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Sowerby, William (D)

Office: N795 HOB Term: 3rd Phone: (517) 373-0159 Email: WilliamSowerby@house.mi.gov Home Address: 37860 Saddle Lane, Clinton Township, MI 48036 Website: http://housedems.com/state-rep-william-sowerby Seat Number: 82 Standing Committees: Natural Resources & Outdoor Recreation(VC), Local Government & Municipal Finance (C) = Chair, (VC) = Vice Chair

POLITICAL CAREER

Rep. Bill Sowerby was elected to his first term in November 2016. Prior to becoming state representative, he served four terms on the Macomb County Board of Commissioners after first being elected in 1989. He was elected to the post of Clinton Township Treasurer in 1996, serving through November 2016.

As Treasurer, Sowerby served on the Clinton Township Board of Trustees. He also chaired the township's Budget, Ways and Means Committee, the Ambulance Committee, the Refuse Committee - and the Transportation Committee. He also served as treasurer of the township’s Police and Fire Pension Board, and also as Clinton Township’s appointee on the 41-B District Court Council, as well as the Grosse Pointes Clinton Refuse Disposal Authority.

WORK EXPERIENCE

Rep. Sowerby previously worked in automotive sales

To read MIRS biography of Rep. Sowerby, click here.

EDUCATION

He attended St. Gertrude Elementary, then Lake Shore High School before graduating from Wayne State University with a Bachelor of Arts degree.

PERSONAL

He has been married for 20 years to Martha Higgins and has one son.

CIVIC ACTIVITIES

Since 2000, Rep. Sowerby has served as chair of the Annual Clinton Township Community Blood Drive and has served as a local coordinator for Green Michigan, a nonprofit organization that seeks to keep the environment a priority.

LEAD STAFF PERSON:

Additional Information

• Sponsored Bills
• MIRS Stories

 HB 4062  - NEW, PUBLIC EMPLOYEES AND OFFICERS, Ethics, NEW, Requires certain candidates for executive office to file financial disclosure report.
(Status: 01/28/2021 - HOUSE - REFERRED TO THE COMMITTEE ON ELECTIONS AND ETHICS )

 HB 4069  - HUMAN SERVICES, Medical Services, Eliminates Healthy Michigan language related to cost exceeding savings. Amends sec. 105d of 1939 PA 280 (MCL 400.105d).
(Status: 02/02/2021 - HOUSE - REFERRED TO THE COMMITTEE ON HEALTH POLICY )

 HB 4169  - NATURAL RESOURCES, Gas and Oil, Requires notice and an opportunity for a public hearing prior to authorizing hydraulic fracturing.
(Status: 02/09/2021 - HOUSE - REFERRED TO THE COMMITTEE ON ENERGY )

 HB 4170  - NATURAL RESOURCES, Gas and Oil, The bill states that the discharge of petroleum into the waters of the state from a pipeline that crosses over, through, or under the waters is prima facie evidence of a violation subject to a civil fine of no more than $500,000 per day of violation. The bill states that for failing to report a release the court can impose a civil fine of no more than $50,000.
(Status: 02/09/2021 - HOUSE - REFERRED TO THE COMMITTEE ON NATURAL RESOURCES AND OUTDOOR RECREATION )

 HB 4442  - EMPLOYMENT SECURITY, Other, This bill states that a cause of action against the unemployment agency for recovery of damages arising out of an accusation of fraud the agency made between January 1, 2007 and December 31, 2016, the action accrues on the date the individual receive actual notice from the agency. The action must be commenced within 6 years after cause of action accrues.
(Status: 03/04/2021 - HOUSE - REFERRED TO THE COMMITTEE ON WORKFORCE, TRADES AND TALENT )

 HB 4456  - ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION, Solid Waste, Revises regulation of disposal areas and waste diversion centers. TIE BAR WITH: HB 4457'21, HB 4458'21, HB 4461'21, HB 4460'21, HB 4454'21
(Status: 04/27/2021 - SENATE - REFERRED TO THE COMMITTEE ON REGULATORY REFORM )

 HB 4515  - FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS, Payday Lending, Modifies notices related to and requirements for deferred presentment service transactions.
(Status: 03/16/2021 - HOUSE - REFERRED TO THE COMMITTEE ON FINANCIAL SERVICES )

 HB 4564  - EDUCATION, Attendance, This bill requires school districts to provide kindergarten. The bill requires children at least 5 years old on or before September 1 to be sent to kindergarten.
(Status: 03/23/2021 - HOUSE - REFERRED TO THE COMMITTEE ON EDUCATION )

 HB 4769  - CONSTRUCTION, Asbestos, NEW, Requires public contracts for asbestos abatement projects disclosure of environmental violations.
(Status: 05/27/2021 - HOUSE - TO SECOND READING )

 HB 4771  - LABOR, Health and Safety, This bill modifies the provisions relating to civil penalties with respect to asbestos-related violations by limiting how much the board can reduce civil penalties based on factors such as size of business, good faith efforts by the employer, and history of previous citations.
(Status: 05/27/2021 - HOUSE - COMMITTEE SUBSTITUTE H-1 - TO SECOND READING )

 HB 5079  - NATURAL RESOURCES, Hunting, This bill modifies the wolf management advisory council membership to include 2 members from conservation organizations with at least 1 representing a nonprofit that promotes conservation and non-consumptive wildlife use. The bill also modifies membership requirements to include one member with a master’s in zoology, wildlife management, or related discipline and 6 years full time relevant experience.


 HB 5215  - INDIVIDUAL INCOME TAX, Income, Make certain references in the income tax act gender neutral.
(Status: 07/01/2021 - HOUSE - REFERRED TO THE COMMITTEE ON GOVERNMENT OPERATIONS )

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