This bill allows Michigan's tax tribunal to hold small claims hearings for property tax disputes via telephone or video conference, making the process more accessible. It applies specifically to cases involving residential properties, farms, or properties with fewer than four rental units where the disputed value is under $100,000, as well as other tax appeals involving $20,000 or less. The legislation also requires the tribunal to create a simplified filing form for these appeals and sets specific rules for where in-person hearings must take place relative to the property location.
This bill expands Michigan's existing breastfeeding protections to explicitly include the expression of human milk, such as pumping breast milk in public spaces. It prohibits businesses and public service providers from denying access or displaying signs that discourage individuals from breastfeeding or expressing milk. The law applies to any place of public accommodation or public service, ensuring that these activities are treated with the same non-discriminatory standards as actual breastfeeding.
This bill increases the fines for violating Michigan's natural gas safety regulations, raising the maximum penalty per violation from $10,000 to $200,000 and the total cap for related violations from $500,000 to $2.5 million. It requires the Public Service Commission to adjust these fines annually for inflation starting September 1, 2024, using the Detroit area Consumer Price Index. The law also mandates that the commission consider factors like the violator's financial ability and history of prior offenses when setting specific fine amounts. Additionally, the bill strengthens penalties for willfully damaging pipeline signs or markers, classifying such acts as a misdemeanor punishable by up to one year in jail or a $5,000 fine.
SB 817 allocates approximately $27.3 million from the Michigan Natural Resources Trust Fund to support land acquisition and development projects for the Department of Natural Resources in fiscal year 2023-2024. The bill specifically funds the purchase of natural areas in various counties, such as the Black River Ranch and the Village of Lexington's Harbor, as well as improvements to existing parks and trails. These funds are distributed through grants to local governments and school districts to expand conservation lands and enhance recreational facilities across the state.
This bill modifies Michigan's Family Independence Program to strengthen requirements for creating and following family self-sufficiency plans. It mandates that adult recipients develop detailed plans outlining their responsibilities, which must include participation in the JET PATH program, employment or training activities, and specific obligations regarding education, child support, and substance abuse treatment. The legislation also establishes a tiered penalty system where families face temporary ineligibility for assistance after the first or second instance of noncompliance, and permanent ineligibility after the third. Additionally, the bill clarifies that recipients must be notified of noncompliance and granted a 12-day period to demonstrate good cause before any penalties are applied.
This bill repeals Section 117i of Michigan's Social Welfare Act, which previously established the "Raise the Age Fund." The fund was designed to provide financial support for the state's juvenile justice system, including costs related to detention and rehabilitation services for minors. By removing this section, the legislation eliminates the legal authority to create or maintain this specific funding source. Consequently, the state will no longer operate the Raise the Age Fund under the current statutory framework.
This bill modifies the Compulsive Gaming Prevention Act to update how money is collected and spent to help people with gambling problems. It requires that specific funds from state lotteries, horse racing, and internet gaming be deposited into a dedicated prevention fund. The legislation also increases the annual amount that can be given to the domestic violence prevention board and allows the state to charge fees for gambling treatment services. Additionally, the bill ensures that any leftover money in the fund stays there for future use rather than being returned to the general state budget.
This bill amends the Michigan Lawful Sports Betting Act to update how money from the internet sports betting fund is distributed. It establishes a specific order for spending the fund: first covering the costs of regulating sports betting, then allocating $1 million annually to a compulsive gaming prevention fund, followed by $2 million to a first responder health coverage fund. Any remaining money after these allocations must be deposited into the state school aid fund to support public education. The change directly affects the state treasurer, the regulatory board overseeing sports betting, and the various funds that receive the allocated monies.
This bill modifies how Michigan's state lottery manages its finances and increases funding for problem gambling prevention. It updates the rules for investing lottery funds to match the authority used for retirement systems and establishes a new reserve requirement to handle potential drops in investment returns. Additionally, the bill raises the annual cap on contributions to the compulsive gaming prevention fund from $1 million to $2 million, derived from the lottery's advertising budget. These changes aim to ensure the lottery can pay out prizes reliably while directing more resources toward supporting individuals affected by compulsive gaming.
SB 791 amends Michigan's public employee collective bargaining law to update definitions and election rules. The bill clarifies who counts as a "public employee" by explicitly including graduate research assistants while excluding private contractors and student-athletes. It also establishes that union elections cannot be held within 12 months of a previous valid election and requires a runoff if no candidate receives a majority vote. Additionally, the legislation prevents elections from being organized if a collective bargaining agreement is still in effect, unless more than three years have passed since the agreement was signed. These changes directly affect public sector unions, employers, and the state's employment relations commission.
This bill creates the Home Help Caregiver Council within the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services to oversee the state's home help caregiver program. The council will be governed by a seven-member board that includes representatives from state agencies, participants receiving care, and nonprofit organizations advocating for older adults and people with disabilities. Board members will serve four-year terms with staggered expiration dates to ensure continuity, and the council will have the authority to make recommendations regarding adequate payments and workforce supports for personal care attendants.
This bill modifies Michigan's paternity laws to clarify how medical expenses for pregnancies and births outside of marriage are handled when Medicaid is involved. It establishes specific rules for courts to divide these costs between parents based on their ability to pay, particularly when Medicaid has not covered the expenses. Additionally, the law requires that if a father marries the mother after the child is born, his obligation to pay for those unpaid medical bills ends, though this can be reversed under certain conditions. The legislation also simplifies court proceedings by allowing bills and official medical rates to be accepted as proof of cost without needing extra testimony.
