Technology

in committee · Michigan · House Mar 18, 2025

HB 4237: Local government: other; procedures to limit foreign influence in local contracting; establish. Creates new act. TIE BAR WITH: HB 4236'25

HB 4237 prohibits Michigan local governments (like cities, counties, and school districts) from awarding or renewing contracts that give contractors access to personal data if the contractor is a "controlled entity" tied to specific foreign countries of concern (China, Russia, Iran, North Korea, Cuba, Venezuela, or Syria). It requires contractors to submit sworn affidavits confirming they are not controlled entities, with violations subject to fines up to twice the contract value or a 5-year contract ban. The bill also restricts local governments from using information technology or services designed, developed, or supplied by companies owned by those foreign countries, aligning with federal security lists. These rules take effect July 1, 2026, for contract renewals and extensions.

Topics ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyProhibits local contracts with foreign-controlled entities accessing personal data, strengthening data privacy protections per bill's focus on restricting foreign data access.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Data Privacy

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in committee · Michigan · Senate Mar 20, 2025

SB 190: Trade: business practices; parental consent for social media use; require. Creates new act.

SB 190, the "Social Media Children Protection Act," requires social media companies to verify the age of Michigan residents applying for accounts and obtain parental consent if the user is under 16. It mandates that companies provide parents with tools to supervise minors' accounts, including viewing privacy settings and setting daily time limits. Social media companies face civil fines up to $25,000 per violation for non-compliance, and contracts with clauses waiving these protections are void. The law applies to all social media platforms operating in Michigan, directly affecting minors under 16, their parents, and the companies providing those services.

Topics ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyMandates age verification, parental consent, and tools to protect minors' data privacy on social media, aligning with consumer protection regulations.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Online Safety Social Media

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in committee · Michigan · Senate Apr 16, 2025

SB 209: Individual income tax: deductions; certain broadband expansion grants; deduct from taxable income. Amends secs. 30, 623 & 815 of 1967 PA 281 (MCL 206.30 et seq.).

Senate Bill 209 proposes to amend Michigan's Income Tax Act of 1967. This bill would allow individuals to deduct certain broadband expansion grants from their taxable income. By doing so, it would reduce the amount of income subject to state tax for those who receive these grants. The changes would impact sections 30, 623, and 815 of the existing act, which define taxable income and related provisions.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesAllows tax deduction for broadband grants, reducing taxable income - providing direct tax relief to recipients.95% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyBill allows tax deductions for broadband expansion grants, directly incentivizing internet access expansion per its summary and subjects.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Income Tax Tax Credits Tax Incentives Broadband Access Telecommunications

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in committee · Michigan · Senate May 7, 2025

SB 284: Communications: internet; digital age assurance act; create. Creates new act.

Senate Bill 284, the "digital age assurance act," aims to protect minors by regulating online content and requiring age verification. It mandates that device manufacturers, operating systems, and app stores estimate a user's age and provide a digital age signal to websites and online services. Websites and applications that offer mature content must then use these signals to block access for individuals under 18 or provide disclaimers and parental supervision tools. The bill also requires application stores to obtain parental consent for users under 16 to download apps and offers options for parental supervision tools. The Michigan Department of the Attorney General is responsible for enforcing this act.

Topics ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyMandates age verification for minors' online content access, regulating tech companies for consumer protection under privacy framework.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Consumer Data Protection Online Safety Social Media

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in committee · Michigan · House May 7, 2025

HB 4456: Labor: fair employment practices; employer monitoring of employee communications; prohibit unless the employer establishes an employee monitoring policy and discloses that policy to employees. Creates new act.

House Bill 4456 regulates how employers in Michigan monitor their employees' communications. It prohibits employers from monitoring employee communications unless they establish a written policy that is disclosed to and acknowledged by each employee. This policy must specify the methods, media, types, and frequency of monitoring, and applies only to electronic devices owned by the employer. The bill explicitly prohibits monitoring personal employee devices. Employers who violate these provisions may be liable for damages to the affected employee, including a minimum of $5,000 plus attorney fees.

Topics ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentProhibits employer monitoring without written policy disclosure, protecting employee communication privacy under fair employment practices.95% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyProhibits employer monitoring without written policy disclosure, protects employee data privacy on personal devices, directly advancing data privacy protections in technology policy.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Labor Standards

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in committee · Michigan · Senate Jun 12, 2025

SB 359: Consumer protection: privacy; personal data privacy act; create. Creates new act.

SB 359 creates Michigan's "Personal Data Privacy Act," giving residents (consumers) new rights over their personal data collected by businesses. It requires companies to clearly disclose data practices, implement a universal "opt-out" for data sharing, and register as data brokers if selling consumer information. The law specifically prohibits deceptive practices like "dark patterns" and protects sensitive data including health information (such as gender-affirming or reproductive care) and precise location data. Businesses must follow new standards for handling data, with civil penalties for violations.

Topics ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyCreates new consumer data privacy rights, mandates transparency, prohibits deceptive 'dark patterns', and protects sensitive health data - directly strengthens consumer privacy protections in technology.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Consumer Data Protection Data Privacy

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in committee · Michigan · Senate Jun 26, 2025

SB 468: Elections: voting equipment; use of electronic voting systems that contain certain parts or equipment; prohibit. Amends secs. 795 & 795a of 1954 PA 116 (MCL 168.795 & 168.795a).

SB 468 prohibits Michigan jurisdictions from acquiring or using electronic voting systems after January 1, 2026, if those systems contain parts or equipment from entities providing "covered communications equipment" listed by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) under federal law. This directly affects local election officials and voting system vendors purchasing new equipment for state elections. The key mechanism requires voting systems to avoid components from vendors designated by the FCC as security risks, referencing the FCC’s official list. Existing systems and voting requirements (like paper ballots and accessibility features) remain unchanged under this bill.

Topics ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyProhibits voting systems with FCC-listed components to enhance election cybersecurity, aligning with 'enhances cybersecurity' indicator.95% confidence

Tags Elections

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passed · Michigan · Senate Mar 11, 2026

SB 525: Aeronautics: unmanned aircraft systems; exceptions to prohibited use of an unmanned aircraft system; expand. Amends sec. 7 of 2016 PA 436 (MCL 259.307).

SB 525 limits when Michigan state agencies can use drones (unmanned aircraft systems) to inspect facilities they regulate, requiring facility owners' consent or specific circumstances. Exceptions include obtaining written consent from owners (with conditions about FAA compliance), using a warrant, addressing imminent safety threats, inspecting infrastructure like roads or telecom towers, or during declared emergencies. Agencies must mark state-owned drones and share collected data (videos, photos) with facility owners upon request. The law explicitly excludes law enforcement drone use during investigations.

Topics ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyRequires consent for drone inspections, protecting facility privacy and data collection practices under privacy-focused regulations.85% confidence ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationBill explicitly permits drone inspections of road infrastructure under exceptions, enabling efficient transportation infrastructure maintenance and safety checks.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Emerging Technology Telecommunications

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passed both · Michigan · House May 13, 2025

HB 4235: Public employees and officers: state; use of certain applications on state devices; prohibit. Creates new act.

HB 4235 prohibits public employees and officials in Michigan from using or accessing certain applications on government-issued devices, specifically those linked to foreign governments or entities from designated "countries of concern" (like China, Russia, or Iran). It requires public employers (state agencies, schools, local governments) to block these apps on all government networks, restrict them on devices, and maintain remote wipe capabilities to remove them. The law bans downloading or accessing prohibited apps on work devices, with exceptions only for law enforcement officers conducting public safety investigations. This directly affects all state and local government workers using official devices for job-related tasks.

Topics ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyBill restricts foreign-linked apps on government devices to enhance cybersecurity, directly supporting topic by strengthening security against foreign threats.95% confidence

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in committee · Michigan · House Mar 18, 2025

HB 4236: State management: purchasing; procedures to limit foreign influence in state contracting; establish. Amends secs. 113, 114, 241, 241c & 261 of 1984 PA 431 (MCL 18.1113 et seq.) & adds sec. 272.

HB 4236 amends Michigan's state contracting rules to limit foreign influence in projects involving personal data. It directly affects state contractors working on facilities (like buildings or infrastructure) where personal identifying information is handled. The bill requires contractors to provide a sworn affidavit confirming they are not "controlled entities" tied to specific foreign governments (including China, Russia, Iran, and others). Starting July 1, 2025, the state cannot renew or extend such contracts without this verification.

Topics ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyRequires contractors handling personal data to confirm no foreign ties, directly protecting data privacy and cybersecurity by preventing foreign influence in state contracts.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Data Privacy

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