Snyder signs supplemental budget, bills to repeal unnecessary regulations

LANSING, Mich. - Gov. Rick Snyder has signed a $72.6 million supplemental budget and several bills to remove unnecessary rules and regulations.

House Bill 4289, sponsored by state Rep. Chuck Moss, is a supplemental budget for the current fiscal year. It includes funding for portions of the public safety initiative proposed by the governor in his recent Special Message on Public Safety.

"Investing in public safety will help to protect families, build stronger communities and make our entire state more attractive to job providers," Snyder said. "I will continue working with the Legislature on these initiatives."

H.B. 4289 also removes $106.9 million of general fund dollars from the Department of Community Health and replaces them with an equal amount from the Medicaid Benefits Trust Fund. The general fund dollars are transferred to further bolster the state's rainy day fund.

The governor vetoed Section 301 of the bill which targeted funds to a limited group of hospitals for uncompensated care. The funds are disproportionate share hospital funds that the governor's proposed budget recommended carrying forward for use in FY 13.

The bill now is Public Act 89.

In keeping with his commitment to reshape state government so that it is more effective, efficient and customer focused, Snyder also signed bipartisan legislation to repeal unneeded rules and regulations.

"I am pleased the state's departments and agencies are working for solutions to streamline government," Snyder said. "Taxpayers deserve the highest level of service and the best value for their hard-earned dollars. Eliminating needless rules and regulations also lets job providers know that Michigan is the place to do business."

The eight signed bills are:

H.B. 4663, sponsored by state Rep. Ben Glardon, which repeals a 1941 statute allowing farmers to register their farm name with the state for a $1 fee. The last name filed was in 2004, and maintaining these records is an unnecessary and wasteful function of state government. The bill now is P.A. 90.

H.B. 5206, sponsored by state Rep. Bruce Rendon, which removes rules regarding the operations of the Cherry Commission, which no longer exists. The bill now is P.A. 91.

H.B. 5207, sponsored by state Rep. Kenneth Kurtz, which repeals dozens of rules relating to the labeling of quality agricultural products under the 1961 Seal of Quality Act that since has become obsolete. The bill now is P.A. 92.

H.B. 5208, sponsored by state Rep. Paul Muxlow, which rescinds old rules associated with liquid measuring devices that now conflict with other state statutes and federal standards. The bill now is P.A. 93.

H.B. 5209, sponsored by state Rep. Ed McBroom, which repeals rules governing the Upper Peninsula State Fair. The fair has since been privatized. The bill now is P.A. 94.

H.B. 5210, sponsored by state Rep. Rick Outman, which removes rules associated with the Michigan State Apple Commission. The commission ceased to exist in 1984. The bill now is P.A. 95.

H.B. 5211, sponsored by Glardon, which rescinds rules regulating the buying, selling and storing of farm produce. The important provisions were incorporated into 2002 amendments of the Grain Dealers Act, making these rules redundant. The bill now is P.A. 96.

H.B. 5212, sponsored by state Rep. Andrea LaFontaine, which repeals four obsolete regulations of the Insect Pest and Plant Disease Act dealing with tomato seeds, dahlias, Dutch elm disease and gladiolas. The bill now is P.A. 97.

Visit www.legislature.mi.gov for more information on the bills.

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