Month: February 2023

Five Stories that Matter in Michigan This Week – February 24, 2023

  1. $35 Million in Grants Available for Small Nonprofits

The State of Michigan, Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity (LEO) and Michigan Nonprofit Association (MNA) have teamed up to help Michigan charities whose operations were impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Why it Matters: Under this initiative, called the MI Nonprofit Relief Fund, grants in amounts between $5,000 and $25,000 will be awarded to selected entities with annual revenues total under $1 million. In addition, eligible entities must be based in Michigan and recognized by the IRS under Section 501(c)(3). Learn more.

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  1. Michigan Cannabis Regulatory Agency Suspends Licenses, Issues Advisory

The Michigan Cannabis Regulatory Agency (CRA) recently suspended the licenses of a marijuana processor and issued a safety advisory for items manufactured with “illicit product.”

Why it Matters: This action is an important reminder to marijuana businesses in Michigan that the CRA is active in regulating businesses and taking enforcement action when appropriate. TAS Asset Holdings is the second processor to have its license suspended by the CRA this month. The CRA also announced disciplinary action against 10 marijuana businesses on February 10.

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  1. CRA Publishes January 2023 Data, Average Price Drops

Per recent monthly data published by the Cannabis Regulatory Agency, the average retail flower price of an ounce of cannabis is $80.16, an all-time low, and almost a 50% decrease compared to last year’s average price of $152.74.

Why it Matters: While the prices of cannabis and cannabis-related products continue to decrease and make consumers happy, growers on the other hand are seeing profits decrease resulting in them seeking ways to halt new licenses to be granted in an effort to steady prices. Contact our cannabis law attorneys if you have any questions.

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  1. DOL Issues Telework Guidance to Employers

On February 9, 2023, the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) issued a Field Assistance Bulletin (Bulletin) addressing several questions related to compliance with the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) and Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) when a business employs teleworkers.

Why it Matters: The Bulletin provides that the protections under the FLSA apply equally to employees who telework as to employees working at an office, factory, construction site, retail outlet, or any other worksite location.

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  1. ERISA Health and Welfare Plan Voluntary Audit Service

Fraser Trebilcock is excited to introduce our Health and Welfare Plan Voluntary Audit Service to help businesses ensure their health and welfare plans are compliant with the Employee Retirement Income Security Act (ERISA).

Why it Matters: ERISA is a complex set of regulations that governs employee benefit plans, including health and welfare plans. Failure to comply with ERISA can result in costly fines and penalties, not to mention damage to your company’s reputation. Learn more from your Fraser Trebilcock attorney.

Related Practice Groups and Professionals

Business & Tax | Robert Burgee
Cannabis Law | Sean Gallagher
Labor, Employment & Civil Rights | Aaron Davis
Employee Benefits | Robert Burgee

$35 Million in Grants Available for Small Nonprofits

The State of Michigan, Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity (LEO) and Michigan Nonprofit Association (MNA) have teamed up to help Michigan charities whose operations were impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. Under this initiative, called the MI Nonprofit Relief Fund, grants in amounts between $5,000 and $25,000 will be awarded to selected entities with annual revenues total under $1 million. In addition, eligible entities must be based in Michigan and recognized by the IRS under Section 501(c)(3).

At this time, interested nonprofit organizations are being invited to complete an “Intent to Apply” form at MiNonprofitRelief.org, a website managed by MNA, who is responsible for managing the fund. Complete applications will be made available in March 2023.

Contact your Fraser attorney for further information and assistance in applying for this exceptional funding opportunity.

This alert serves as a general summary, and does not constitute legal guidance. Please contact us with any specific questions.

Attorney Robert D. BurgeeRobert D. Burgee is an attorney at Fraser Trebilcock’s Lansing office with over a decade of experience counseling clients with a focus on corporate structures and compliance, licensing, contracts, regulatory compliance, mergers and acquisitions, and a host of other matters related to the operation of small and medium-sized businesses and non-profits. He can be reached at bburgee@fraserlawfirm.com, or at 517.377.0848.

Headshot of attorney Edward J. CastellaniEdward J. Castellani is an attorney and CPA with Fraser Trebilcock with over three decades of experience handling business transactions. He may be contacted at ecast@fraserlawfirm.com or 517-377-0845.

Name, Image, Likeness Law for Student-Athletes Takes Effect in Michigan

Michigan House Bill 5217, which was passed into law in 2020, took effect on December 31, 2022. The new law set standards for how student-athletes can earn compensation for the use of their name, image, and likeness (“NIL”) in Michigan. The NCAA also has its own NIL policy, which took effect on July 1, 2021.

It’s important that Michigan student-athletes, covered higher education institutions, and businesses ensure that NIL deals comply not only with NCAA rules and regulations, but also with the new standards that will apply in the State of Michigan.

For example, higher education institutions are prohibited from paying a student-athlete compensation directly for the use of their NIL rights, or revoking or reducing a student-athlete’s athletic scholarship because they earned compensation from an NIL deal.

The law also places certain limitations and obligations upon student-athletes, including:

  • Prior to entering into any endorsement agreement, the student-athlete must disclose the proposed opportunity to a university-designated official at least seven days prior to committing to the opportunity or contract.
  • Student-athlete endorsers are prohibited from entering into an apparel contract if that contract or promotional relationship conflicts with any provision of their school’s existing apparel contract.
  • Restrictions on the use of the name, trademarks, service marks, logos, symbols, or other intellectual property of their university in conjunction with the student-athletes use of their name, image or likeness.

This is an evolving area of the law in Michigan and throughout the country. There is some speculation that a new federal law will be passed standardizing how NIL works throughout the country. Currently, however, the restrictions and obligations on parties participating in NIL deals must be discerned from a patchwork of NCAA rules and regulations, state laws, and university policies. For questions or assistance, please contact Ryan Kauffman.

This alert serves as a general summary, and does not constitute legal guidance. Please contact us with any specific questions.

Ryan K. Kauffman is a Shareholder at Fraser Trebilcock with more than a decade of experience handling complex litigation matters. You can contact him at rkauffman@fraserlawfirm.com or 517.377.0881.

Five Stories that Matter in Michigan This Week – February 3, 2023

1. Michigan Legislature Expands EITC Credit

The Michigan legislature recently passed a bill expanding Michigan’s Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC). The approved legislation retroactively increased the state’s EITC to 30% of the federal credit, where it is estimated to impact over 700,000 low-income workers.

Why it Matters: Per the Michigan League for Public Policy, upping the state’s EITC credit means that for individuals and their families who are eligible can receive an average of $750 credit per family.

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2. CRA Publishes December 2022 Data, Average Price Drops

According to recent monthly datapublished by the Cannabis Regulatory Agency, the average retail flower price of an ounce of cannabis is $90.68, an all-time low and more than a 50% decrease compared to last year’s December 2021 average price of $184.90.

Why it Matters: While the prices of cannabis and cannabis-related products continue to decrease and make consumers happy, growers on the other hand are seeing profits decrease resulting in them seeking ways to halt new licenses to be granted in an effort to steady prices. Contact our cannabis law attorneysif you have any questions.

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3. Michigan Legislature Approves $1.1 Billion Supplemental Spending Bill

The Michigan Legislature on Thursday approved a supplemental spending bill totaling $1.1 billion over two years. The spending includes $150 million to deposit into the state’s Strategic Outreach and Attraction Reserve Fund, which the state has used to pay major incentives to manufacturers with plans to build batteries and electric vehicles, and $150 million to develop a tax credit program to reduce housing costs.

Why it Matters: The bill, one of the first acts of the Democrat-controlled legislature, generated some controversy. Republicans complained that there was insufficient time to review the bills, and raised questions about how some of the spending is to be allocated.

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4. Upcoming Changes to 529 Plans Following SECURE Act 2.0

President Biden signed the SECURE Act 2.0 into law on December 29, 2022. Under certain conditions, Section 126 of the Act will amend the IRS Code to allow tax and penalty free rollovers from 529 accounts to Roth IRAs.

Why it Matters: There has been a decline in 529 accounts because families are worried about needing to take non-qualified withdrawals of leftover funds within the account, thus incurring a penalty. Section 126 will provide individuals with an option to make better use of leftover funds within a 529 account. Section 126 will become effective with respect to distributions after December 31, 2023. Learn more on the topic.

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5. What You Need to Know About Pet Trusts

A pet trust is a legal document that allows you to provide for the care of your beloved pet if you become incapacitated and after you pass away. A pet trust can be created as a standalone document, or as part of a revocable (living) trust or will. In addition, a durable power of attorney can provide instructions to an agent for the care of a pet during your lifetime.

Why it Matters: Estate planning with pets in mind is an increasingly popular way for pet owners to ensure that their furry companions are taken care of, even when the owners can no longer care for themselves. Learn more about how to effectively care for your pets if you become incapacitated or pass away.

Related Practice Groups and Professionals

Business & Tax | Ed Castellani
Cannabis Law | Sean Gallagher
Labor, Employment & Civil Rights | Aaron Davis
Trusts & Estates | Elizabeth Siefker