HB 5565 amends Michigan's Deferred Presentment Service Transactions Act to exempt licensed earned wage access services from requiring a separate license under that law. This directly affects companies offering early paycheck access services (like instant cash advances on upcoming wages), allowing them to operate under their existing earned wage access licenses instead of obtaining additional permits. The key provision adds a specific exemption in Section 11, clarifying that these services are not subject to the standard licensing requirements for check-cashing or short-term loan businesses. The change removes a regulatory barrier for these financial products, streamlining their legal operation in Michigan. (Note: The bill's effective date depends on another related bill, HB 5558, passing.)
HB 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.
HB 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.
HB 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.
HB 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.
HB 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.
HB 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.
HB 4733 amends Michigan's fishing regulations to clarify possession limits for processed fish. It allows recreational anglers to carry up to two additional days' worth of fish that are canned, smoked, dried, or frozen (processed) outside their home, while permitting unlimited processed fish at home. The bill does not change daily limits for fresh fish or affect how fish are taken. It specifically states that processed fish on a boat count toward the two-day limit outside the home. This directly affects Michigan anglers who process and transport fish.
SB 559 creates a new Revenue Sharing Trust Fund in Michigan's Department of Treasury, effective October 1, 2025. The fund will receive money from the general sales tax, donations, and investment earnings, with balances carrying over annually instead of lapsing. It mandates specific distributions: $299 million to cities, villages, and townships (based on prior eligibility regardless of new criteria), $261 million to counties (similarly based on prior eligibility), and remaining funds distributed through three formulas measuring taxable value, population type, and yield equalization. This directly affects all local governments in Michigan by changing how they receive state revenue-sharing payments.
SB 561 amends Michigan's sales tax law to change how revenue is distributed. It allocates 8.6% of the 4% general sales tax (starting October 1, 2025) to a new Revenue Sharing Trust Fund for distribution to cities, villages, townships, and counties. The bill also directs computer software sales tax revenue ($9-12 million annually) to the Michigan Health Initiative Fund and splits aviation fuel tax revenue (35% to the state aeronautics fund, 65% to airport funds). These changes affect local governments, public schools (via school aid fund allocations), airports, and health programs, without altering the overall tax rates.
HB 5901 modifies Michigan's eminent domain laws to require government agencies to make a formal, good-faith written offer for property before starting condemnation proceedings. The bill also clarifies rules for filing court complaints, defines what constitutes a suitable replacement home for displaced residents, and outlines how agencies can request financial records from property owners to determine fair compensation. Additionally, the legislation shifts the burden of proof regarding bad faith offers to the agency and establishes specific penalties if an owner unreasonably withholds necessary financial documents.
This bill modifies Michigan's condemnation laws to clarify how courts review whether the government or a private entity needs to take private property. It establishes that public agencies' claims of needing land are generally binding on courts unless fraud, legal error, or abuse of discretion is proven, while private entities must prove public necessity to the court. The legislation also adjusts the burden of proof, requiring agencies to show by a preponderance of evidence that a taking is for public use, or by clear and convincing evidence if the project involves eradicating blight. Additionally, the bill sets a 60-day deadline for courts to decide these necessity challenges and limits the ability to appeal such decisions to the Court of Appeals without special permission.
