This bill proposes to update the sentencing guidelines in Michigan's Code of Criminal Procedure to specifically address violations of the Virtual Currency Kiosk Prevention Act. By amending existing law, it aims to provide clearer instructions for judges on how to determine appropriate punishments for crimes related to illegal virtual currency kiosks. The legislation does not create new offenses but rather refines the legal framework used to sentence individuals who break these specific rules.
This bill amends Michigan's zoning enabling act to explicitly include the Data Center Community Benefit Agreement Act as a law that local zoning ordinances must follow. By adding this requirement to the list of existing state laws, the measure ensures that municipalities cannot create zoning rules that conflict with community benefit agreements for data center projects. The legislation also clarifies that local governments cannot regulate oil and gas drilling operations and establishes specific criteria for evaluating mining activities based on factors like safety, traffic, and public interest. Additionally, it protects renewable energy projects approved after January 1, 2021, from having their special land use approvals revoked once substantial construction or financial investment has begun.
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Economic Development
SB 1019 amends Michigan's zoning enabling act to explicitly include the data center regulation act as a law that local zoning ordinances must follow. This change directly affects local governments and developers by ensuring that zoning rules do not conflict with state data center regulations. The bill also clarifies that counties and townships cannot regulate the drilling or operation of oil and gas wells, while establishing specific criteria for when local units can restrict mining based on potential serious consequences. Additionally, it protects certain renewable energy projects approved after January 1, 2021, from having their special land use approvals revoked if substantial construction or initial costs have been incurred. The legislation remains in effect only if a companion bill, SB 1018, is also enacted into law.
This bill, known as the Responsible Artificial Intelligence Security for Employees Act, restricts how employers in Michigan can use automated decision-making tools and electronic monitoring systems for their workforce. It generally prohibits using these technologies for employment decisions like hiring or firing, except when screening large volumes of applications based on specific job criteria. Employers are only allowed to monitor employees for specific purposes such as ensuring job function completion, monitoring production quality, or protecting health and safety, and they must obtain written consent from every employee before using such tools. The legislation also mandates that employers provide clear notice of monitoring, maintain accurate data, allow employees to correct their records, and conduct impact assessments to ensure these tools do not negatively affect individuals based on protected characteristics.
This bill amends the Michigan Consumer Protection Act to explicitly prohibit merchants from using "surveillance pricing," a practice where prices are dynamically adjusted based on data gathered from monitoring individual customers. The legislation directly affects businesses selling goods and services by adding a new provision that makes it unlawful to charge higher prices to consumers who are being tracked or monitored. By incorporating this specific prohibition into the state's existing list of unfair trade practices, the bill aims to prevent deceptive pricing tactics that exploit consumer data.
This bill, known as the Data Center Transparency Act, prohibits elected officials in Michigan from signing nondisclosure agreements that keep data center construction details secret. It specifically applies to contracts between local governments and data center owners where the facility is built in exchange for tax incentives. Under the law, any such agreement attempting to hide information about the project would be considered void and unenforceable, while still allowing the redaction of specific intellectual property details. The measure requires that all related bills be passed for this provision to take effect.
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Government Transparency
This bill, known as the Workplace Employee Boundaries Act, prohibits employers from requiring employees to check work emails, texts, or calls outside of their regular working hours. It allows workers to set specific times when they are available for work-related messages and protects them from retaliation, such as firing or threatening them, if they do not respond during off-hours. The law also bans employers from forcing employees to give up these protections as a condition of getting a job and provides for fines and extra pay for violations. Exceptions exist for emergencies, urgent notices to all staff, and situations where employees are already paid to be on call.
This bill amends Michigan's enhanced driver license and identification card laws to allow individuals to voluntarily include a "communication impediment" designation on their ID. The designation is intended for people with conditions like deafness or autism that may hinder communication with police officers. Under the new rules, law enforcement personnel with authorized access to a specific state network would be able to view this designation. The bill also clarifies privacy protections, ensuring that Social Security numbers and other personal data are not printed on the front of the card. Additionally, it establishes procedures for the Secretary of State to cancel or revoke this designation if the underlying health condition no longer exists, following a notice and hearing process for the cardholder.
Senate Bill 991 amends Michigan's Consumer Protection Act to prohibit businesses from using certain algorithms and protected class data to set prices. This law directly affects companies that sell goods or services by banning the practice of adjusting prices based on factors like race, age, or other personal characteristics. The bill adds a new section to the statute to explicitly make this pricing behavior unlawful, ensuring that consumers are not charged different amounts for the same items based on their personal data.
HB 5992 restores and updates the legal framework for the Michigan Film and Digital Media Office, which is responsible for promoting the state as a location for film, television, and digital media production. The bill redefines key terms to include various forms of media and outlines the office's duties, such as assisting producers with location scouting, providing technical support, and coordinating with local and federal agencies. Additionally, it removes a section related to film credits, aligning the legislation with current administrative practices.
