Rep. Matt Bierlein

Maddy summaryHB 5567 amends Michigan's Regulatory Loan Act to exempt earned wage access services from its regulations. Specifically, it adds a new exemption for businesses operating under a license issued by the earned wage access services act, meaning these services would no longer be treated as loans under the current law. This change would directly affect providers of earned wage access services (such as employers or third-party apps offering early wage access) by removing requirements like licensing under the Regulatory Loan Act. The bill's implementation is contingent on another related bill (HB 5558) being enacted.

Maddy summaryHB 5559 exempts licensed earned wage access services from Michigan's money transmission licensing requirements. It directly affects companies offering "earned wage access" services (like early paycheck access for workers), which are already regulated under a separate state law. The bill adds a specific exemption in the Money Transmission Services Act, stating that these providers are not subject to licensing if they operate under the existing earned wage access services act. This change simplifies regulatory compliance for these businesses without altering other money transmission rules.

Maddy summaryHB 5566 amends Michigan's Credit Reform Act to exempt businesses providing earned wage access services from being classified as "regulated lenders." This directly affects companies offering short-term advances on earned wages (like early paycheck access), removing them from certain financial regulations. The key provision adds a new definition in the law stating that "regulatory lender" does not include entities licensed under Michigan's Earned Wage Access Services Act. This change reduces regulatory burdens for these specific businesses by excluding them from the act's requirements for lenders.

Maddy summaryHB 5561 amends Michigan's Occupational Code to exempt licensed earned wage access services from standard collection agency regulations when collecting debts related to their core services. Specifically, it adds an explicit exemption in the definition of "collection agency" for businesses operating under the Earned Wage Access Services Act. This means these services no longer need separate collection agency licensing for debts tied to their earned wage access offerings. The bill directly affects businesses providing short-term wage access (like early paycheck access) that are already licensed under the Earned Wage Access Services Act. The exemption simplifies regulatory requirements for these specific providers without altering broader collection practices.

Maddy summaryHB 5562 amends Michigan's Consumer Financial Services Act to add the "Earned Wage Access Services Act" to the list of financial licensing acts requiring state regulation. This change directly affects companies offering earned wage access services (like apps allowing workers to access earned wages early), requiring them to obtain licenses under the same framework as other financial service providers. The bill modifies Section 2 of the act by explicitly including earned wage access services in the definition of "Financial licensing acts," aligning them with existing regulatory requirements. This is a definitional update without creating new rules or fees, ensuring these services fall under the state's financial licensing oversight.

Maddy summaryHB 5564 amends Michigan's garnishment law to clarify rules for withholding wages or salary (referred to as "periodic payments"). It requires plaintiffs to send regular payment statements to defendants and garnishees (like employers), sets strict deadlines for default judgments, and establishes a 28-day cure period for employers who miss garnishment requirements. The bill specifically excludes earned wage access services (like paycheck advance apps) from these garnishment rules, as noted in section 13(d). This update aims to streamline the process for all parties involved in wage garnishments while ensuring transparency and reducing errors.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends Michigan's property tax laws to clarify how disabled veterans and their surviving spouses qualify for tax exemptions on their homes. It establishes specific criteria for eligibility based on U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs ratings and outlines a streamlined process where exemptions granted after January 1, 2025, remain in effect without needing annual reapplication. The legislation also introduces an audit program to verify eligibility every three years and defines clear rules for prorating tax exemptions when property ownership changes during the year.

Maddy summaryHB 5302 creates a $5 million annual competitive grant program for recovery community organizations in Michigan to expand services for people seeking long-term recovery from substance use disorders. The bill requires the state to fund at least 19 certified local recovery groups and qualifying nonprofit associations, with each grant capped at $250,000 (or 50% of an organization’s operating budget). Priority goes to groups offering specific services like recovery navigation, workplace education, and wellness activities (e.g., support groups, nutrition programs). Grantees must report annually on fund usage, participant metrics, and budget details starting in 2027, with the program set to expire on October 1, 2031.

Maddy summaryHB 4303 designates May of each year as "Chaldean American Month" in Michigan to recognize the contributions of Chaldean, Assyrian, and Syriac Americans to the state and nation. The bill is purely symbolic, creating no new policies, funding, or obligations. It directly affects the Chaldean American community by formally honoring their cultural and historical contributions through this annual designation. The bill has advanced through committee stages but remains pending final legislative approval.

Maddy summaryThis bill proposes an amendment to the Michigan state constitution to permanently extend a property tax relief measure for homeowners who sell their primary residences. Currently, selling a home triggers a full reassessment of its value, which often leads to a significant spike in property taxes for the new owner; this change would allow the new owner to keep the lower taxable value established under the existing cap rules. The relief applies only to homes that are continuously owned and used as a principal residence, meaning the tax advantage ends if the property is sold for investment purposes or converted to a non-residential use. By removing the automatic reset of taxable value upon transfer, the bill aims to reduce the financial burden on families moving between primary homes.