Lansing Michigan Legislature revisits major bills from last session

By Alisha Green Associated Press LANSING, Mich. (AP) - What's old is new again with the Michigan Legislature as the Republican majorities in the House and Senate reintroduced many bills that died last session or were vetoed by Gov. Rick Snyder for various reasons. Here's a look at some measures that didn't make it into law last session and where they stand as the Legislature heads into a two-week break: PASSED AND SIGNED - Giving Michigan State Police rather than counties the authority to approve concealed weapons licenses: Snyder vetoed similar legislation last session because it included a provision that would have allowed some people with personal protection orders against them to get concealed weapons licenses. Opponents were concerned that such a provision could increase the risk of violence for domestic abuse victims who have sought protection orders. Snyder signed the revised legislation that omitted the language in early March. - Setting the 2016 presidential primary election date: The state Republican Party had asked for a March 15 date last session, but some Republicans wanted it earlier. March 8 was chosen as a compromise in a renewed effort this session to set a date. The bills setting that date were signed into law by Snyder in late February. Democrats recently announced they will also hold a primary then rather than following their usual procedure of having a caucus. AWAITING SIGNATURE - Prohibiting the use of drones for hunting or harassing hunters: Snyder vetoed a bill preventing the use of drones to harass hunters in January. He said then that he wanted a bill prohibiting drones for hunting to reach his desk at the same time. The two bills have now passed the House and Senate. - Allowing concealed carry of weapons for retired federal law enforcement officers in "gun-free" zones: This bill didn't receive a vote from either chamber last session, but in the new session it has already made it through the House and Senate. REINTRODUCED - Repealing a ban against scalping tickets to games, concerts and other entertainment events: The bill made it through the House early in 2014 and was tabled in the Senate, which sent it to the Government Operations Committee. That is where many bills are left to die without further discussion. The process is repeating itself this year. The House has passed the bill and the Senate again sent it to Government Operations. - Legalizing medical marijuana products that are alternatives to smoking pot: A bipartisan bill to allow for non-smokable versions of medical marijuana received approval from the House and a Senate subcommittee last year, but died in the haze of the session's end. Bipartisan groups have launched a renewed effort in the House and Senate to provide alternatives for about 165,000 Michigan residents allowed to use marijuana because of cancer and other illnesses. - Forming a new statewide evaluation system for public school teachers and administrators, as called for under a 2011 teacher tenure law: One attempt at this moved through the House last session but stalled in the Senate. A different version introduced in the Senate this session is awaiting a hearing in the Senate Education Committee. - Fashioning an "early-warning" system so the state can intervene in financially distressed school districts: A package of eight bills that would revise financial reporting requirements for troubled districts has been the subject of several meetings in the House Financial Liability Reform Committee. The committee is expected to send the bills to the full House soon after the Legislature's spring recess. - Changing the definition of renewable energy to count electricity generated by more items burned by incinerators: This bill returned as part of the House Republican's energy plan. A different version of the bill passed the House last fall but didn't move out of the Senate's Energy and Technology Committee. Published: Tue, Mar 31, 2015