Dearborn's Darany Introduces 14 Pieces of Legislation in 2011

For Rep. George T. Darany (D-Dearborn), 2011 was a busy year.

The former Dearborn City Council member began his first term in the Michigan House of Representatives in January 2011, and has since introduced nine bills, five resolutions and two amendments, as well as co-sponsoring another 197 pieces of legislation.

Darany touted his first year in office as a productive one for the citizens of Dearborn.

“Since the day I was sworn into office last year, the interests and well-being of my constituents have come first," Darany said in a statement. "I have greatly appreciated all of the input and feedback I received from Dearborn residents throughout 2011 and I look forward to continued communication as the 2012 legislative session gets underway.

"While we saw a number of contentious bills signed into law last year, I feel optimistic about the future of our state and it is my hope that this year will lead to greater bi-partisan cooperation and collaboration.”

Here's a look at the bills introduced by Rep. Darany in 2011, courtesy of MichiganVotes.org.

• House Resolution 166: Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day would name Dec. 7 as Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day. The bill passed the house on Nov. 30, 2011.
• House Bill 5043: Include child pornography in “kidnapping” law would define holding a child for purposes of making child pornography as "kidnapping."
• House Joint Resolution EE: Limit referendum on appropriations ban would create a ballot question for a constitutional amendment that would revise the ban on citizen referendums challenging bills that contain an appropriation.
• House Bill 4744: Liquor licenses for universities and colleges would allow Michigan community colleges or state universities to obtain liquor licenses. The bill would have an impact on Dearborn's in particular, where culinary arts students are . “We felt this would better educate the students when they leave the culinary arts program so they can step right into a job,” Darany said. “If (students) don’t have that type of experience, then they’re going to be held back compared to other students that graduate from other community colleges and universities.” The bill's Senate version (SB 0502) was passed into law.
• House Bill 4661: Ban medical marijuana facilities near schools, churches or day care would set up a 500-foot barrier around churches, schools and daycare centers within which medical marijuana facilities could not open.
• House Concurrent Resolution 29: Uniform standards for Purple Heart awards within Department of Defense. Passed by voice vote in the House on Oct. 25, 2011.
• House Resolution 50, passed in the house on March 23, recognized the Islamic holidays of Eid al-Fitr and Ramadan, wishing well to Michigan Muslims.
• House Bill 4489: Mortgage fraud penalties would allow for authorization of increased penalties under HB 488 for obtaining property under false pretenses.
• House Bill 4468: Headlights during rain would require drivers to have their headlights on at all times during rain and snow fall heavy enough to require the use of windshield wipers.
• House Resolution 34 asked the President and U.S. Congress to maintain federal funding for the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program.
• House Bill 4338: Adult abuse investigation would require county prosecutors and social service departments to develop protocols for investigations of abuse and neglect cases involving vulnerable adults.
• House Bill 4301: 72-hour budget bill posting would mandate that a budget-related bill's text must be posted online for at least three days before it can be approved by the house or senate. A waiver of the policy would require a two-thirds majority vote.
• House Bill 4108: Voting registration detail would make it so that a person who registers to vote by mail and has never voted in Michigan before would have to show an ID when voting for the first time.
• House Bill 4055: Give liquor licenses to public colleges’ commercial meeting facilities would allow liquor licenses for commercial conference and meeting facilities at colleges such at HFCC.

Darany was also recognized as one of 61 representatives out of the 110 members of the House of Representatives who was present for all 613 votes taken in 2011.

“It has been such an honor and a privilege to represent this community and I understand that if I miss a vote, then it is the hard-working people of my hometown who pay the price," Darany said. "Every vote we take is an opportunity to move Michigan forward and I am committed to using these opportunities to make sure that our state is headed in the right direction.”