Rep. Will Bruck

Maddy summaryMichigan House Bill 6315 amends the state's employment security act to clarify the powers of the unemployment insurance agency when investigating employers. The primary provision prohibits the agency from requiring an employing unit to provide books, records, or papers in a different format than how they currently exist, effectively limiting administrative burdens on businesses. Additionally, the bill makes various technical and stylistic edits to existing sections regarding subpoenas, witness testimony, and court enforcement procedures to improve clarity without changing their substantive legal effect.

Maddy summaryMichigan House Bill 6316 requires the state unemployment insurance agency to electronically access databases from various state and federal departments, including health, corrections, and social security agencies. The bill mandates that agency representatives verify a claimant's job status, incarceration status, death records, identity, and income before issuing benefits and at regular intervals while benefits are active. To protect sensitive information, the legislation requires the implementation of strict data security measures such as encryption and access logging. Additionally, the agency must submit an annual report to legislative appropriations committees detailing detected fraud, estimated cost savings, and any challenges encountered during the implementation process.

Maddy summaryMichigan House Bill 6314 updates the state's unemployment security laws to explicitly include digital and electronic fraud in its definition of conspiracy. The bill targets employers, employees, and third parties who knowingly use stolen personal information or automated means to illegally obtain or withhold unemployment benefits. It establishes that offenders face financial penalties equal to three times the amount involved, along with potential imprisonment of up to five years or community service depending on the severity of the loss. These criminal sanctions apply even if the fraud is attempted but does not result in a final payment, and they remain enforceable regardless of whether the individual later repays the funds or self-reports the violation.

Maddy summaryMichigan House Bill 6313 requires the state unemployment insurance agency to submit an annual report to the governor and legislative leaders regarding shared-work plans. The report must include specific data on the number of approved plans, participating employers and employees, and total compensation paid. A key addition is the requirement to disclose the benefit error rate for these claims, which includes improper, overpayment, and underpayment rates. This reporting must align with federal standards and may also detail statewide trends and corrective actions taken by the agency.

Maddy summaryMichigan House Bill 6311 amends the state's unemployment insurance laws to establish specific deadlines and content requirements for notifying claimants and employers about benefit determinations. The bill mandates that the unemployment agency must notify affected parties within 14 days of a decision, providing details on the reasons for the ruling, the facts relied upon, and instructions for filing an appeal. It also allows for electronic delivery of these notices if the claimant has consented or used the agency's online portal, while requiring mailed copies if electronic delivery fails. Additionally, the legislation requires the agency to send written notifications regarding claimant rights and responsibilities within two weeks and six months after initial benefit payments are issued.

Maddy summaryHB 5803 amends Michigan's child care licensing law to update the definitions of various facilities and staff members, such as clarifying who counts as a "child care staff member" or what constitutes a "children's camp." The bill directly affects child care centers, group homes, and other organizations that provide care for minors by refining the rules used to classify them under state regulations. By revising these specific terms in the statute, the legislation aims to ensure that licensing standards apply consistently to different types of care settings. This change does not alter existing licensing requirements but rather clarifies the language used to describe the entities and individuals covered by the law.

Maddy summaryThis bill updates Michigan's Natural Resources and Environmental Protection Act to clarify definitions and procedures for commercial fishing in the state's Great Lakes waters. It directly affects licensed commercial fishermen, fish dealers, and the Department of Natural Resources by establishing precise meanings for terms like "abandoned gear," "quota," and various types of fishing nets. The legislation also adds new definitions to improve record-keeping requirements for fish production, storage, and sale, ensuring that all commercial activities are clearly regulated. By amending multiple existing sections and adding a new one, the bill aims to provide a more structured framework for managing allowable catch limits and enforcing fishing privileges.

Maddy summaryThis Michigan bill updates high school graduation requirements by allowing students to earn math credits through approved career and technical education programs in trades like welding, construction, and engineering. It adds a new section to the state school code that recognizes formal CTE programs as equivalent to traditional math courses when they cover the same content as state assessments. The legislation also clarifies how personal finance courses can count toward multiple subject requirements, including math, arts, and foreign language credits. These changes directly affect public school districts and academies in Michigan by providing more flexibility in how students meet graduation standards while maintaining core academic expectations.

Maddy summaryHB 6232 allows Michigan county boards of commissioners to create a dedicated towing and recovery authority board upon request from the local sheriff or emergency 9-1-1 district director. This new board would be composed of seven members, including representatives from law enforcement, the towing industry, local government, and county residents, who serve staggered terms. The authority is empowered to establish rules for towing providers, create service districts, set equipment and operator standards, and manage a complaint process for rule violations. Members of the board are not paid but may be reimbursed for expenses, and the board must operate under state open meetings and freedom of information laws while reporting annually to the county commissioners.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires K-5 teachers and literacy support staff in Michigan to complete specific professional training focused on reading and literacy instruction by the 2029-2030 school year. The legislation designates a single state-approved provider to deliver the training, which must cover evidence-based reading methods, assessment strategies, and a multitiered system of supports for addressing learning difficulties. School districts must report annual compliance data to the state department, which will publish public reports on implementation progress and recommend funding adjustments as needed. The training includes mandatory components on phonics, vocabulary, comprehension, and data-driven decision-making, with phased implementation beginning in the 2026-2027 school year.