Earned Sick Time Bill Includes Exemption for Independent Contractors; GT County Commission Approves Public Hearing for Septic Regulations, Appreciates REALTOR Input; NAR Engages on Housing Programs
At the eleventh hour, the Michigan Legislature passed amendments to the Earned Sick Time Act exempting independent contractors! The Grand Traverse County Commission takes Aspire North REALTORS® comments and concerns for Onsite Wastewater and Sewage Disposal Regulation into account as they move forward with consideration of regulations. The National Association of REALTORS® is staying actively engaged on housing programming to address the current housing crisis and support programs that help Americans achieve the dream of homeownership.
1. Earned Sick Time Bill Passed at Eleventh Hour Includes Exemption for Independent Contractors
Just before the Feb. 21st deadline, the Michigan Legislature passed amendments to the Earned Sick Time Act including House Bill (HB) 4002 which Governor Whitmer signed on Friday, Feb. 21st. HB 4002 exempts independent contractors under the Earned Sick Time Act. Specifically, it reads:
An individual who works in accordance with a policy of an employer if both of the following conditions are met:
- The policy allows the individual to schedule the individual’s own working hours.
- The policy prohibits the employer from taking adverse personnel action against the individual if the individual does not schedule a minimum number of working hours.” (page 3, lines 6-12 of HB 4002)
Michigan REALTORS has produced a short summary on the Earned Sick Time Act (ESTA) and the HB 4002 amendment to provide you with additional information and guidance as the Earned Sick Time Act takes effect immediately as of Friday, Feb. 21st. Michigan REALTORS will be providing additional membership-wide communication later today (Monday, Feb. 24th). For further guidance, please consult legal counsel or a human resources advisor.
2. GT County Commission Approves Public Hearing for Septic Regulations, Appreciates REALTOR Input
This past Wednesday, Feb. 19th the Grand Traverse (GT) County Commission made a late addition to their agenda to continue their discussion of a proposed Onsite Wastewater and Sewage Disposal Regulation (pages 3 to 11) for GT County. At this meeting, the GT County Health Department asked County Commissioners to set a time, date, and location for a public hearing to adopt the proposed Onsite Wastewater and Sewage Disposal Regulation. Thanks to the quick action of Aspire North REALTORS® Public Policy Committee members (Kara Gelven and Nan Ray) as well as Aspire North REALTOR® members knowledgeable and experienced with Onsite Wastewater and Sewage Disposal policy (Matt Dakoske, Pam Mork, Peter Read, Rick Stein, and Clint Wheeler); member comments and concerns for the regulation were summarized into a letter presented to the GT County Commission and shared with GT County Health Department Staff at the Feb. 19th County Commission Meeting, along with a public comment.
There was a lot of support expressed by GT County Commissioners for the GT County Health Department to give strong consideration to our association’s input as the Onsite Wastewater and Sewage Disposal Regulation moves forward. Recognizing that further input and edits to the current draft of the GT County Onsite Wastewater and Sewage Disposal Regulation may come from organizations in addition to our association; GT County Commissioners unanimously passed a motion for a two-step process of adoption (following a public hearing) and then approval of the regulation. This process will allow for edits to be recommended to the GT County Onsite Wastewater and Sewage Disposal Regulation at a Public Hearing (which was approved to be scheduled), edits made to regulation following the Public Hearing (including those we have recommended), and then potential adoption of the updated regulation. If approved for adoption, then the regulation will be reintroduced for approval as well.
GT County Health Department expressed to Aspire North REALTORS® following the GT County Commission meeting that they are already beginning to review the edits/concerns we provided in our association letter. They also noted that some of our association recommendations they are already looking to provide which they will be noting in GT County Health Department Regulation Guidelines. The GT County Health Department Regulation Guidelines have not yet been finalized and they will be inviting Aspire North REALTORS® along with other interested parties to participate in the process of drafting and editing these guidelines. View the full discussion of the proposed GT County Onsite Wastewater and Sewage Disposal Regulation at the GT County Commission Meeting here (discussion from minute 45:45 to minute 1:31:42, Aspire North Public Comment from minute 3:19 to 6:25)
3. NAR Engages on Housing Programs
The National Association of REALTORS® is closely monitoring the ongoing discussions regarding potential budget reductions aimed at making HUD more efficient by eliminating waste, duplicative programs, and abuse. Our advocacy team is actively engaging with the administration to advocate for solutions that address the current housing crisis and support programs that help Americans achieve the dream of homeownership. We remain committed to strengthening fair housing programs that promote equal access to housing opportunities for all.
As real estate makes up one-fifth of the U.S. economy, ensuring a strong and stable housing market remains critical to the nation’s economic well-being.
We encourage you to check NAR’s Washington Report and the REALTOR® Party Newsletter periodically for updates as there are many fast-moving issues.
