Maddy summarySB 1135 allows certain law enforcement officers who were first hired after a specific date and currently participate in the state employees' retirement system to purchase service credit for their previous work. This provision applies to officers covered under sections 4(1)(b), (d), and (f) of the State Police Retirement Act, enabling them to count prior state employee service toward their law enforcement retirement benefits. To receive this credit, members must pay an amount equal to the actuarial value of that service, which can be done through tax-deferred or additional payments. The bill sets a deadline of October 15, 2027, for initiating these purchases and requires that payment be completed within four years of starting the process.
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Maddy summaryMichigan Senate Bill 1136 amends state law to cap the amount public employers can spend on employee health insurance, introducing new fixed dollar limits for single, couple, and family coverage starting in 2027. The bill also reverses a previous provision that allowed employers to pay no more than 80% of total medical costs, instead mandating that they pay at least 80% of those expenses beginning in the same year. These new financial caps are adjusted annually based on changes in Michigan health insurance rates or a minimum 3% increase, whichever is higher. Existing collective bargaining agreements that conflict with these limits are exempt until their current terms expire or are renegotiated.
Maddy summarySB 1047 creates a new rate class for large energy users, specifically targeting data centers, to ensure they do not shift costs to residential and small business customers. The bill requires these facilities to sign long-term contracts with electric utilities that include a minimum monthly charge based on their potential usage, even if they consume less power. Additionally, the legislation mandates that large energy users pay for all costs they cause, such as new power lines and generation, and must provide collateral or a letter of credit to guarantee these payments. To further protect the grid, the bill also requires these facilities to participate in demand response programs, source 90% of their electricity from clean energy, and pay a significant application fee.
Maddy summarySB 1051 amends the Michigan Zoning Enabling Act to explicitly include the Data Center Community Benefit Act as a governing standard for local zoning ordinances, ensuring that zoning decisions for data centers must comply with community benefit requirements. The bill also clarifies that counties and townships cannot regulate the drilling or operation of oil and gas wells, while modifying rules for mining valuable natural resources by placing the initial burden of proof on those challenging a zoning decision. Additionally, it protects renewable energy projects that received special land use approval after January 1, 2021, from having their approvals revoked if substantial construction or specific financial expenditures have occurred. This legislation is tied to SB 1050, meaning it will only take effect if that companion bill is also enacted into law.
Maddy summaryThis bill requires data centers in Michigan to sign community benefit agreements before they can begin construction or operation. These agreements are legal contracts between the data center owner or operator and local governments or community stakeholders that mandate the provision of specific resources to benefit the local area. Local governments must review and approve these agreements within 90 days, and they can deny necessary permits if such an agreement has not been finalized. The legislation aims to ensure that data center projects provide tangible benefits to public health, safety, and general welfare in the communities where they are built.
Maddy summaryThis bill updates Michigan's water laws to streamline the registration process for large-scale water withdrawals while introducing new requirements for water conservation and reporting. It primarily affects property owners, agricultural operators, and industrial facilities that plan to extract significant amounts of water, requiring them to register their intended capacity before beginning operations. The legislation mandates that the state develop and post generic water conservation measures for different sectors, with specific rules for agriculture and data centers, and requires facilities permitted under new provisions to submit annual reports on wastewater usage and pollutant levels. Additionally, the bill clarifies exemptions for smaller residential wells and test wells, while establishing a timeline for property owners to develop their water capacity after registration or face invalidation of their application.
Maddy summaryThis bill requires electric utilities in Michigan to include specific labor conditions in contracts for building or maintaining data centers. Under the new rules, these projects must use registered apprenticeship programs, pay workers at least the prevailing local wage and fringe benefit rates, and utilize project labor agreements or collective bargaining agreements. The legislation defines data centers as facilities housing equipment for data storage and processing and aims to ensure fair labor standards for construction work without speculating on future economic impacts.
Maddy summaryThis bill, known as the Data Center Nondisclosure Agreement Prohibition Act, prevents public employees and officers in Michigan from signing nondisclosure agreements related to data center projects. It defines a data center as a facility with significant power demand and restricts these officials from using confidentiality claims to hide information from the public. The law applies to agreements entered into, amended, or renewed after its effective date, though it allows exceptions for legally privileged information or settlement documents. Violations of this rule could result in a civil fine of up to $1,000, which can be pursued by county prosecutors or the attorney general.
Maddy summaryThis bill prohibits insurance companies in Michigan from using price optimization techniques when setting rates. It defines price optimization as adjusting premiums based on factors unrelated to risk, such as a customer's willingness to pay or their likelihood of switching providers. The law also bans insurers from penalizing customers for shopping around, canceling policies early, or complaining about their coverage. By outlawing these practices, the bill aims to ensure that insurance rates are determined solely by the risk of loss or expense rather than a consumer's financial behavior.
Maddy summaryThis bill updates Michigan's Medicaid False Claims Act to clarify what counts as an illegal kickback or bribe in the medical services sector. It maintains the existing rule that offering or receiving payments to refer patients for services is a felony punishable by up to four years in prison or a fine of $30,000. The legislation adds a specific exemption stating that "model arrangements" and "model patient incentives" approved by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services are not considered illegal kickbacks. This change aims to provide legal clarity for healthcare providers participating in federal-approved incentive programs while preserving penalties for other forms of improper referral payments.