Rep. Sharon MacDonell

Maddy summaryHB 5396 eliminates a sales tax exemption for data center equipment in Michigan. The bill repeals Section 4ee of the General Sales Tax Act (MCL 205.54ee), which previously allowed data centers to avoid paying the standard 4% sales tax on equipment purchases. This change directly affects data center businesses operating in Michigan, requiring them to pay sales tax on qualifying equipment starting when the bill takes effect. The policy change removes a specific tax break, aligning data center equipment purchases with standard sales tax rules.

Maddy summaryHB 5398 amends Michigan's General Property Tax Act to remove a tax exemption for data centers located in Renaissance Zones. Specifically, it eliminates the exemption previously available for "eligible data center property" in zones approved by the Michigan Strategic Fund in 2016 with at least $100 million in investment. This change directly affects data center operators in designated Renaissance Zones who previously qualified for reduced property taxes. The bill updates Section 7ff of the tax act to reflect this repeal, ensuring data centers no longer receive the tax break.

Maddy summaryHB 5389 modifies how Michigan manages state funds for specific projects (called "work projects"). It requires that such projects must have a clear purpose, specific plan, estimated cost, and completion date to qualify. The bill also changes the timeframe for unused funds to expire (48 months after the fiscal year ends) and gives the director authority to propose lapsing project accounts, but requires both legislative committees to disapprove such proposals within 30 days. Additionally, it mandates annual reports to committees detailing all active work project accounts, their balances, and any funds that lapsed.

Maddy summaryHB 5390 modifies Michigan's budget law to clarify rules for "work project" appropriations, which are funds designated for specific, time-bound projects. It requires all work projects to meet four criteria: a specific purpose, a clear plan, an estimated cost, and a completion date. The bill strengthens legislative oversight by allowing appropriations committees to disapprove the director's decisions to lapse funds or designate new work projects, requiring a two-thirds vote and committee hearings within 30 days. This affects state agencies managing project funds and legislative committees responsible for budget review.

Maddy summaryHB 5393 amends Michigan's unemployment benefits law to change how overpaid benefits are recovered. It requires the unemployment agency to issue a repayment demand within 3 years of a final determination about overpayment, and prohibits recovery actions after that deadline (except for suspected identity fraud). The bill creates specific waiver conditions where repayment may be forgiven, including cases of agency errors, low household income (below 150% of federal poverty guidelines), or unintentional wage reporting mistakes by employers. This directly affects unemployed Michiganders who received incorrect benefits, ensuring they aren't required to repay overpayments after the 3-year window unless fraud is involved.

Maddy summaryHB 5374 requires that workers on specific broadband service projects in Michigan be paid prevailing wages and fringe benefits, as defined by state labor law. This applies to broadband developers constructing, maintaining, or expanding infrastructure (like fiber optic lines) for new projects funded by state or local governments, but excludes projects receiving federal funding under the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act or the Coronavirus Capital Projects Fund. The bill amends Michigan’s existing prevailing wage law to explicitly include broadband service projects under the same wage standards as other state-funded construction work. It defines key terms like "broadband service project" and clarifies which federal programs are exempt from these requirements.

Maddy summaryHB 5357, the "Age-Appropriate Design Code Act," requires businesses meeting specific thresholds (e.g., $25 million+ annual revenue or handling data of 50,000+ consumers) to design online services, products, or features accessed by known minors (under 18) with privacy and safety as defaults. It prohibits "dark patterns" that manipulate user choices, bans collecting precise geolocation data without consent, and mandates age-appropriate settings for minors. The law applies to businesses operating in Michigan that process personal information of minors, creating civil penalties for violations. It establishes a fund to support enforcement and defines key terms like "known minor" and "business" to clarify compliance requirements.

Maddy summaryThis resolution (HR 227) urges the U.S. House of Representatives to investigate allegations that Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth authorized military actions in the Caribbean Sea that killed at least one unarmed civilian fisherman, with no public evidence the individual was a combatant. If evidence supports these allegations, it calls for the House to introduce and adopt articles of impeachment against Hegseth for potential violations of federal law, international humanitarian law, and the Constitution. The resolution references the War Powers Resolution, the War Crimes Act, and the Geneva Conventions to frame the alleged misconduct. It does not create new law but formally requests the House take specific action. (Procedural resolution; summary limited to 2 sentences as instructed.)