Rep. Jennifer Wortz

Maddy summaryMichigan House Bill 6310 amends state watercraft laws to allow local governments to request temporary "no wake" or reduced speed zones year-round, rather than limiting these orders to the summer season. The bill permits county emergency management coordinators or sheriffs to establish these temporary limits for up to 14 days at a time to protect life and property during emergencies, with fines capped at $500 for repeat violations. It also clarifies that vessel operators must maintain slow speeds within 100 feet of shorelines where water depth is less than three feet, while allowing the governor to impose restricted wake zones during declared state disasters.

Maddy summaryMichigan House Bill 6315 amends the state's employment security act to clarify the powers of the unemployment insurance agency when investigating employers. The primary provision prohibits the agency from requiring an employing unit to provide books, records, or papers in a different format than how they currently exist, effectively limiting administrative burdens on businesses. Additionally, the bill makes various technical and stylistic edits to existing sections regarding subpoenas, witness testimony, and court enforcement procedures to improve clarity without changing their substantive legal effect.

Maddy summaryMichigan House Bill 6316 requires the state unemployment insurance agency to electronically access databases from various state and federal departments, including health, corrections, and social security agencies. The bill mandates that agency representatives verify a claimant's job status, incarceration status, death records, identity, and income before issuing benefits and at regular intervals while benefits are active. To protect sensitive information, the legislation requires the implementation of strict data security measures such as encryption and access logging. Additionally, the agency must submit an annual report to legislative appropriations committees detailing detected fraud, estimated cost savings, and any challenges encountered during the implementation process.

Maddy summaryThis bill designates euchre as the official game of the state of Michigan. It creates a new act to formally establish this title in state law. The legislation does not impose any regulations or restrictions on how the game is played, but rather serves as a symbolic designation for the state.

Maddy summaryMichigan House Bill 6314 updates the state's unemployment security laws to explicitly include digital and electronic fraud in its definition of conspiracy. The bill targets employers, employees, and third parties who knowingly use stolen personal information or automated means to illegally obtain or withhold unemployment benefits. It establishes that offenders face financial penalties equal to three times the amount involved, along with potential imprisonment of up to five years or community service depending on the severity of the loss. These criminal sanctions apply even if the fraud is attempted but does not result in a final payment, and they remain enforceable regardless of whether the individual later repays the funds or self-reports the violation.

Maddy summaryMichigan House Bill 6281 amends the Motor Fuels Quality Act to update regulations for gasoline and diesel fuel sold in the state. The bill directs the director of the Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy to establish specific standards for fuel purity, additives, and octane ratings, while mandating a vapor pressure limit of 9.0 psi for most retail outlets during the summer months from June 1 to September 15. It also clarifies that certain counties with stricter air quality requirements must continue using lower vapor pressure fuels of 7.0 or 7.8 psi unless federal and state agencies determine those standards are no longer necessary. Additionally, the legislation permits the year-round sale of E15 fuel, which contains 10.5% to 15% ethanol, provided that dispensing pumps are clearly labeled in accordance with federal law.

Maddy summaryMichigan House Bill 6313 requires the state unemployment insurance agency to submit an annual report to the governor and legislative leaders regarding shared-work plans. The report must include specific data on the number of approved plans, participating employers and employees, and total compensation paid. A key addition is the requirement to disclose the benefit error rate for these claims, which includes improper, overpayment, and underpayment rates. This reporting must align with federal standards and may also detail statewide trends and corrective actions taken by the agency.

Maddy summaryMichigan House Bill 6312 requires the state unemployment insurance agency to maintain digital copies of claimants' original applications and certifications for at least seven years, with each file including a time stamp indicating when it was received. The bill allows these records to be accessed by the claimant, their representative, the auditor general, or legislators specifically for administrative hearings, audits, or legislative oversight. To protect privacy, the digital images must be stored securely using encryption and access restrictions in line with state data security standards. Additionally, the agency must perform an annual audit of this retention system and report the results to legislative leadership, facing a $5,000 monthly fine if it fails to comply with these requirements.

Maddy summaryMichigan House Bill 6311 amends the state's unemployment insurance laws to establish specific deadlines and content requirements for notifying claimants and employers about benefit determinations. The bill mandates that the unemployment agency must notify affected parties within 14 days of a decision, providing details on the reasons for the ruling, the facts relied upon, and instructions for filing an appeal. It also allows for electronic delivery of these notices if the claimant has consented or used the agency's online portal, while requiring mailed copies if electronic delivery fails. Additionally, the legislation requires the agency to send written notifications regarding claimant rights and responsibilities within two weeks and six months after initial benefit payments are issued.

Maddy summaryMichigan House Bill 6309 designates a specific section of highway M-86 in Branch County as the "Casey Rice Memorial Highway." The named portion begins at the intersection with US-12 and extends west to Arbogast Road. This bill amends the state's memorial highway act to formally recognize this stretch of road, serving as a tribute to Casey Rice.