2003 Senate Bill 37 / Public Act 89

Introduced in the Senate

Jan. 21, 2003

Introduced by Sen. Gilda Jacobs (D-14)

To place in statute a definition of cemetery “endowment care,” which means the specific maintenance tasks for which cemeteries must keep reserve funds to ensure that they be done in perpetuity. These tasks would include cutting the grass at reasonable intervals; raking, cleaning, filling, seeding, and sodding of graves; replacement, pruning, or removal of shrubs and trees in order to assure access to graves; and the repair and maintenance of enclosures, buildings, drives, walks, and the various memorial gardens.

Referred to the Committee on Local, Urban, and State Affairs

April 22, 2003

Reported without amendment

With the recommendation that the substitute (S-1) be adopted and that the bill then pass.

April 30, 2003

Substitute offered

To replace the previous version of the bill with one containing technical changes that do not affect its substance as previously described.

The substitute passed by voice vote

May 1, 2003

Passed in the Senate 37 to 0 (details)

Received in the House

May 1, 2003

Referred to the Committee on Regulatory Reform

May 20, 2003

Reported without amendment

With the recommendation that the following amendment be adopted and that the bill then pass 1. Amend page 3, line 4, after "commissioner." by inserting "It shall be the responsibility of each registrant under this act to assure that documents relating to the merchandise trust account are provided to the commissioner upon request. If a subpoena is issued to obtain these documents, the registrant shall pay all costs related to obtaining the documents regardless of the $100.00 charge limitation contained in section 12a(2)."..

June 26, 2003

Amendment offered

To clarify that sellers of the pre-need contracts must provide documents relating to the required trust account to the state cemetery commissioner upon request, and must pay all costs related to obtaining the documents if a subpoena is issued to obtain them.

The amendment passed by voice vote

Passed in the House 99 to 10 (details)

To place in statute a definition of cemetery “endowment care,” which means the specific maintenance tasks for which cemeteries must keep reserve funds to ensure that they be done in perpetuity. These tasks would include cutting the grass at reasonable intervals; raking, cleaning, filling, seeding, and sodding of graves; replacement, pruning, or removal of shrubs and trees in order to assure access to graves; and the repair and maintenance of enclosures, buildings, drives, walks, and the various memorial gardens.

Received in the Senate

July 1, 2003

July 2, 2003

Passed in the Senate 36 to 0 (details)

To concur with the House-passed version of the bill.

Signed by Gov. Jennifer Granholm

July 24, 2003