Rep. Dylan Wegela

Maddy summaryHB 5417 amends Michigan's Strategic Fund Act to require the Michigan Strategic Fund to submit specific legislative reports before disbursing funds. This change directly affects the Strategic Fund, which manages economic development investments, by adding a new reporting requirement (Section 7c) for transparency. The key mechanism mandates that the fund provide detailed reports to the legislature prior to releasing funds for projects or loans. This update aims to enhance accountability for how public funds are allocated, without altering the fund's existing powers or program types.

Maddy summaryHB 5415 prevents Michigan's Strategic Fund from providing financial support (like loans or grants) for projects that would violate the "corporate welfare prohibition compact act" starting October 1, 2027. This bill directly affects the Strategic Fund's ability to fund economic development projects, requiring it to comply with an existing agreement between states that restricts certain business subsidies. The bill adds Section 15 to the Michigan Strategic Fund Act and depends on another bill (HB 5413) being enacted first. It does not change existing state funding rules but adds a new compliance requirement tied to an interstate agreement.

Maddy summaryHB 5416 amends the Michigan Strategic Fund Act to restructure the fund's governing board. It adds two new private-sector board members appointed by the governor (with input from minority leaders) who must have expertise in venture capital, commercial lending, or technology commercialization. The bill also updates membership requirements to ensure diversity representation (including minority, female, and small business perspectives) and specifies detailed qualifications for private-sector appointees. This change affects how the Michigan Strategic Fund, which administers economic development grants and incentives, is governed and managed.

Maddy summaryHB 5418 requires the Michigan Strategic Fund to post on its website details about businesses that received state economic assistance (grants, loans, or other aid) and later ceased operations in Michigan. Specifically, the notice must include the business name, assistance type and amount, and whether repayment is likely if the business breached its agreement. This amendment to Section 88b(10) of the Michigan Strategic Fund Act focuses on transparency, not changing how funds are distributed. It directly affects businesses receiving state economic assistance that shut down, requiring the fund to publicly report their status.

Maddy summaryHB 5397 eliminates a tax exemption for data center equipment under Michigan's Use Tax Act. It repeals Section 4cc, which previously allowed data center businesses to claim an exemption from use tax on equipment purchases. This change means data center operators will now pay the standard use tax on qualifying equipment instead of claiming the exemption. The bill directly affects data center businesses that previously utilized this tax exemption.

Maddy summaryHB 5396 eliminates a sales tax exemption for data center equipment in Michigan. The bill repeals Section 4ee of the General Sales Tax Act (MCL 205.54ee), which previously allowed data centers to avoid paying the standard 4% sales tax on equipment purchases. This change directly affects data center businesses operating in Michigan, requiring them to pay sales tax on qualifying equipment starting when the bill takes effect. The policy change removes a specific tax break, aligning data center equipment purchases with standard sales tax rules.

Maddy summaryHB 5398 amends Michigan's General Property Tax Act to remove a tax exemption for data centers located in Renaissance Zones. Specifically, it eliminates the exemption previously available for "eligible data center property" in zones approved by the Michigan Strategic Fund in 2016 with at least $100 million in investment. This change directly affects data center operators in designated Renaissance Zones who previously qualified for reduced property taxes. The bill updates Section 7ff of the tax act to reflect this repeal, ensuring data centers no longer receive the tax break.

Maddy summaryHB 5394 requires Michigan's unemployment insurance agency to automatically waive repayment of benefits improperly paid due to the agency's own administrative or clerical errors, rather than requiring claimants to seek a waiver through a separate process. This applies specifically when overpayments result from the agency's mistakes (e.g., data entry errors), excluding cases involving fraud, identity theft, or intentional misrepresentation by claimants. The bill ensures claimants affected by such agency errors do not face repayment demands or interest, streamlining relief for those who received benefits due to the state's administrative errors. It does not change eligibility rules or apply to overpayments caused by claimant error or fraud.

Maddy summaryHB 5393 amends Michigan's unemployment benefits law to change how overpaid benefits are recovered. It requires the unemployment agency to issue a repayment demand within 3 years of a final determination about overpayment, and prohibits recovery actions after that deadline (except for suspected identity fraud). The bill creates specific waiver conditions where repayment may be forgiven, including cases of agency errors, low household income (below 150% of federal poverty guidelines), or unintentional wage reporting mistakes by employers. This directly affects unemployed Michiganders who received incorrect benefits, ensuring they aren't required to repay overpayments after the 3-year window unless fraud is involved.

Maddy summaryHB 5366 requires real estate wholesalers to provide mandatory disclosures to buyers when transferring purchase agreements. It defines "assignment fee" as the payment for such transfers and mandates clear disclosure of these fees to buyers before closing. The bill directly affects real estate wholesalers and brokers who facilitate these transactions, ensuring buyers understand all financial terms upfront. This change aims to increase transparency in real estate wholesaling without altering licensing requirements.