Snyder signs legislation setting base, ?maximum rates newspapers can charge for publishing legal notices

Baseline and maximum rates newspapers may charge to publish legal notices will be established under legislation signed this week by Gov. Rick Snyder.

“Legal notices help inform Michiganders of their legal rights, and this bill establishes fair rates for services newspapers must provide,” Snyder said.

House Bill 4575, sponsored by state Rep. Beau LaFave, directs the Michigan Department of Treasury to determine the base and maximum rates a newspaper may charge for publishing a legal notice that is ordered to be published by a court. It is now Public Act 82 of 2017.

Snyder also signed nine additional bills:

• House Bill 4558, sponsored by state Rep. Jeremy Moss, creates a new section of the Michigan Liquor Control Code to allow for the installation of temporary bin displays for beer, wine and spirits on the site of a retailer that is licensed for off-site sales, under certain circumstances. It is now Public Act 83 of 2017.

• House Bill 4186, sponsored by state Rep. Julie Alexander, amends current law to update the definition of “animal”, applying the option for animal shelters to check backgrounds of potential adopters for animal cruelty violations to the intended industries. It is now Public Act 84 of 2017.

• House Bill 4427, sponsored by state Rep. Jim Runestad, creates the Law Enforcement Body-Worn Camera Privacy Act to establish guidelines and procedures for law enforcement officers wearing body-worn cameras. It is now Public Act 85 of 2017.

• House Bills 4556-4557, sponsored by state Rep. Joseph Bellino, prohibit the illegal sale, delivery or importation of beer and wine into Michigan. HB 4556 makes the illegal sale, delivery or importation of beer or wine a felony against the public order with a maximum prison sentence of four years. HB 4557 specifies the civil and criminal penalties or sanctions for the illegal sale, delivery or importation of beer or wine. The measures are now Public Acts 86-87 of 2017.

• House Bill 4559, sponsored by state Rep. Tom Barrett, allows for the sampling of beer and wine products by wholesaler’s employees for educational purposes. The bill also outlines certain conditions when sampling is allowable, requiring employees be at least 21 years of age and that the sampling take place on the licensed premises of a wholesaler. It is now Public Act 88 of 2017.

• House Bill 4213, sponsored by state Rep. Peter Lucido, amends the Minor in Possession (MIP) law to clarify that an initial breath test cannot be administered without the consent of the minor or a court order. The bill also allows for a law enforcement officer to request a court order. It is now Public Act 89 of 2017.

• House Bills 4540-4541, sponsored by state Rep. Mary Whiteford, extends several fee sunsets. HB 4540 extends the current sunset date of October 1, 2017 to October 1, 2021 for various hazardous waste related fees as well as operator certification and training fees. HB 4541 extends the current sunset date of October 1, 2017 to October 1, 2021 for operator training and certification fees for individuals seeking certification to operate a public water supply. The measures are now Public Acts 90-91 of 2017.