Public Act 534 of 2004

      Comments on this legislation    Post new comment    Text and Analysis    Add to Watch List 
  Previous   Next 

• Introduced by Sen. Jason Allen (R) on December 2, 2003, to allow employers to pay wages by electronic funds transfer only. The bill would require employers who choose to do so to notify current employees and give them at least six weeks to establish an account at a financial institution to accept the deposit or transfer of wages.
  • Referred to the Senate Local, Urban, & State Affairs Committee on December 2, 2003.
    • Reported in the Senate on March 30, 2004, with the recommendation that the bill pass.
  • Substitute offered by Sen. Jason Allen (R) on June 30, 2004, to replace the previous version of the bill with one that does not allow an employer to pay wages by electronic funds transfer only, but does streamline the procedures for using this form of payment. Under current law, the employer must receive prior consent from each employee. The bill would eliminate this requirement, but allow employees to opt out and still receive a paper pay check. The substitute passed by voice vote in the Senate on June 30, 2004.
• Passed 36 to 0 in the Senate on June 30, 2004, to allow employers to pay wages by electronic funds transfer or debit card without receiving prior written consent from each employee, which is required under current law. Employees would still be allowed to opt out and receive a paper pay check. An employer could not charge any fees for these payment methods.
  Who Voted "Yes" and Who Voted "No"
• Received in the House on June 30, 2004.
  • Referred to the House Government Operations Committee on June 30, 2004.
    • Reported in the House on September 15, 2004, with the recommendation that the substitute (H-1) be adopted and that the bill then pass.
  • Substitute offered in the House on December 8, 2004, to replace the previous version of the bill with one that incorporates technical changes resulting from committee testimony and deliberation. This version was subsequently superceded by another substitute with more technical changes. The substitute passed by voice vote in the House on December 8, 2004.
  • Substitute offered by Rep. James Koetje (R) on December 8, 2004, to replace the previous version of the bill with one that revises details but does not change the substance of the bill as previously described. The substitute passed by voice vote in the House on December 8, 2004.
  • Substitute offered in the House on December 9, 2004, to allow employers to pay employees with debit cards without permission from the employee. The substitute passed by voice vote in the House on December 9, 2004.
• Passed 102 to 3 in the House on December 9, 2004, to allow employers to pay wages by debit card without receiving prior written consent from each employee, which is required under current law. Employer could also pay via electronic funds transfer if an employee agrees. An employer could not charge any fees for these payment methods.
  Who Voted "Yes" and Who Voted "No"
• Received in the Senate on December 9, 2004, to concur with the House-passed version of the bill. Passed 36 to 0 in the Senate on December 9, 2004.
  Who Voted "Yes" and Who Voted "No"
• Signed by Gov. Jennifer Granholm on January 3, 2005.