Rep. Veronica Paiz

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a new legal framework in Michigan to handle the division of "heirs property," which is real estate owned by multiple relatives who inherited it without a formal agreement. It establishes specific rules for courts to follow when these properties are contested, requiring judges to first determine if the land qualifies as heirs property before deciding how to split it. Under the new provisions, courts must order professional appraisals to set a fair market value unless all owners agree on a price or the cost of an appraisal is deemed too high. The legislation also mandates that plaintiffs post a sign on the property during legal proceedings to notify potential heirs and requires that any appointed evaluators be impartial and not involved in the case.

Maddy summaryThis bill updates Michigan's laws to allow the state Department of Treasury to enter into fuel tax reciprocity agreements with neighboring states. These agreements specifically apply to large commercial trucks carrying raw forest products, such as logs and wood chips, to sawmills or factories located within 50 air miles of the state border. Under the new rules, these carriers would not need to pay Michigan fuel taxes or display certain licenses if they receive reciprocal treatment from the other state. The legislation also clarifies that the Department of Treasury has sole authority to negotiate these deals, separate from the broader highway reciprocity board.

Maddy summaryThis law changes how ballot questions for constitutional amendments, citizen laws, and referendums are numbered and tracked in Michigan. It requires the Secretary of State to assign a unique number to each question at least 60 days before an election, using a specific format that includes the election year and the order in which petitions were filed. The bill also mandates that the Secretary of State post updates on petition status online every month and notify petitioners immediately when their petitions are approved or rejected. Additionally, it clarifies when different types of ballot questions are considered "filed" for the purpose of determining their sequence on the ballot. These rules affect election officials, the Secretary of State, and citizens who submit petitions to place issues on the ballot.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires the Michigan Department of Corrections to help prisoners obtain driver's licenses and state identification cards before they are released on parole or complete their sentences. The department must collect necessary documents and photos at least 60 days prior to release and forward them to the Secretary of State, while also informing inmates about this assistance upon entry into the system. To support these efforts, the legislation creates a dedicated "reentry success fund" to cover the costs of the program. The bill also allows the Secretary of State to access prisoner information electronically to verify identities during the application process.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends Michigan's civil rights law to explicitly prohibit housing discrimination based on a person's source of income. It applies to landlords, property managers, and real estate brokers who sell, rent, or lease residential properties. By adding "source of income" to the list of protected categories, the legislation ensures that individuals cannot be denied housing or treated differently because of how they pay their rent, such as using housing vouchers. The law takes effect on April 2, 2025, provided that two companion bills are also enacted into law.

Maddy summaryThis bill modifies Michigan election laws to require petitioners proposing constitutional amendments or ballot initiatives to include a clear, impartial summary of their proposal's purpose. The new rules limit this summary to 100 words and mandate that it use plain language understandable to the general public without creating bias. Additionally, the bill establishes a review process where the Board of State Canvassers must approve or reject the petition form and summary within 30 days, and it clarifies the specific legal standards for determining whether a proposed amendment alters or abrogates existing constitutional provisions.

Maddy summaryHB 4900 updates Michigan laws regarding how courts collect money owed through legal judgments by clarifying definitions and adjusting collection procedures. The bill specifically affects creditors seeking to garnish wages or seize property, as well as individuals whose earnings are subject to such collection efforts. Key changes include refining the definition of "garnishable earnings" to account for specific insurance deductions and establishing a new $1 fee that plaintiffs must pay to the third party holding the debt when serving a garnishment order. Additionally, the legislation clarifies when garnishment proceedings can begin against government entities and individuals who owe money for labor performed.

Maddy summaryThis bill proposes to allow the state to use statistical random sampling to verify the signatures on petitions submitted by groups seeking to form a new political party. Instead of requiring every single signature to be manually checked, election officials would randomly select a portion of the signatures to validate, which could speed up the process for new parties. The measure directly affects citizens attempting to establish new political organizations and the election authorities responsible for processing their paperwork. Although the bill passed the legislature, it was vetoed by the Governor and did not become law.

Maddy summaryThis bill allows certain Michigan state employees in law enforcement roles to voluntarily switch from their current retirement plan to the Michigan State Police retirement system. Between August 4, 2025, and October 17, 2025, eligible workers can submit a written, irrevocable election to make this change, with the transfer taking effect on January 3, 2026. The process requires the signature of the employee's spouse unless waived for special circumstances, and it applies specifically to corrections officers, conservation officers, and state police members who meet specific criteria. Employees who do not submit an election during the designated window will remain in their existing retirement plans.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends Michigan law to allow the Secretary of State to issue official state identification cards directly to individuals currently on parole or recently released from correctional facilities. The program requires the Secretary of State to electronically verify a prisoner's identity using records from the Department of Corrections and issue the card before the individual's projected release date. If the card cannot be delivered in time, the bill mandates that it be mailed to the Department of Corrections for handover to the individual. The legislation also clarifies that applicants who are not U.S. citizens must provide documents proving their legal presence in the United States and prohibits the Secretary of State from displaying Social Security numbers on the cards.