Rep. Jimmie Wilson

Maddy summaryHB 4045 creates a new legal defense to protect individuals and organizations from lawsuits targeting their exercise of free speech, particularly in public discourse. The bill establishes a process allowing courts to quickly dismiss frivolous civil cases filed against people speaking on matters of public concern, such as protests, social media posts, or community advocacy. This directly affects activists, journalists, and ordinary citizens who face legal threats for expressing views on issues like government actions or social justice. The law aims to prevent costly, intimidating lawsuits that could silence public participation without requiring full trials.

Maddy summaryHB 5399 prohibits elected local officials (like mayors or city council members) from signing secret agreements about data center construction. It bans any nondisclosure clause that hides details of data center projects from public discussion. Violators face a $1,000 civil fine, and any violating agreement is void and unenforceable. The law applies to all such agreements entered into after its effective date.

Maddy summaryHB 5411 amends Michigan's Strategic Fund Act to strengthen transparency around economic development funding. It requires the Michigan Strategic Fund to provide detailed annual reports to the legislature and public, including specific data on job creation (new/retained, non-temporary), average salaries, financial assistance amounts, and bankruptcy notices for large recipients ($500,000+). The reports must also cover performance metrics for tourism promotion, venture capital investments, and community revitalization projects. These reports will be posted on the fund's website, making program outcomes and financial details publicly accessible.

Maddy summaryHB 5412 removes a requirement that the Michigan Strategic Fund must submit an annual legislative report before disbursing funds for brownfield redevelopment projects. This change allows the fund to release money for grants and loans to developers and property owners working on contaminated site cleanups without waiting for the report. The bill specifically amends sections 8a and 16 of Michigan's Brownfield Redevelopment Financing Act to eliminate this reporting barrier. The change directly affects the Michigan Strategic Fund, developers using the brownfield program, and communities seeking to redevelop contaminated properties.

Maddy summaryHB 5421 amends Michigan's unemployment benefits law to create a new exception allowing victims of stalking to qualify for benefits if they leave employment due to stalking. Currently, an exception exists for domestic violence victims under Section 29(a)(iv), but this bill replaces "domestic violence" with "stalking" in that provision. The change means individuals who leave jobs to escape stalking would no longer be disqualified from benefits, directly affecting stalking victims who might otherwise lose unemployment eligibility. This policy update modifies the disqualification rule without altering other existing provisions.

Maddy summaryHB 5413 creates Michigan's entry into a proposed interstate compact that prohibits states from offering targeted subsidies to specific businesses or industries to lure them into relocating or opening new facilities. The bill would ban state or local government subsidies - such as direct grants, tax breaks, or favorable regulations - intended to favor particular companies or industries, while excluding general infrastructure benefits or broad tax cuts. If enough states join (reaching a three-fifths majority in both U.S. Congress chambers), participating states must stop providing new targeted subsidies, though existing contracts would remain valid. The compact establishes enforcement mechanisms allowing taxpayers to sue to compel compliance and requires states to coordinate with Congress once the threshold is met.

Maddy summaryHB 5422 amends Michigan's Earned Sick Time Act (2018 PA 338) to clarify and expand permissible uses of accrued sick time for workers. It specifically updates Section 4(1) to allow sick time for medical care related to domestic violence, sexual assault, or violent crime; school meetings about a child's health or disability; and public health emergencies. The bill also refines notice requirements for employers, permitting advance notice up to 7 days for foreseeable absences. This amendment directly affects Michigan workers covered under the existing sick time law, ensuring clearer access to time off for health, family, and safety needs.

Maddy summaryHB 5423 prohibits Michigan employers from taking adverse actions (like firing, refusing to hire, or harassing) against employees who are victims of violent crimes or involved in related legal proceedings. It directly protects employees and their family members who experience violent crimes, ensuring employers cannot retaliate for attending court, requesting workplace adjustments (such as schedule changes or safety modifications), or seeking help. Employers must post notices about these protections and provide them to all employees in their primary language. Employees can file lawsuits within three years to seek remedies like reinstatement, back pay, or damages if their rights are violated.

Maddy summaryHB 5414 amends Michigan's tax administration law to clarify when economic development corporations must disclose information for reports required under the Michigan Economic Growth Authority Act (MCL 207.810). The bill specifically allows these corporations to share the required report information with the public under the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA), while maintaining confidentiality for other sensitive tax data. This change directly affects economic development corporations and state agencies handling their reports, streamlining public access to certain economic development data. The bill does not alter tax collection procedures or create new financial obligations, only updating disclosure rules for existing reporting requirements.

Maddy summaryHB 5420 requires Michigan hospitals to include tests for specific substances in drug screens when diagnosing a drug overdose. It mandates that hospitals report anonymous test results to the Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS), with results kept confidential and exempt from public disclosure. The MDHHS will define the list of "qualified substances" through rules (to be created within 180 days) and use the data to track trends and risk factors. This bill directly affects hospitals conducting overdose-related drug screens and the MDHHS, which will manage the reporting system and annual review of substances.