Snyder says upgrades to Michigan's 9-1-1 system will save lives, improve services

Gov. Rick Snyder signed legislation Tuesday that provides the framework for upgrading all of Michigan’s 9-1-1 systems statewide.

“In the past 50 years, technology has dramatically changed how we live, and yet our emergency 9-1-1 system has not kept pace,” Snyder said. “It’s time to upgrade all of our systems statewide, giving first responders improved ways to locate victims and better help Michiganders in need of immediate help in life-threatening situations.”

Senate Bill 400, sponsored by state Sen. Rick Jones, modifies fees set by the Emergency 9-1-1 Service Enabling Act to provide the funding mechanism Michigan counties will use to upgrade their current infrastructure. Upgrades would include the ability to send pictures and videos to 9-1-1 dispatchers as well as having an accurate GPS location. Some counties in Michigan already have these programs in place, this new law will require implementation of upgrades statewide.

“Not only will this upgrade more easily locate Michiganders in need, but the utilization of text, photo and video will be an incredible resource for the deaf, blind, and hard of hearing communities across our state,” Lt. Gov. Brian Calley said.

It is now Public Act 51 of 2018.

Snyder also signed four additional bills:

• Senate Bill 481, sponsored by state Sen. Jim Stamas, names a portion of highway US-10 as the “Marine Lance Corporal Ryan Burgess Memorial Highway.” Lance Corporal Burgess was killed while serving his second tour of duty in Iraq on December 21, 2006. The portion of highway on US-10 being renamed in his honor begins at the intersection of Stark Road and extends west to River Road It is now Public Act 52 of 2018.

• House Bill 4191, sponsored by state Rep. Martin Howrylak, names a portion of highway I-75 as the “Officer Martin ‘Marty’ Chivas Memorial Highway.” Officer Chivas, a member of the Troy Police Department, was killed in the line of duty on April 22, 1974. The portion of highway I-75 being renamed in his honor is located in the City of Troy at the Rochester Road exit. It is now Public Act 53 of 2018.

• House Bill 5216, sponsored by state Rep. Klint Kesto, eliminates requirements that the State Court Administrative Office maintain a physical list of frivolous civil lawsuits filed by prisoners regarding prison conditions, as this information is already available to the courts through their electronic databases. It is now Public Act 54 of 2018.

• House Bill 5039, sponsored by state Rep. Jason Wentworth, amends the Motor Fuel Tax Act to clarify that “heavy bunker fuel” or other similar fuels used for shipping purposes and not for use in motor vehicles are exempt from the motor fuel tax. It is now Public Act 55 of 2018.

For additional information on this and other legislation, visit www.legislature.mi.govwww.legislature.mi.gov.

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