07 October 07 October 20092009

Tom Barnes, Executive DirectorTom Barnes, Executive DirectorMichigan Association of Michigan Association of TimbermenTimbermen(906) 293(906) 293--32363236

Legislative SnapshotLegislative Snapshotofof

MichiganMichigan

There are 110 Michigan Representatives.

Representatives are elected in even- numbered years to 2-year terms, with the current term expiring on January 1, 2009.

Each Representative is limited to serving 3 terms.

Currently there are 67 Democrats and 43 Republicans.

Roughly 1/3 of all State Representatives are replaced at each election due to term limits.

••The Senate consists of 38 members.The Senate consists of 38 members.

•• Senators are elected at the same Senators are elected at the same time as the governor and limited to time as the governor and limited to serve 2 4serve 2 4--year terms concurrent with year terms concurrent with the governor's term of office. the governor's term of office.

••Terms for senators begin on January Terms for senators begin on January 1, following the November general 1, following the November general election.election.

••There are 22 Republican and16 There are 22 Republican and16 Democrats.Democrats.

There are 15 Congressional Districts in Michigan.

Currently there are 8 Democrats and 7 Republicans.

Michigan’s Senators are Democrats.

Recent Legislative Success’sRecent Legislative Success’sinin

MichiganMichigan

Crib System HaulingCrib System HaulingProblem: Michigan had more restrictive securement codes then the Federal Standard. Each bunk of logs required two tie downs.

Solution: Michigan Association of Timbermen (MAT) lobbied to drop the Michigan securement code and Public Act 131 of 2008 did just that and Michigan only enforces the Federal Standard which allows for crib system hauling.

SlasherSlasher TransportingTransporting

Problem: Michigan Compiled Law (MCL) 257.719 required tandem trailer combinations to be coupled via 5th wheel plate or dolly. The mobile slasher and saw table were viewed as a combination and the saw table is coupled via pintle or drop pin hitch, resulting in an illegal combination.

Solution: MAT worked with the Motor Carrier Division to draft language amending MCL 257.719 and Public Act 37 of 2009 was signed into law. Now Michigan loggers can move this combination legally.

Logging Equipment Sales/Use TaxLogging Equipment Sales/Use TaxProblem: In 2006 Michigan Department of Treasury began assessing either Sales or Use tax to a percentage of certain logging equipment. Example if a forwarder loaded a log truck from a deck of logs that portion of time was deemed taxable. If the forwarder loaded directly from its bunks it was tax exempt, likewise our self-loaders on trucks are tax exempt.

Solution: MAT drafted language to close the loophole that Treasury was using to ensure that all logging equipment is 100 percent exempt from both Sales and Use Tax. Public Act 555 and 556 of 2008 were the resulting legislation.

Other State ActivitiesOther State Activities

Modified the “Log/Farm” plate bill to clarify what types of forestry equipment can be hauled using this specialty plate.

Have companion Sales and Use Tax Bills for wood processing facilities drafted to make loader and forklifts and wood processing facilities 100 percent exempt. Issue is a loader is taxable when it unloads a truck and places the logs on the ground or when the loader picks up a bunk of lumber from the ground to load a truck.

Looking to leveling the playing field between modern Amish wood processing facilities and our facilities.

National ActivitiesNational Activities

Working with other Lakes States to get more federal funding for our National Forest.

Working to change the child labor laws to allow teenage children of logging companies to work in the woods with their family, mimics farm work.

Working with the American Loggers Council (ALC) to modify the Federal Biomass definition to ensure all lands are available for the removal of biomass.