Rep. Peter Herzberg

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 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.)

Maddy summaryHB 5567 amends Michigan's Regulatory Loan Act to exempt earned wage access services from its regulations. Specifically, it adds a new exemption for businesses operating under a license issued by the earned wage access services act, meaning these services would no longer be treated as loans under the current law. This change would directly affect providers of earned wage access services (such as employers or third-party apps offering early wage access) by removing requirements like licensing under the Regulatory Loan Act. The bill's implementation is contingent on another related bill (HB 5558) being enacted.

Maddy summaryHB 5566 amends Michigan's Credit Reform Act to exempt businesses providing earned wage access services from being classified as "regulated lenders." This directly affects companies offering short-term advances on earned wages (like early paycheck access), removing them from certain financial regulations. The key provision adds a new definition in the law stating that "regulatory lender" does not include entities licensed under Michigan's Earned Wage Access Services Act. This change reduces regulatory burdens for these specific businesses by excluding them from the act's requirements for lenders.

Maddy summaryHB 5561 amends Michigan's Occupational Code to exempt licensed earned wage access services from standard collection agency regulations when collecting debts related to their core services. Specifically, it adds an explicit exemption in the definition of "collection agency" for businesses operating under the Earned Wage Access Services Act. This means these services no longer need separate collection agency licensing for debts tied to their earned wage access offerings. The bill directly affects businesses providing short-term wage access (like early paycheck access) that are already licensed under the Earned Wage Access Services Act. The exemption simplifies regulatory requirements for these specific providers without altering broader collection practices.

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.