STATE OF MICHIGAN
Journal of the Senate
100th Legislature
REGULAR SESSION OF 2019
Senate Chamber, Lansing, Wednesday, June 26, 2019.
10:00 a.m.
Pursuant to rule 1.101, in the absence of the Presiding
Officers, the Senate was called to order by the Secretary of the Senate.
Motions and Communications
The
following communication was received:
Municipal
Employees’ Retirement System
June
20, 2019
Enclosed
please find a copy of the Comprehensive Annual Financial Report (CAFR) for the Municipal
Employees’ Retirement System (MERS) of Michigan for the fiscal year ending
December 31, 2018, pursuant to the requirements of the Municipal Employees
Retirement Act of 1944 (MCL 38.1536(2)(f)).
MERS is
an independent, professional retirement services company that was created to
administer the retirement plans for local units of Michigan government on a
not-for-profit basis. Today we administer retirement plans ranging from
traditional pensions to defined contribution plans—as well as a hybrid plan
which combines both. As the fiduciary for our retirement plans, our primary
goal is to ensure that each municipality’s assets are adequate to provide for
the benefits that are expected to be paid, and that each plan is making
reasonable progress to achieve full funding. We are proud of the fact that
during the past five years, 79% of MERS municipalities have taken additional
steps to manage their benefit commitments through plan design changes or by
making voluntary contributions to close their funding gap.
MERS’
policies are also in alignment with the Protecting Local Government Retirement
and Benefits Act (Public Act 202 of 2017). Those policies include conducting an
actuarial experience study at least every five years, with a peer actuarial
audit or rotation of actuaries at least every eight years. MERS has also led
proactive policy efforts by instituting a fixed amortization policy, developed
a tax exempt trust to pre-fund liabilities for other post-employment benefits
and continues to offer innovative plan designs in an effort to assist
municipalities in addressing unfunded liability while offering competitive
benefits.
We will
continue to work with our members in assuring transparency and assistance in
fulfilling the requirements of the recently enacted law. While there is more
work to be done, we remain committed to helping establish and maintain
responsible practices for the long-term sustainability of benefits to
generations of retirees for years to come.
If you
have any questions concerning this report, please contact me. The report can
also be found on our website at www.mersofmich.com.
Sincerely,
Chris
DeRose
Chief
Executive Officer
The
communication was referred to the Secretary for record.
The
following messages from the Governor were received:
Time:
9:08 a.m.
To the
President of the Senate:
Sir—I have this day approved and signed
Enrolled Senate Bill No. 129 (Public Act No. 32), being
An act to amend 2016 PA 436, entitled “An act to
provide for the operation and regulation of unmanned aircraft systems in this
state; to create the unmanned aircraft systems task force; to provide for the
powers and duties of state and local governmental officers and entities; and to
prohibit conduct related to the operation of unmanned aircraft systems and
prescribe penalties,” by amending section 5 (MCL 259.305).
(Filed
with the Secretary of State on June 25, 2019 at 10:32 a.m.)
Time:
9:10 a.m.
To the
President of the Senate:
Sir—I have this day approved and signed
Enrolled Senate Bill No. 192 (Public Act No. 33), being
An act to amend 1949 PA 300, entitled “An act to
provide for the registration, titling, sale, transfer, and regulation of
certain vehicles operated upon the public highways of this state or any other
place open to the general public or generally accessible to motor vehicles and
distressed vehicles; to provide for the licensing of dealers; to provide for
the examination, licensing, and control of operators and chauffeurs; to provide
for the giving of proof of financial responsibility and security by owners and
operators of vehicles; to provide for the imposition, levy, and collection of
specific taxes on vehicles, and the levy and collection of sales and use taxes,
license fees, and permit fees; to provide for the regulation and use of streets
and highways; to create certain funds; to provide penalties and sanctions for a
violation of this act; to provide for civil liability of manufacturers, the
manufacturers of certain devices, the manufacturers of automated technology,
upfitters, owners, and operators of vehicles and service of process on
residents and nonresidents; to regulate the introduction and use of certain
evidence; to regulate and certify the manufacturers of certain devices; to
provide for approval and certification of installers and servicers of certain
devices; to provide for the levy of certain assessments; to provide for the
enforcement of this act; to provide for the creation of and to prescribe the
powers and duties of certain state and local agencies; to impose liability upon
the state or local agencies; to provide appropriations for certain purposes; to
repeal all other acts or parts of acts inconsistent with this act or contrary
to this act; and to repeal certain parts of this act on a specific date,” by
amending section 310e (MCL 257.310e), as amended by 2015 PA 11.
(Filed
with the Secretary of State on June 25, 2019 at 10:34 a.m.)
Time:
9:12 a.m.
To the
President of the Senate:
Sir—I have this day approved and signed
Enrolled Senate Bill No. 193 (Public Act No. 34), being
An act to amend 2006 PA 384, entitled “An act to
provide for the certification of driver education providers; to prescribe
certain record-keeping and program requirements for driver education providers;
to provide for the certification of driver education instructors; to prescribe
the powers and duties of certain persons and departments; to prescribe certain
fees; to establish a fund in the state treasury; to prescribe remedies,
sanctions, and penalties; and to rescind administrative rules,” by amending
section 39 (MCL 256.659), as amended by 2010 PA 16.
(Filed
with the Secretary of State on June 25, 2019 at 10:36 a.m.)
Respectfully,
Gretchen
Whitmer
Governor
Criminal Justice Policy Commission - Wednesday, July 10, 9:00 a.m.,
Room 6900, Binsfeld Office Building (517) 373-0212
In
pursuance of the order previously made, the Secretary of the Senate declared
the Senate adjourned until Thursday, June 27, 2019, at 10:00 a.m.
MARGARET O’BRIEN
Secretary of the Senate