipal League. Contact him at (517) 908-0300 or by email.
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