This bill amends the Michigan Vehicle Code to clarify how civil traffic infractions are handled in court, specifically preventing them from being treated as lesser included offenses of criminal charges. It establishes specific fine ranges for various violations, such as speeding and equipment failures, while also setting a maximum cost limit of $100 for court expenses. The legislation allows judges to order treatment or education programs for offenders and requires courts to publish schedules of fines that must account for indigent defendants. Additionally, it mandates that courts waive fines and costs if a driver repairs defective safety equipment before their court date.
HB 6183 amends Michigan's Tobacco Products Tax Act to strengthen regulations on the sale, distribution, and taxation of tobacco products. The bill requires that all tobacco products sold within the state must be purchased from licensed wholesalers or unclassified acquirers, and it mandates that retailers verify the age and identity of customers for online, telephone, or mail-order transactions. Additionally, the legislation updates record-keeping requirements for license verification and imposes new labeling rules, such as stamping packages with "TOBACCO PRODUCTS" and including specific tax information on invoices. These changes directly affect tobacco retailers, wholesalers, and remote sellers by enforcing stricter compliance measures to prevent underage access and ensure proper tax collection.
This bill proposes changes to how Michigan manages its economic stabilization fund by adjusting the rules for transferring money into and out of the fund based on state revenue growth rates. It requires that if revenue growth exceeds 2 percent, the excess amount must be moved into the stabilization fund, while limiting withdrawals to 25 percent of the fund balance when revenue growth is negative. Additionally, the bill subjects the fund to specific provisions of the motor fuel tax act, ensuring that any transfers are consistent with existing tax laws. The legislation is tied to a companion bill and will not take effect unless both are passed by the legislature.
This bill updates Michigan's criminal procedure code to clarify how courts assess and collect financial costs from defendants. It requires judges to determine if a defendant is financially unable to pay before ordering fines or court fees. If a defendant is not indigent, the court can impose specific minimum state costs and additional expenses related to the trial, such as personnel salaries and facility maintenance, but must waive these charges for those who qualify as indigent. The legislation also establishes a fee structure for probation supervision, charging $30 per month without electronic monitoring or $60 per month with it, while allowing courts to waive these fees for indigent individuals.
This bill proposes a constitutional amendment to add a new income tax surcharge for high-earning individuals in Michigan starting in 2027. The surcharge applies a 5% tax on income exceeding $500,000 for single filers or $1,000,000 for joint filers, with these thresholds automatically adjusted each year based on the national inflation rate. All money collected from this surcharge must be spent exclusively on pre-kindergarten through 12th-grade education, child care, health and human services, housing, and water infrastructure. The amendment requires voter approval at a general election to take effect and directs the legislature to create the necessary laws to implement the tax.
This bill updates Michigan state law to require the Department of Treasury to pay interest on tax refunds that are delayed beyond specific timeframes. It directly affects taxpayers who have filed complete and timely income tax returns and are awaiting refunds. Under the new rules, refunds for Michigan income taxes will automatically earn interest if they are not processed within 30 or 60 days of the department receiving the return, depending on when the return was filed. The bill also establishes a penalty of $100 for refunds delayed more than 90 days and sets a fixed 3% annual interest rate for a temporary period before switching to a variable rate tied to the prime rate. These provisions apply only to straightforward refunds without errors, audits, or suspected fraud, ensuring the state compensates citizens for administrative delays.
This bill creates a state income tax credit for advanced practice registered nurses who serve as preceptors for nursing student clinical rotations in Michigan. Eligible nurses can claim up to $1,500 annually, calculated at $500 for every 250 hours of supervision provided, provided they do not receive separate payment for these duties. To receive the credit, nurses must submit a written statement and documentation verifying their hours to the state tax department. The legislation also requires the state to report annually on the number of claims and total credits issued to assess the program's effectiveness.
This bill amends the Michigan Motor Fuel Tax Act to establish a temporary gas tax holiday that activates if the statewide average price of gasoline reaches $5.00 per gallon before the end of 2026. Under this provision, the tax rate would drop to zero cents per gallon for a three-month period, with the lost revenue automatically transferred from a state stabilization fund to the Michigan Transportation Fund. The legislation also updates the general tax rate structure to include annual adjustments based on inflation or a fixed 5% increase, whichever is lower, while maintaining specific rates for fuel held in storage as of the end of 2025. Additionally, the bill clarifies reporting requirements for fuel suppliers and terminals to ensure accurate tracking of blended products and tax liabilities.
This proposed constitutional amendment requires Michigan's legislature to pass the annual school aid budget bill by July 1 each year. To ensure transparency and accountability, the bill must be publicly available on the legislature's website for at least seven days before a vote, and any amendments must be posted for 24 hours. If the deadline is missed, the salaries of the governor, the Senate majority leader, and the House speaker will be withheld until the bill is enacted.
This bill allows the state treasurer to provide interest-free loans to school districts and intermediate school districts if the state budget is not passed by October 1. Under the new rules, a district can borrow an amount equal to what it received from the school aid fund in the previous year for a period of up to one year. The state treasurer retains the authority to set additional terms for these loans, which are intended to help districts manage cash flow during budget delays.
