Legislation

Since being in the House of Representatives State Representative Harvey Santana has introduced several pieces of legislation that affect all of our lives. He has been successful in the passage of two bills specifically for the City of Detroit and is working on much larger and more encompassing bills.

Below is a listing of the bills State Representative Harvey Santana has worked on.

House Resolution 0077 (2011)

ADOPTED by the House of Representatives, May 5, 2011
Brief Description: HR 0077 is a resolution to declare May 2011 as Bike Month in the state of Michigan. Our nation’s demand for foreign oil is ever increasing. Additionally, obesity and its related health problems have reached epidemic levels in the U.S. To raise awareness of both issues, Rep. Santana sponsored HR 77 highlighting a clean, healthy alternative to motorized transportation.

House Bill 4583 (2011)

Passed House 10/26/2011; given immediate effect Roll Call # 429 Yeas 104 Nays 4
Currently in Senate Finance Committee
Brief Description: House Bills 4582 (H-2) (Daley) and 4583 (H-1) (Santana) are a package of two bills that would amend PA 206 of 1893 (General Property Tax Act) by adding a new section to provide for an exemption from paying personal property tax on machinery used to install land tile on agricultural property. Currently, farmers are exempt from paying property taxes on farm equipment and machinery, including machinery that installs agricultural tile. Businesses, who perform this same service to farmers on agricultural property for agricultural purposes, feel that this exemption should apply to their machinery, when used for the same purposes.

House Bill 4624 (2011) Public Act 57 of 2011 (Effective: 1/1/2011)

SIGNED into Law by the Governor on June 14, 2011
Brief Description: House Bill 4624 (H-2) (SANTANA) amends the City Utility Users Tax Act to update a population reference for the City of Detroit to allow the city to continue levying the utility tax. Under current law, Detroit is allowed to levy a tax on the use of public telephones, electric, steam, or gas services. Detroit currently levies the maximum rate of 5%, and revenues are distributed to help retain and hire police officers. However, the Act currently allows a city with a population of 750,000 or more to levy this tax, and, according to the most recent census information, Detroit is now under that limit. This bill updates the law to reference a city with a population of 600,000 or more. The bill would be effective as of January 1, 2011 to ensure that the changes are in effect throughout the whole year.

House Bill 4686 (2011)

INTRODUCED 5/26/2011, referred to House Judiciary Committee
Brief Description: House Bill 4686 (SANTANA) A bill to amend PA 300 of 1949, entitled “Michigan vehicle code,” (MCL 257.1 to 257.923) by adding a new section to impose criminal penalties on those who commit a moving violation while operating a motor vehicle and as a result cause injury or death to a “vulnerable roadway user” on a highway. The term “vulnerable roadway user” refers to a pedestrian or a person on a “non-motorized transportation device,” such as a bicycle or wheelchair. The penalties would apply when the vulnerable roadway user was complying with traffic laws. HB4686 is Tie Bared with HB 4685 which installs sentencing guidelines.

House Bill 4728 (2011)

CURRENTLY on Second Reading
Brief Description: House Bill 4782 (H-1) amends the Vehicle Code to allow an alternative signal for bicyclists to indicate a right turn. Under the bill, a bicyclist may extend his or her right hand and arm horizontally to signal. Under current law, a bicyclist must extend his or her left hand and arm upward to indicate a right turn. According to the League of Michigan Bicyclists, 32 states now allow for the extended-right-arm signal in addition to the traditional signal.

House Bill 4788 (2011) Public Act 154 of 2011 (Effective: 9/27/2011)

SIGNED into Law by the Governor on September 27, 2011
Brief Description: House Bill 4788 (SANTANA) amends The Plant Rehabilitation and Industrial Property Development Act (PA 198s) to update a population reference for the City of Detroit within the definition of “industrial property.” Under current law, “industrial property” includes a Federal Reserve Bank located in a city with a population of 750,000 or more, and, according to the most recent census information, Detroit is now under that limit. This bill would update the law to reference a city with a population of 600,000 or more to allow the Federal Reserve Bank to continue qualifying for this abatement. This will help encourage the federal government to keep the bank in Detroit instead of moving it to another city or state.

House Bill 4988 (2011)

INTRODUCED 9/15/2011, referred to House Education Committee
Brief Description: House Bill 4798 (SANTANA) amends The Revised School Code, PA 451 of 1976 to require 1/2 credit Financial Literacy class as part of the math credit required for the Michigan merit curriculum. In 2009 the Michigan merit curriculum established state-wide course work standards for all Michigan high school students. HB 4988 inserts real-world practicality by adding Financial Literacy to the mix of Algebra and Geometry.

House Bill 5214 (2011)

INTRODUCED 12/13/2011, referred to House Judiciary Committee
Brief Description: House Bill 5214 (SANTANA) amends “the code of criminal procedure,” PA 175 of 1927 to raise the upper age limit of eligibility for the youthful trainee program. Currently, if an individual between the ages of 17 and 21 pleads guilty to certain criminal offenses the court may assign that individual youthful trainee status. HB 5214 adjusts the maximum age to 26 and adds additional requirements to the terms of probation. Under the bill, offenders must either be employed or in school full-time or else perform 40 hours of community service each week. This bill would address the prison overcrowding issue and the high cost of incarceration. It would also serve to keep younger offenders away from the influence and culture of more hardened criminals within the prison system.

House Bill 5215 (2011)

INTRODUCED 12/13/2011, referred to House Commerce Committee
Brief Description: House Bill 5215 (SANTANA) provides for the establishment of Neighborhood Improvement Districts (NID). A Neighborhood Improvement District may be formed by owners of residential property in a contiguous area within a municipality by collecting the approval of at least 30% of the residents. An NID would be chartered for a period of 7 years, governed by local residents, and allowed to raise money through various means. The mission of the NID is to improve the quality of life for residents through blight reduction, beautification projects and infrastructure restoration and improvement. Neighborhood Improvement Districts will serve to increase community pride, instill a sense of ownership and draw residents closer together.

House Bill 5229 (2011)

INTRODUCED 12/14/2011, referred to House Committee on Government Operations
Brief Description: House Bill 5229 (SANTANA) amends section 2 of 1999 PA 212 to allow the City of Detroit to require its employees, including police officers and fire fighters, to reside within the city limits. It is widely believed that individuals who have a stake in the community will work harder and smarter to protect and preserve it. A city employee who lives in the city will be better known and trusted by neighborhood residents.

House Bill 5403 (2012)

INTRODUCED 2/15/2011, referred to House Committee on Judiciary
Brief Description: House Bill 5403 (SANTANA) creates a new act which requires individuals convicted of animal abuse to register with the state for a period of 5 years. The database would be funded through a $50 fee charged to each registrant. House Bill 5402 would work in conjunction with Rep. Santana’s bill requiring use of the animal abuse registry by animal control shelters and animal protection shelters when allowing an animal adoption. Together, these bills will raise awareness of potential threats to the community and help to safeguard innocent companion animals in need of loving homes.

House Bill 5460 (2012)

INTRODUCED 3/08/2011, referred to House Committee on Judiciary
Brief Description: House Bill 5460 (SANTANA) amends PA 372 of 1927 to allow members of the U.S. Armed Forces or National Guard who are 18 years of age or older to be eligible to apply for a Concealed Pistol License (CPL) in Michigan. Currently, individuals must be over 21 to qualify for a CPL regardless of their level of skill or training. As a U.S. Navy veteran who understands the level of patriotism, commitment and self-discipline required for military service, Rep. Santana believes that our soldiers are more than qualified for Concealed Pistol Licenses regardless of their age.