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HB 5792

Crimes: other; interfering with the operational technology of a covered critical infrastructure facility; prohibit. Amends 1931 PA 328 (MCL 750.1 - 750.568) by adding sec. 383b.

2025-2026 Regular Session Introduced by Reggie Miller

Creates a new felony for knowingly and maliciously interfering with the operational technology of specified large critical infrastructure facilities, with penalties up to 20 years

bill electronically reproduced 04/14/2026
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Bill Summary · HB 5792

Bill Summary: HB 5792 (Michigan, 2025-2026)

Purpose and Intent

HB 5792 proposes to create a new criminal offense targeting individuals who knowingly and maliciously interfere with the operational technology of certain covered critical infrastructure facilities. The bill sets forth felony penalties, carve-outs for lawful activities, and specific definitions to delineate what qualifies as a “covered critical infrastructure facility” and what constitutes “operational technology” and “knowingly and maliciously.”

Key Provisions

  • New offense: Adds Section 383b to the Michigan Penal Code (1931 PA 328).

    • A person who knowingly and maliciously interferes with the operational technology of a covered critical infrastructure facility is guilty of a felony.
    • Default penalty: up to 20 years imprisonment, up to $250,000 fine, or both.

  • Enhanced penalties for aggravated interference:

    • If the interference disrupts an emergency service, hospital, or water system, or causes damages exceeding $1,000,000, the offense is a felony with:
    • Up to 30 years imprisonment, up to $300,000 fine, or both.

  • Limitations / exceptions:

    • The new section does not apply to lawful protest, labor activity, authorized research, or law enforcement.

  • Definitions (Section 383b(4)):

    • Covered critical infrastructure facility includes:
    • An electric substation or grid control center serving 5,000 or more customers.
    • A battery energy storage system with storage capacity greater than 1 megawatt.
    • A water or wastewater facility serving 1,000 or more connections.
    • A data center with a connected load of 10 or more megawatts.
    • A natural gas storage or compression facility.
    • Knowingly and maliciously: intentional, unauthorized conduct intended to cause disruption or public safety risk.
    • Operational technology: systems that control physical devices or processes.

  • Effective date: The act takes effect 90 days after enactment.

Who/What Is Affected

  • Institutions potentially affected include major critical infrastructure operators and facilities listed in the definition:
    • Electric power substations/grid control centers serving 5,000+ customers
    • Battery energy storage systems >1 MW
    • Water/wastewater facilities with 1,000+ connections
    • Data centers with 10+ MW connected load
    • Natural gas storage or compression facilities
  • Individuals who knowingly and maliciously interfere with the operational technology of these facilities could face enhanced criminal penalties, with steeper penalties if disruptions affect emergency services, healthcare facilities, or water systems, or cause substantial property damage.

Procedural and Timeline Considerations

  • Introduction/Referral: Introduced April 14, 2026; referred to the Committee on Government Operations.
  • Sponsor: Rep. Reggie Miller (co-sponsor listed).
  • Effective Date: 90 days after enactment.
  • Enactment Path: As a bill amending the Michigan Penal Code, it would require passage by both chambers of the Legislature and a signature by the Governor to become law.

Plain-Language Takeaways

  • The bill creates a new crime for tampering with the computer-controlled or automated systems that operate certain large or critical facilities.
  • Penalties are straightforward: up to 20 years and/or $250,000 for general interference; up to 30 years and/or $300,000 if the action disrupts emergency services, hospitals, or water systems, or causes more than $1 million in damage.
  • Activities that are lawful, such as protests or certain research, are explicitly exempt.
  • The scope targets facilities with significant impact on the public or critical services, using specific thresholds for facility size and capacity to determine coverage.

If you’d like, I can provide a section-by-section mapping to the bill’s text or compare this proposal to similar existing Michigan statutes.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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