2007 Senate Bill 674 / 2008 Public Act 478

Revise cemetery regulations

Introduced in the Senate

Aug. 1, 2007

Introduced by Sen. Jud Gilbert (R-25)

To create a state Office of Cemetery Regulation with broad powers to regulate and oversee the ownership, operation and transfer of cemeteries. Fifteen percent of cemetery burial revenue would have to be deposited in trust funds for continuing maintenance and spent only for this purpose, with no co-mingling with money for other purposes. The Michigan financial institutions holding the accounts would be the fund trustees.

Referred to the Committee on Economic Development and Regulatory Reform

May 13, 2008

Reported without amendment

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

May 20, 2008

Substitute offered

To replace the previous version of the bill with one that, among other revisions, would allow the endowment funds of several cemeteries owned by the same entity to be contained in one trust account for investment purposes, subject to separate accounting for each. Limited transfers would be allowed between cemetery trust funds.

The substitute passed by voice vote

May 28, 2008

Amendment offered by Sen. Jud Gilbert (R-25)

To revise the language of a provision allowing the endowment funds of several cemeteries owned by the same entity to be contained in one trust account for investment purposes, subject to separate accounting for each. The amendment requires the Department of Labor and Economic Growth to review and approve such bundling.

The amendment passed by voice vote

Passed in the Senate 38 to 0 (details)

Received in the House

May 28, 2008

Referred to the Committee on Regulatory Reform

Dec. 2, 2008

Reported without amendment

With the recommendation that the substitute (H-2) be adopted and that the bill then pass.

Dec. 18, 2008

Substitute offered

To replace the previous version of the bill with one that does not create a new state Office of Cemetery Regulation but does impose new regulations and oversite provisions.

The substitute passed by voice vote

Amendment offered by Rep. Barbara Farrah (D-13)

To tie-bar the bill to House Bill 6036, meaning this bill cannot become law unless that one does also. HB 6036 is the House version of the cemetery regulation package.

The amendment passed by voice vote

Passed in the House 105 to 3 (details)

To establish new regulations and oversite provisions on the ownership, operation and transfer of cemeteries. Fifteen percent of cemetery burial revenue would have to be deposited in trust funds for continuing maintenance and spent only for this purpose, with no co-mingling with money for other purposes. The Michigan financial institutions holding the accounts would be the fund trustees.

Received in the Senate

Dec. 19, 2008

Passed in the Senate 37 to 0 (details)

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

Signed by Gov. Jennifer Granholm

Dec. 31, 2008