Rep. Matt Longjohn

Maddy summaryThis bill creates the Helping Opportunity Prosper Everywhere (HOPE) Zone Act to support economic development and neighborhood revitalization in impoverished areas of Michigan. It establishes a process for designating specific neighborhoods as HOPE zones based on income levels or poverty rates, which then qualify for tax deductions, credits, and exemptions for participating businesses. A key feature of the act is a "withholding tax capture" mechanism that allows businesses operating within these zones to contribute income tax withheld from employee wages to a dedicated fund, which is intended to support workforce development programs and local community initiatives. The legislation also defines the roles of various organizations, such as qualified neighborhood associations and workforce development groups, in managing these zones and distributing funds.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends Michigan's Technology Park Development Act to exempt facilities located in HOPE zones from the technology park facilities tax. The exemption applies for the same duration and to the same extent as existing exemptions provided under the Helping Opportunity Prosper Everywhere (HOPE) Zone Act. The legislation is tied to companion bills that must also be enacted for this change to take effect.

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 proposes to increase the number of judges available in Kalamazoo County by adding one new position to both the circuit court and the district court. The changes would take effect on January 1, 2025, for the circuit court and January 1, 2027, for the district court, allowing the courts to handle more cases with additional judicial staff. By amending existing state laws, the legislation directly impacts the judicial structure of the ninth judicial circuit and the eighth district within Kalamazoo County.

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.