HB 5498 Summary

• Amends the Michigan sentencing guidelines (MCL 777.16b) to add 16 felonies to the sentencing guidelines framework under Chapter XVII of the Code of Criminal Procedure.

• Adds unmanned aircraft offenses under MCL 750.45a(1) and (2) as Class F felonies with a 4-year statutory maximum for interfering with facilities or hovering over federally-designated facilities.

• Adds animal fighting-related offenses under MCL 750.49 as Class F, H, and A felonies, ranging from attending fights (4-year max) to inciting a fighting animal resulting in death (life sentence).

• Adds animal cruelty offenses under MCL 750.50, 750.50b, and 750.50c as Class E, F, G, and H felonies with statutory maximums ranging from 2 to 5 years, including harm to law enforcement and search and rescue dogs.

• Takes effect 90 days after enactment, contingent on House Bill 5495 of the 99th Legislature being enacted into law.