Technology

in committee · Michigan · House Mar 3, 2026

HB 5594: Businesses: other; moratorium on certain approvals for and operation of any new data centers; provide for. Creates new act. TIE BAR WITH: HB 5596'26

HB 5594 creates a temporary moratorium on new data center development in Michigan, prohibiting local governments and the state Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy from approving site plans, permits, or licenses for new data centers from its effective date until April 1, 2027. It also bans any person from beginning operation of a new data center during this period. Violations of the operation ban carry daily civil fines of up to $1,000, enforceable by county prosecutors or the Attorney General. The bill directly affects data center developers, operators, and related businesses seeking to establish new facilities in Michigan during the moratorium. Note: This bill requires companion legislation (HB 5596) to take effect.

Topics ✗ TechnologyOpposes TechnologyMoratorium on new data center approvals/operations directly restricts technology infrastructure development and expansion.95% confidence

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in committee · Michigan · House May 12, 2026

HB 5328: Aeronautics: unmanned aircraft systems; drones used by state government; require to follow the federal restricted drone list. Amends 2016 PA 436 (MCL 259.301 - 259.331) by adding sec. 10.

HB 5328 requires Michigan state and local government agencies to avoid purchasing or operating drones made by companies listed on specific U.S. federal restricted lists (including defense, military, and commerce sanctions lists). The law phases in restrictions: agencies must stop new purchases of prohibited drones after 2 years and stop operating them after 5 years, with exceptions for governors declaring emergencies. It excludes small drones already compliant with existing rules. This directly affects all public entities using government drones in Michigan.

Topics ✗ TechnologyOpposes TechnologyRestricts state drone procurement from sanctioned companies, limiting specific technology use for security compliance per federal lists.92% confidence

Sub-Topics Emerging Technology

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passed · Michigan · House May 12, 2026

HB 5465: Crimes: trespassing; prohibition against entering a key facility; expand. Amends sec. 552c of 1931 PA 328 (MCL 750.552c).

HB 5465 amends Michigan's trespassing law to criminalize unauthorized entry into specific critical infrastructure facilities, including power plants, water treatment sites, natural gas stations, chemical plants, and data centers. The bill requires these facilities to display clearly visible signage (at least 1-inch letters, 50 square inches, spaced for visibility) to warn against entry. Unauthorized entry into such facilities - when enclosed and properly posted - becomes a felony punishable by up to 4 years in prison or a $2,500 fine. The law explicitly excludes lawful, peaceful protests and labor disputes from prosecution.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeExpands criminalization by making unauthorized entry into critical infrastructure a felony, increasing penalties without reform intent.90% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyProtects data centers (critical tech infrastructure) via felony trespassing penalties, enhancing cybersecurity measures for digital infrastructure.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections

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in committee · Michigan · House Jan 27, 2026

HB 5469: Consumer protection: other; virtual currency kiosk protections; provide for. Creates new act.

HB 5469, the "Virtual Currency Kiosk Consumer Protection Act," requires businesses operating physical digital currency exchange kiosks in Michigan to clearly disclose key risks to customers before any transaction. It mandates that operators explain that virtual currency is not legal tender, lacks government backing, is subject to regulatory changes, transactions are irreversible, and ledger recording times may differ from initiation. The bill directly affects kiosk operators and their customers, focusing on transparency about digital currency risks rather than regulating the currency itself. It does not cover gaming platform currencies or loyalty rewards programs.

Topics ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyMandates risk disclosures for virtual currency kiosks, protecting consumers from unregulated digital transactions. Aligns with consumer protection regulation in tech.90% confidence

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in committee · Michigan · House Jan 28, 2026

HB 5476: State: identification cards; cross-reference to 1972 PA 222; update. Amends sec. 5 of 2008 PA 23 (MCL 28.305). TIE BAR WITH: HB 5475'26

HB 5476 amends Michigan's Enhanced Driver License and ID Card Act to update applicant requirements and privacy protections. It requires applicants to provide updated documentation for name changes, citizenship, and Social Security numbers, while prohibiting enhanced IDs from displaying Social Security numbers. The bill clarifies that facial images and signatures may only be shared with law enforcement or federal agencies under specific legal authorities, not for general public access. It also maintains provisions allowing applicants to voluntarily add a communication access designation for law enforcement use, with strict privacy safeguards for retained documents.

Topics ✓ ImmigrationSupports ImmigrationRestricts sharing of ID data with law enforcement, limiting state cooperation with federal immigration enforcement per privacy provisions.85% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyProhibits SSN display on IDs and restricts facial data sharing with law enforcement, strengthening data privacy protections per Tech topic indicators.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Citizenship & Naturalization Driver Licenses & IDs

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in committee · Michigan · House Feb 3, 2026

HB 5487: Appropriations: supplemental; funding for the Michigan technological university and the STEM engineering and health technology complex; provide for. Creates appropriation act.

HB 5487 adjusts funding for the Michigan Technological University's H-STEM Engineering and Health Technology Complex (Phase I). It decreases the state's capital outlay appropriation by $1.5 million, reducing the total project cost to $51.59 million (state share: $29.70 million; university share: $21.89 million; minimal state general fund: $200). The bill directly affects Michigan Technological University and the state budget by modifying existing construction funding authorized in prior legislation. It specifies how the adjusted funds must be spent for this specific campus complex project.

Topics ✗ Budget & TaxesOpposes Budget & TaxesDecreases state capital outlay appropriation by $1.5M for university project, reducing state spending on capital construction.85% confidence ✗ EducationOpposes EducationBill reduces state capital outlay appropriation for university STEM complex by $1.5M, defunding higher education infrastructure project.95% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyFunds STEM engineering complex at Michigan Tech, advancing tech education and infrastructure through direct appropriation for a technology-focused university project.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Appropriations State Budget Higher Education

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in committee · Michigan · House Feb 3, 2026

HB 5492: Law enforcement: other; guidelines for use of registration plate reader systems; provide for. Creates new act. TIE BAR WITH: HB 5493'26

HB 5492, the "regulating automatic license plate readers act," sets rules for private entities operating automatic license plate reader (ALPR) systems, requiring them to preserve captured license plate data for 14 days when law enforcement or a criminal defendant requests it with a specific written statement. The bill prohibits using the data as evidence in court if disclosure would violate the act, mandates data destruction after 14 days if not used, and allows individuals to sue for violations and recover at least $1,000 in damages or actual damages plus legal fees. Vehicle owners' data is protected from public disclosure without consent, except under a court order or warrant, and cannot be accessed by law enforcement without a warrant or specific preservation request.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeRegulates ALPR data use to prevent misuse, protect privacy, and enhance law enforcement accountability per bill's data preservation, destruction, and lawsuit provisions.85% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyRegulates ALPR data retention/destruction to protect privacy, aligning with data privacy safeguards in technology policy.92% confidence

Sub-Topics Courts Law Enforcement Consumer Data Protection

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in committee · Michigan · House Feb 3, 2026

HB 5493: Law enforcement: other; guidelines for use of registration plate reader systems; provide for. Creates new act. TIE BAR WITH: HB 5492'26

HB 5493 regulates how state and local law enforcement agencies use automatic license plate reader (ALPR) systems. It prohibits most ALPR use except for specific purposes like checking for stolen vehicles, outstanding warrants, uninsured vehicles, or active criminal investigations. The bill requires agencies to delete captured plate data within 14 days (unless used as evidence or for ongoing investigations), adopt public policies on ALPR use, and submit quarterly usage reports. It directly affects police departments and other government entities that operate ALPR systems, limiting their data collection and retention practices.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeRestricts law enforcement ALPR use to specific purposes, mandates data deletion, and requires transparency/reporting - enhancing accountability and protecting civil rights within criminal justice reform.85% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyRestricts ALPR data retention (14-day deletion) and limits use to specific law enforcement purposes, directly protecting data privacy as a technology policy.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Law Enforcement Policing Data Privacy

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passed · Michigan · House May 12, 2026

HB 5320: Criminal procedure: sentencing guidelines; sentencing guidelines for flying over or trespassing on a key facility or critical infrastructure with an unmanned aircraft or vehicle; provide for. Amends 16b, ch. XVII of 1927 PA 175 (MCL 777.16b). TIE BAR WITH: HB 5319'25

HB 5320 amends Michigan's criminal sentencing guidelines to specifically address unauthorized drone flights over or trespassing on critical infrastructure, such as power plants or bridges. It would establish new sentencing standards for individuals operating unmanned aircraft or vehicles near these facilities, directly affecting drone operators who violate these restrictions. The bill modifies Section 16b of the Michigan Code of Criminal Procedure (MCL 777.16b) to create clear penalties for such offenses, moving beyond general trespass laws. This change aims to strengthen legal consequences for drone-related threats to public safety infrastructure.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeExpands criminalization by establishing new sentencing penalties for drone trespass on critical infrastructure, increasing criminal penalties for specific aerial violations.90% confidence ✗ TechnologyOpposes TechnologyBill imposes criminal penalties for unauthorized drone flights near critical infrastructure, restricting drone operations as a technology application.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Sentencing Emerging Technology

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in committee · Michigan · House May 12, 2026

HB 5324: Aeronautics: unmanned aircraft systems; adoption of an official no drone zone sign for use in this state; provide for. Amends 2016 PA 436 (MCL 259.301 - 259.331) by adding sec. 29.

HB 5324 standardizes "No Drone Zone" signage across Michigan by requiring the state Department of Transportation to adopt a sign based on the FAA's existing design. The sign must display "No Drone Zone" at the top, include a drone image with a red circle slash, state that drone takeoffs/landings are prohibited, and leave space for the specific local ordinance or law enforcing the restriction. This bill directly affects property owners, businesses, and local governments that currently post drone restrictions, providing a uniform format to clarify existing local drone prohibitions without creating new restrictions. The Department of Transportation will publish guidance for using the sign, which must align with current local rules governing drone operations.

Topics ✗ TechnologyOpposes TechnologyRestricts drone operations in designated zones, limiting unmanned aircraft system usage per FAA-aligned signage requirements.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Emerging Technology

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