Votes at a glance: committee reports bills on severance, Patriots Day and Honor and Remember flag

The House Committee on Government Operations moved four items forward during its meeting.

House Bill 6009 (sponsor: Representative Ross), described by the chair as a measure to prohibit excessive severance payments and limit gag provisions related to employment records, was reported with recommendation after Representative Harris moved to report the bill. The roll call showed Chair Bagold, Representative Harris, Vanderwall, Fitzgerald and McFall voting yes.

Representative Dave Martins House Bill 57-13, which would designate April 19 as Patriots Day in Michigan (a commemorative observance, not a paid holiday), was discussed with questions about potential confusion with other observances; Representative Vanderwall moved to report the bill and the motion passed with 4 yays, 0 nays and 1 pass recorded.

House Bill 52-83, sponsored by Representative Frisbie and presented to the committee by his legislative director Sam Larry and co-sponsor Representative Gina Johnson, would make the Honor and Remember flag an official state symbol to recognize members of the U.S. armed forces killed in action. Larry said 29 states have adopted the symbol and testified the bill carries no state fiscal cost. Representative Harris moved to report the bill and the committee reported it with recommendation.

At the start of the meeting Representative Vanderwall moved to approve the minutes of the June 11 meeting; the motion was adopted without objection. After completing business the chair adjourned the committee.