Daily Briefs . . .

 Snyder signs bills aimed at creating good government practices

 Gov. Rick Snyder this week signed 15 bills intended to streamline existing law, increase efficiency and modernize practices.

“These bills help ensure Michiganders have better access to improved services,” Snyder said.
 
Senate Bill 738 provides the Michigan Department of Community Health with extended access to the state’s auto insurance database. The bill lengthens the sunset on existing legislation to Dec. 30, 2018, allowing for continued cross-reference of auto insurance and Medicaid claims to maximize recoveries.

SB 1043 modernizes language in existing law to protect public land survey areas and the monuments marking them. The bill creates consistency between the Corner Recordation Act and the State Survey Remonumentation Act, allowing the state to more easily grant funding to eligible counties.

SB 1087 removes licensing requirements for people in the mortgage industry whose primary responsibility is to help delinquent home loan borrowers renegotiate loans. The bill aligns Michigan law with existing federal Consumer Financial Protection Bureau rules.

SB 1125 gives local governments the ability to establish community foundation funds to be used for the upkeep of municipally owned cemeteries.

House Bill 4703 allows a person in possession of unclaimed property to appeal to the state treasurer, instead of bringing an action or appeal in circuit court. The bill also simplifies the unclaimed property process and requires the treasurer, upon review, to issue a “notice of determination” stating that official ownership of the property has been granted to the holder.

HB 4760 requires the Department of Treasury to pay a 3 percent bonus interest on Michigan Business Tax refunds that were not paid within 90 days after the claim was approved or 90 days after the date established by law. Bonus interest applies to only those cases that meet certain requirements, have no calculation errors, and contain all required information.

HBs 4920 and 4921 provide technical changes to the sales tax and use tax acts to require certain taxpayers to make accelerated payments. The bills update antiquated sections of law to match modern industry practices.

HB 5179 transfers ownership rights of the former Western Wayne Correctional Facility property from the Department of Corrections to the Land Bank Fast Track Authority. 

HB 5202 gives homeowners increased flexibility when dealing with special assessment liens. Under current law, homeowners who want to sell or refinance their homes must pay off the entire lien in a large lump sum payment. This act limits the amount of a lien on property assessed to the amount of an installment payment.

HBs 5794 and 5795 provide technical fixes to the Revised Judicature Act passed earlier this year. The bills replace the word “mortgagor” with “purchaser” and redefine the grounds under which a person can redeem property sold at a tax sale bringing the legislation more in line with modern industry language.

HB 5860 brings Michigan appraiser licensing policies in line with federal requirements allowing appraisers to remain on the National Appraiser Registry. 
Snyder also signed 11 bills designating memorial roads and highways across the state

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