Rep. Tonya Phillips

Maddy summaryHB 5394 requires Michigan's unemployment insurance agency to automatically waive repayment of benefits improperly paid due to the agency's own administrative or clerical errors, rather than requiring claimants to seek a waiver through a separate process. This applies specifically when overpayments result from the agency's mistakes (e.g., data entry errors), excluding cases involving fraud, identity theft, or intentional misrepresentation by claimants. The bill ensures claimants affected by such agency errors do not face repayment demands or interest, streamlining relief for those who received benefits due to the state's administrative errors. It does not change eligibility rules or apply to overpayments caused by claimant error or fraud.

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 5391 changes Michigan's unemployment benefits recovery rules by limiting the time the state can seek repayment of improperly paid benefits. It prohibits the unemployment agency from recovering benefits more than one year after the claimant receives the payment, affecting most unemployed Michiganders who received benefits by mistake. Exceptions include cases involving suspected identity fraud (where recovery may still be pursued) or intentional fraud (where no time limit applies). The bill also maintains existing hardship waiver options for repayment if recovery would be unfair due to financial hardship or administrative errors.

Maddy summaryHB 5366 requires real estate wholesalers to provide mandatory disclosures to buyers when transferring purchase agreements. It defines "assignment fee" as the payment for such transfers and mandates clear disclosure of these fees to buyers before closing. The bill directly affects real estate wholesalers and brokers who facilitate these transactions, ensuring buyers understand all financial terms upfront. This change aims to increase transparency in real estate wholesaling without altering licensing requirements.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends Michigan's property recording rules to standardize formatting and privacy requirements for deeds, mortgages, and other property transfers recorded with county registers of deeds. Key changes include requiring documents to be printed on 20-pound white paper in 10-point font with clear addresses, obscuring the first five digits of Social Security numbers after specified dates, and mandating legible signatures with printed names beneath them. These rules apply to anyone submitting property documents for recording, ensuring consistent formatting and reducing privacy risks. The bill focuses on procedural clarity rather than substantive policy changes to property transactions.

Maddy summaryHB 5373 would limit how much mass entertainment venues (like stadiums, arenas, and concert halls) can charge for bottled water. It amends Michigan's Consumer Protection Act by adding a new provision (Section 3j) requiring venues to set a specific price cap on bottled water sold at these locations. This directly affects consumers purchasing bottled water at large events, ensuring they aren't charged excessive prices. The bill establishes a clear price limit for bottled water sales, aiming to protect consumers from inflated costs during events.

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 5365, the "SFR Tax and Economics Act," imposes a surtax on large investors (entities owning 50+ single-family homes) for acquiring, selling, or holding properties. It requires certified entities (like community land trusts or MSHDA-approved groups) to implement 15-year affordability covenants limiting rent/sale prices to 30-80% of local median income. The bill affects large real estate investors and entities receiving state benefits related to single-family homes, mandating reporting and compliance. Proceeds from surtaxes fund affordable housing initiatives, while exemptions apply to qualifying "mission buyers" like public housing agencies.

Maddy summaryHB 5355, the "Michigan Fair Chance Access to Housing Act," prohibits landlords from requiring or considering an applicant's criminal record during initial rental screening. Landlords must issue a conditional offer after checking income, credit, or rental history, then may only consider specific serious offenses (like arson, human trafficking, or sex offenses requiring registration) or recent felonies within 3 years after a conditional offer is made. Landlords must disclose if they consider criminal records and allow applicants to submit evidence of rehabilitation or mitigating factors before denying housing. This bill directly affects landlords across Michigan and rental applicants with criminal records, aiming to reduce barriers to housing based solely on past convictions.