Rep. Tyrone Carter

Maddy summaryHB 5562 amends Michigan's Consumer Financial Services Act to add the "Earned Wage Access Services Act" to the list of financial licensing acts requiring state regulation. This change directly affects companies offering earned wage access services (like apps allowing workers to access earned wages early), requiring them to obtain licenses under the same framework as other financial service providers. The bill modifies Section 2 of the act by explicitly including earned wage access services in the definition of "Financial licensing acts," aligning them with existing regulatory requirements. This is a definitional update without creating new rules or fees, ensuring these services fall under the state's financial licensing oversight.

Maddy summaryHB 5564 amends Michigan's garnishment law to clarify rules for withholding wages or salary (referred to as "periodic payments"). It requires plaintiffs to send regular payment statements to defendants and garnishees (like employers), sets strict deadlines for default judgments, and establishes a 28-day cure period for employers who miss garnishment requirements. The bill specifically excludes earned wage access services (like paycheck advance apps) from these garnishment rules, as noted in section 13(d). This update aims to streamline the process for all parties involved in wage garnishments while ensuring transparency and reducing errors.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates the Michigan PFAS action response team (MPART), a new state entity dedicated to addressing contamination from PFAS chemicals, commonly known as 'forever chemicals.' The team will be composed of directors from various state departments, including environmental protection and health services, who will work together to identify affected sites, develop cleanup plans, and coordinate public health responses. MPART is authorized to conduct investigations, hire experts, share information with local and federal agencies, and recommend changes to existing laws to better manage environmental and public safety threats related to PFAS.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a new Citizen's Advisory Working Group within the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy to assist with PFAS contamination efforts. The group will be made up of current or former residents from communities affected by PFAS contamination, and its members will serve without pay but can receive reimbursement for necessary expenses. The group's main duties include advising the Michigan PFAS Action Response Team on community outreach, reviewing existing strategies, and making recommendations to improve public awareness of health risks related to PFAS.

Maddy summaryThis bill, known as the Hazardous Products Act, would ban the sale and manufacture of household items containing intentionally added PFAS chemicals starting in 2027. The legislation specifically targets a wide range of consumer goods, including clothing, carpets, cookware, cosmetics, baby products, and upholstery, while explicitly excluding military equipment and personal protective gear. To enforce these restrictions, the bill establishes penalties for violations, ranging from misdemeanor fines for first offenses to felony charges for repeat offenders, and grants individuals the right to sue for damages or seek court orders to stop non-compliant production.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a grant program within Michigan's Natural Resources and Environmental Protection Act to assist farmers whose land, crops, or water are contaminated with PFAS chemicals. The program would provide financial aid for medical testing, purchasing or selling land, cleaning up contamination, and replacing lost income or mortgage payments. Funding for these grants would come from a new state fund, potentially financed by increased fines on large corporations that violate environmental laws. Farmers applying for assistance would need to submit detailed financial records and a plan explaining how they intend to use the funds. The bill also defines specific criteria for what constitutes PFAS contamination and outlines the process for the state department to administer the program.

Maddy summaryThis bill directs that fines collected from specific state civil infractions under Michigan's natural resources and environmental protection act be used to fund a grant program assisting farmers impacted by PFAS contamination. It achieves this by creating an exception to the existing rule that typically requires all such civil fines to be dedicated exclusively to supporting public and county law libraries. The legislation does not take effect unless it is tied to and passed alongside a companion bill that establishes the actual grant program for the farmers.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires Michigan's Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy to notify private well owners and nearby residents when tests detect unsafe levels of PFAS chemicals in their water. The legislation mandates that the department provide specific guidance on reducing exposure, along with free certified water filters, to those directly affected and to neighbors within a one-mile radius of the contaminated well. Additionally, the bill establishes a voluntary registry to send email alerts about future testing locations and dates, ensuring the public stays informed about potential water quality issues.

Maddy summaryThis bill proposes amendments to Michigan's sentencing guidelines specifically for violations of the Hazardous Products Act. By updating the relevant section of the Code of Criminal Procedure, it would establish or modify the standard sentencing framework for individuals charged with these specific offenses. The legislation directly affects prosecutors, judges, and defendants involved in cases concerning the improper handling or distribution of hazardous materials. As a procedural update to existing law, it aims to clarify how penalties are determined for these particular crimes without introducing new offenses.

Maddy summaryHB 5896 requires people who use sewage sludge or its derivatives on land to test these materials for PFAS chemicals before application and report the results to the state Department of Environmental Quality. The bill mandates that these tests use methods approved by the federal EPA and requires anyone who prepares biosolids to notify landowners and farmers about the specific PFAS levels found in the material. Additionally, the legislation provides exceptions for certain high-quality compost used in landscaping, allowing it to bypass some existing rules if it meets specific maturity and quality standards and is used in approved locations like parks or home gardens.