SB 916 updates Michigan's renewable energy requirements for electric providers by establishing a tiered portfolio standard that increases from 15% by 2029 to 60% by 2035. The bill allows providers to meet these targets through generating renewable energy, purchasing power, or acquiring renewable energy credits, with specific limits on the use of out-of-state credits. It also introduces financial incentives for providers entering into non-affiliate contracts for renewable energy or clean energy storage systems after June 30, 2024, and permits energy waste reduction credits to substitute for up to 10% of renewable energy requirements under certain conditions.
This bill creates a dedicated state fund to support Michigan's 988 crisis lifeline system, which provides suicide prevention and mental health crisis services. It establishes a new telecommunications fee of 25 cents per month on landline and mobile phone lines, as well as a 6% fee on prepaid phone purchases, to generate revenue for this fund. The collected fees must be used to improve the crisis hotline infrastructure, expand crisis services, and fund stabilization programs, while ensuring these funds supplement rather than replace existing state or federal grants. Additionally, the bill requires the state treasurer to adjust the monthly fee annually based on inflation and mandates regular audits to ensure phone companies collect and remit the fees correctly.
This bill proposes adding a new section to the Michigan state constitution to formally recognize the public's right to a clean environment and to establish the state as a trustee for natural resources. It directly affects all residents by guaranteeing access to clean water, air, soil, and balanced ecosystems while requiring the government to protect these rights fairly for everyone regardless of their background. The key provisions declare that natural resources belong to all people, including future generations, and give citizens the power to directly sue the state if these rights are violated. By embedding these principles into the constitution, the bill creates a permanent legal framework that prioritizes environmental conservation and accountability for state agencies.
This bill requires electric and natural gas utilities in Michigan to use competitive bidding for contracts involving construction, operations, maintenance, or capital improvements. If a utility fails to follow this competitive process, the state commission cannot allow the company to recover the costs associated with that contract. The law also grants ratepayers and bidders the right to sue for damages or injunctive relief if the competitive bidding rules are not followed, with potential penalties of at least $1,000 plus legal fees. Additionally, all bids submitted to these utilities must be treated as public records and made available for inspection and copying.
This bill requires health insurance plans in Michigan to count payments made by patients or on their behalf toward meeting out-of-pocket maximums and cost-sharing limits for prescription drugs. It applies to both standard plans and high-deductible health plans, though it includes a specific rule for high-deductible plans to ensure compliance with federal health savings account regulations. The law takes effect for policies delivered, issued, or renewed after December 31, 2025, and explicitly defers to federal law if any conflict arises.
HB 5828 prohibits health insurers in Michigan from denying or limiting coverage for individuals who intend to end their lives in accordance with the state's Death with Dignity Act. The bill amends existing insurance code sections to ensure that suicide clauses in long-term care and universal life policies do not apply to deaths resulting from this specific medical aid-in-dying process. By adding a new section to the insurance code, the legislation clarifies that ending one's life under the Death with Dignity Act is not considered a suicide for the purposes of insurance exclusions.
This bill amends Michigan's sports betting law to require the state gaming board to collect fingerprints and criminal history records from individuals applying for or holding licenses related to sports betting operations. It expands the scope of background checks to include not only applicants but also current licensees, board employees, contractors, and specific management roles such as sports traders and heads of key departments like fraud, technology, and finance. The legislation mandates that these fingerprints be submitted to state and federal authorities for automated checks against new criminal arrests, with results shared with the gaming board while prohibiting the sharing of these records with private entities.
This bill amends Michigan's Internet Gaming Act to require the state gaming board to collect fingerprints and conduct criminal history checks on individuals applying for or holding licenses related to internet gaming. The law mandates that applicants and licensees consent to these background investigations, which include searches by the Department of State Police and the Federal Bureau of Investigation. Specifically, the requirement applies to game dealers, technology staff, supervisors, and high-level executives of gaming suppliers and their parent companies. The bill also establishes that the state police must retain these fingerprints in automated systems to automatically alert the board if any matches are found for new criminal arrests.
This bill requires the Michigan Gaming Control Board to obtain criminal history records and fingerprints for a wide range of individuals involved in the state's gaming industry. The law mandates that applicants for casino, supplier, and occupational licenses, as well as current and prospective employees and contractors, must submit fingerprints for checks with the Department of State Police and the FBI. Additionally, the bill requires the Department of State Police to retain these fingerprints in an automated system to automatically alert the board if new criminal arrests match existing records. The legislation also clarifies that the board cannot share these criminal history results with private entities and allows the state police to charge a fee for conducting these checks.
Michigan House Bill 5811 mandates that physicians, physician assistants, and advanced practice registered nurses complete one hour of continuing education on nutrition and metabolic health every three years to renew their medical licenses. This requirement applies to all license renewals and must be based on scientifically objective clinical evidence covering topics such as the health impacts of ultraprocessed foods, the benefits of whole foods for reversing conditions like type 2 diabetes and obesity, and methods for counseling patients on lifestyle changes. The bill directs the state health board to create specific rules outlining these educational standards, ensuring that medical professionals receive training on diet, sleep, and exercise as part of their ongoing professional development.
HB 5809 amends the State Housing Development Authority Act to update the powers of the Michigan State Housing Development Authority (MSHDA) regarding its coordination with federal programs and the Michigan Strategic Fund. The bill clarifies the authority's ability to collect fees for loans and publications, allowing those funds to be used for corporate purposes unless pledged for bond repayment. It also reinforces the authority's role in encouraging community organizations for housing projects and managing the salvage of usable housing scheduled for demolition. Additionally, the legislation ensures that the authority can make loans to mortgage lenders and purchase securities to support housing development efforts.
HB 5800 amends Michigan's state school aid law to clarify how districts and intermediate districts must report student enrollment and attendance data to receive funding. The bill establishes strict deadlines for submitting these reports and mandates that state aid payments be immediately withheld from any district or intermediate district that fails to comply, with the withheld funds forfeited if the deadline is not met by the end of the fiscal year. Additionally, the legislation revises the rules for calculating state aid when a school does not meet the minimum instructional day requirements due to inclement weather or other conditions, adjusting the attendance thresholds used to determine funding deductions. These changes directly affect local school districts and intermediate school districts by tightening compliance requirements and modifying the financial penalties associated with missed instructional days.
