Written by Forrest Wall, CAE, Staff Vice President and Industry Relations
Bill Allowing Medical Marihuana Prohibition Passes In Lame Duck
An important rental property amendment to the Michigan Medical Marihuana Act passed the Michigan House of Representatives on the second to last day of the 2015-2016 legislative session. Senate Bill 72 allows a landlord to prohibit the smoking or cultivating of medical marihuana, as long as the prohibition is in the written lease. The legislation, sponsored by Sen. Rick Jones (R-24th Senate District), originally passed the Michigan Senate in 2015. The bill now goes to Governor Snyder, who must sign it for the legislation to become law. The bill would take effect 90 days after it is signed into law.
Apartment Inspection Reform Fails To Pass Before Year-End
AAM initiated legislation to provide that lessee permission is needed prior to local government entry to inspect failed to move quickly enough for passage before the completion of the 2015-2016 legislative session. The Michigan House of Representatives passed House Bill 5561 on a vote of 104 – 3 in December, but the Michigan Senate failed to act in time to pass the bill. AAM will seek reintroduction and swift passage of the bill in the 2017-2018 session (All bills that do not pass at the end of a legislative session need to be reintroduced in the next two year session). Our thanks to Representative Joe Graves (R-Linden), who is the sponsor of the legislation and continues to work for its passage.
Legislature Does Not Enact Bed Bug Legislation
Legislation to provide for the responsibilities of tenants and landlords in situations where bedbugs are suspected and/or present saw partial passage in the Michigan Legislature. The bill provided for inspection and control timeframes after written notice, treatment provisions, unit access, and treatment cost and damage responsibility among other items. The Michigan House of Representatives passed the legislation, but the Michigan Senate did not move the bill before the end of the session.