Michigan Starts New Year With New Laws

In addition to a new governor, 2011 brings fresh laws to Michigan's books. Here's a look at some of the changes that take effect this year. All laws took effect on Jan. 1 unless otherwise noted.

S.B. 1262: Drivers with good records can earn a one-time opportunity to avoid points on their licence by taking a driver improvement course. Those who qualify will be notified by the Secretary of State if they are eligible. Courses will be available online and in classrooms. 

H.B. 4493: All 16-year-old and some 17-year-old drivers who are in their first year of independent driving will be restricted from driving from 10 p.m. to 5 a.m. Previous restrictions allowed teens to drive until midnight.

H.B. 6261: Michigan residents who own a snowmobile that is 25 years old or older may now buy a licence for a one-time fee of $50. Users of newer snowmobiles will continue to pay $35 for an annual permit on top of the $35 three-year registration fee.

H.B. 6152: "Complete streets" legislation requires governments and road agencies to plan for non-motorized transit, such as walkers and bicyclists. 

H.B. 5273: A new three-year pilot program seeks to combat repeat drunken-driving offenses by addressing underlying causes. Michigan's Sobriety Court will oversee treatment and testing for drug and alcohol abuse. The law allows offenders to drive under restricted licenses if they install an ignition interlock, requiring them to blow into a breathalyzer before starting their vehicle.

H.B. 4406: Physicians who perform an abortion will now report whether a patient was Hispanic. They will also report the patient's age, marital status, and race for each procedure, but are restricted from reporting any other information.

S.B. 0796: This imposes new disclosure requirements for production companies that wish to receive Michigan's film tax credit. Information collected will be used to study how the tax credit benefits Michigan workers.  

H.B. 5473: As of Feb. 15, licensed firearms dealers will be exempt from a requirement to buy a license to purchase, carry, possess or transport a pistol. They will be required to complete records about pistol purchases. The bill would also apply to authorized agents of firearms manufacturers and dealers. 

H.B. 5481: Starting April 1, there will be new limits on what fisherman can catch, kill, or possess at one time. The new protections include trout, bluegills, Northern pike, Landlocked salmon, White bass, Whitefish, Perch, Pike, Saugers, and Sturgeon. Fisherman may have up to two days if they cure, can, or freeze the fish for later consumption.

S.B. 0757: Effective July 1, students will be required to have an Educational Development Plan before they enter high school. Also in this bill, students will be able to take classes in data analysis and statistics or functions as an alternative to algebra II.

It's unclear how many laws took effect in Michigan, in part because the Michigan Legislature has not compiled a countable list.

The Law Library of Michigan isn't sure either. "To our knowledge, there is as yet no definitive count of the number of recently enacted laws with a 2011 effective date," a spokesperson for the library said.