HB 4805 increases the percentage of Michigan's Children's Trust Fund available for disbursement to child welfare programs. It changes the disbursement rate from 4.25% (2015-2017) to up to 5% starting in 2018 (if the fund's 12-quarter average reaches $23.5 million), and then to up to 8% beginning in fiscal year 2025. The bill uses a rolling average of the fund's value (including investment gains or losses) to determine annual disbursement amounts. This directly affects state funding for child abuse prevention and related services under the Child Abuse and Neglect Prevention Act.
HB 4539 amends Michigan's housing law to clarify definitions and strengthen funding rules for affordable housing projects. It defines key terms like "extremely low-income" (≤30% of area median income) and "downtown area" (50+ years of commercial use with mixed buildings), directly affecting low- and middle-income households in these zones. The bill requires 30% of funds to support projects for extremely low-income households (including homeless and supportive housing) and mandates that 20% of units in all funded projects serve households earning ≤60% of area median income. It also requires the housing authority to create a public input process for its biennial funding plan, prioritizing areas with high poverty, disability needs, and housing distress.
HB 5984 amends Michigan's State School Aid Act to clarify how student attendance and membership are calculated for funding purposes, particularly for special education and cyber schools. The bill defines specific rules for counting students in 'center programs' for special needs pupils and establishes detailed participation requirements for cyber school students, such as logging into lessons or engaging in virtual activities. Additionally, it updates the definition of membership to ensure accurate funding distribution based on actual student enrollment and attendance across various district types.
HB 4026 exempts firearm safety devices from Michigan's sales and use tax through December 31, 2024, directly affecting gun owners purchasing these devices. The bill defines "firearm safety devices" as trigger locks, secure storage containers (like gun safes or lockboxes requiring keys/combinations), but excludes display cases. Retail sellers must provide written notices to buyers and post visible signage at points of sale explaining the tax exemption. This is a temporary measure with a sunset date, not a permanent policy change.
HB 4025 extends Michigan's sales tax exemption for firearm safety devices until December 31, 2024. It defines "firearm safety devices" as equipment (like gun safes, lockboxes, or trigger locks) designed to prevent unauthorized access or operation of firearms, but excludes display cabinets. Retail sellers must provide written notices to purchasers and post conspicuous signage at points of sale about the tax exemption. The bill also requires the state to annually compensate the school aid fund for any revenue lost due to this exemption.
This bill requires Michigan state agencies to submit all legislative reports to the Department of Technology, Management, and Budget. The department must then create a free, searchable public website to publish these reports within 90 days of the bill taking effect. The change applies to any report that state agencies are legally required to send to the state legislature.
This bill allows the Michigan Department of Natural Resources to partner with nonprofit sportsmen's organizations to auction up to five Pure Michigan hunt licenses each year to the highest bidders. The licenses available include elk, bear, turkey, antlerless deer, and first-pick waterfowl hunting opportunities, with any individual able to place a bid. The sportsmen's organization would receive a 7.5% cut of the auction proceeds, while the remaining funds go to the state's game and fish protection account. The legislation defines eligible organizations as tax-exempt nonprofits focused on conservation and outdoor recreation, and gives the department authority to issue necessary orders for implementation.
HB 5331 prohibits state agencies, local governments, universities, community colleges, and other entities receiving state funds from purchasing certain drones. It extends the same drone purchase restrictions that apply to the federal government to these Michigan entities. The bill amends Michigan's Management and Budget Act to require these organizations to follow federal guidelines when acquiring drones with state money. This directly affects any state-funded organization that might otherwise buy drones for operations.
HB 5308 requires Michigan watercraft owners to purchase an annual $35 "Great Lakes protection" decal. Revenue from these decals funds invasive species prevention and remediation efforts under Section 80124b. The bill mandates that the state agency discontinue sales if fewer than 2,000 decals are sold by September 2006, then fewer than 500 annually after that. It directly affects recreational boat owners in Michigan who must buy the decal to legally operate watercraft. The decal design is specified but placement rules allow flexibility for law enforcement.
HB 5032 amends Michigan's Revised School Code to prohibit using state school aid funds for special elections. It directly affects school districts and local governments that receive state school aid, preventing them from allocating those funds toward special election costs. The bill specifically amends Section 1361 of the School Code (MCL 380.1361) to add this restriction. This change clarifies that school aid funds must be used solely for educational purposes, not for election-related expenses.
