March 20, 2008, Introduced by Reps. Sheen, Knollenberg, Calley, Hoogendyk, Palmer, Garfield, Agema, Stakoe, Pearce, Palsrok, Emmons, Hansen, Horn, Stahl, Nitz, Opsommer, Amos, Hune, Gaffney, Steil, Polidori, Marleau, Green, Casperson, Pastor, Rick Jones, Nofs, Meltzer, Moolenaar, Meekhof and Booher and referred to the Committee on Appropriations.
A bill to provide for a waiting period and publication before
the legislature may vote on certain appropriation- or revenue-
related bills.
THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF MICHIGAN ENACT:
Sec. 1. This act shall be known and may be cited as the "72-
hour budget review act".
Sec. 3. As used in this act:
(a) "Amendment" means any proposed change in a bill.
(b) "Appropriation-related bill" means any bill authorizing an
appropriation of funds for state operating, capital, or
transportation expenses.
(c) "Publicly available" means that a bill or amendment has
been posted on the legislature's website and published in a bill
report, committee report, or conference report.
(d) "Revenue-related bill" means any bill raising revenue for
operating, capital, or transportation expenses.
(e) "Striking amendment" means any amendment removing
everything after the title of the bill and inserting a whole new
bill.
Sec. 5. (1) Except as otherwise provided in this act, the
legislature shall not hold a hearing or vote on an appropriation-
or revenue-related bill until 72 hours after the bill is made
publicly available. This 72-hour time period excludes Saturdays,
Sundays, or holidays unless the legislative body considering the
bill is in session on that day.
(2) Except as otherwise provided in this act, an amendment
offered to an appropriation- or revenue-related bill shall not be
considered unless made publicly available 24 hours prior to any
vote. This 24-hour time period excludes Saturdays, Sundays, or
holidays unless the legislative body considering the bill is in
session on that day.
(3) Except as otherwise provided in this act, a striking
amendment offered to an appropriation- or revenue-related bill
shall not be considered unless made publicly available 48 hours
prior to any vote. This 48-hour time period excludes Saturdays,
Sundays, or holidays unless the legislative body considering the
bill is in session on that day.
(4) The provisions of this act apply each time a new version
of an appropriation- or revenue-related bill is considered.
(5) The provisions of this act for hearings or votes may be
waived upon a 2/3 vote of the full committee or legislative body
considering the appropriation- or revenue-related bill. If a bill
is adopted under this subsection, the following shall be added to
the text of the bill and the bill report: "The (insert legislative
body/committee) has waived the people's right for a detailed review
of this bill as required by the "72-hour budget review act".".