Rep. Morgan Foreman

Maddy summaryThis bill proposes changes to how Michigan manages its economic stabilization fund by adjusting the rules for transferring money into and out of the fund based on state revenue growth rates. It requires that if revenue growth exceeds 2 percent, the excess amount must be moved into the stabilization fund, while limiting withdrawals to 25 percent of the fund balance when revenue growth is negative. Additionally, the bill subjects the fund to specific provisions of the motor fuel tax act, ensuring that any transfers are consistent with existing tax laws. The legislation is tied to a companion bill and will not take effect unless both are passed by the legislature.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends the Michigan Motor Fuel Tax Act to establish a temporary gas tax holiday that activates if the statewide average price of gasoline reaches $5.00 per gallon before the end of 2026. Under this provision, the tax rate would drop to zero cents per gallon for a three-month period, with the lost revenue automatically transferred from a state stabilization fund to the Michigan Transportation Fund. The legislation also updates the general tax rate structure to include annual adjustments based on inflation or a fixed 5% increase, whichever is lower, while maintaining specific rates for fuel held in storage as of the end of 2025. Additionally, the bill clarifies reporting requirements for fuel suppliers and terminals to ensure accurate tracking of blended products and tax liabilities.

Maddy summaryHB 6145 requires school districts and intermediate school districts in Michigan to develop and submit five-year capital outlay plans for facility improvements, including new construction and renovations. These plans must be submitted electronically by November each year and will be evaluated based on factors such as safety needs, occupancy rates, sustainability, and projected operating costs. The bill allows districts to opt into this process, which involves a review by the Department of Treasury and the Joint Committee on Oversight Services before any funding is authorized for final design and construction. By establishing these specific criteria and timelines, the legislation aims to bring greater transparency and oversight to how public school districts plan and request funds for building projects.

Maddy summaryThis proposed constitutional amendment requires Michigan's legislature to pass the annual school aid budget bill by July 1 each year. To ensure transparency and accountability, the bill must be publicly available on the legislature's website for at least seven days before a vote, and any amendments must be posted for 24 hours. If the deadline is missed, the salaries of the governor, the Senate majority leader, and the House speaker will be withheld until the bill is enacted.

Maddy summaryThis bill allows the state treasurer to provide interest-free loans to school districts and intermediate school districts if the state budget is not passed by October 1. Under the new rules, a district can borrow an amount equal to what it received from the school aid fund in the previous year for a period of up to one year. The state treasurer retains the authority to set additional terms for these loans, which are intended to help districts manage cash flow during budget delays.

Maddy summaryHB 6131 amends state law to clarify the process public utilities must follow when requesting rate increases, ensuring they provide the Public Service Commission with specific evidence supporting their financial projections. The bill mandates that utilities coordinate with commission staff to avoid overlapping filings and requires the commission to notify interested parties and hold hearings before approving any changes that raise costs for customers. It also establishes strict timelines for the commission to review applications and grants utilities the ability to implement temporary rate increases while awaiting a final decision, provided they refund any excess amounts collected with interest if the final order is lower. Additionally, the legislation maintains existing protections against automatic fuel cost adjustments without proper notice and hearing, reinforcing the requirement for transparency in utility rate-making.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires anyone applying for a building permit for a data center in Michigan to submit a detailed acoustic engineering report. The report must include measurements of current noise levels, projections of construction and operational noise, and a comparison of these levels against local rules or national standards. An enforcing agency cannot issue the permit until this report is provided and shared with the Michigan Public Service Commission and the local government. The law only takes effect if several other related bills are also passed.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends Michigan's zoning enabling act to explicitly include the Data Center Community Benefit Agreement Act as a law that local zoning ordinances must follow. By adding this requirement to the list of existing state laws, the measure ensures that municipalities cannot create zoning rules that conflict with community benefit agreements for data center projects. The legislation also clarifies that local governments cannot regulate oil and gas drilling operations and establishes specific criteria for evaluating mining activities based on factors like safety, traffic, and public interest. Additionally, it protects renewable energy projects approved after January 1, 2021, from having their special land use approvals revoked once substantial construction or financial investment has begun.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires electric utilities in Michigan to include project labor agreements or collective bargaining agreements for all construction and maintenance work on qualified data centers. A project labor agreement is a pre-hire contract that sets standard employment terms, prevents strikes, and ensures labor-management cooperation for specific construction projects. The measure applies to facilities designed to house data center equipment for storing and processing information. The legislation will only take effect if several related bills are also passed into law.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires data centers in Michigan to sign legally binding community benefit agreements before they can begin construction or operation. To get approval, data center owners must negotiate deals with local governments and utility providers that address issues like hiring local workers, managing water usage, and funding community projects. The law mandates that these agreements cover at least half of five specific topics, including infrastructure costs and home efficiency improvements, and they must be approved by both the local government and the state public service commission. Without these signed agreements, local authorities cannot issue necessary permits, and the state commission cannot approve the facility's connection to the power grid. This legislation applies to any facility designed to house equipment for storing and processing data within the state.