2012 House Bill 5463 / Public Act 396

Subsidize new Red Wings Stadium (as amended; originally something else)

Introduced in the House

March 8, 2012

Introduced by Rep. John Walsh (R-19)

To establish that Downtown Development Authorities are exempt from all property and state income taxes. Also, that the term of a DDA board member who is an elected or appointed public official may end when the person’s position as a public official ends. A later Senate substituted transformed this into an authorization for taxpayer subsidies for a particular developer's sports stadium project.

Referred to the Committee on Tax Policy

May 16, 2012

Reported without amendment

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

May 23, 2012

Substitute offered

The substitute passed by voice vote

May 24, 2012

Passed in the House 106 to 2 (details)

To establish that Downtown Development Authorities are exempt from all property and state income taxes. Also, that the term of a DDA board member who is an elected or appointed public official may end when the person’s position as a public official ends.

Received in the Senate

May 29, 2012

Referred to the Committee on Finance

June 14, 2012

Reported without amendment

With the recommendation that the bill pass.

Sept. 27, 2012

Referred to the Committee on Government Operations

Dec. 5, 2012

Reported without amendment

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

Substitute offered

To adopt a version of the bill that would allow the Detroit DDA to subsidize a new Detroit Red Wings stadium for developer Mike Ilitch, who owns the Red Wings.

The substitute passed by voice vote

Amendment offered by Sen. Gretchen Whitmer (D-23)

To tie-bar the bill to Senate Bill 1015, meaning this bill cannot become law unless that one does also. SB 1015 would give all Michigan high school graduates up to five years of grants covering tuition in a state college or university, funded by repealing $1.8 billion worth of current state tax deductions, exemptions and credits (including many existing "corporate welfare" subsidies).

The amendment failed 12 to 26 (details)

Passed in the Senate 27 to 11 (details)

To authorize using the Detroit "Downtown Development Authority" as the vehicle to deliver taxpayer subsidies for a new sports stadium complex owned by Detroit Red Wings owner Mike Ilitch. The DDA would pledge property tax revenues it "captures" from schools and other local governments to repay debt in incurs to provide the subsidies. The bill would also exempt DDAs from property and other taxes, and revise details of public officials' appointments to DDA boards.

Received in the House

Dec. 5, 2012

Dec. 13, 2012

Passed in the House 58 to 49 (details)

Signed by Gov. Rick Snyder

Dec. 19, 2012