Dear Neighbor,

Welcome to my latest e-newsletter! Included in this edition are some important legislative and COVID-19 updates, along with a few resources I hope will prove helpful. Please do not hesitate to reach out to my office by phone at (517) 373-1788 or email at KyraBolden@house.mi.gov for questions about this or any other state-level issue.

In service,

Kyra Bolden

State Representative, 35th House District

Upcoming Events 

Tax Season Virtual Town Hall Recording

I want to thank you for attending our Tax Season Virtual Town Hall. We were able to spread the word on how to best prepare for Tax Day. To view a recording of the town hall, please click here.

Legislative Updates 

Clean Slate Clean Up Package

Last session, the Michigan Legislature passed a comprehensive reworking of Michigan’s expungement laws, broadening access and providing relief to hundreds of thousands of our fellow citizens, affording them opportunities for better employment and dignity. As with any major initiative, there are ideas for corrections and improvements that have surfaced since the passage of these bills.

I joined several colleagues to introduce a bipartisan bill package aimed at strengthening and building on the successes of that expungement work. The following is a summary of those bills:

  • Clarifying that the time period required to have elapsed to be eligible for expungement starts from the date of the individual’s most recent conviction. There have been issues with the current statute being misinterpreted and individuals being denied expungement, so this bill clarifies that timeline.
  • Prohibiting the publishing of arrest records in ICHAT. Law enforcement is able to track arrest record information in the law enforcement information network (LEIN). Since an arrest in of itself is not a record of criminal activity, only convictions should be publicly available information, not arrests.
  • Requiring notification of expungement options at sentencing. This will ensure that individuals are aware of their expungement eligibility prior to serving their sentence.
  • Requiring notification of automatic expungement. Automatic expungement goes into effect later this year, and this bill will ensure individuals are notified if they have something expunged via that process.
  • Prohibiting employers from asking about expungement status.
  • Prohibiting landlords from asking about expungement status.

House Bills 5908 and 5909 of 2022

On March 10, I joined my colleague state Rep. Luke Meerman in introducing House Bills 5908 and 5909. This bipartisan package would reform the mandatory two-year consecutive sentences for a first conviction on a felony firearm charge.

The bipartisan legislation would provide a more in-depth definition for “use” of a firearm during the commission of a felony — “use” being defined as pulling the trigger, brandishing the weapon or pointing the weapon at another person. Under the proposed changes, the offense would still be punishable by a two-year mandatory consecutive sentence. For those who simply possess but do not use a firearm and are charged with a separate felony, the proposed legislation allows judges to sentence someone for up to two additional years for a first offense.

House Bill 5062 of 2021

I am very pleased to share that HB 5062 was signed by Gov. Whitmer! This bill would make some minor changes to the Michigan Liquor Control Code to clarify the definition of “redevelopment” to incentivize economic growth in our downtown development districts.

House Bill 5724 of 2022: Film Tax Credit Legislation

On Tuesday, Feb. 1, I introduced legislation that would help rebuild Michigan’s economy through the reinstatement of the historically successful film incentive program. This bill is part of a bipartisan package that would elevate Michigan as a leader in film production through a credit on tax liability for only verified, qualified expenditures by the industry. This will create lasting jobs in editorial facilities, stages and prop houses. Additional industries that directly help the production industry will also be positively impacted, including carpenters, catering, location rentals, hair, makeup, hotels and restaurants, just to name a few.

COVID-19 Updates & Resources

COVID-19 Vaccine Help

If you know someone who doesn’t have access to the internet and they’re eligible for the COVID-19 vaccine or need help with vaccine translation services, call 2-1-1 and press ‘5’ for free, confidential assistance.

For more information on COVID-19 vaccines specifically in Oakland County visit https://www.oakgov.com/covid/Pages/default.aspx. This website also has resources for testing and FAQ about COVID-19 as well.

Other News

City of Southfield Awarded MI Clean Water Grant

Earlier this month, the city of Southfield was awarded $1.1 million as part of a statewide effort focused on helping communities around the state upgrade drinking water and wastewater infrastructure. The grants, distributed by EGLE, will provide funding to drinking water systems for projects that remove or reduce PFAS or other contaminants, consolidate systems, or connect private residential wells to a local municipal system.

Business Forward Program Boosts Availability of Small Business Services in Oakland County

  • Oakland County Business Forward consultants are housed locally in communities near the small businesses they will serve.
  • Business Forward consultants will deliver services in cooperation with community-based organizations.
  • Goal is to help 4,000 small businesses a year, 10 times more small businesses than in the past.

Oakland County launched an innovative program that will help small businesses and entrepreneurs grow and thrive, County Executive Dave Coulter announced at a news conference in Southfield. Business Forward will engage the county’s 36,000-plus small businesses with expertise and resources in the communities where they are located.

Important Dates

Earth Day

Friday, April 22, is Earth Day. This is an annual celebration of environmental action and awareness promoting the sustainability of our planet. This year’s Earth Day theme is “Invest in our Planet” — investing in our planet means investing in our future. Although Earth Day is only celebrated one day a year, we encourage you to practice sustainability all year around.

You can find more information about Earth Day and how to contribute online.

Sexual Assault Awareness Month

April is Sexual Assault Awareness Month. This issue is sadly all too common, and we must all do our part to understand and prevent sexual assault in our society. This month, let us educate ourselves and give space for survivors to tell their stories and support them in their time of need.

You can learn more about this issue and how you can help by visiting these links: