Technology

HB 5504 proposes creating a State Digital Service Office within Michigan's Department of Technology, Management, and Budget. The office would review software projects costing $1 million or more, advise state agencies on modern development practices (like user-centered design and agile methods), and require annual reports on progress and cost savings. It directly affects state departments and agencies developing digital services, mandating collaboration with the new office for projects over $500,000 and requiring transparency through public reporting on outcomes like time saved and error reduction. The bill aims to improve digital service efficiency and user experience across state government.

HB 4720 prohibits Michigan jurisdictions from using electronic voting systems containing parts or equipment from foreign entities listed by the FCC under federal law, effective January 1, 2026. This directly affects election officials and voting equipment vendors who must ensure their systems comply with this ban. The bill amends existing requirements to maintain paper ballots, accessibility standards, audit trails, and other voting system safeguards under Michigan's election law (MCL 168.795). It does not change current voting procedures but adds a new security-related restriction on equipment sourcing.

SB 158 prohibits the use of automated programs (bots) to purchase event tickets online in bulk. It directly affects consumers trying to buy tickets fairly and venues or ticket sellers using such bots to manipulate sales. The bill creates a new legal prohibition against these automated ticket-buying practices, making it illegal for businesses to deploy them. This policy change aims to prevent scalping and ensure equitable access to tickets for the general public.

HB 4263 prohibits sellers from using automated programs to bypass purchase limits during online ticket sales for concerts, sports events, and other public entertainment events requiring admission fees. It bans circumventing security systems that enforce ticket limits, electronic queues, or fraud checks, targeting practices like bot-driven bulk purchases. The law directly affects ticket sellers (who must implement these security measures) and buyers attempting to use automated tools to bypass restrictions. This creates new requirements for online ticket sales to ensure fair access to event tickets.

House Bill 4242 amends the public health code to update requirements for how medical licensees manage patient records. It mandates that healthcare providers explicitly document medical services involving vaginal or anal penetration in patient records, with certain exceptions. The bill establishes a general minimum record retention period of 7 years, which extends to 15 years for records of these specific penetration-related services, also with specified exceptions. Additionally, it outlines procedures for protecting record integrity and confidentiality, ensuring patient access, and for the proper destruction or transfer of records.