This bill requires election officials in Michigan to keep electronic poll book flash drives for 22 months after an election before they can be destroyed. The law applies to all flash drives used during primary or general elections and does not change how other election records are handled. This provision ensures that digital voting records are preserved for a specific period following the election.
HB 5931 modifies the affidavit submission process for cigar bars and tobacco specialty retail stores in Michigan that are exempt from indoor smoking bans. The bill updates the requirements for these businesses to file annual certifications with the state department, ensuring they continue to meet specific criteria such as income thresholds, physical separation from nonsmoking areas, and age restrictions. Additionally, the legislation clarifies that the department may request verification information but must obtain any necessary photographs itself rather than requiring businesses to provide them. This change aims to streamline administrative procedures while maintaining the existing exemptions for qualifying establishments.
This bill designates April 19 of each year as Patriots' Day in Michigan, aligning the state with other regions that observe this holiday. The legislation recognizes the historical significance of the American Revolutionary War battles at Lexington and Concord while also acknowledging Michigan's role through British settlements and forts like Detroit, Mackinac, and St. Joseph. It creates a new state holiday to commemorate these historical events and traditions, including reenactments and ceremonies honoring colonial militia. The bill does not establish a paid day off but formally recognizes the date for commemorative purposes.
This bill proposes amendments to Michigan's Privately Owned Cervidae Producers Marketing Act, which regulates the sale and marketing of deer and elk by private producers. The legislation modifies several sections of the existing law to update definitions and requirements related to cervidae producers. These changes would affect individuals and businesses involved in the private production and marketing of deer and elk in Michigan. The bill aims to clarify terminology and operational standards within the current regulatory framework.
This bill clarifies the legal authority of the Michigan attorney general's written opinions, specifying that they are advisory only and do not carry binding legal force. It also requires the attorney general to notify county treasurers if a prosecuting attorney fails to submit an annual report as mandated by law. The changes directly affect state officials, including the attorney general, governor, and county treasurers, by defining the scope of legal opinions and improving oversight of prosecutorial reporting. These provisions aim to ensure clear understanding of the attorney general's role while maintaining accountability within the state's legal system.
HB 5506 prohibits certain local officials from acting as paid lobbyists outside their official duties. It specifically affects county officials and city, village, or township officials in communities with 20,000+ residents (per the latest federal census). The bill makes violating this rule a misdemeanor punishable by up to 90 days in jail, a $1,000 fine, or both. This amendment adds Section 6b to Michigan's existing lobbying law (MCL 4.411-4.431).
HB 5551 amends Michigan's plumbing regulations to require that anyone testing backflow preventers or air admittance valves must hold an active ASSE 5110 certification, as verified by the state department. This directly affects plumbers and technicians who perform backflow testing, mandating this specific certification for the task. The bill does not change general plumbing licensing requirements but adds a new certification standard for backflow testing to ensure qualified personnel. This is a concrete policy change focused on standardizing qualifications for a safety-critical aspect of plumbing work.
HB 5457 creates a state fund to support hyperbaric oxygen therapy through grants and a temporary pilot program. The Department of Health and Human Services will administer the fund, using it for grants and operating the pilot program. After the pilot concludes, any remaining funds will transfer to the general state fund. The bill requires another bill (HB 5456) to be enacted first.
HB 5456 establishes a pilot program providing free hyperbaric oxygen therapy to Michigan veterans diagnosed with traumatic brain injury or post-traumatic stress disorder. The bill creates a state grant program administered by the Department of Health and Human Services, funding providers to deliver treatment at no cost to eligible veterans. Providers must use FDA-cleared chambers meeting specific safety standards and be accredited by organizations like the American College of Hyperbaric Medicine. The program requires the department to implement rules within 12 months and ends after the pilot period concludes.
Senate Bill 240 modifies the Michigan election law concerning township officers. The bill changes the start date for the terms of office for elected township officers. For officers elected after December 31, 2024, their terms will now commence at 12 noon on December 1 following their election, instead of November 20. It also updates language regarding the qualification process for these officers and clarifies procedures for filling vacancies.
Senate Bill 241 amends Michigan's home rule village act to change the start dates for terms of office for elected village officials. For officers elected after December 31, 2024, their terms will not begin earlier than 12 noon on December 1 following their election, even if a village's charter specifies an earlier date. This standardizes the commencement of terms for new village officers. Additionally, individuals elected to fill a vacancy cannot take the oath of office until the election results have been officially certified.
HB 5081 requires Michigan school districts, intermediate districts, and public school academies to employ at least one teacher trained in the Orton-Gillingham approach by the 2026-2027 school year to support students with dyslexia. This teacher must have completed training meeting International Dyslexia Association standards, which emphasizes multisensory reading instruction through phonemic awareness, phonics, and structured skill-building. Schools must also ensure these teachers receive at least 10 hours of annual professional development focused on dyslexia support. The bill directly affects all public school entities in Michigan and aims to improve specialized reading instruction for students with dyslexia.
