This bill aims to prohibit foreign entities, particularly those from specific countries of concern like China, Russia, Iran, and others, from purchasing farmland in Michigan. The legislation establishes a comprehensive framework restricting foreign principals from acquiring agricultural land, with some narrow exceptions. Foreign entities that already own agricultural land on the effective date of the bill can maintain their current holdings but cannot purchase additional land. Exceptions to the prohibition include land acquired through inheritance (which must be sold within two years), land obtained through debt collection processes, and limited acquisitions for agricultural research and development (up to 350 acres). Foreign principals are required to register their existing agricultural land with the secretary of state within 60 days and provide detailed information about the property. If a foreign entity violates these restrictions, the attorney general can initiate legal action, potentially resulting in the land being declared escheated to the state and sold, with proceeds distributed according to a specific priority. The bill defines "foreign principal" broadly, including governments, political parties, and corporations from specified countries of concern, and imposes civil fines for non-compliance. Importantly, the bill does not invalidate land titles due to violations by previous owners, and its enforcement is limited solely to the entity acquiring the agricultural land.

MI HB4233

Protect Michigan Farmland Act

This bill amends the Michigan Business Tax Act to modify the business income tax rate and provide options for taxpayers with certain credits. Specifically, the bill changes the business income tax rate from 4.95% to 30% for all business activity occurring on or after January 1, 2025. For taxpayers with certificated credits who previously elected to file under the Michigan Business Tax Act, the bill now allows them to switch to filing under the Corporate Income Tax Act starting in tax years beginning after December 31, 2024. This means businesses with existing credits can choose to continue using those credits under the new tax structure. The bill also includes detailed provisions about how these changes will affect various types of taxpayers, including those with affordable housing projects, flow-through entities, and businesses with specific types of tax credits. The changes are part of a broader set of legislative bills that must all be enacted for this bill to take effect, indicating it is part of a comprehensive tax reform package.

HB4186

Michigan Business Tax Adjustment Act of 2025

This bill modifies the distribution of corporate income tax revenue in Michigan for different state fiscal years, with a focus on allocating funds to various state funds and infrastructure projects. From the 2022-2023 through 2024-2025 fiscal years, the bill directs corporate income tax revenue first to the general fund (up to $1.2 billion), then to the Michigan housing and community development fund (up to $50 million), next to the revitalization and placemaking fund (up to $50 million), and then to the strategic outreach and attraction reserve fund (up to $500 million), with any remaining balance going to the general fund. Beginning in the 2025-2026 fiscal year through 2029-2030, the bill mandates $50 million be deposited to the housing development fund, with up to $2.2 billion then distributed primarily to road-related agencies: 90% to local road agencies (split among neighborhood roads, county road commissions, and cities and villages) and 10% to the state trunk line fund. A similar distribution pattern continues from the 2030-2031 fiscal year onward, with slight percentage adjustments to the local road agency allocations. The bill also makes a minor grammatical change in the existing tax code, replacing "which" with "that" in one section. The bill is contingent on the passage of several related House Bills.

HB4187

Corporate Income Tax Revenue Allocation Act

This bill modifies the distribution of sales tax revenue in Michigan, making several key changes to how tax collections are allocated. The bill adjusts the distribution of the 4% sales tax, requiring that for fiscal years starting September 30, 2026, an additional $755 million will be deposited into the state school aid fund annually and $95 million will be distributed to cities, villages, and townships on a per capita basis. It maintains existing provisions for allocating sales tax revenue, including 15% distribution to local governments, 60% to the state school aid fund, and specific allocations for transportation and aviation-related funds. The bill also makes technical changes to how aviation fuel tax collections are reconciled and distributed, extending certain provisions through September 30, 2025. Additionally, the bill specifies that these changes will only take effect if a series of related House Bills (4180-4184, 4186-4187, and 4230) are also enacted into law. The modifications aim to provide more stable funding for local governments and education while maintaining the existing framework of sales tax revenue distribution.

HB4185

Sales Tax Allocation Reform Act

This bill amends the Michigan Use Tax Act to permanently exempt firearm safety devices from sales and use tax, removing the previous sunset date of December 31, 2024. The bill defines "firearm safety device" as equipment designed to prevent unauthorized access to or operation of a firearm, including devices that must be deactivated before a firearm can be used, and gun safes, cases, or lockboxes that can only be opened with a key, combination, or biometric data. Specifically excluded are display cabinets that are primarily designed to showcase firearms. Sellers of firearms are required to provide a written notice to purchasers and post a conspicuous sign informing customers that firearm safety devices are exempt from sales tax. Additionally, the bill includes an intent statement indicating that the legislature aims to appropriate sufficient funds from the state general fund to the state school aid fund to compensate for any revenue loss resulting from this tax exemption.

HB4026

Firearm Safety Device Tax Exemption Act

This bill introduces the "Nondisclosure Agreement Act" which prohibits members of the state legislature and their legislative staff from entering into nondisclosure agreements (NDAs) related to work performed in their official legislative capacity. Specifically, the bill establishes that starting from the act's effective date, legislators and their staff are banned from signing NDAs concerning their legislative work. Any nondisclosure agreement entered into in violation of this act would be considered legally void. The legislation applies to any NDA that is entered into, amended, extended, or renewed on or after the effective date of the act. Importantly, the bill includes a tie bar provision, meaning it will only take effect if a companion bill (Senate Bill No. S01306'25 or House Bill No. 4053) is also enacted into law. The goal of this legislation appears to be increasing transparency in legislative work by preventing lawmakers from keeping certain aspects of their official duties confidential through private agreements.

HB4052

Legislative NDAs Prohibition Act

This bill establishes a two-year post-office lobbying restriction for certain high-ranking executive branch officials in Michigan, specifically targeting former governors, lieutenant governors, and heads of principal state departments who take office on or after January 1, 2025. Under this legislation, these former officials are prohibited from engaging in lobbying activities that would require them to register as a lobbyist agent, which essentially means they cannot spend money on lobbying or receive compensation for lobbying-related expenses during the two years following their departure from office. The bill includes a penalty provision that makes violations a misdemeanor, with potential consequences of up to 90 days in jail, a fine of up to $1,000, or both. This law aims to prevent potential conflicts of interest and the improper use of insider knowledge or connections gained during public service by creating a "cooling off" period that limits former top-level executive branch officials' ability to immediately leverage their government experience for lobbying purposes.

HB4063

Executive Branch Ethics and Lobbying Restriction Act

This bill amends existing ethics legislation to prohibit state senators and representatives from receiving additional compensation for directly communicating with officials in the executive or legislative branches (at both state and other government levels) for the purpose of influencing legislative or administrative actions. Essentially, this means that Michigan state legislators cannot be paid by outside entities to lobby other government officials beyond their standard legislative salary. The bill establishes this prohibition as a new legal requirement, with violations classified as a misdemeanor that could result in up to 90 days of imprisonment, a fine of up to $1,000, or both. The provisions of this bill are set to take effect on January 1, 2026, giving lawmakers and stakeholders time to prepare for and understand the new restrictions. The goal appears to be preventing potential conflicts of interest and maintaining the integrity of legislative communication by ensuring that state representatives are not financially incentivized to influence government actions through external compensation.

HB4064

Legislative Integrity and Ethics Enhancement Act

This bill amends Michigan's existing earned sick time law to provide more comprehensive guidelines for employees' sick leave rights. The bill requires employers to provide earned sick time to employees, with different accrual rates for small businesses (10 or fewer employees) and larger employers. Small businesses must provide up to 40 hours of paid sick time per year, while other employers must provide up to 72 hours. Employees can use this time for various purposes, including personal or family medical care, dealing with domestic violence or sexual assault, attending school meetings related to a child's health or disability, and public health emergencies. The bill protects employees from retaliation for using earned sick time and requires employers to maintain confidentiality of employee medical and personal information. Employees can accrue sick time at a rate of 1 hour for every 30 hours worked, and unused time can carry over to the next year, with a maximum cap. The law applies to most employers and employees, with some exceptions for specific types of workers like government employees and unpaid interns. The bill also establishes enforcement mechanisms through the Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity, including the ability to investigate complaints and impose penalties for violations. The law is set to take effect on February 21, 2025, with some provisions phased in over time.

HB4002

Michigan Earned Sick Time Expansion Act

This bill modifies Michigan's Improved Workforce Opportunity Wage Act by establishing a progressive minimum wage structure that increases the state's hourly minimum wage to $12.48 in February 2025, $13.73 in January 2026, and $15.00 in January 2027. The bill introduces an annual inflation adjustment mechanism starting in October 2027, where the state treasurer will calculate minimum wage increases based on the Consumer Price Index, though this adjustment will not take effect if the state's unemployment rate is 8.5% or higher. For tipped employees, the bill establishes a graduated minimum wage rate that starts at 38% of the standard minimum wage in 2025 and incrementally increases to 50% by 2031, with specific conditions such as employees retaining their full gratuities and employers providing written consent. The legislation also outlines enforcement mechanisms, including the ability for employees to bring civil actions for wage violations and potential fines for employers who fail to comply, with penalties ranging from $1,000 to $2,500 depending on the type of violation. The bill includes several exemptions for certain types of employees, such as those covered by federal labor standards, domestic service workers, summer camp employees, and agricultural workers, ensuring that the minimum wage provisions do not adversely impact specific employment sectors.

Raising the State Minimum Wage

House Bill 4718 would amend the Code of Criminal Procedure to prohibit the “gay/trans panic” defense in Michigan. This defense is often used when a gay or transgender person makes an unwanted sexual advance on a person. Currently when this defense is used in Michigan court, the charges can be reduced from murder to manslaughter.

HB4718

Prohibiting the "Gay/Trans Panic Defense"

This Bill enacts an oversight board for Michigan Promise zones. It also focuses on the development plan of the promise zones in MI. The bill mandates the creation of a  comprehensive plan that includes details on financial assistance for eligible students within the Promise Zone.

SB555

Oversight Board for Michigan Promise Zones

House Bill 5048 would amend 1974 PA 263, known as the accommodations tax act, to allow cities and townships in Kent County to collect a hotel-motel excise tax and to increase, from 5% to 8%, the amount that counties can charge under the act for a hotel-motel tax

HB5048

Increasing Hotel-Motel Excise Tax

This bill gives power to the secretary of state to instruct precincts and county clerks on how election audits should be performed in MI. This bill also prevents county clerks who are affiliated with a political party from overseeing the audits.

SB570

Alocating more  Power to the Secretary of State

This bill codifies certain abortion laws in MI.  This bill removes previous protections to unborn babies. The only regulation given to prevent abortion under this bill, is when the baby is deemed “Viable”. If deemed viable, the mother may still petition to have an abortion by claiming the abortion is necessary for their mental or physical health.

HB4949

Codifying Abortion into MI State Law

This bill loosens multiple abortion regulations. One of the main aims of this bill is to remove a rule that stops a school office from giving out information about abortion services. The bill also removes certain requirements pertaining to pre-screening and post abortion reporting requirements.

MI SB477

Loosening Pro life Regulations

This bill strengthens the penalties for the violation of “failure to disclose use of artificial intelligence third or subsequent offense”. Under this bill, this is classified as a Class G Felony.

HB5142

Increasing Penaltys for Undisclosed AI use in an Election

This bill consolidates smaller voter precincts into larger precincts.  This will result in longer wait times and further distance to travel to vote for many citizens.  This new implementation may also elevate the risk of voter fraud as there will be more ballots to count in each precinct.

SB572

Increasing the Size of Voter Precincts

This bill prevents highschool athletes from making money on their: Name, Image, or Likeness.

HB4816

Banning NIL Deals for High School Atheletes

This bill amends the Michigan Election Law to provide for an online application process for absent voter ballots. The key provisions include: 1. Allowing registered voters to apply for absent voter ballots online through an application provided by the Secretary of State, in addition to the existing methods of submitting a written request, using an absentee ballot application form, or a federal postcard application. 2. Permitting voters to use their stored digital signature or upload a manual digital signature on the online absentee ballot application, which must be processed the same as a physical handwritten signature. 3. Requiring the Secretary of State to maintain an online absentee ballot application system that allows qualified and registered voters to request an absent voter ballot for elections in their city or township. 4. Providing instructions and requirements for the absentee ballot application process, including who can handle the application, the deadlines for submission, and penalties for making false statements or forging signatures. The bill aims to expand access to absentee voting by enabling an online application process while maintaining safeguards to ensure the integrity of the election process.

HB4570

Online Application for Absentee Ballots

This bill Expands absentee voting in the state and allows for post election day counting. This bill also includes very relaxed signature verification measures. It says that return envelopes can only be called non-matching if they are obviously different.

MI SB370

Expanding Absentee Voting

This bill implements laws that were passed in a ballot initiative. This bill expands mail in voting and early voting. This would allow people to put their mail-in ballots directly into a vote counting machine at their voting place.

SB367

Expanding Mail in Voting

This bill amends the Mental Health Code to define "conversion therapy" as any practice or treatment by a mental health professional that seeks to change an individual's sexual orientation or gender identity. The bill specifies that conversion therapy does not include counseling that provides assistance to an individual undergoing a gender transition or counseling that provides acceptance, support, or understanding of an individual or facilitates an individual's coping, social support, or identity exploration and development. The bill also includes provisions regarding when this amendatory act takes effect and its tie-bar with another bill.

HB4617

Banning Conversion Therapy

This bill amends sections 11b and 16m of Chapter XVII of the Michigan Code of Criminal Procedure to update references to certain felonies related to firearms, weapons, and identity documents in the state's sentencing guidelines. The bill ties its enactment to the passage of House Bill 4138, which is also related to firearms and weapons. The changes in this bill aim to ensure the sentencing guidelines accurately reflect the current state laws governing these types of criminal offenses.

HB4143

Ammending Sentencing Guidelines for Firearm Related Crimes

This bill creates the "Extreme Risk Protection Order Act" in Michigan, which allows certain individuals to petition the court for an order prohibiting a person from possessing or purchasing firearms if they pose a risk of seriously physically injuring themselves or others. The bill outlines the process for obtaining such an order, including the evidence the court must consider, the procedures for serving and enforcing the order, and penalties for non-compliance. The bill also requires the state court administrative office to annually report on the implementation of the act. This bill will not take effect unless two other related bills, HB 4146 and HB 4147, are also enacted into law.

Carrie Rheingans

Michigan | District 47

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