Rep. Morgan Foreman

Maddy summaryThis bill amends Michigan's Natural Resources and Environmental Protection Act to exempt commercial forestland located in HOPE zones from a specific annual tax per acre. The legislation directly affects landowners in designated HOPE zones by removing their property from the specific tax roll that currently charges a fee ranging from $1.10 to $1.20 per acre, with scheduled increases every five years. By tying this change to a companion bill, the measure ensures that forestland in these economic development areas receives the same tax relief as land in Renaissance zones. If enacted, the exemption applies only for the duration and to the extent specified by the existing HOPE zone act.

Maddy summaryHB 5853 requires cities in Michigan that impose an income tax to allow residents and businesses in designated Renaissance or HOPE zones to claim a tax deduction. The bill mandates that city income tax ordinances be updated to let qualified taxpayers subtract specific amounts of income earned within these zones, including wages, capital gains, and lottery winnings. This change directly affects individuals and businesses operating in areas officially recognized for economic revitalization, providing them with a financial incentive tied to their location. By amending state law, the bill ensures that local tax rules align with existing state-level incentives for these designated zones.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends Michigan's Commercial Rehabilitation Act to clarify how the commercial rehabilitation tax is calculated for specific types of properties. It establishes that owners of qualified facilities must pay an annual tax based on their property's taxable value, with funds distributed to the state, local governments, and school districts in the same proportions as regular property taxes. A key provision exempts properties located in designated Renaissance or HOPE zones from this tax, provided they meet the requirements of those specific economic development programs. Additionally, the bill includes a special calculation method for retail food establishments that received their exemption certificates before December 31, 2009. The legislation is tied to two other bills, meaning it will only take effect if those companion bills are also enacted into law.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends Michigan's tax collection laws to clarify how the state treasurer can request information from other government agencies and to limit the ability of tax officials to reduce outstanding tax debts. It specifically prohibits the state from compromising or reducing the principal amount of taxes owed, though it still allows for the negotiation of interest and penalties. The legislation also outlines strict rules regarding when tax officials can share taxpayer data with other departments or outside entities, including specific exceptions for HOPE zone programs. By tightening these confidentiality and collection procedures, the bill aims to standardize how the state enforces tax obligations and manages sensitive financial records.

Maddy summaryThis bill modifies Michigan's Enterprise Zone Act to clarify tax exemptions for properties located in Renaissance or HOPE zones, ensuring these areas receive specific tax relief. It explicitly states that casinos and their associated facilities, such as hotels and retail stores, are excluded from these exemptions. The legislation also outlines how any remaining specific taxes not covered by the exemption must be distributed among the local taxing units that originally imposed them. This change is contingent upon the passage of two related companion bills, HB 5852 and HB 5856, before it can take effect.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends Michigan's Tax Increment Financing (TIF) Act to update definitions and clarify how property values are calculated for downtown development projects. It specifically changes the definition of "captured assessed value" to exclude properties within HOPE zones that are already exempt from property taxes, ensuring these areas are not double-counted in financial projections. Additionally, the legislation refines the definition of "catalyst development project" to require a minimum of $300 million in capital investment for projects in municipalities with populations over 600,000. These changes directly affect local governments, development authorities, and private entities involved in financing and managing urban redevelopment initiatives.

Maddy summaryThis bill updates Michigan's Brownfield Redevelopment Financing Act to create a new process for "transformational brownfield plans" that can include multiple related projects across different properties. It requires these plans to provide detailed financial estimates and outlines how various tax capture revenues, such as sales and income taxes, must be used exclusively to fund eligible redevelopment costs. The legislation also mandates specific approval steps involving the local governing body and the Michigan Strategic Fund, ensuring that tax revenues are legally binding and only collected until the project's costs are fully covered.

Maddy summaryThis bill (HB 4599) amends Michigan's criminal code to address gift card fraud by adding Section 3a to existing statutes (MCL 752.1081-752.1087). It directly affects individuals who commit gift card fraud, such as stealing or selling stolen gift card numbers. The bill creates specific criminal penalties for these offenses but does not provide details on the exact penalties or scope in the given context. The bill passed the House on September 9, 2025, with strong support, and was referred to the Civil Rights, Judiciary, and Public Safety Committee. The context provided does not include the specific provisions or who is affected beyond the general fraud focus.

Maddy summaryHB 4598 expands Michigan's Organized Retail Crime Act to specifically address new tactics used in theft. It adds provisions criminalizing the acquisition, alteration, or use of stolen gift cards (subsections i(i)-(iii)), fraudulent wireless device purchases (subsections h), and manipulating fire exit alarms (subsections g) as organized retail crime. The bill makes these acts felonies punishable by up to 5 years in prison, $5,000 fines, or both, and requires offenders to pay restitution to retailers and forfeit stolen merchandise. This directly affects retailers (through enhanced protections) and individuals committing these expanded theft methods, while clarifying that property representation as stolen is sufficient for prosecution.

Maddy summaryThis bill proposes the creation of a select committee to investigate the Interlochen Center for the Arts and its connection to Jeffrey Epstein. The committee would be tasked with examining the relationship between the arts center and the individual, potentially leading to further inquiries or recommendations. The measure is currently under consideration by the Michigan House of Representatives and has been referred to the Committee on Government Operations.