This bill modifies Michigan's Highway Advertising Act to clarify rules about billboard owners crossing limited-access highways to install or maintain signs. It requires permits for anyone crossing these roadways to erect or maintain signs, but allows exceptions when the property is only accessible by crossing the highway. The legislation also establishes penalties, including fines and sign removal, for violating these permit requirements. Directly affected parties include sign owners, their agents, and property owners who maintain signs on their land. The bill aims to streamline enforcement while ensuring exceptions exist for properties with no alternative access routes.
This bill, known as the Money Transmission Modernization Act, updates Michigan's laws governing money transmitters by replacing the 2006 Money Transmission Services Act. It establishes a new regulatory framework that requires businesses sending money or payment instruments on behalf of others to obtain state licenses, while defining specific exemptions for certain activities. The legislation creates clearer standards for what constitutes money transmission, including payroll processing, and sets requirements for customer fund protection, financial reporting, and regulatory coordination with other states. By modernizing these rules, the bill aims to reduce unnecessary regulatory burdens on businesses while maintaining safeguards against financial crime and ensuring consumer funds remain secure.
HB 5343 amends Michigan's liquor control law to change the definition of "mixed spirit drink" for certain products sold in metal cans. Specifically, it raises the allowable alcohol content from 13.5% to 18% by volume for drinks meeting strict container requirements (metal cans under 24 ounces with specific closure features). This change directly affects mixed spirit drink manufacturers and out-of-state sellers who produce or sell these beverages in compliant containers. The modification allows for higher-alcohol content products under the same packaging rules, streamlining regulations for this category of beverages.
HB 5381 revises definitions in Michigan's Insurance Code related to captive insurance companies. It updates terms like "alien captive insurance company," "association captive insurance company," and "industrial insured captive insurance company" to clarify how these entities operate within Michigan law. The bill directly affects captive insurance companies and their parent organizations by providing precise definitions for regulatory compliance. This is a definitional amendment, not a policy change, intended to improve clarity in existing insurance regulations.
HB 5430 changes how long people can live at campgrounds without being considered permanent residents. It defines campground residents as "temporary" if the campground is within 50 miles of a local government meeting specific housing or emergency conditions, such as a declared state of emergency, a documented housing shortage in a master plan, worker shortages in key industries (like healthcare or construction), or census data showing tight rental markets (e.g., vacancy rates below 5% or high rent costs). This applies to campgrounds in qualifying areas and affects both residents (who may face different regulations) and campground operators (who must follow the new residency classification rules). The bill directly targets communities with housing challenges by adjusting campground residency rules through these five defined triggers.
HB 4163, titled the "Defend the Guard Act," prohibits the Michigan National Guard from being deployed to active combat without specific congressional authorization. It requires that the Michigan National Guard and its members cannot be released into active duty combat unless Congress passes a formal declaration of war or takes action under Article I, Section 8 of the U.S. Constitution to call the militia for specific purposes (enforcing federal law, suppressing insurrection, or repelling invasion). The governor must take all necessary steps to ensure compliance with this requirement. The bill is conditional on the enactment of companion bill HB 4164.
HB 4584 would require school districts in Michigan to hold millage elections (for property tax increases or bond measures) only on November regular election dates starting January 1, 2026. This applies to school districts seeking voter approval for borrowing money, increasing millage rates, or establishing bonds, limiting their options to November elections instead of other dates. The bill amends election law sections to enforce this scheduling rule, with exceptions for special circumstances like vacancies or constitutional amendments. It directly affects school districts and voters in communities holding such elections, ensuring these votes align with the November statewide election cycle. The change takes effect after a 2025 legislative session and is tied to broader property tax law provisions.
HB 4583 amends Michigan's property tax law to clarify ballot requirements for millage elections and limit election timing. It requires clear disclosure on ballots about millage rates, estimated revenue, duration, purpose, and whether it's a renewal or new tax (Section 24f). After December 31, 2025, local governments must hold all millage proposals (new taxes or increases) exclusively during November elections, with limited exceptions for school districts (Section 24f(4)). This bill directly affects cities, counties, school districts, and other local taxing units that seek voter approval for property tax levies, ensuring voters receive standardized information before voting.
HB 4582, the "Commercial Premises Liability Act," establishes new rules for property owners regarding injuries to customers (invitees) on their premises. It creates a defense for property owners against liability claims when a hazard is "open and obvious" (e.g., a clearly visible spill), meaning they generally don’t need to warn customers about such conditions. However, owners must take reasonable precautions if an obvious hazard has "special features" making it unavoidable or posing severe risk (like a steep, unmarked step). The bill clarifies it doesn’t override existing laws or change comparative fault rules, focusing solely on defining when property owners must act to prevent injuries.
HB 4931 amends Michigan's Open Meetings Act to allow certain public bodies to hold remote meetings via video or phone under expanded circumstances. It specifically permits licensing boards (like those for healthcare, trades, or occupational professions) to meet remotely for any reason requiring accommodation of absent members - no longer limited to emergencies - after December 31, 2021. The bill requires 2-way communication during remote meetings, clear public notice (including how to participate electronically), and prohibits remote voting on rule processing matters by licensing board members. This change directly affects licensing boards managing professional credentials, while maintaining transparency requirements for public access.
HB 4908 allows cosmetology apprentices to perform shampoo services (preparing for shampoo, shampooing, or blow-drying) in licensed establishments without a full cosmetology license. To qualify, apprentices must complete 350 hours of training in a cosmetology curriculum and be enrolled in an apprenticeship program run by a licensed establishment owner. The bill requires establishments to verify apprentices' eligibility with a school letter on file, maintain records for 3 years, and have a licensed cosmetologist present during services. It does not permit apprentices to perform other cosmetology services beyond shampooing.
HB 4954 expands Michigan's survivor tuition grant program to include children and surviving spouses of medical examiners and medical examiner investigators who die in the line of duty. Currently, the program covers families of police officers and firefighters killed on duty; this bill adds medical examiners and their investigators to the eligible categories. The grant would cover tuition costs at Michigan's public colleges and universities for qualifying students meeting residency and academic requirements. The bill amends the existing "Police Officer's, Fire Fighter's, and Medical Examiner's Survivor Tuition Grant Act" to include these new recipients.
