KEY LEGISLATION:

Business-Friendly Telemarketing Bill Passes

Intensive lobbying by MRA and other business groups led the Senate to pass a
more business-friendly version of a bill to help consumers avoid unwanted
telemarketing calls.

The substitute for House Bill 4042 approved by the Senate on Thursday -- the
eighth version considered -- eliminates the proposed statewide "Do Not Call"
list that telemarketers would have to follow. Instead of a statewide list,
telephone bills and phone books must include information on how consumers
can be placed on individual companies’ "Do Not Call" lists.

The bill also requires telemarketers to provide their name, business name
and phone number when calling. It prohibits telemarketers from blocking
caller ID and star-69 callback features.

The legislation now goes to a House-Senate conference committee to iron out
differences. MRA will remain vigilant to ensure that business protections
are not stripped from the conference bill.

Item pricing Reform bill Planned

A bill is set to be introduced in the Michigan House to allow retailers to
use technological solutions for customer price verification instead of
individually marking every piece of merchandise. Rep. Mike Bishop
(R-Rochester) plans to sponsor the legislation.

The proposed legislation would let retailers provide portable UPC scanners
capable of printing receipts for customers who want to check the price of an
item. Retailers would have to demonstrate 98-percent scanner accuracy to be
exempt from item pricing. The exemption would not apply to food or
nonprescription drugs.

Rep. David Woodward (D-Royal Oak) plans to introduce a separate bill that
increases fines for violation of scanner accuracy standards.

Anti-Shoplifting Bill Clears Committee

HB 5125, an MRA-supported bill to fight use of shoplifting devices, passed
the House Criminal Justice Committee on Tuesday. The bill will be taken up
by the full House after the holiday break and is expected to pass easily.

Sponsored by Rep. Bishop, the bill criminalizes use of materials such as
foil-lined bags and tag removers to prevent merchandise from being detected
by store anti-theft devices.

Scrap Tire Bill Passes House

HB 5380, sponsored by Rep. David Mead (R-Frankfort), passed the House,
keeping intact amendments secured by MRA. The bill seeks to promote
recycling of scrap tires and stiffens regulations for disposal. In
committee, MRA won amendments to relieve the record-keeping duties and
liability retailers would have faced for scrap tire disposal.

The package that includes HB 5380 has been held up while lawmakers haggle
over a proposed fee increase on vehicle tires. A compromise plan was passed
stating that the fee would not increase but placing a three-month sunset on
the provision. In effect, the action simply postpones a decision on the
issue for three months.

Dunaskiss Hospitalized Following Seizure

Sen. Mat Dunaskiss (R-Lake Orion) remains hospitalized in serious condition
after suffering an apparent grand mal seizure on the Senate floor.

When he suffered the seizure, Dunaskiss was testifying in support of his
telemarketing bill amendment exempting companies with an existing customer
relationship from following a state "Do Not Call" list.

Legislature Adjourns For Holidays

The House and Senate adjourned for their holiday break this week and will
return January 9. However, no significant legislative business is expected
to be conducted until the third week of January.

Capitol Facts updates will resume when the Legislature is back in session.

KEY BILL INTRODUCTIONS:

SB 923, sponsored by Sen. Alma Wheeler Smith (D-Salem Twp), to increase
unemployment compensation to 58% of average weekly wage.

For back issues of Capitol F@cts on-line visit MRA's web site at www.retailers.com/capfax/capfax.html.

Specific comments or questions regarding this bulletin should be directed to:
Kathleen Wilson, Administrative Assistant to the Governmental Affairs Office at
kawilson@retailers.com.
Michigan Retailers Association
603 South Washington Avenue
Lansing, MI 48933
Phone: 517.372.5656
Toll Free: 800.366.3699
Fax: 517.372.1303
govt_affairs@retailers.com
www.retailers.com
www.mallofmichigan.com

Click here to find more information about any of the bills referenced above.