Economic Competitiveness

Michigan House Bill 6305 amends the state's consumer protection laws to clarify which business practices are exempt from the act and establishes that its provisions should be interpreted broadly to support its purpose. The bill specifies that the law does not apply to actions expressly authorized by state or federal regulators, nor to advertisements published by media outlets unless the publisher knew the content was deceptive or had a direct financial interest in the sale. It further limits consumer lawsuits regarding unfair practices in the banking, insurance, and motor carrier sectors, noting that these industries are already regulated by specific statutes. Finally, the legislation places the burden of proof on any business claiming an exemption from consumer protection rules.

Michigan House Bill 6315 amends the state's employment security act to clarify the powers of the unemployment insurance agency when investigating employers. The primary provision prohibits the agency from requiring an employing unit to provide books, records, or papers in a different format than how they currently exist, effectively limiting administrative burdens on businesses. Additionally, the bill makes various technical and stylistic edits to existing sections regarding subpoenas, witness testimony, and court enforcement procedures to improve clarity without changing their substantive legal effect.

Michigan House Bill 6306 expands the state's consumer protection laws by introducing higher civil fines for businesses that target elderly individuals or vulnerable adults with deceptive practices. The bill defines an elder person as someone aged 80 or older and a vulnerable adult as an individual requiring supervision due to age, disability, or mental illness, subjecting violators to penalties of up to $50,000 per violation if the conduct is persistent and knowing. Additionally, the legislation creates a revolving enforcement and education fund in the state treasury, which will be financed by attorney fees, costs, and unclaimed damages recovered from consumer protection and antitrust cases. This fund will support the Department of Attorney General's efforts to enforce these laws and educate the public on consumer rights.

Michigan House Bill 6313 requires the state unemployment insurance agency to submit an annual report to the governor and legislative leaders regarding shared-work plans. The report must include specific data on the number of approved plans, participating employers and employees, and total compensation paid. A key addition is the requirement to disclose the benefit error rate for these claims, which includes improper, overpayment, and underpayment rates. This reporting must align with federal standards and may also detail statewide trends and corrective actions taken by the agency.

Michigan House Bill 6307 grants the state attorney general and local prosecuting attorneys the authority to issue written investigative demands to individuals suspected of violating consumer protection laws. These demands can require a person to appear for an oath-bound examination, answer written questions, or produce specific documents and physical objects relevant to the investigation. The bill establishes that recipients have the right to petition a circuit court in Ingham County for a protective order to extend deadlines, modify requirements, or dismiss the demand entirely. If a person fails to comply with a valid demand without securing such an order, they may face civil fines of up to $10,000 and potential court orders compelling compliance or preventing the destruction of evidence.