Rep. Jason Woolford

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 6284 updates the state's sentencing guidelines by amending Section 16m of the Code of Criminal Procedure to include specific firearm-related felonies. The bill creates a comprehensive list of offenses, ranging from selling firearms to minors and prohibited persons to discharging guns in vehicles or at dwellings, assigning each a specific classification level and maximum prison sentence. These classifications determine how judges calculate sentences for these crimes, with penalties varying based on the severity of the act and any resulting injuries or deaths. The legislation is tied to House Bill 6285 and will not take effect unless that companion bill is also enacted into law.

Maddy summaryMichigan House Bill 6287 modifies the state's public health code to streamline how new birth certificates are issued for individuals who have undergone adoptions, established parentage through assisted reproduction, or requested a change in their sex designation. The bill specifies that the state registrar must issue a new certificate when presented with specific legal documents, such as adoption reports or court orders, and restricts additional documentation requirements for sex designation changes to a signed form and any applicable name change order. It also updates procedures for handling name changes on birth records, distinguishing between cases where an addendum is sufficient versus those requiring a completely new certificate. Additionally, the legislation revises fee structures for vital record searches and corrections, introducing specific charges for various services while providing free copies to veterans seeking benefits, licensed child placing agencies, and individuals who can verify their homeless status through designated federal documentation.

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 6281 amends the Motor Fuels Quality Act to update regulations for gasoline and diesel fuel sold in the state. The bill directs the director of the Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy to establish specific standards for fuel purity, additives, and octane ratings, while mandating a vapor pressure limit of 9.0 psi for most retail outlets during the summer months from June 1 to September 15. It also clarifies that certain counties with stricter air quality requirements must continue using lower vapor pressure fuels of 7.0 or 7.8 psi unless federal and state agencies determine those standards are no longer necessary. Additionally, the legislation permits the year-round sale of E15 fuel, which contains 10.5% to 15% ethanol, provided that dispensing pumps are clearly labeled in accordance with federal law.

Maddy summaryMichigan House Bill 6285 removes state-level restrictions on the manufacture, sale, and possession of silencers, shotguns with barrels shorter than 18 inches, and rifles with barrels shorter than 16 inches. The bill amends the Michigan penal code to eliminate these specific items from the list of prohibited weapons, effectively legalizing them for private citizens while maintaining existing federal regulations. It also repeals a separate section of the law that previously addressed short-barreled shotguns, ensuring consistency in the state's firearm statutes.

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 6312 requires the state unemployment insurance agency to maintain digital copies of claimants' original applications and certifications for at least seven years, with each file including a time stamp indicating when it was received. The bill allows these records to be accessed by the claimant, their representative, the auditor general, or legislators specifically for administrative hearings, audits, or legislative oversight. To protect privacy, the digital images must be stored securely using encryption and access restrictions in line with state data security standards. Additionally, the agency must perform an annual audit of this retention system and report the results to legislative leadership, facing a $5,000 monthly fine if it fails to comply with these requirements.

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.