Rep. Tyrone Carter

Maddy summaryThis bill amends Michigan's public health code to strictly prohibit public bodies from using dogs in research or training activities that cause pain or distress. It defines specific scenarios where such use is forbidden, including procedures that could cause death, injury, fear, trauma, or involve invasive surgeries, while allowing exceptions for veterinary training on existing ailments and routine spaying or neutering. The legislation empowers the state department to inspect facilities and establish rules for animal care, and it imposes civil fines of up to $5,000 per day for each dog involved in a violation. Additionally, the bill creates a new Animal Research Advisory Board to oversee these standards and repeals previous sections of the code that are no longer needed.

Maddy summaryThis bill allows homeowners in Michigan who have already qualified for a property tax exemption due to poverty to skip the annual reapplication process for up to three years, provided they continue to own and occupy the home and receive a fixed income from sources like Social Security or public assistance. Under current rules, eligible individuals must file a new claim with their local board of review every year, but this legislation creates an exception for those whose income does not fluctuate significantly, thereby reducing administrative burdens for low-income residents. The law also requires homeowners to file a simple affidavit within 45 days if their living situation changes or if they no longer meet the income requirements, ensuring that the exemption is only maintained for those who remain eligible.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a new Energy Stability Fund within the state treasury to help cover energy costs for specific groups of people. The fund can receive money from any source, and the state treasurer will manage its investments while the Department of Health and Human Services oversees its use. Money in the fund will not be returned to the general budget at the end of the year and can only be spent to provide energy assistance to low-income seniors, individuals with qualified disabilities, and veterans.

Maddy summaryThis bill strengthens Michigan's laws against real estate fraud by increasing penalties for individuals who knowingly create or submit false documents to the register of deeds. It directly affects anyone involved in drafting or filing property records, as well as the officials who maintain those records. Under the new provisions, submitting a fraudulent document with the intent to defraud a property owner is now classified as a felony punishable by up to 10 years in prison and a fine of up to $5,000. Additionally, the law allows county prosecutors to receive evidence of such violations directly from the register of deeds. These changes aim to deter deceptive practices in property transactions and provide clearer legal consequences for those who attempt to deceive owners or the public record.

Maddy summaryThis bill updates Michigan's criminal laws to impose stricter penalties for knowingly creating or submitting false documents to the Register of Deeds. It specifically targets fraudulent activities related to property transfers, including deceptive conveyances and false statements made by contractors regarding building funds. By clarifying the classification and maximum prison sentences for these offenses, the legislation aims to increase accountability for individuals who attempt to deceive public records. The changes apply to various property-related crimes, ensuring that those who intentionally falsify documents face appropriate legal consequences.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a one-time tax credit of up to $10,000 for Michigan residents who incur unreimbursed costs related to live organ donation. Starting in the 2025 tax year, eligible individuals can claim this credit for expenses such as travel, lodging, lost wages, and child care, provided they submit proof of the donation and related costs. The credit is not refundable, meaning it can only reduce the tax owed to zero but will not result in a cash payment if the credit amount exceeds the taxpayer's liability.

Maddy summaryThis bill updates the fees sheriffs in Michigan can charge for various legal services, including mortgage foreclosures, jury summoning, and prisoner handling. It specifically increases the cost for posting foreclosure sale notices from $16 to $26 and raises the fee for selling lands at foreclosure from $50 to $75. Additionally, the legislation adjusts other compensation rates for tasks like drafting inventories and attending court, while also clarifying the amount a homeowner must pay to redeem a property after a foreclosure sale. These changes directly affect sheriffs, their deputies, and individuals involved in civil litigation or foreclosure proceedings by standardizing and adjusting the financial compensation for these official duties.

Maddy summaryHB 6050 updates the fees and mileage reimbursement rates that process servers in Michigan can charge for various legal services, such as serving summonses, subpoenas, and eviction orders. The bill increases specific flat fees for these services from $26 to $36 and from $40 to $50, while also raising the fee for receiving and filing bonds in claim and delivery actions from $20 to $30. Additionally, it adjusts the compensation for verification services and clarifies rules regarding mileage calculations and the handling of illegal fee charges. These changes directly affect professional process servers and the courts that utilize their services to deliver legal documents.

Maddy summaryThis bill proposes to update Michigan's occupational code to formally establish a licensing requirement for interior designers. By adding a new article to the law, it would create specific rules and standards that individuals must meet to legally practice interior design in the state. The legislation directly affects current and future interior designers, as well as businesses and consumers who hire them for professional services.

Maddy summaryHB 5953 limits the late fees or penalties that privately owned toll bridge operators can charge for unpaid tolls to no more than five times the original toll amount. This restriction applies only to privately owned bridges and does not affect international crossings or publicly owned bridges. The bill amends the Michigan Vehicle Code to establish this cap, ensuring that fees for overdue tolls remain proportional to the initial cost.