Maddy summaryThis bill amends Michigan's Natural Resources and Environmental Protection Act to establish a refund system for permit applicants if the state department fails to approve or deny their applications within the statutory deadline. Under the new provisions, the department must pay applicants 15% of the application fee or the first periodic charge if processing delays occur, except in specific cases where the application is automatically treated as approved. The legislation also clarifies rules for extending processing times, requires written decisions based on specific evidence and scientific principles, and mandates that the department notify legislative committees if it repeatedly misses processing deadlines. Additionally, the bill ensures that applicants facing delays due to departmental inaction cannot be discriminated against and must have their applications processed in the correct sequence.
Rep. Bill Schuette
Sponsored bills
Maddy summaryThis bill modifies the Michigan Natural Resources and Environmental Protection Act to establish specific time limits for state agencies to review and approve various environmental permits. It directly affects businesses and individuals applying for permits related to activities such as oil and gas drilling, mining, waste disposal, water use, and construction. The legislation defines a "processing period" with varying deadlines - ranging from 20 to 150 days depending on the permit type - and requires agencies to declare an application administratively complete within 30 days of receipt. By setting these clear timelines, the bill aims to create a more predictable and efficient approval process for environmental permits issued by the Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy.
Maddy summaryHB 5502 amends Michigan's wetland regulation law (MCL 324.30305) to clarify which activities in wetlands do not require state permits. It specifically allows farming, ranching, and agricultural drainage activities without permits, but only if they are part of an "established ongoing operation" (not new conversion of wetlands to farmland). The bill also adds detailed rules for minor drainage, farm roads, and utility line installation (e.g., directional drilling must keep lines at least 4 feet below soil). These changes directly affect farmers, landowners, and developers working in wetlands across Michigan.
Maddy summaryHB 5549 updates the Consumer Financial Services Act to align its references with the separate Money Transmission Services Modernization Act. It requires financial institutions applying for a license to provide money transmission services to file a surety bond in an amount matching the bond requirement for money transmission licensees under that separate law (Section 13(5)(b)). This change ensures consistency between the two laws regarding bond amounts for money transmission services, directly affecting institutions seeking such licenses in Michigan. The bill does not create new requirements but corrects internal references to avoid confusion in licensing rules.
Maddy summaryHB 5545 updates the Consumer Financial Services Act to correct outdated references to money transmission services. It revises Section 2 of the law to accurately include the Money Transmission Modernization Act and fix an error in the reference to the Money Transmission Services Act (2006 PA 250). This ensures Michigan's financial licensing definitions remain current and error-free for regulators and institutions. The bill does not change regulatory requirements for money transmitters but aligns legal references with existing statutes.
Maddy summaryHB 5544, the "Money Transmission Modernization Act," creates a new regulatory framework for money transmitters (such as digital payment apps and services) operating in Michigan. It replaces Michigan’s outdated 2006 money transmission laws, requiring these businesses to obtain state licenses, standardizing which activities need licensing, and establishing safety rules to protect customer funds. The bill also mandates that transmitters calculate their average daily money transmission liability and adhere to modernized requirements for financial crime prevention and regulatory coordination. This affects all money transmitters serving Michigan residents and the Department of Insurance and Financial Services, which will enforce the new rules.
Maddy summaryHB 5546 amends Michigan's Deferred Presentment Service Transactions Act to clarify which financial services fall under its regulation. It revises definitions to explicitly exclude certain loan types - like those regulated under the Consumer Financial Services Act, Mortgage Brokers Act, or Money Transmission Modernization Act - from being classified as "deferred presentment service transactions." This change ensures payday-style loans (where customers provide checks for cash with delayed repayment) remain governed by this specific law, while other licensed loans continue under separate regulations. The bill does not create new rules but updates references to align with current financial service laws.
Maddy summaryHB 5548 amends Michigan's Consumer Financial Services Act to update internal references related to money transmission services. It specifically clarifies the net worth requirement for applicants seeking licenses to provide money transmission services, maintaining a base requirement of $100,000 plus $25,000 for each location (or $1 million total, whichever is less). The bill does not change the actual financial requirements but ensures consistent terminology with Michigan's separate Money Transmission Services Act. This affects businesses applying for or holding licenses to operate money transmission services in Michigan.
Maddy summaryHB 5550 updates the Consumer Financial Services Act to correctly reference "money transmission services" as defined in the separate Money Transmission Services Act. It revises Section 10g of the act to align internal references with current definitions, ensuring consistency between laws. This is a technical correction affecting how the law cites money transmission services, not a change to enforcement rules or penalties. The bill does not alter existing prohibitions on fraud, money laundering, or licensing requirements. It takes effect January 1, 2026, pending passage of related legislation (HB 5544).
Maddy summaryHB 5547 revises Michigan's sentencing guidelines specifically for money transmission violations, which involve illegal activities like operating unlicensed money services. This bill directly affects individuals convicted of such offenses by updating the sentencing framework under existing law (MCL 777.14p). The key provision is amending the sentencing guidelines to reflect current legal standards for these violations, without creating new penalties. The bill focuses on procedural adjustments to the criminal code, not new policies or outcomes. (1 sentence for procedural bill)