This bill establishes a new Michigan-Ireland trade commission within the Michigan Economic Development Corporation to strengthen economic ties between the two regions. The commission will be composed of seven members appointed by the governor, including representatives from higher education, the chamber of commerce, Irish-American communities, and legislators who have expertise in Irish affairs or trade relations. Its primary duties include advancing bilateral trade and investment, promoting business and academic exchanges, and encouraging mutual infrastructure support, while operating under state laws regarding open meetings and public records. The commission will be funded through a dedicated state treasury account that accepts donations, grants, and bequests to cover its administrative costs and operational needs. Members serve two-year terms without compensation but may receive reimbursement for necessary expenses, and the group must submit annual reports to the governor and legislature by February 1st.
Senate Bill 607 amends Michigan's Administrative Procedures Act to clarify what counts as a formal "rule" by explicitly excluding cleanup criteria and target detection limits set by the Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy. This change ensures that specific environmental standards used to determine when a site is clean enough for reuse are not subject to the same rulemaking procedures as other agency regulations. The bill directly affects the state environmental agency by removing these technical environmental thresholds from the definition of a rule, while leaving the rest of the act's definitions largely unchanged.
SB 1188 modifies the statute of limitations for civil lawsuits involving criminal sexual conduct in Michigan, extending the time a victim has to file a claim for damages. Under the bill, victims have 10 years from the date of the incident to bring an action, regardless of whether criminal charges were filed or resulted in a conviction. This change applies to conduct prohibited under specific sections of the Michigan Penal Code and removes previous requirements for a prior criminal adjudication. The legislation directly affects survivors of sexual assault by providing a longer window to seek civil compensation for injuries sustained.
SB 667 updates Michigan's Business Corporation Act to formally recognize and regulate benefit corporations, which are companies legally required to pursue a public benefit alongside profit. The bill amends existing sections to define key terms and establishes a new chapter outlining specific duties for the officers and directors of these entities. It also modernizes administrative procedures by mandating the acceptance of electronic filings and introducing expedited processing options with associated fees. These changes directly affect business owners and managers in Michigan who wish to incorporate as benefit corporations or those already operating under such structures.
SB 1189 amends Michigan law to change the time limits for filing claims against the state government. It requires individuals to file these claims within three years of the incident occurring, with specific exceptions for wrongful imprisonment compensation and other designated cases. The bill also grants the state attorney general the authority to act as a legal representative for the estates of deceased individuals or guardians for minors and other disabled persons in these matters. This legislation is designed to clarify procedural rules for suing the state and relies on the simultaneous passage of two other related bills to take effect.
SB 863 updates Michigan's sentencing laws to incorporate productivity credits for prisoners, allowing time earned through work programs to reduce their sentences. The bill amends the Code of Criminal Procedure to ensure that credits previously established by other legislation are formally recognized when calculating release dates for inmates. This change directly affects incarcerated individuals who have participated in prison work or educational programs, potentially shortening the time they must serve before becoming eligible for parole. By aligning the statute with existing credit systems, the measure aims to provide a clearer legal framework for sentence reductions based on inmate productivity.
This bill creates new vehicle registration plates in Michigan to raise money for prostate cancer awareness. The Secretary of State will design and sell these special plates in partnership with the P.C.U.P.S. Foundation, with all proceeds going into a dedicated state treasury fund. The fund's earnings must stay within the account, and the state treasurer will distribute the money to the foundation every quarter. The law takes effect 90 days after it is signed into legislation.
This bill modifies Michigan's Local Government Labor Regulatory Limitation Act to restrict local governments from passing rules that force employers to pay wages higher than state or federal minimums. It also prevents municipalities from enacting ordinances that regulate employee work hours and scheduling, with specific exceptions for businesses operating on government-funded projects or those covered by project labor agreements. By repealing several previous sections, the legislation removes certain local authority to set labor standards, aiming to limit the ability of cities and towns to impose additional financial or scheduling requirements on private employers.
This bill modifies Michigan's marriage laws to protect the validity of a wedding even if the person performing the ceremony lacks proper legal authority. It applies to couples who believe they are getting legally married, ensuring their union is not declared void simply because the officiant was not authorized. The key provision states that a marriage remains valid if both partners or at least one partner genuinely believed the ceremony was lawful, regardless of the officiant's jurisdiction. However, the bill will not become effective until a separate related bill, Senate Bill 1044, is also passed into law.
This bill modifies the regulations for licensing agricultural labor camps in Michigan by updating the language in the state's public health code. It requires the Department of Health to issue a license only after confirming that a camp meets specific minimum standards for construction, sanitation, water supply, and waste disposal. The license will be valid only for the remainder of the year it is issued and must clearly state the operator's compliance obligations and the specific duration of occupancy allowed. Additionally, the bill clarifies that these licenses cannot be transferred to another party without the department's written permission.
This bill updates Michigan's Public Health Code to strengthen the regulation of onsite wastewater treatment systems, such as septic tanks, for properties not connected to public sewer lines. It establishes new definitions for various waste treatment methods and grants the Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy, along with local health departments, the authority to inspect, evaluate, and enforce compliance with these systems. The legislation also clarifies that connecting to a public sewer system is a public interest goal and outlines specific enforcement tools, including violation notices and warrant procedures, to ensure these systems do not threaten public health or water quality.
This bill amends Michigan's Identity Theft Protection Act to update definitions and add new sections regarding data breaches and identity theft. It clarifies what constitutes a security breach by specifying that unauthorized access by employees acting in good faith for official duties does not count as a breach. The legislation also expands the definition of financial institutions to include various licensed lenders and sellers under state laws. Additionally, it provides clearer definitions for terms like "encrypted," "false pretenses," and "medical records" to ensure consistent application of the law. These changes aim to strengthen protections for individuals whose personal information is compromised while maintaining precise legal standards for enforcement agencies.
