Labor & Employment

in committee · Michigan · House Sep 24, 2025

HB 5005: Employment security: claimants; employee who involuntarily leaves employment; strike provision regarding absences without notice. Amends sec. 29 of 1936 (Ex Sess) PA 1 (MCL 421.29).

HB 5005 amends Michigan's unemployment benefits law to clarify when workers who leave jobs without notice may still qualify for benefits. It adds a new exception (subsection (iv)) allowing domestic violence victims to claim benefits without disqualification, provided they meet requirements under Section 29a. The bill also reinforces that workers absent for 3+ consecutive days without contacting their employer are presumed to have left voluntarily - unless they qualify for one of the specified exceptions. This change directly affects workers who leave employment due to domestic violence or other qualifying circumstances, ensuring they can access benefits without penalizing their former employers financially.

Topics ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentAdds exception for domestic violence victims to qualify for unemployment benefits, expanding eligibility and protecting vulnerable workers' rights under employment security law.92% confidence

Sub-Topics Collective Bargaining Unemployment

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in committee · Michigan · House Sep 24, 2025

HB 5007: Employment security: administration; determination of whether services performed by an individual are employment; modify. Amends sec. 42 of of 1936 (Ex Sess) PA 1 (MCL 421.42).

HB 5007 amends Michigan's Employment Security Act to update how "employment" is defined for unemployment benefits eligibility. It changes the standard for classifying workers as employees (requiring benefits coverage) versus independent contractors, effective January 1, 2026. Under the new rule, most workers must be classified as employees unless they meet all three strict criteria: no employer control, services outside the employer's usual business, and the worker operating as an independent business. This directly affects employers and workers in Michigan who currently classify individuals as independent contractors, particularly in gig economy and service roles. The bill maintains current rules (using the IRS 20-factor test) until 2026, with specific exceptions for certain visa holders and federally certified employers.

Topics ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentAmends to require employee classification for most workers, expanding unemployment benefits eligibility and strengthening worker protections under Employment Security Act.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Gig Economy Labor Standards Unemployment

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in committee · Michigan · House Sep 24, 2025

HB 5003: Employment security: other; eligibility for restitution waivers; increase income and asset thresholds. Amends sec. 62 of 1936 (Ex Sess) PA 1 (MCL 421.62).

HB 5003 amends Michigan's unemployment benefits law to make it easier for low-income recipients to avoid repaying wrongly paid benefits. It increases the income threshold for hardship waivers from 150% to 200% of the federal poverty guidelines, meaning more individuals with modest household incomes qualify for relief. The bill also maintains existing waiver conditions for cases involving employer errors or agency clerical mistakes, but explicitly excludes intentional fraud. This change directly affects Michigan unemployment benefit recipients who overpaid due to administrative errors or low income, reducing their financial burden.

Topics ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentIncreases income threshold for unemployment benefit waivers, expanding relief for low-income workers and reducing repayment burdens, directly advancing worker benefit protections.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Unemployment

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in committee · Michigan · House Sep 24, 2025

HB 5002: Employment security: administration; plain language; require the unemployment agency to use in communications and determinations. Amends sec. 2 & 32b of 1936 (Ex Sess) PA 1 (MCL 421.2 & 421.32b) & adds sec. 32e.

HB 5002 requires Michigan's unemployment agency to use simple, clear language in all communications with claimants and employers about benefits, taxes, and agency decisions. It mandates that explanations of denials, modifications, or benefit changes include specific facts about the case and the legal basis for the decision, all at a fourth-grade reading level. The bill also requires the agency to provide clear summaries of appeal rights and consolidate related decisions into single notifications. This directly affects individuals filing for unemployment and businesses managing unemployment tax accounts. The law aims to make the process more understandable without changing benefit eligibility rules.

Topics ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentRequires unemployment agency to use plain language and clear explanations for benefits decisions, advancing worker accessibility to employment security rights and reducing barriers in claim processes.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Unemployment

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signed · Michigan · Senate Feb 25, 2025

SB 8: Labor: hours and wages; minimum hourly wage rate; modify Amends secs. 2, 4, 4d, 9 & 10 of 2018 PA 337 (MCL 408.932 et seq.). TIE BAR WITH: HB 4002'25

SB 8 increases Michigan's minimum hourly wage to $12.48 starting February 21, 2025, with annual raises through 2030 (reaching $15.00 by 2027). It also adjusts the wage annually based on inflation starting in 2027, unless unemployment exceeds 8.5%. The bill includes a provision for tipped workers, allowing employers to pay a lower base wage (starting at 38% of the standard rate in 2025 and rising to 48% by 2030) if workers earn sufficient tips that cover the difference. This directly affects hourly workers and businesses employing them, requiring employers to comply with updated wage rates and tip-sharing rules.

Topics ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentIncreases minimum wage to $15 by 2027 with inflation adjustments, strengthens tipped worker protections, and directly advances wage standards.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Child Labor Labor Standards Minimum Wage

in committee · Michigan · House Aug 19, 2025

HR 152: A resolution opposing any further action by the Trump administration to eliminate the livelihoods of federal workers without just cause and take away their right to organize and collectively bargain.

This House resolution (HR 152) opposes the Trump administration's actions that would terminate federal workers without just cause and eliminate their right to collectively bargain. It specifically targets executive orders from March 2025 that banned collective bargaining for nearly a million federal employees. The resolution, introduced by Rep. Weiss and referred to the Government Operations Committee, is a symbolic statement urging the administration to cease these actions. It does not create new law but expresses legislative disapproval of policies affecting federal workers' job security and labor rights.

Topics ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentBill explicitly opposes actions eliminating federal workers' collective bargaining rights, directly supporting labor organizing and protections.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Collective Bargaining

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passed both · Michigan · House Feb 4, 2026

HB 4361: Public utilities: other; guidelines for trimming trees and branches around power lines; modify. Amends sec. 10p of 1939 PA 3 (MCL 460.10p).

HB 4361 requires Michigan electric utilities to establish worker transition programs for employees during restructuring events, such as ownership transfers of divisions or facilities. It mandates that new owners must first hire existing non-supervisory workers and maintain their wages and benefits for at least 30 months, with dispute resolution mechanisms for workplace concerns. The bill also directs the Public Service Commission to set service quality and reliability standards for utilities, including outage response and maintenance, and to review annual reports from utilities on compliance. These changes directly affect electric utility workers, employers, and the Public Service Commission.

Topics ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentMandates hiring existing non-supervisory workers first and maintaining wages/benefits for 30 months during utility restructuring, protecting worker transitions.95% confidence

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passed · Michigan · Senate Jun 23, 2026

SB 49: Labor: health and safety; revisions to the occupational safety and health act; provide for. Amends title & secs. 4, 13, 14, 14a, 14e 14f, 14j, 14n, 24, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 33, 35, 36, 37, 41, 45, 46, 52, 54, 55, 56, 63, 65 & 91 of 1974 PA 154 (MCL 408.1004 et seq.) & repeals sec. 1035a of 1974 PA 154 (MCL 408.1035a).

SB 49 amends Michigan's Occupational Safety and Health Act to update key definitions and clarify enforcement responsibilities. It revises terms like "asbestos," "authorized employee representative," and "construction operations," while specifying that the Department of Labor handles safety enforcement and the Department of Public Health manages health enforcement. The bill requires these departments to annually report to legislative committees on overlapping authority and coordination efforts. This affects Michigan employers and workers, particularly in construction, agriculture, and asbestos-related industries, by updating how safety and health rules are defined and implemented.

Topics ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentAmends OSHA to clarify enforcement roles, update safety definitions, and require interdepartmental coordination reports, strengthening workplace safety oversight.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Workplace Safety

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in committee · Michigan · Senate Oct 22, 2025

SB 622: Labor: health and safety; requirements for proposed administrative rule; modify. Amends sec. 14 of 1974 PA 154 (MCL 408.1014).

SB 622 requires Michigan to adopt federal OSHA standards within 10 working days of their federal adoption, replacing the previous requirement for state rulemaking. It also mandates that state officials justify new Michigan safety rules when federal standards don't cover specific workplace issues, including demonstrating industry-specific needs or broad consensus among employers and workers. The bill directly affects Michigan's Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs, which must process these rules, and impacts employers and workers across all regulated industries. These changes streamline alignment with federal standards while adding transparency requirements for state rule development.

Topics ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentBill mandates Michigan adopt federal OSHA standards within 10 days, ensuring stronger workplace safety alignment. Requires justification for new rules, preventing weakened protections and demonstrating industry consensus.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Labor Standards Workers' Compensation Workplace Safety

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in committee · Michigan · House Oct 28, 2025

HB 5118: Individual income tax: credit; work opportunity tax credit for qualified employees; provide for. Amends 1967 PA 281 (MCL 206.1 - 206.847) by adding secs. 279 & 679. TIE BAR WITH: HB 5119'25

HB 5118 would create a Michigan income tax credit for employers hiring residents from specific federal "targeted groups" (like veterans or long-term unemployed individuals). The credit equals 50% of the federal work opportunity tax credit amount, applied to qualified wages paid to Michigan residents certified by the state unemployment agency as part of these groups. It applies to tax years beginning January 1, 2026, and cannot exceed an employer's total tax liability for that year. The bill directly affects Michigan employers (excluding tax-exempt organizations) who hire eligible employees meeting federal and state certification criteria.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesCreates tax credit for employers hiring targeted groups (veterans, long-term unemployed), reducing tax liability and incentivizing employment. Aligns with tax relief and economic support policies.95% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentCreates tax credit for employers hiring from targeted worker groups (veterans, long-term unemployed), directly promoting employment opportunities and labor market inclusion.95% confidence ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransVeterans explicitly listed as a targeted group for tax credit, incentivizing employer hiring to support veteran employment and workforce integration.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Income Tax Tax Credits Tax Incentives Professional Licensing Unemployment Veteran Employment

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