LANSING, Mich. - Gov. Rick Snyder today signed legislation that clarifies definitions and strengthens compensation requirements and programs for crime victims.

Sponsored by state Sen. Tonya Schuitmaker, Senate Bills 535, 536, 537, and 538, are now Public Acts 293-296 of 2011.  

The governor also signed:

House Bill 5105, sponsored by Rep. Kevin Cotter, will eliminate and consolidate certain probate, circuit or district court judgeships in targeted areas based on judicial need reports. Eight judgeships will be eliminated in the following geographies: Wayne; Sanilac; Clinton; Manistee and Benzie; Calhoun; River Rouge/Ecorse/Lincoln Park; Oakland; and Lapeer. The bill is now P.A. 300 of 2011.

S.B. 197, sponsored by state Sen. Roger Kahn, provides state school aid supplemental appropriations for fiscal year 2011 and makes changes in several lines to reflect actual costs and payouts necessary to close Fiscal Year 2011. The bill is now P.A. 299 of 2011.

H.B. 5087, sponsored by state Rep. Margaret O'Brien, amends the Michigan Liquor Control Code to remove the barrel production limit and allow a brewer not licensed as a micro brewer to sell its beer for on premises consumption at one licensed brewery location. The bill is now P.A. 298 of 2011.

More information on these bills is available at  www.legislature.mi.gov.

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