Rep. Jimmie Wilson

Maddy summaryThis bill expands property tax relief for Michigan homeowners who are seniors and living in poverty by establishing a new exemption category. To qualify, residents must own and occupy their home as a principal residence while meeting specific federal poverty guidelines or alternative local income standards. The legislation requires applicants to submit annual documentation, such as tax returns or affidavits, and allows local boards to grant either full or partial tax reductions based on these criteria. Additionally, the bill permits certain individuals with fixed incomes from public assistance to maintain their exemption status for up to three years without needing to reapply annually.

Maddy summaryThis bill modifies Michigan's Wrongful Imprisonment Compensation Act to clarify the rules for individuals seeking financial relief after being wrongly convicted and imprisoned. It specifically defines what counts as "new evidence" for compensation claims, including DNA results and expert testimony, while noting that a witness recantation alone is insufficient without additional supporting proof. The legislation also establishes new procedural requirements, such as mandating that prosecutors notify victims of assaultive crimes when a compensation claim is filed and setting strict timelines for legal responses. Additionally, it adjusts the standard of proof needed to win a case, requiring plaintiffs to demonstrate their innocence by clear and convincing evidence rather than just a preponderance of the evidence.

Maddy summaryThis bill updates Michigan's notary public laws to allow for electronic and remote electronic notarizations using approved communication technology. It directly affects notaries public, individuals needing notarized documents, and financial institutions by defining new terms like "credential analysis" and "identity proofing" to verify signer identities remotely. The legislation requires that remote notarizations occur via platforms providing real-time audio and video contact, recording capabilities, and third-party identity verification services. By adding a new section and modifying existing ones, the bill expands the legal framework for how notaries can perform their duties in a digital environment while maintaining security standards.

Maddy summaryHB 6291 amends the Michigan Regulation and Taxation of Marihuana Act to update definitions within the law, specifically clarifying terms related to industrial hemp and cannabis regulatory agencies. The bill establishes that industrial hemp includes cannabis plants, parts, and seeds with a THC concentration of 0.3% or less on a dry-weight basis, while distinguishing these from regulated marijuana products that exceed this threshold. By revising sections 3 and 8 of the existing act, the legislation ensures that the legal framework accurately reflects current terminology and regulatory standards for the cannabis industry. This change directly affects businesses and individuals operating under the state's marijuana laws by providing clearer definitions for compliance and enforcement purposes.

Maddy summaryThis bill updates Michigan's minimum wage schedule and introduces an automatic annual adjustment mechanism tied to inflation. It sets specific wage increases starting in 2025, with the rate reaching $20.00 by 2030, while also requiring the state treasurer to calculate yearly raises based on the consumer price index beginning in 2030. However, the bill includes a provision that pauses these automatic increases if the state's unemployment rate reaches 8.5% or higher in the preceding year. These changes directly affect employers and employees subject to Michigan's minimum wage laws under the Improved Workforce Opportunity Wage Act.

Maddy summaryThis bill prohibits Michigan employers from asking job applicants about their past wages, fringe benefits, credit scores, or credit history. It also bans employers from requiring employees to sign waivers that prevent them from sharing their salary information or from punishing workers who disclose their pay. By removing these restrictions, the legislation aims to prevent discrimination based on compensation history and financial records during the hiring process. The changes directly affect both current and prospective employees by limiting the types of questions employers can ask regarding financial details.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires employers in Michigan with 50 or more employees at a single location to post a notice informing workers about laws against wage discrimination based on various protected characteristics. The notice must explain that federal law prohibits unequal pay due to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, genetic information, or disability, while state law extends these protections to include sexual orientation, gender identity, height, weight, and marital status. It also directs employees to the Michigan Department of Civil Rights for assistance and provides contact information for anonymous reporting of violations. Employers who fail to display this approved notice may face a civil fine of up to $100.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends Michigan's wage and benefits law to establish stricter penalties and remedies for employers who fail to follow fair employment practices. It authorizes the Department of Labor to order employers to pay owed wages and benefits, plus an annual 10% penalty on those amounts while a complaint is being processed. The legislation also allows the department to award up to twice the owed amount in exemplary damages for flagrant or repeated violations and to cover legal costs for the affected employee. Additionally, it introduces a tiered fine system for specific violations, where fines increase from $500 for a first offense to $25,000 for subsequent offenses, and permits individuals to sue for at least $10,000 in damages if they prevail in court.

Maddy summaryThis Michigan bill creates a new program allowing employers to obtain a "fair paycheck workplace certificate" by demonstrating that they pay employees with different protected characteristics, such as race or gender, within a 5% compensation range. To qualify, businesses must submit detailed payroll records and employee demographic data to the Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity, which will then issue a certificate valid for six months initially and renewable annually. The legislation also mandates that employers cannot falsely claim to hold this certification and establishes a public online database where anyone can verify an employer's status. Additionally, the state director is required to set application fees and promulgate specific rules to implement the program's administrative procedures.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends Michigan's penal code to strengthen penalties for employers who discriminate against workers by paying them different wages based on sex, religion, race, or other protected characteristics. Under the proposed changes, an employer found guilty of such wage discrimination commits a misdemeanor and faces fines that increase with company size, ranging from $5,000 for businesses with 1 to 15 employees up to $20,000 for those with more than 50 employees. The legislation also maintains existing protections against assigning tasks disproportionate to a female worker's strength or employing women in roles detrimental to their health or potential for motherhood. While the bill clarifies that wage differences based on factors unrelated to protected status are not violations, it does not alter the underlying requirement that similarly employed individuals receive equal pay regardless of gender.