Rep. Peter Herzberg

Maddy summaryMichigan House Bill 6277 amends the General Property Tax Act to streamline the correction of errors in property valuations and the processing of exemption applications. The bill allows local boards of review to immediately correct taxable values when an assessor determines that a transfer of ownership did not actually occur, bypassing previous limitations on how many years back corrections could be made. It also expands the definition of "qualified error" to include specific mistakes in processing personal property and veterans' exemptions, ensuring taxpayers receive rebates or bill adjustments for these verified errors.

Maddy summaryMichigan House Bill 6318 amends the state election law to explicitly prohibit denying or abridging any citizen's right to vote based on their sex. The bill adds a new section, 492c, to the Michigan Election Code to establish this specific protection. This provision directly affects all voters in the state by ensuring that gender cannot be used as a basis for restricting voting access.

Maddy summaryThis bill designates euchre as the official game of the state of Michigan. It creates a new act to formally establish this title in state law. The legislation does not impose any regulations or restrictions on how the game is played, but rather serves as a symbolic designation for the state.

Maddy summaryMichigan House Bill 6278 amends the state's liquor control code to establish specific timelines for processing special license applications. It requires applicants to submit their paperwork at least 45 days before the desired event date and mandates that the commission approve or deny these requests no later than 10 days prior to that date. The bill also allows any individual authorized by the applying organization to sign the application form, rather than restricting signature authority. Additionally, it requires the commission to enable electronic submission of applications within 12 months of the law's effective date.

Maddy summaryThis Michigan bill requires electric providers to offer a voluntary green pricing program that allows customers to choose how much of their electricity comes from renewable sources. It mandates that regulated utilities create a specific "clean technologies accelerator tariff" for commercial and industrial participants, ensuring these businesses directly pay for the renewable energy they procure rather than spreading those costs across all ratepayers. The legislation also protects customers who source at least half of their power through the program from paying certain compliance surcharges and requires providers to notify other participants about additional fees. The bill only takes effect if seven related companion bills are also enacted into law.

Maddy summaryThis Michigan bill amends the state's vehicle code to clarify that traffic violations designated as civil infractions cannot be treated as lesser included offenses of criminal charges. It establishes specific fine ranges for various driving and vehicle equipment violations, including a new provision that requires courts to waive fines and costs if a driver cited for an illegible registration plate provides proof of having obtained and installed a compliant plate before their court date. The legislation also mandates a $40 justice system assessment for most civil infractions and allows judges to order additional educational or rehabilitation programs alongside monetary penalties.

Maddy summaryMichigan's HB 6265 requires owners and operators of data centers to submit annual reports to the state public service commission detailing their total water and electricity consumption, along with the sources of that water and the percentage of electricity derived from renewable energy. These reporting obligations begin on March 1, 2028, and if the commission finds a submitted report inaccurate or incomplete, it must notify the operator to file corrected information within 30 days. The bill authorizes civil fines of up to $10,000 for each day a violation continues, with collected penalties deposited into the state general fund. This legislation only takes effect if several other specific bills from the current legislative session are also enacted into law.

Maddy summaryMichigan House Bill 6264, titled the "data center energy standards act," requires owners and operators of data centers in the state to source 100% of their annual energy use from clean or renewable sources by January 1, 2040. The bill allows facilities to meet this requirement through on-site generation, power purchase agreements, or other energy instruments approved by the Michigan Public Service Commission. Violations of these standards are subject to civil fines of up to $10,000 per day, which must be deposited into the state's general fund. This legislation only takes effect if seven companion bills from the 103rd Legislature are also enacted into law.

Maddy summaryMichigan House Bill 6244, titled the App Store Accountability Act, requires app store providers to verify the age of all account holders within 12 months and mandates that minors be linked to a parent account. The bill prohibits app stores from allowing minors to download apps or make in-app purchases without verifiable parental consent, which parents can grant or revoke at any time. Developers must notify app stores of significant changes to their applications and use industry-standard age ratings, while the state attorney general is tasked with establishing specific age verification rules. Violations of these requirements expose providers and developers to civil fines of up to $7,500 per violation and potential private lawsuits seeking damages or injunctive relief.

Maddy summaryThis bill updates Michigan's Natural Resources and Environmental Protection Act to clarify definitions and procedures for commercial fishing in the state's Great Lakes waters. It directly affects licensed commercial fishermen, fish dealers, and the Department of Natural Resources by establishing precise meanings for terms like "abandoned gear," "quota," and various types of fishing nets. The legislation also adds new definitions to improve record-keeping requirements for fish production, storage, and sale, ensuring that all commercial activities are clearly regulated. By amending multiple existing sections and adding a new one, the bill aims to provide a more structured framework for managing allowable catch limits and enforcing fishing privileges.