There are some things that nobody should gain access to in order to protect the people of the state of Michigan when it comes to critical infrastructure in the Great Lakes State. With that in mind, and with a few strokes of the pen, Gov. Rick Snyder today solidified efforts to protect the state, exempting some critical information from the Freedom of Information Act thanks to new legislation.
During the signing ceremony, Snyder said, “Michigan is a leader in addressing cybersecurity and I’m proud that this legislation takes an additional step toward addressing the safety and security of information systems and cybersecurity plans.”
House Bill 4973, sponsored by state Rep. Brandt Iden, amends the Freedom of Information Act to exempt certain electronic data related to cybersecurity measures from disclosure to the public. The bill also allows the exemption of records or information of measures designed to protect the confidentiality, integrity, or availability of information systems and cybersecurity plans. The bill is now Public Act 68 of 2018.
Snyder also signed 13 additional measures:
Senate Bill 596, sponsored by state Sen. Goeff Hansen, expands the scope of a law authorizing “Pure Michigan Trail” signs on multi-jurisdictional trails, by allowing local governments to develop plans and post signs that promote lodging and eating facilities, as well as other amenities. The bill is now PA 69 of 2018.
HB 4168, sponsored by state Rep. Ben Frederick, amends the Michigan Memorial Highway Act to designate the portion of highway M-71 between the eastern city limit of the City of Owosso and the western city limit of the City of Corunna as the “PFC Shane Cantu Veterans Memorial Highway”. PFC Cantu was a Corunna native who was killed during his first tour of duty in Afghanistan in 2012. The bill is now PA 70 of 2018.
HB 4430, sponsored by state Rep. Martin Howrylak, prohibits the state from assisting a federal agency from illegally collecting a person’s electronic data or metadata. The bill is now PA 71 of 2018.
HBs 4545 and 4546, sponsored by state Reps. Jim Ellison and Gary Howell, respectively, allow Michigan public community or junior colleges, state universities, and Michigan Works agencies to have access to Unemployment Insurance Agency (UIA) wage data. HB 4546, specifically, extends the penalty to a person associated with a Michigan public community or junior college, state university, and Michigan Works agency for inappropriately accessing or disclosing Michigan Unemployment Insurance Agency wage data. The bills are now PAs 72 and 73 of 2018.
HB 4839, sponsored by state Rep. Curtis VanderWall, prohibits the Michigan Secretary of State from issuing or transferring a vehicle registration to an applicant who is subject to an Out of Service order, to an individual who is attempting to register a vehicle on behalf of an individual subject to an Out of Service Order, or to a business partner or any other affiliated individual who is applying on behalf of an entity subject to an Out of Service Order. The bill is now PA 74 of 2018.
HB 4888, sponsored by state Rep. Dan Lauwers, expands the list of eligible non-profit organizations to solicit donations on the roadway in intersections. The bill is now PA 75 of 2018.
HB 5094, sponsored by state Rep. Joseph Bellino, prohibits a consumer reporting agency from charging a fee for placing, temporarily lifting, or removing a security freeze on a consumer’s credit report. The bill is now PA 76 of 2018.
HB 5112, sponsored by state Rep. Kimberly LaSata, designates the portion of the Red Arrow Highway in Berrien County as the “Trooper Robert J. Mihalik Memorial Highway.” Trooper Mihalik was killed in the line of duty in 1984 while attempting to arrest a man who had robbed a Benton Township gas station. The bill is now PA 77 of 2018.
HBs 5155 and 5156, sponsored by state Rep. Kimberly LaSata, revises details of the terms and management of organizations that participate in a voluntary state “adopt-a-river” or “adopt-a-shoreline” program. The bills are now PAs 78 and 79 of 2018.
HB 5198, sponsored by state Rep. Sue Allor, allows the state to enter into mutual assistance agreements with other states and the federal government for fighting forest fires, including joint training, so that it would also apply to natural or human-caused incidents that require an organized response by a public, private, or governmental entity to protect life, public health or safety, or other values. The bill is now PA 80 of 2018.
HB 5236, sponsored by state Rep. Brandt Iden, allows for non-Michigan-licensed CPA firms to perform certain work in Michigan, and adds greater specificity as to continuing education requirements for licensed CPAs. The bill is now PA 81 of 2018.
For more information on this and other legislation, visit www.legislature.mi.gov.
