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The governor to consider pile of bills after holiday

Flickr User Alex France https://flic.kr/p/5SitNv

Governor Rick Snyder has a pile of bills waiting for him after the holiday.

Probably the biggest bill on the governor’s desk is about the state’s public school employee retirement system.

A few weeks ago, the governor and top Republicans cut a deal on teacher retirement plans. This bill would change the current system to make 401ks more attractive. But it would also make pensions more expensive.

Critics say the new retirement plans would be unattractive to new teachers. They say having a stronger pension plan would draw teachers to the state.

Proponents say a strong 401k will be attractive to teachers because they want portability.

Two of the bills would increase penalties for people that sell, deliver or import beer and wine without authorization.

Under the bills, people who illegally bring in a certain amount of beer and wine could get up to four years in prison.

The bills would not affect people who bring beer and wine into the state for their own consumption.

Democratic Representative Jeremy Moss is a bill sponsor.

Moss says “I’m proud to have worked on a bipartisan bill package that will improve the way beer and wine retailers and wholesalers operate.”

One bill received unanimous support in the House and Senate. It creates regulations for police departments that use body cameras.

For example, it prohibits the release of certain video recordings. The idea is that footage that could invade people’s privacy, shouldn’t be available to the public

Republican Representative Jim Runestad is a bill sponsor. He says without the bill it’s the Wild Wild West.

“What we’re talking about is where the person doesn’t want this listed, they haven’t committed a crime, they don’t think that the police did something wrong. They just don’t want their personal privacy invaded by a police department with a body camera.”

The bill also says how long departments have to keep footage.