Weapons: firearms; sentencing guidelines; update. Amends sec. 11b, ch. XVII of 1927 PA 175 (MCL 777.11b). TIE BAR WITH: SB 331'25
Summary
SB 332 updates Michigan’s sentencing guidelines table in chapter XVII of the Code of Criminal Procedure by revising MCL 777.11b, which lists specific felonies and their offense classes for guideline scoring. The bill adds and retains a range of offenses tied largely to firearms, identity documents, public safety, sex offender registration, and related fraud or false-statement crimes, including offenses involving forged or stolen state ID cards, false statements on firearm-related applications, improper concealed pistol conduct, unsafe firearm storage, unregistered firearms, fireworks violations, false public threat reports, sex offender registration failures, and false child abduction reports.
The practical effect is to adjust how these crimes are categorized for sentencing purposes, which can change the recommended minimum sentence ranges for defendants convicted of the listed offenses. The bill is tied to SB 331, meaning it would not take effect unless that companion bill is enacted. Because it amends the sentencing grid rather than creating new crimes, its impact is on punishment levels and guideline calculations rather than substantive criminal liability.
Impact
SB 332 amends MCL 777.11b in the Code of Criminal Procedure, changing the list of felonies subject to Michigan’s sentencing guidelines and the offense classes assigned to them. This affects judges, prosecutors, defense counsel, and defendants by altering guideline scoring and the recommended sentencing ranges for the enumerated offenses. The bill is tied to SB 331 and would have no effect unless that companion legislation becomes law.
Sentiment
The bill appears to have received mixed but ultimately favorable support. It was reported favorably out of committee by a 5-2 vote and then passed the Senate on third reading by a narrow 19-17 roll call, suggesting significant support but also substantial opposition. The available record does not include committee testimony, so the sentiment can be inferred mainly from the close floor vote and the committee split.
Contention
The main points of contention likely center on the bill’s sentencing consequences for firearm-related and public-safety offenses, with supporters viewing the changes as a needed update to the guidelines and opponents likely concerned about harsher punishment or expanded sentencing exposure. The narrow Senate vote indicates disagreement over whether the revised offense classifications are appropriate, especially for offenses involving firearms, identity fraud, sex offender registration, and false reports. The tie-bar to SB 331 also means the bill’s fate is linked to companion legislation, which can be another point of procedural concern.
Same As
Weapons: firearms; requirement for all firearm components to contain serial numbers; provide for. Amends 1927 PA 372 (MCL 28.421 - 28.435) by adding sec. 14c.