Rep. Tullio Liberati

Maddy summaryHB 5325 allows police officers and private security personnel at critical infrastructure sites (like power plants or bridges) to disable or destroy drones flying in violation of existing laws protecting those sites. It directly affects drone operators who fly near protected infrastructure without authorization. The key provision grants immunity from liability for property damage to the drone when officers act under this law, but only if federal law does not preempt it. This bill creates a specific legal mechanism for responding to unauthorized drone activity at critical infrastructure locations.

Maddy summaryHB 5323 authorizes Michigan state agencies to install technology that detects or blocks unauthorized drones near state-owned buildings and critical infrastructure like power plants or water facilities. The bill allows for two key mechanisms: (1) devices to detect drones flying overhead, and (2) systems to prevent drones from entering restricted airspace. It also requires coordination with the state transportation department to include these locations in a statewide geofencing database. The law explicitly states it does not override federal drone regulations.

Maddy summaryHB 5332 requires Michigan public agencies (like police departments and fire departments) to register all drones they operate, including details about operators, aircraft identification, and intended use. It mandates an annual report to the legislature on drone usage and prohibits public agencies from purchasing or using drones from specific foreign countries or entities listed by federal authorities (such as the U.S. Defense Department's restricted list). Agencies may only buy such drones if they guarantee all collected data stays stored exclusively within the U.S. and complies with federal laws. The bill does not apply to small drones used in compliance with existing safety rules.

Maddy summaryHB 5326 would allow Michigan police officers to intercept, disable, or destroy drones flying in violation of federal aviation rules or posing public safety risks. It directly affects drone operators whose flights breach FAA guidelines and provides officers immunity from liability for damage to the drones. The bill’s key provision requires that federal law first be amended to permit such actions before the state law takes effect. This bill is currently in committee review and does not change existing federal drone regulations.

Maddy summaryHB 5558 creates a new licensing system for businesses providing "earned wage access services" (EWAS), which allow workers to access part of their earned but unpaid wages before payday. It requires all EWAS providers (excluding banks, payroll services, and employers offering early pay) to obtain a state license, pay annual fees based on business volume, and submit detailed application information. The law defines key terms like "earned but unpaid income" (wages earned but not yet paid by an employer) and outlines penalties for unlicensed operation. This directly affects EWAS providers operating in Michigan, imposing regulatory requirements while exempting certain financial institutions and employer-provided early wage options.

Maddy summaryHB 5568 amends Michigan's 1966 interest rate law (MCL 438.31) to explicitly exempt "earned wage access services" from the 7% annual interest cap. This means providers of early paycheck access services (like apps or employer programs that let workers withdraw earned wages before payday) can charge rates outside the standard limit. The bill directly affects workers who use these services and the companies offering them. It clarifies an existing exemption under the law without changing the 7% cap for other loans.

Maddy summaryHB 5569 exempts licensed earned wage access services from Michigan's criminal usury law (MCL 438.41-438.42). This bill adds Section 1a to the existing law, clarifying that the criminal usury regulations do not apply to businesses operating under the earned wage access services act. It directly affects providers of short-term wage advances - such as those offering early access to earned pay - by removing them from criminal usury penalties. The change simplifies regulatory compliance for these services without altering other aspects of the usury law.

Maddy summaryHB 5563 amends Michigan's consumer credit law to exempt licensed earned wage access services from being classified as "regulated persons" under debt collection rules. This means businesses offering early wage access (allowing workers to receive part of their earned wages before payday) are not subject to standard debt collection regulations for their core wage access operations. The exemption specifically applies to activities conducted under the earned wage access services act, separating these services from traditional debt collection oversight. The bill requires another related bill (HB 5558) to become law before it takes effect.

Maddy summaryHB 5560 exempts "earned wage access services" (like apps allowing workers to access earned wages before payday) from Michigan's standard wage and fringe benefit laws, as defined in the separate "earned wage access services act." This exemption applies only to services complying with that specific act, removing them from the scope of the existing 1978 wage law (MCL 408.471-408.490). The bill is conditional, requiring the enactment of HB 5558 first before taking effect. It directly affects providers of these early-wage access services, allowing them to operate under different rules than traditional wage payment systems.

Maddy summaryHB 5565 amends Michigan's Deferred Presentment Service Transactions Act to exempt licensed earned wage access services from requiring a separate license under that law. This directly affects companies offering early paycheck access services (like instant cash advances on upcoming wages), allowing them to operate under their existing earned wage access licenses instead of obtaining additional permits. The key provision adds a specific exemption in Section 11, clarifying that these services are not subject to the standard licensing requirements for check-cashing or short-term loan businesses. The change removes a regulatory barrier for these financial products, streamlining their legal operation in Michigan. (Note: The bill's effective date depends on another related bill, HB 5558, passing.)