Rep. Ann Bollin

Maddy summaryHB 5296 modifies Michigan's corporate income tax revenue distribution by removing the allocation to the "strategic outreach and attraction reserve fund" (which was repealed) and redirecting those funds to the "neighborhood roads fund" starting in the 2025-2026 fiscal year. The bill updates Section 695 of the Income Tax Act to reflect this change, specifying that after deposits to the general fund ($1.2 billion) and housing fund ($50 million), funds previously designated for the strategic reserve will instead go to the neighborhood roads fund (starting at $688 million in 2025-2026 and increasing annually through 2028-2029). This affects how corporate tax revenue is allocated to state programs, directly impacting the neighborhood roads fund's funding. The change applies to fiscal years beginning 2025-2026 and beyond, while other allocations (e.g., to housing and revitalization funds) remain unchanged.

Maddy summaryHB 5297 amends Michigan's Strategic Fund Act to remove references to three discontinued economic development programs: the Strategic Outreach and Attraction Reserve Fund, the Michigan Strategic Site Readiness Program, and the Critical Industry Program. The bill updates Section 9 of the act to eliminate reporting requirements for these programs in the fund's annual reports to the legislature and public. This change streamlines the fund's reporting process by removing outdated program references from the law. The amendment ensures the Strategic Fund's administrative requirements align with its current program structure.

Maddy summaryHB 5294 repeals specific sections of Michigan law that referenced the "Strategic Outreach and Attraction Reserve Fund" (created under Section 4 of the Michigan Trust Fund Act, 2000 PA 489) and related provisions in the Michigan Strategic Fund Act (1984 PA 270). This bill does not create or modify any funding programs - it only removes outdated legal references to these provisions. The repeal affects how the law formally describes these funds, but has no direct impact on current funding mechanisms or beneficiaries. As a procedural repeal, it simplifies the legal code by eliminating obsolete references.

Maddy summaryHB 5240 prohibits Michigan credit unions from denying, restricting, or canceling financial services to agriculture producers based on their greenhouse gas emissions, fertilizer use, or machinery type. It specifically targets credit unions that have made environmental, social, and governance (ESG) commitments, presuming such restrictions violate the law unless the credit union proves the decision was based solely on ordinary business reasons unrelated to ESG goals. Violations carry a civil fine of up to $10,000 per incident. The bill directly affects domestic credit unions and agriculture producers (defined as farm owners/operators under Michigan law), covering services like loans, deposits, and other financial products.

Maddy summaryHB 5241 prohibits Michigan state departments and agencies from entering contracts with businesses that boycott certain entities. Starting October 1, 2017, contracts for state building projects require a representation that the business is not boycotting "strategic partners" (as defined in the law). A new provision, effective January 1, 2026, extends this to ban contracts with businesses boycotting entities in conventional energy, mining, agriculture, timber, or firearms industries. The law directly affects state contractors by requiring written assurances they are not engaging in these boycotts.

Maddy summaryHB 5238 prohibits banks in Michigan from denying, restricting, or canceling financial services to agriculture producers based on their greenhouse gas emissions, fertilizer use, or machinery type. It specifically targets banks with environmental, social, and governance (ESG) commitments - like public statements or participation in green initiatives - by creating a presumption that such actions violate the law. Banks can rebut this presumption with clear evidence that the decision was based solely on ordinary business reasons unrelated to ESG goals. Violations could result in civil fines up to $10,000 per incident, covering services like loans, deposits, and financing. The bill directly affects Michigan farmers operating under the Right to Farm Act and aims to prevent financial discrimination tied to environmental practices.

Maddy summaryHB 5244 amends Michigan's Urban Cooperation Act to prohibit certain economic development agencies from jointly exercising powers with other public entities. Specifically, it blocks the Michigan Strategic Fund and other state agencies created for economic development (like regional development authorities) from entering into interlocal agreements for shared economic development activities. The bill targets Section 4(2) of the act, preventing these agencies from partnering with local governments, other states, or federal entities on projects like tax incentives, infrastructure, or business attraction. This change directly affects state economic development agencies and their ability to collaborate on initiatives under existing interlocal agreement rules.

Maddy summaryHB 5242 prohibits accrediting agencies from considering diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) policies, programs, or practices when making accreditation decisions for Michigan's public and private colleges and universities. The bill directly affects higher education institutions, accrediting agencies, and their students and employees by requiring accreditation decisions to focus solely on academic standards. Key provisions ban agencies from reviewing DEI-related information, collecting such data, or requiring diversity statements, with enforcement through lawsuits by students, employees, or the Attorney General. Violations could result in triple damages, attorney fees, and up to $1,000 per affected student in penalties.

Maddy summaryHB 5239 prohibits savings banks in Michigan from denying, restricting, or canceling financial services to agriculture producers based on their greenhouse gas emissions, fossil fuel fertilizer use, or fossil fuel-powered machinery. It directly affects savings banks (which must stop such restrictions) and agriculture producers (who gain protection from service denials tied to environmental factors). The bill creates a presumption of violation if a bank with an environmental/social commitment denies services, but allows banks to rebut this with evidence showing the decision was based solely on ordinary business reasons unrelated to environmental goals. Violations carry a civil fine of up to $10,000.

Maddy summaryHB 5237 prohibits Michigan public employee retirement systems from investing in environmental, social, and governance (ESG) funds unless those investments offer comparable financial returns to other options. The bill amends Section 13 of the Public Employee Retirement System Investment Act to require investment fiduciaries to consider *only* financial factors (like risk and return) when making decisions, explicitly excluding non-financial social, political, or ideological objectives. This directly affects retirement systems managing funds for state employees, including teachers and public workers, by restricting their ability to prioritize ESG criteria in investment choices. The key provision clarifies that ESG considerations cannot be used as a primary factor unless they demonstrably align with financial performance goals.