Rep. Morgan Foreman

Maddy summaryHB 5594 creates a temporary moratorium on new data center development in Michigan, prohibiting local governments and the state Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy from approving site plans, permits, or licenses for new data centers from its effective date until April 1, 2027. It also bans any person from beginning operation of a new data center during this period. Violations of the operation ban carry daily civil fines of up to $1,000, enforceable by county prosecutors or the Attorney General. The bill directly affects data center developers, operators, and related businesses seeking to establish new facilities in Michigan during the moratorium. Note: This bill requires companion legislation (HB 5596) to take effect.

Maddy summaryHB 5591 updates Michigan's Public Health Code to establish licensing requirements for freestanding hyperbaric oxygen therapy facilities (which treat conditions like non-healing wounds using pressurized oxygen). It directly affects these specialized facilities by requiring them to be accredited by approved organizations (like The Joint Commission), appoint a medical director licensed as a physician or nurse practitioner, and designate a safety coordinator. Key provisions include defining terms like "qualified health professional" and mandating compliance with NFPA 99 fire safety standards. The bill does not change patient access but sets new operational standards for facility operators. (Note: This bill is pending and requires companion bills HB 5590-5593 to take effect.)

Maddy summaryHB 5590 requires freestanding hyperbaric oxygen therapy facilities (which use pressurized oxygen chambers for medical treatment) to obtain state licensure. It directly affects facility owners, operators, medical directors, and safety coordinators by mandating specific qualifications, safety protocols (like NFPA 99 compliance), and accreditation standards. Facilities must publicly display licenses, accreditation, FDA-approved treatment indications, and safety rules, and provide patients with written information about risks, benefits, and insurance coverage limitations. The bill also requires facilities to document compliance with safety standards and patient consent forms detailing FDA-approved uses.

Maddy summaryHB 5595 imposes a moratorium on Michigan's Public Service Commission approving new energy contracts for data centers. It prohibits the commission from approving any contract, tariff, discount, or rate between electric utilities and "qualified data centers" (defined as facilities housing equipment for centralized data storage and processing) from its effective date until April 1, 2027. This directly affects electric utilities and developers planning new large-scale data center projects in Michigan. The bill adds Section 10ii to the state's utility law, halting regulatory approvals for these energy agreements during the specified moratorium period.

Maddy summaryHB 5593 creates a dedicated "hyperbaric oxygen therapy inspection fund" in the state treasury to cover costs for inspecting freestanding specialized oxygen therapy facilities. The fund is financed solely by licensing fees paid by these facilities, and the state Department of Health administers it to ensure inspections occur. Money from the fund can only be used for inspecting such facilities under the Public Health Code, with no other purposes allowed. This bill directly affects facility operators (through fees) and state health inspectors (through funding), with no broader policy changes beyond this specific inspection mechanism.

Maddy summaryHB 5586 creates a new "Office of Community Violence Intervention and Prevention Services" within Michigan's Department of Health and Human Services. The office will administer grants to community-based nonprofits, track violence trends, set statewide goals to reduce shootings and homicides, and coordinate all state violence prevention efforts. It directly affects local governments, community organizations receiving grants, and state agencies managing the program. The bill establishes concrete requirements for data collection, technical assistance, and annual reporting to measure progress toward reducing community violence.

Maddy summaryHB 5579, the "Responsible Artificial Intelligence Security for Employees Act," prohibits most employers from using automated decisions tools (like AI for hiring) or electronic monitoring tools (like tracking software) for employment decisions affecting employees or job applicants. Employers may only use these tools for specific, limited purposes, such as screening large applicant volumes for job skills or monitoring essential work functions, safety, or compliance. The bill requires employers to obtain written consent from workers, provide clear notice of monitoring, ensure data accuracy, and use tools in the least invasive way possible. It directly affects all Michigan employers and their employees/applicants, creating new rules for technology use in the workplace.

Maddy summaryHB 5587 creates a state grant program to fund community-based violence prevention initiatives in areas with high homicide rates. It establishes a "community violence intervention and prevention fund" to award grants to eligible local governments (e.g., cities or counties with 35+ homicides in 2 of 3 years) or community nonprofits with proven experience addressing violence. Grants must support evidence-based strategies focused on trauma care, economic opportunities, and reducing violence without increasing incarceration, with at least 75% of funds directed to community organizations - not law enforcement. The program requires grantees to report on outcomes and coordinate with other violence prevention efforts, and mandates annual reports on best practices from the administering office.

Maddy summaryHB 5524 creates a program to provide financial assistance to Michigan businesses that suffer revenue losses due to unexpected street closures or road construction projects extending beyond their scheduled end dates. The bill establishes a "road construction business loss reimbursement program" that offers grants covering up to $15,000 annually per business, based on a three-year average of lost revenue. To qualify, businesses must demonstrate a significant revenue decline directly tied to construction, and applications must be reviewed within 120 days using criteria like revenue decline rate, construction duration, and traffic disruption severity. The program requires the state transportation department to annually report grant usage details - including approved/rejected applications and project statuses - to relevant legislative committees.

Maddy summaryHR 240 is a resolution urging Michigan to pause state tax breaks and subsidies for new data center construction for one year. It directs state agencies to review the fiscal costs, electricity grid impacts, water use, environmental effects, and local governance concerns related to data center development, requiring reports within 12 months. The resolution also tasks specific House committees with examining local zoning, community input, and worker hiring practices for these projects. This applies directly to data center developers seeking state incentives and state agencies managing economic development programs.