Rep. Will Bruck

Maddy summaryHB 5941 amends Michigan's income tax law to clarify how certain gratuities received by tipped employees are treated for tax purposes. The bill specifically addresses the exclusion of these tips from taxable income, ensuring that workers in the service industry are not taxed on amounts that are already exempt under federal rules. By updating the state tax code, the legislation aligns Michigan's treatment of tipped income with existing federal standards. This change directly affects employees who rely on tips as part of their compensation and the employers who report such earnings.

Maddy summaryThis bill designates a specific section of highway M-26 in Adams Township as the "Private Wesley Vietti Karna Memorial Highway." The designated stretch runs from Academy Street south to Hubbard Avenue. By adding a new section to the Michigan Memorial Highway Act, the legislation formally assigns this name to the road to honor Private Wesley Vietti Karna.

Maddy summaryThis bill officially designates a specific stretch of M-53 in Macomb County as the "Officer Leroy Imus Memorial Highway" to honor a fallen law enforcement officer. The legislation affects the Michigan State Transportation Department by amending state laws to recognize this new name for the road segment running from 17 Mile Road to Hall Road. Once signed into law, the change immediately updates official records and signage to reflect the memorial title.

Maddy summaryThis bill proposes creating a new fundraising license plate in Michigan specifically for the Michigan 4-H organization. Under the plan, the Secretary of State would work with 4-H to design the plates, and any money raised from their sale would be transferred to the Michigan 4-H Foundation. The legislation includes a condition that it will only take effect if a related bill, HB 5056, is also passed into law.

Maddy summaryThis bill proposes to explicitly state in Michigan election law that individuals who are not U.S. citizens are ineligible to register to vote or participate in any election within the state. The key provision adds a new section to the existing election code to clarify that non-citizens cannot vote in federal, state, or local races. By codifying this restriction, the bill aims to reinforce current legal standards regarding voter eligibility without changing the underlying requirement of citizenship.

Maddy summaryThis bill repeals the specific section of Michigan's Clean and Renewable Energy Act that previously allowed for expedited zoning exemptions for large-scale solar, wind, and energy storage facilities. By removing these exemptions, the legislation effectively eliminates the special zoning protections that were in place to streamline the development of such renewable energy projects. The bill also updates the official title of the broader energy law and modifies a few definitions, but its primary impact is the removal of the regulatory pathway that facilitated faster permitting for major renewable energy infrastructure.

Maddy summaryThis bill repeals the section of Michigan's Clean and Renewable Energy Act that previously allowed for expedited permitting of large-scale solar, wind, and energy storage facilities. By removing these specific provisions, the legislation effectively eliminates the special zoning exemptions and streamlined approval processes that were designed to accelerate the development of such projects. The bill does not alter other parts of the energy law, meaning requirements for renewable energy programs, net metering, and utility responsibilities remain unchanged. Its primary impact is to revert the regulatory framework for large-scale renewable infrastructure to the standard permitting procedures that existed before the 2018 amendments.

Maddy summaryHB 5858 seeks to remove a specific provision that would have required local zoning laws to comply with the clean and renewable energy and energy waste reduction act. The bill does not alter the existing text of the zoning enabling act, which currently already includes the clean and renewable energy act among several other state laws that local governments must follow. By deleting this redundant requirement, the legislation aims to streamline the legal framework governing land use without changing the actual rules for zoning or energy projects. The bill is currently in the early stages of the legislative process and has not yet been enacted.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires the Michigan Unemployment Agency to get approval from both houses of the state legislature before making specific changes to its operations. Under the new rules, the agency cannot move staff between divisions, cancel the waiting period for first unemployment payments, or remove computer systems designed to detect potential fraud. These systems currently flag claims based on factors like blacklisted email addresses, out-of-state addresses, or duplicate information such as shared bank accounts and IP addresses. Essentially, the legislation ensures that significant shifts in how the agency manages its workforce or verifies claimants must be explicitly authorized by lawmakers first.

Maddy summaryThis Michigan bill prohibits state agencies and officials from using public money, staff, or facilities to carry out the terms of international treaties that have not been officially ratified by the U.S. Senate and President. It defines an unratified treaty as any international agreement lacking the required two-thirds Senate approval and presidential ratification. The law allows individuals or groups to sue in state court if they believe state resources are being used for such treaties, seeking court orders to stop the action, monetary damages of up to $10,000 per violation, and legal fees. Additionally, any state department or local government that issues rules requiring compliance with an unratified treaty must prove that those rules were created independently of the treaty's influence.