LEGISLATIVEUPDATE 2019

DEAR NEIGHBOR:Michigan has come a long way, yet there is still plenty of hard work to do and I am excited to meet the challenges.

In the first few months this year, we have delivered on a top priority for Michigan families — lowering the cost of out-of-control car insurance rates. The Senate also passed a sensible, balanced budget plan with recommendations to increase funding for schools and roads to record levels without increased taxes. In addition, we are looking at long-term solutions to fix our roads and continuing our efforts to move Michigan forward.

This report features legislative news, including information on my legislation — now law — to provide necessary oversight of medical marijuana businesses, and bills I’ve introduced on opioid education and animal protection.

As always, please contact me with any questions or comments, or if you need assistance with a state matter. Your concerns matter to me and I look forward to hearing from you!

Sincerely,

SENATE DISTRICT 10TOLL-FREE 855.347.8010

E-MAIL senmmacdonald@senate.michigan.gov

VISIT www.SenatorMichaelMacDonald.com

S TAT E S E N AT O R

MICHAEL D. MacDONALD

STATE SENATOR Michael D. MacDonald • Toll-Free: 855.347.8010

MacDONALD SUPPORTS PLAN TO LOWER AUTO INSURANCE RATES

LEGISLATIVEUPDATE 2019

For far too long, Michigan drivers have had to pay the most expensive auto insurance rates in the country — 83% higher than the national average! It’s been a heavy burden for many households.

I was proud to support legislation — now law — that brings the relief Michigan drivers have been demanding.

PA 21 of 2019 (SB 1) will give Michigan drivers the option to choose the auto insurance coverage that best fits their needs and will provide guaranteed rate reductions based on the choices they make. Auto insurers will be required to offer Michigan drivers several personal injury protection (PIP) coverage options, including the ability of drivers with qualified medical coverage — such

as health insurance or Medicare — to opt out of PIP coverage since they already have medical coverage for injuries.

The new law will also reduce out-of-control medical costs that are passed on to drivers and cut fraud and conflicts of interest in the auto insurance system.

Since these reforms are a significant change to the system, the new law will kick in July 2020 with additional cost-saving measures taking effect July 2021.

Auto insurance reform has been a long time coming. I am happy we passed a plan that will provide real relief to the hardworking families and residents of Macomb County.

Michigan is one of only four states that still prosecute 17-year-old offenders automatically as adults.

I am proud to be one of the bill sponsors of a package of bills that would treat 17-year-olds as minors for nonviolent criminal offenses within the state’s court system. There is no evidence that shows 17-year-olds — or the state — benefit from young offenders being tried as adults. Rather, the juvenile justice system offers a more effective way to rehabilitate troubled youth, giving them a better chance at a more productive future. States that have enacted similar raise-the-age laws have experienced a significant decrease in juvenile court referrals and recidivism. The reform would take effect Oct. 1, 2021.

The legislation would still allow for 17-year-olds to be treated as adults in violent criminal offenses.

Senate Bills 84 and 90-102 have been sent to the House for consideration.

MacDONALD BACKS RAISE-THE-AGE BILL

STATE SENATOR MICHAEL D. MacDONALD

FIRST SIX MONTHS ACCOMPLISHMENTS

PERFECT

100%VOTING RECORD

LETTERS SENT

7 COFFEE HOURS HELD

1,455

TRIBUTES68

CONSTITUENT CALLS

1,543

BILL SIGNED INTO LAW1

CONSTITUENT EMAILS

1,430

E-Mail: senmmacdonald@senate.michigan.gov • Website: www.SenatorMichaelMacDonald.com

MacDONALD INTRODUCES ANIMAL PROTECTION BILL

I was proud to have recently joined other Macomb County officials to support new county efforts to protect animals and announce new bipartisan legislation to keep animals out of the hands of abusers.

Senate Bill 316 would criminalize the practice of knowingly providing an animal to an individual who intends to abuse the animal or use the animal in a fighting operation.

After hearing about the tragic case of animal abuse in Macomb County, where a man convinced a friend to adopt the dog and give it to him after the shelter denied him. The man stabbed the dog and left it to die in below-freezing temperatures and was sentenced to three to six years in prison. However, the man’s friend who procured the animal will face no repercussions for his role in the crime.

My bill would help protect more animals by allowing law enforcement to also target those who help abusers.

It was a tremendous honor to have been asked to lead this year’s service to pay tribute to the Michigan service members. For the past 25 years, the Michigan Senate has suspended its session activities for one day around Memorial Day to remember the men and women who made the ultimate sacrifice to preserve our freedom and way of life.

ANNUAL MICHIGAN MEMORIAL DAY SERVICE

Sen. MacDonald joins Gov. Whitmer for a bill signing ceremony on his legislation clarifying the state’s medical marijuana law.

Opioid abuse has reached epidemic proportions in our state and nationwide. A key part of winning the battle against opioid abuse is teaching our children about the dangers of prescription painkillers and the risks of addiction.

My bill, Senate Bill 386, would require the state to develop or adopt an instructional video regarding the dangers of prescription opioid drug abuse that is appropriate for ninth-grade students and make the video

available to all public schools that have ninth grade. By the 2020-21 school year, public schools would need to implement the video into the ninth-grade curriculum.

My bill seeks to educate our young people about these drugs by utilizing a video developed by the Macomb County-based Families Against Narcotics organization.

SB 386 has been referred to the Senate Education and Career Readiness Committee for consideration.

MacDONALD INTRODUCES OPIOID ABUSE EDUCATION BILL

FIRST BILL SIGNED INTO LAWThe Governor recently signed my bill, Senate Bill 203, into law that would allow state regulators will now be able to more effectively and efficiently provide necessary oversight of medical marijuana businesses. This will also better protect Michigan families and save taxpayer dollars.

Under a 2016 state law, anyone with any ownership stake in a medical marijuana business must go through a financial and criminal background check by the state to receive a license.

Senate Bill 203, now Public Act 3 of 2019, changes the applicant requirements in the Medical Marihuana Facilities Licensing Act to require those with influence over the business to go through the background check process.