LANSING – Video surveillance of businesses is a rapidly growing market, and state lawmakers Thursday passed a bill revising the rules so that small firms can have camera systems installed without an electrical inspection.

HB 4654 and HB 4655, sponsored by Reps. Michele Hoitenga (R-Manton) and Beth Griffin (R-Mattawan), would allow small security camera systems to be installed without a need for a special permit or inspection.

They contend setting up a small security camera system for a small business has a low risk for injury and does not require complicated wiring, so they proposed removing the barriers for a contractor to install such a system.

The bills were amended to set a limit of 50 volts. Systems operating on less than that can be installed without inspection. Those over that limit will still need a permit and inspection.

This political update was published by the Small Business Association of Michigan.