• Michigan Legislature

• The Rental Property Owners Association of Michigan (RPOA-M) provides your legislative link to Lansing. RPOA-M currently works with Karoub Associates to represent property owners point of view in applicable legislation.

• MINIMUM  WAGE  HIKE

  Update from Karoub Associates(3/2006):

  In the last two weeks the Senate and House surprisingly approved an increase in the state’s minimum wage.  Senate Bill 318, which passed (35-0) and (73-34) would increase the minimum wage from $5.15 an hour to $6.95 an hour in October 2006, to $7.15 an hour on July 1, 2007 and ultimately to $7.47 on July 1, 2008.

  Speculation centered around Republican efforts to derail a labor initiative to adopt a constitutional amendment ensuring the minimum wage increase.  However, the Governor and Democrats indicate that they will continue to support the minimum wage petition drive.  The bill now goes to the Governor. 

• EMINENT DOMAIN

  Update from Karoub Associates(3/2006):

  Property owners will be able to claim additional compensation when their land is taken under governmental eminent domain authority under a ruling released by the Court of Appeals.  The court struck down as unconstitutional a state law banning consideration of general effects on property when determining what is just compensation when a portion of the land is taken.

  Legislation supporting this court decision to increase payment to people displaced from their homes under eminent domain land acquisitions was reported favorably from the House Government Operations Committee recently.

  The package includes HB 5817, which would require a payment of $5,200 for individuals and families displaced by seizure of their home under eminent domain, and would require that the payment be given before the person moves out.   Currently, residents are paid $1,000 to cover moving expenses, and their payments can come after they have been displaced.

  The legislation is targeted at people who rent and may not be able to move or put a deposit on a new apartment without the payment, said the bill's sponsor Rep. Steve Tobocman (D-Detroit).

  HB 5818 would provide reimbursement of attorney's fees for a person whose income is below the 125 percent federal poverty level if that person challenges the need to take their home and their challenge is unsuccessful.

  HB 5819 would also require property owners to be paid at least 30 days before they are displaced and would provide for a reasonable time for a person to obtain a new residence.

  HB 5820 would prohibit environmental contamination money that is used to securitize remediation costs to remain in escrow.   And HB 5821 would require that at the time an agency is moving forward with its good faith offer for just compensation that a tenant be notified of their rights.

• HB 4171 Landlord to Collect as if repairs made by 3rd party.

• Update from Karoub Associates(3/2006): House Bill 4171 sponsored by Representative John Pastor (R-Livonia).  Representative Pastor introduced this bill last February to allow award of damages for repairs made by landlords to damaged property.  RPOA-M testified in support of the bill when it was up in committee.  Since the committee meeting one amendment has been added to change the “standard industry wage”, the rate at which repair costs would be estimated to read “usual and customary charges for repairs”.  With this change the bill was passed through the House on a 107-0 vote on March 1^st.

   

• HB 4473 (2005) Housing Inspection

• HB 4732 LLC Bill - pending allow owner to represent self under specified amount.

• HB 5571 - Municipalities may designate a site for deposit and retrieval of personal property for removal of property on eviction.

  Update from Karoub Associates (3/2006)  House Bill 5571 sponsored by Representative Lamar Lemmons III (D-Detroit).  This bill allows municipalities to designate a site for deposit and retrieval of personal property for removal of property on eviction.  The bill was an idea of the Representative himself, and was not brought by any constituent groups.  The Representative does not anticipate any movement on the bill, and he does not expect to see it taken up or reported from the House Judiciary committee.  His office will inform Karoub Associates if they expect any movement.

• HB 5764 - Prohibit Real Estate Salesperson from representing both a buyer and a seller.

Update from Karoub Associates (3/2006) House Bill 5764 sponsored by Representative Mary Waters (D-Detroit).   The Representative introduced this bill in late February to prohibit a real estate salesperson from representing both a buyer and a seller.  We are investigating the details and background of the bill and will arrange for a meeting with the sponsor if needed.

 

• SB 815 - Permit Property Managers to represent businesses in certain eviction proceedings.

Update from Karoub Associates(3/2006) Senate Bill 815 sponsored by Senator Alan Cropsey (R-DeWitt).  This bill, which would permit property managers to represent businesses in certain eviction proceedings, has held many conversations and one workgroup.  Senator Cropsey does not see the opposition working toward a compromise at this time and suggests waiting some time so the controversy can die down and he can approach the subject once more.

*The information provided here is for your information only. RPOA of Michigan does not guarantee how current, accurate or applicable the information is to your needs. Do seek professional advice.