LANSING – Despite another failed attempt to require that universities conducting embryonic stem cell research in Michigan report those activities to the state through the higher education budget, advocates of the reporting requirements are pressing ahead with calls to put that language in the Public Health Code.

Earlier this year, the Legislature put in boilerplate a requirement that schools report on their embryonic stem cell research; a provision Governor Rick Snyder said was unenforceable and so it has not been enforced.

But groups like Right to Life of Michigan, which back the reporting requirements, are now asking legislators to consider putting conditions in the Public Health Code, similar to a package of Senate bills passed in 2010 that died in the Democrat-controlled House.

Those bills would have required researchers to report on their embryonic stem cell activities to the state, set penalties for failing to comply and prohibited a physician or health facility or agency that provided invitro fertilization services from giving oocytes or embryos to a researcher without the written, informed consent of the individual who obtained the services.

Ed Rivet, Right to Life’s lobbyist, said he’s had conversations with members in both chambers and it appears a bill draft request has been sent from the House.

Sources indicated that sponsor will likely be Rep. Bob Genetski II (R-Saugatuck), chair of the higher education budget, who clashed with the administration on the issue. Genetski was unavailable for an interview Wednesday, his office said.

Rivet said similar to the holes left by voters’ passage of the state’s medical marijuana law, the Legislature must put some definitions and penalties in the law regarding embryonic stem cell research.

“We’re not trying to reverse it,” he said. “It’s more legislative housekeeping.”

Rivet said his group also has had contact with the governor’s office about the issue.

With Republicans now controlling both chambers of the Legislature, and social issues expected to bubble up this fall, the stem cell issue could resurface quickly.

In an interview last week, Senate Minority Leader Gretchen Whitmer (D-East Lansing) said the stem cell bill is another “divisive” issue the Legislature should avoid.

“That’s something I think has really helped Michigan change our reputation in terms of bringing scientists and science-related businesses to Michigan,” she said. “If you change your law every year, just like on our tax code, it’s uncertainty and business people don’t like uncertainty.”

A spokesperson for Michigan Citizens for Stem Cell Research and Cures did not respond to a message left for this story.

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