Movement on bills to improve civil asset forfeiture process
The Senate Judiciary Committee has favorably reported a package of bills that would improve the civil asset forfeiture process.
The package, composed of House Bills
4499-4508, would increase transparency and raise the standard for seizure so that evidence must be "clear and convincing" before action is taken. These amendments give law enforcement agencies a better definition of their legal abilities while protecting citizens' rights.
The legislation would promote closer monitoring of the forfeiture process and establish other clarifications for the benefit of all Michigan citizens, including law enforcement.
Senate OKs property tax notice flexibility bill
The Michigan Senate on Wednesday approved my bill,
Senate Bill 349, to revise the timeframe in which county treasurers may send delinquent property tax notices.
I am in my district very often, and try to stop by local offices throughout the district to get a sense of what is happening in the community and learn about issues at the local level. This matter was raised by a county treasurer during a visit. Under current state law, even if a county treasurer has completed their work prior to June 1, they must wait to send notices to the property owners about unpaid property taxes. Giving county treasurers' flexibility on when they can send out these notices is a common sense solution that will make the process more efficient.
Under state law, the county treasurer is required to send a certified abandoned property notice to a property owner on June 1 or Sept. 1, whichever date immediately succeeds the date that unpaid taxes are returned to the treasurer as delinquent.
Senate Bill 349 would allow the county treasurer to send the notices "on or within 60 days before" the June 1 and Sept. 1 notification dates.
Senate Bill 349 is supported by the Michigan Association of County Treasurers and the Michigan Department of Treasury. The bill has been sent to the House of Representatives for consideration.
New laws taking effect this summer will help keep dangerous criminals off the street.
Public Acts
457-459 of 2014 allow DNA samples to be collected at the time of arrest for all felonies. The new laws provide law enforcement with an important tool to conduct more accurate investigations more quickly to help identify suspects. If a person is not charged or convicted, any record of the individual's DNA sample will be destroyed.
Previous Senate legislation that expanded DNA collection has already been successful at solving past crime cases sooner. The new laws will further aid that effort and help prevent violent repeat offenders from committing more crimes.
Currently, 28 states and the federal government require DNA samples for all or certain felony arrests.
Search for unclaimed property
Did you know the state of Michigan holds millions of dollars in lost or forgotten assets from dormant bank accounts, uncashed payroll checks, valuables left in safe deposit boxes, inactive stocks and other property?
You can find more information and check to see if your name is on a list of unclaimed property at
www.michigan.gov/treasury. Remember, you do not have to pay a fee to get your money back by contacting the Department of Treasury directly.
2015 final Adopt-A-Highway cleanup date set
The fall Adopt-A-Highway pickup, scheduled from Sept. 26 through Oct. 4, wraps up 25 years of volunteers keeping Michigan's highway roadsides clean!
Three times a year, volunteer crews perform a valuable community service by picking up litter and debris from the highway roadsides in their designated area. Adopt-A-Highway volunteers collect about 70,000 bags of litter annually, an estimated $5 million value to the state.
Sections of highway are still available for adoption. Volunteers include members of civic groups, businesses and families. Participants must be at least 12 years old and each group must include at least three people. Check the MDOT website at
www.michigan.gov/adoptahighway for more information.
Be prepared with the Michigan emergency plan mobile app 
Many Michigan communities have experienced hazardous weather or other emergencies over the past year alone, including tornadoes, winter storms, flooding and power outages.
September is National Preparedness Month and a good reminder to make sure your family knows what to do in case of an emergency. The 2015 theme is
Don't Wait. Communicate. Make Your Emergency Plan Today.
A free app for iPhones and Android phones-
Michigan Prepares-can help your family plan for emergencies in a few quick steps. Along with helping you pull together the right information to create an emergency plan, the app covers basic supply checklists, Michigan-specific hazard fact sheets and links to other resources.
New law restores local control over school fundraisers
As Michigan students head back to the classroom, schools will once again have the option to host traditional fundraisers, such as bake sales, that sell sweet treats not on the federally approved "Smart Snack" list.In the past, school clubs, athletic teams and other organizations were unable to raise money at school by selling food such as brownies or cupcakes under federal rules that went into effect last year.
Fortunately, the Michigan Senate passed a law that gives back control to local schools by giving them the option of holding two bake sales or fundraisers per week. I am proud to have cosponsored
Public Act 349. School bake sales and fundraisers should not be controlled by government. They are best left in the hands of school board members, parents and administrators.
Fall travel guide now available
The only antidote to the end of a Pure Michigan summer is the start of a Pure Michigan fall!
From scenic drives and trails to culinary tours, the
Pure Michigan Official Fall Travel Guide covers it all, including a special section on Deer Camp. Access the digital version and sign up for weekly fall color updates at
www.michigan.org. Or contact my office to receive a print copy.
New website for senior services
Senior citizens and their families can quickly access information on services in their area at
www.michigan.gov/aging, a new and easy-to-use one-stop website.
The site is designed to connect Michigan seniors with state and local programs to help them maintain their independence as they age. The website lists information and links to resources on a wide range of services, including help at home, basic needs, safety and security, health care and more.
In photo: Sen. Jim Stamas, Toni Eastman, Ted Eastman, Ted Eastman Jr., Marge Eastman and Renae Eastman
Left photo: Shannon Forshee and Elissa Olson and Sen. Jim Stamas. Right photo: Sen. Jim Stamas, Elissa Olson and Rodney Kloha.