VETERANS' GRAVES:  FLAGS

AND FLAG HOLDERS MADE IN U.S.

Senate Bill 428 (Substitute H-2)                                             (Enacted as Public Act 19 of 2014)

Sponsor:  Sen. Roger Kahn, M.D.

House Committee:  Military and Veterans Affairs

Senate Committee:  Veterans, Military Affairs and Homeland Security

Complete to 2-11-14

A SUMMARY OF SENATE BILL 428 AS REPORTED FROM COMMITTEE ON 1-29-14

The bill would amend Public Act 63 of 1915, which provides for the furnishing of flag holders and United States flags for the graves of U.S. military veterans.  The bill would do all of the following.

·         Prohibit local units of government from buying flags or flag holders assembled or manufactured outside of the United States if flags and flag holders that are competitively priced and of comparable quality that are made in Michigan or elsewhere in the U.S. are available. "United States" would include U.S. territories and the District of Columbia.

·         Require local units to post on their website that they bought foreign-made flags or holders because competitively priced and comparable quality products made in the U.S. are not available.  They also must post the country of origin of the products.  (If a local unit does not maintain a website, it would have to post the information at its principal office and other appropriate locations.)

·         Specify that a local unit not in compliance would be responsible for a state civil infraction and could be ordered to pay a civil fine not more than $500.

The bill applies to "a city, village, municipality, or township," as well as a county.

FISCAL IMPACT:

The bill would have no significant state or local fiscal impact.

POSITIONS:

Department of Military and Veterans Affairs supports the bill. (1-29-14)

American Legion, Marine Corps League, and Commanders Group supports the bill. (1-29-14)

Military Order of the Purple Heart supports the bill. (1-29-14)

                                                                                         Legislative Analyst:   E. Best

                                                                                                 Fiscal Analyst:   Mark Wolf

■ This analysis was prepared by nonpartisan House staff for use by House members in their deliberations, and does not constitute an official statement of legislative intent.