Please note: The Week in Review is compiled by the Illinois Senate Republican Caucus each week as a public service to provide constituents with information about legislative action and activities during the week.
This week, the state’s top fiscal officers and GOP legislative leaders spoke out against renewed calls for borrowing, cautioning against the potential costs of an additional money grab. The warning comes on the heels of a special commentary and review of the state’s finances by Moody’s Investors Services.
The ever-growing hole in Illinois’ operational budget has the Governor and others once again looking to borrow as a way to cover the state’s bills. However, State Comptroller Judy Baar Topinka, Treasurer Dan Rutherford, Senate Minority Leader Christine Radogno and House Minority Leader Tom Cross say Illinois shouldn’t rely on borrowed money, but instead limit spending to the state’s available revenues.
Recent news reports confirm Gov. Pat Quinn has been pushing for a "restructuring" of debt, claiming additional borrowing won’t hurt the state’s ratings. In fact, as reported by WJBC radio, Quinn said, "I think if we do the restructuring, we will enhance our credibility with the rating agencies."
Illinois’ debt has been rising for years, with state bond and pension debt increasing from $54 billion in 2003 ($4,300 per citizen) to $119 billion today ($9,300 per citizen), which is a 120 percent increase. As a result, Illinois is saddled with the second largest bond and pension debt of any state—and those numbers don’t even account for the billions of dollars in interest taxpayers will pay on the borrowing.
“Illinois is rated dead last as to state creditworthiness,” Sen. Sandack pointed out. “it is time to seriously address these long-term financial challenges facing our state, or watch an exodus of people and businesses to places where true, and unencumbered, opportunities exist.”
Recently, Moody’s Investors Service issued a special commentary and review of Illinois’ finances. The report noted that the state still has the worst Moody’s rating in the nation at A1 with a negative outlook, worse than even California’s A1 rating with a stable outlook. Illinois' credit rating has sunk to 49th place by ratings companies Standard & Poor's and Fitch Ratings.
Gov. Quinn has reportedly indicated that the ratings agencies look favorably upon his continued proposals for long-term bonding to pay bills. However, Moody’s appeared at best neutral to Quinn’s bonding plan, saying: “This approach would significantly increase the state’s bonded debt burden, while at the same time helping those entities awaiting payment.”
Moody’s also emphasized that the tax hike passed by Democrats in January is only a temporary solution to the state’s “significant funding burden” for pensions. The rating agency confirmed that while the 2010 pension reforms for new state employees will have a significant impact, the primary savings won’t be realized for many years.
Recent news reports have indicated that there is a willingness on the part of some lawmakers to revisit pension reforms for current employees this fall. Moody’s echoes calls from legislators, financial oversight organizations, and taxpayer protection groups for further benefit reductions. Many agree that these reforms are necessary to truly address the unsustainable nature of Illinois’ retirement systems, but because the retirement benefits for current employees are constitutionally-guaranteed, legal impediments may stand in the way.
The ratings agency went on to point out that “The state may be able to use increased tax revenue to chip away at its large balance of past-due budgetary payment obligations, but has not adopted a comprehensive plan to do so.”
The state currently has more than 190,000 unpaid bills totaling nearly $4 billion dating back to April 19. Those bills represent overdue payments to businesses, schools, hospitals, not-for-profit and social service agencies in every corner of the state. Moody’s noted that the state’s outstanding obligations “will significantly drain fiscal 2012 revenues and perpetuate late payments into fiscal 2013.”
Moody’s cautioned that while there have been signs that the state’s economy is in recovery, economic turmoil at the national level could have serious ramifications for Illinois. As noted, “Because of its financial weakness, Illinois is less well positioned than other states to handle a renewed downturn in the national economy.”
Legislation sponsored by Sen. Sandack was signed into law by Governor Quinn at the end of last week. House Bill 2550 allows a township board to appoint one or more enforcement officers to enforce county ordinances within the township; currently only one can be appointed.
Other legislation signed into law during the week includes:
Academic Watch (HB 1415/PA 97-0370): Allows local school boards to, if federal grants are available, opt in to a full-year pilot plan if a school is on academic watch status for more than two years. Schools that opt in must increase their school calendar by 35 days, and requires students attend a minimum of 215 days. This pilot program affects only schools in Sen. James Meeks' district.
African-American Disparity Commission (HB 1547/PA 97-0360): Creates the Commission to End the Disparities Facing the African-American Community, which is charged with researching disparities facing African-Americans in the areas of education, health care, health care services and employment.
Agritourism (HB 3244/PA 97-0392): Requires the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (subject to appropriation) to develop and implement a statewide plan to promote agricultural tourism.
Alcohol Sale (HB 79/PA 97-0395): Allows alcohol to be delivered to and sold at Veterans Memorial Hall in Rockford.
Allergy Injection Permissions (HB 3294/PA 97-0361): Allows a school district or nonpublic school to authorize a school nurse to provide an epinephrine auto-injector to a student or any authorized personnel to administer injection; administer an injection that meets the prescription on file to student; and administer an injection to any student who the school nurse professionally believes is having an anaphylactic reaction.
Auxiliary Officers (HB 2554/PA 97-0379): Allows a county board to pay auxiliary officers an amount that does not exceed the lowest hourly rate of a full-time officer. Currently, only auxiliary officers performing traffic duties may be paid.
Bail Fees (HB 1339/PA 97-0368): Allows municipalities to impose a bail processing fee of up to $20.
Brand Name Prescriptions (SB 2046/PA 97-0426): Authorizes the Department of Healthcare and Family Services to reimburse the dispensing of a 90-day supply of a brand name drug when it is a cost effective, non-narcotic maintenance medication. Also authorizes the 90-day supply for brand name drugs.
Brush Clearing (SB 41/PA 97-0417): Allows a township to authorize without a referendum the use of road funds to finance the collection, transport, and disposal of brush and leaves within the unincorporated areas of the township.
Campaign Contributions (HB 3158/PA 97-0411): Establishes that contractors who are prohibited from giving campaign contributions to the Governor are also prohibited from giving contributions to the Lt. Governor. This would apply to Lt. Governor and Governor candidates who have filed a joint petition or write-in declaration of intent.
Child Abuse Reporting (SB 106/PA 97-0387): Establishes that privileged communications between a professional required to report suspected child abuse/neglect, and his or her patient or client, does not exempt the professional from their requirement to share information or documents with the Department of Children and Family Services during the course of a child abuse or neglect investigation. States that at the request of a professional, DCFS must confirm in writing that the information or documents disclosed by the professional were gathered in the course of a child abuse or neglect investigation.
Child Murderer and Violent Youth Offender Registration (SB 2270/PA 97-0432): Exempts juvenile offenders from having to register for misdemeanor domestic battery, and clarifies that adults do not have to register for domestic battery unless it resulted in bodily harm. Reduces the types of aggravated battery that trigger registration, for both adult and juveniles. Adds the offenses of aggravated battery with a firearm, aggravated battery with a machine gun, and home invasion to the registration requirements.
Comptroller Report (HB 2922/PA 97-0408): Requires each State agency to report to the Comptroller by Oct. 31 with the information needed for the publication of the Comptroller’s annual financial report by December 31. Establishes consequences for those agencies that do not comply.
Consumer Loan Affiliates (SB 674/PA 97-0420): Defines payday loan “affiliates” as any person or entity that directly or indirectly controls, is controlled by, or shares control with another person or entity. States that a person or entity who has control over another is the person or entity who has an ownership interest of 25% or more in the other.
Co-Payment Scale (SB 1236/PA 97-0422): Bases child-care copayments for families who receive child care services or public assistance on family size and income, not on the number of children in care or the amount of services used. Also sets a sliding scale for co-payments, reflecting a lower percentage of income for the poorest families, and with a copayment that gradually income as family income increases.
Correctional Facilities (HB 2590/PA 97-0380): Prohibits any unit of local government or a county sheriff (formerly only the state) from contracting with a private entity to operate a correctional facility.
Cottage Food Deregulation (SB 840/PA 97-0393): Allows for deregulation at the local level of cottage food operations, so only "state-certified local public health departments" would be permitted to regulate cottage food operation. Cottage food operations are those where a person produces or packages non-potentially hazardous food in a home kitchen.
County Jurisdiction (HB 1526/PA 97-0404): Clarifies the law on pre-annexation agreements to establish that property will be subject to the county’s control if the county board has voted to maintain ordinances, control, and jurisdiction of a property that is more than 1.5 miles from the municipality’s lines. This would not apply in Cook County, the collar counties, or the Metro East.
Damaged Road Cost Recovery (HB 1541/PA 97-0373): Gives units of local government the same authority that state agencies have to seek recovery for the repair or replacement costs for damaged or destroyed roadway property.
Data Security (SB 1862/PA 97-0390): Provides that the Department of Central Management Services or an authorized agency must implement a policy to mandate that before being sold, donated, or transferred, all hard drives of surplus electronic data processing equipment be erased, wiped, sanitized, or destroyed at least three times (or be physically destroyed) in a manner that prevents retrieval of sensitive data and software. It must be certified in writing that the process has been completed.
Disability Definition (HB 3010/PA 97-0410): Includes mental, psychological, or developmental disabilities, including autism spectrum disorder, in the portion of the Human Rights Act that prohibits discrimination in public accommodations.
Disproportionate Justice Study (SB 2271/PA 97-0433): Enacts some recommendations of the Disproportionate Justice Impact Study (DJIS) Commission's final report. Specifically, creates the Racial and Ethnic Impact Research Task Force to oversee the collection and analysis of data on the racial and ethnic identity of arrestees. The bill also allows legislators to request the attachment of a Racial and Ethnic Impact Statement to bills or appropriation measures that will impact criminal offenses, penalties, sentencing, probation or parole.
DNA Submission (HB 3238/PA 97-0383): Expands the list of those required to submit to DNA testing to include (1) a person required by an order of the court to submit a DNA specimen; (2) any person arrested for any of the following offenses, after a determination by a judge or a grand jury that probable cause exists for the arrest: first degree murder, home invasion, predatory criminal sexual assault of a child, aggravated criminal sexual assault, criminal sexual assault; and (3) any person required to register as a sex offender under the Sex Offender Registration Act, regardless of the date of conviction.
Drug Dealers ER Fines (HB 1258/PA 97-0434): Establishes that people found guilty of manufacturing or delivering drugs that caused an emergency response will be liable for the expense of the emergency response, and must also pay additional new fines.
Dry-Cleaning Facility (HB 1953/PA 97-0377): Requires an active dry-cleaning facility that has previously received or is currently receiving reimbursement of remedial action benefits under the Act to maintain continuous financial assurance for environmental liability coverage in the amount of $500,000
Electronic Citation Funds (HB 1298/PA 97-0402): Allows funds from the LEADS Maintenance Fund to be given to the State Police to help offset cover expenses of the electronic citation system.
Electronic Records and Fees (HB 1470/PA 97-0403): Requires the Department of Healthcare and Family Services to provide an electronic submission process for assessment reports for long term care facilities. Requires a separate submission be completed for each of these facilities operated by a long-term care provider. HFS is required to prepare an assessment bill that states the amount due and payable each month to be submitted electronically to each long term care facility. Payments must contain a copy of the bill sent to the facility. A 25 percent fee is established for long term care facilities that fail to file their bills with payment, unless that fee is waived by HFS. Prohibits a fee being charged if HFS does not provide a process for electronic submission of the data. The electronic submission system and penalties must be implemented by July 1, 2013.
Environmental Justice Commission (SB 2193/PA 97-0391): Creates the Commission on Environmental Justice, which is a 20-member voting commission dealing with brownfield community-type issues, such as the effect of pollution from industrial areas, factories, power plants, etc.
Expanded-Use Vehicles (HB 3256/PA 97-0412): Allows someone who owns a motor vehicle that is more than 25 years old, or which is a bona fide replica, to register the vehicle as an expanded-use antique vehicle. The owner must pay appropriate registration and renewal fees and also pay the $45 per year fee for expanded-use antique vehicle registration.
Farmers’ Market Task Force (SB 1852/PA 97-0394): Forms the Farmers' Market Task Force to assist the Department of Public Health in enacting statewide administrative regulations for farmers' markets.
Feral Hogs (SB 2190/PA 97-0431): Gives the Department of Natural Resources the authority to prohibit the importation of feral hogs into the state. Adds a number of wild birds and mammals to the endangered species list. Makes it unlawful to propagate (breed) or release into the wild any protected species. Allows DNR to regulate other wild mammals, wild birds, and feral livestock that are not specifically defined as wildlife.
First Aid Kits (HB 1573/PA 97-0374): Requires railroad companies with contracts to transport railroad employees to provide first aid kits.
FOIA Restriction (HB 3343/PA 97-0385): Exempts the names, addresses and other personal information of participants in programs offered by park districts, forest preserve districts, conservation districts, recreation agencies, and special recreation associations that are targeted to minors from Freedom of Information Act inquiries.
Forest Preserve Bond Impact (HB 1127/PA 97-0364): Requires a forest preserve district that releases a bond proposition to include the approximate impact of the proposed increase on a single-family home for the first year of the increase.
Financial Oversight Panels (SB 2149/PA 97-0429): Creates a new Article 1H in the School Code: “Financial Oversight Panels for all newly formed Financial Oversight Panels.” These panels have the ability to: levy all property tax levies that otherwise could be levied by the district, and make levies; institute a separate tax levy for emergency financial assistance repayment purposes that is not subject to referendum or tax caps; issue tax anticipation warrants or notes; issue revenue anticipation certificates or notes; issue GSA anticipation certificates; and establish and utilize lines of credit.
Funeral Protests (HB 180/PA 97-0359): Increases the distance at which protests are allowed at a funeral from 200 to 300 feet away from the funeral site. Targets disruptive protests that have been occurring at military funerals.
Gang Prevention (HB 3033/PA 97-0435): Establishes a statewide criminal street gang prevention and intervention grant program to be operated by the Department of Juvenile Justice with federal dollars. Requires Criminal Justice Information Authority to help local governments in obtaining grant money from the federal government.
Geothermal Regulation (HB 308/PA 97-0363): Requires the Department of Public Health to regulate heating contractors that install thermal heating systems in the ground. Creates a new overview board for these contractors.
Healthcare Workforce Planning (SB 1945/PA 97-0424): Establishes a State Healthcare Workforce Council to assess and identify need in the areas of healthcare workforce trends, training issues, and financing policies. The Council will focus on: health care workforce supply and distribution, cultural competence and minority participation in health professions education, primary care training and practice, and data evaluation and analysis. This is entirely subject to the availability and appropriation of federal grant money applied for by the Department of Public Health.
Hunger Commission Membership (SB 262/PA 97-0419): Changes the composition of the Commission to End Hunger. Removes a representative of a township government, who then become the third “at-large” member. Adds to the Commission’s ex-officio members the Director of the Department of Natural Resources, or his designee. Charges the Local Food, Farms, and Jobs Council with designating a liaison to serve ex-officio on the Commission.
ID Card Religious Objections (HB 1484/PA 97-0371): Provides for Illinois Identification Cards or Illinois Disabled Person Identification Cards to be issued without photographs if the applicant has a religious objection.
ID Theft Protection (SB 151/PA 97-0388): Prohibits the use, possession, or transfer of a radio frequency identification device capable of obtaining or processing personal identifying information from a credit or debit card that use the new chip technology for an illegal purpose.
IMRF Disability (HB 3334/PA 97-0415): Makes changes to the Pension Code relating to the Illinois Municipal Retirement Fund to reduce the potential for disability fraud and other added disability-related costs. Requires employees applying for a disability annuity to authorize the IMRF board to examine their medical/hospital records and any information regarding compensated employment that has been received since becoming disabled.
Initial Abuse Hearings (SB 1949/PA 97-0425): Requires that the initial permanency hearing in a juvenile abuse and neglect case must be held within 12 months of the date temporary custody was taken regardless of whether an adjudication or dispositional hearing has been completed within that timeframe.
Interest Calculation Formula (SB 1133/PA 97-0421): Establishes a formula for interest calculation on payday loans during the initial payment period. Specifically, states that when the first installment period is longer than the others, the amount of the finance charges applicable to the extra days cannot exceed $15.50 per $100 of the original principal balance divided by the number of days in a regularly scheduled installment period and multiplied by the number of extra days. Also clarifies that the term “consecutive days” does not include the date on which a consumer makes the final installment payment.
Jury Duty (HB 1317/PA 97-0436): Exempts people who have a total and permanent disability from serving on jury duty.
Juvenile Justice (HB 83/PA 97-0362): Stipulates that committing a minor to the Department of Juvenile Justice must be the least restrictive options. This can only be done after efforts have been made unsuccessfully to locate less restrictive alternatives to secure confinement.
Lapse Period Spending (HB 1375/PA 97-0369): Pushes FY11 Lapse period spending and the interest penalties payable on the liabilities to Dec. 31, 2011.
Law Enforcement Training Board Replacement (HB 1949/PA 97-0327): Establishes that the Clerk of the Circuit Court of Cook County will replace the Executive Director of the Illinois Board of Higher Education on the Illinois Law Enforcement Training Standards Board.
Law Repeal (HB 3428/PA 97-0416): Repeals three obsolete, rarely utilized Acts, including the Illinois Farm Labor Contractor Certification Act, the Illinois Street Trades Law and the Industrial Home Work Act. Repealing the Act will allow the Department of Labor to direct its limited resources to more essential areas.
Mental Health Advisory Committees (SB 1584/PA 97-0439): Requires county boards (except Cook) to appoint a volunteer seven-member mental health advisory committee, if the county has established a county health department. Clarifies that this does not apply to townships that already provide mental health services.
Mental Health Court (SB 1837/PA 97-0440): Directs the mental health court in Kane County to demonstrate the effectiveness of its alternative treatment program in reducing the number of mentally ill people admitted into the correctional system. The court is to cooperate with mental health service providers and have one or more institutions of higher education publish peer-reviewed studies of the outcomes generated by the mental health court.
Mental Health Coverage (HB 1530/PA 97-0437): Amends the Illinois Insurance Code and HMO Act and makes new mandates for mental health parity, while expanding existing mandates for autism coverage and mental and emotional disorder coverage
Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services (HB 2982/PA 97-0381): Requires the Department of Human Services to establish Regional Integrated Behavioral Health Networks to ensure improved access to mental health and substance abuse services throughout Illinois by convening all relevant health, mental health, substance abuse and other community entities.
Mental Health Task Force (HB 2084/PA 97-0438): Creates the Mental Health and Developmental Disabilities Services Strategic Planning Task Force to develop a five-year comprehensive strategic plan for the state's mental health services regarding access to and quality of care.
Mental Health Treatment (HB 1591/PA 97-0375): Clarifies that psychotropic medications and electroconvulsive therapy can be ordered on an outpatient basis and establishes a mental health provider’s right to be represented by counsel at a commitment hearing. Also allows for transport of a person with mental illness without a petition and certificates.
MRSA Deaths (HB 1658/PA 97-0376): Requires that the presence of methicillin-resistant staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), and vancomycin-resistant enterocci (VRE) be noted on a death certificate if it was a contributing factor to, or the cause of death.
MWRD Bonds (HB 1324/PA 97-0367): Allows the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District to issue bonds for the construction, replacement, remodeling, or alteration of administrative buildings.
Natural Gas Pipelines (HB 1703/PA 97-0405): Requires the Illinois Chamber of Commerce to make a final decision on a natural gas pipeline route within one year unless there is cause for an additional six-month extension. Attempts to speed up the current, very slow process of siting a natural gas pipeline.
Notary Identification (HB 350/PA 97-0397): Allows a notary public to consider as acceptable forms of identification state agency identification cards, and consulate identification cards that have the person’s signature and photo on them.
Paratransit Fund (HB 585/PA 97-0399): Allows for the full funding by the RTA of ADA paratransit services that are required under federal mandate and operated by Pace. Without this legislation, beginning in 2012 Pace will have to cover all current funding shortfalls for paratransit services.
Parole Violation Warrants (SB 1807/PA 97-0389): Changes the offenses for which the Department of Corrections must issue a parole violation warrant when a parolee or releasee is charged with a felony offense of domestic battery (former domestic battery); or if the parolee or releasee is on parole or mandatory supervised release for a murder, a Class X felony or a Class 1 felony violation, or any felony that requires registration as a sex offender (formerly forcible felony) and then while on release commits first degree murder, a Class X felony, a Class 1 felony, a Class 2 felony, or a Class 3 felony.
Payday Loan Act Restrictions for Military (HB 3257/PA 97-0413): States that a creditor charging an annual interest rate greater than 36 percent to a member of the military or their dependants is in violation of the Payday Loan Reform Act
Petroleum Contractors Licensing (SB 2145/PA 97-0428): Deletes a requirement mandating that an investigator sent to examine underground storage tanks have a minimum of two years of investigative experience out of the previous 5 years, prior to being employed by the State Fire Marshal.
Plumber Licensing (HB 1228/PA 97-0365): Outlines that only the state and the City of Chicago may license plumbers. States that in the event that the plumbing contractor’s registration is suspended or revoked, the Department of Financial and Professional Regulation must notify the City of Chicago and any corresponding plumbing contractors license issued by the City of Chicago must be suspended or revoked. Similarly, the City of Chicago must notify the Department of such suspensions or revocations within its jurisdiction.
Portable Electronic Insurance (HB 1284/PA 97-0366): Creates a new “limited lines” license for retailers that sell insurance to cover the repair or replacement of portable electronic devices, like wireless phones and computers. Requires anyone who offers or sells the portable electronics insurance to have a limited lines license.
Process Servers (SB 2069/PA 97-0427): Allows the courts to appoint a private detective or private detective agency, or their registered employees, who have been certified to serve as special process servers. The private detective or private detective agency must provide the sheriff in each of the counties where they serve process with a copy of his or her license or certificate.
Property Transfer (HB 464/PA 97-0398): Allows the Department of Veterans’ Affairs to transfer to a civic organization any donated property worth less than $100 that was donated to the Dept. to be used to benefit residents of facilities operated by the VA under the Nursing Home Care Act.
Prosthetics (HB 3315/PA 97-0414): Provides that in the 2012 fiscal year, the Discharged Service Members Task Force charged with investigating the re-entry process for service members returning to civilian life, must also assess the availability of prosthetics in its investigation. Currently, the task force considers PTSD, homelessness, disabilities and other relevant issues as members see fit.
Racial Classification (HB 332/PA 97-0396): Replaces racial classifications throughout Illinois Statutes with those used by the U.S. Census Bureau, which include Asian, Black of African American, Hispanic or Latino, Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islander, and White.
Referendum Removal (SB 172/PA 97-0418): Removes the requirement that a referendum be held to consolidate a Soil and Water Conservation District if petitions and resolutions are presented to the Department of Agriculture prior to Jan. 1, 2012, and if the Director determines that consolidation is practicable and feasible. Though the law doesn’t address antiquated elections language in the law, it does serve as a stop-gap measure to help achieve the original goal of legislation, which is to allow McHenry and Lake to consolidate their SWCD districts.
School Buses (HB 2265/PA 97-0378): Changes the definition of a multifunction school activity bus to mean a school bus manufactured for the purpose of transporting 11 or more persons, instead of 11 to 15 persons.
Sheriff License Plates Fee Exemption (SB 2162/PA 97-0430): Removes the $25 fee for the transfer of registration plates from a wrecked county-owned vehicle to a replacement vehicle, beginning in the 2012 registration year.
Small Business Development (HB 2073/PA 97-0406): Creates the Small Business Development Grant Fund to provide grants to small businesses that will 1). use the funds to create additional jobs, that will 2). locate from outside Illinois into Illinois, and 3). for individual projects that create 100 or fewer jobs.
Social Security Number Protection (HB 700/PA 97-0400): Provides that the Department of Financial and Professional Regulation can only use a person’s Social Security number on paperwork for initial licensing. After initial licensing a customer tracking number must be issued and used on all paperwork from that point on.
Spanish DNR Forms (HB 3134/PA 97-0382): Requires the Department of Public Health to publish Do Not Resuscitate forms in Spanish.
Specialty Plates (HB 2938/PA 97-0409): Establishes that the Secretary of State (SOS) must receive 1,500 applications for a specialty plate within two years or the SOS’s authority to issue the plate will be nullified. Requires charities that are to receive funds from the sale of a specialty license plate to meet the registration and reporting requirements of the Charitable Trust Act and the Solicitation for Charity Act each year. Provides that specialty plates will be discontinued if their registrations fall below 1,000 a year, and requires SOS to recall all issued plates of that type; vehicle owners who have the recalled plates are entitled to receive different plates without a fee.
TIF Bensenville (HB 1486/PA 97-0372): Extends the Tax Increment Financing district in Bensenville.
Transparent Staffing Plans (SB 1342/PA 97-0423): States that a copy of a written staffing plan for nursing care services must be provided to any member of the general public upon request.
TRIP (HB 3411/PA 97-0386): Requires the Teacher Retirement Insurance Program Committee to identify solutions that have been proposed to address funding shortfalls that affect the Teacher Health Insurance Fund and report the solutions to the Governor and General Assembly within six months, in an effort to protect the TRIP from becoming insolvent.
Uninsured Driving (HB 2267/PA 97-0407): Requires mandatory maximum fines for a person who has multiple convictions of driving an uninsured motor vehicle. Requires that a $2,500 fine be imposed, in addition to any jail sentence, for an individual convicted of driving an uninsured vehicle that results in bodily harm to another person, if the defendant has two or more convictions for driving an uninsured vehicle. Requires the same fee for a person who receives a third conviction of uninsured operation of a motor vehicle that leads to bodily injury to another. Sets the fee at $1,000 for an individual convicted of a third or subsequent violation of uninsured operation of a vehicle that does not result in bodily injury.
Veterans Graves (HB 3273/PA 97-0384): Prohibits a business from buying, accepting, or paying for metal taken from the grave marker of a veteran and sets a maximum fee for violation at $1,000 per grave marker.
