Rep. Veronica Paiz

Maddy summaryThis bill allows local governments in Michigan to impose specific restrictions on firearms, pneumatic guns, and related ammunition within their jurisdictions. It explicitly permits municipalities to regulate how employees carry weapons at work, set age limits for children possessing air guns, ban threatening displays of such weapons, and prohibit open carry inside government buildings. The legislation also clarifies that these local rules cannot override existing state criminal laws and must allow law enforcement officers to openly carry firearms.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends Michigan law to clarify when law enforcement must collect and forward biometric data, such as fingerprints, following an arrest. It requires agencies to gather this information for specific serious offenses, including felonies and certain misdemeanors, and mandates that the data be sent to the state police within 72 hours. The legislation also outlines procedures for destroying biometric data if a person is released without charges or if an arrest record is expunged, ensuring that digital records are removed when appropriate. Additionally, the bill includes a provision to remove references to sodomy from a 1925 statute regarding criminal history records.

Maddy summaryHB 4433 removes sodomy between consenting adults from the list of crimes that allow judges to close preliminary court hearings to the public. This change means that cases involving consensual adult sodomy will no longer be eligible for closed-door proceedings, ensuring they remain open to public observation like other criminal cases. The bill applies specifically to the state's Code of Criminal Procedure and affects how magistrates handle pre-trial hearings for this specific offense.

Maddy summaryHB 4431 removes the state law that criminalizes consensual sodomy between adults. By repealing specific sections of the Michigan Penal Code, the bill eliminates the felony charges and potential prison sentences currently available for this act. The legislation does not address bestiality, which remains a separate crime under the law. This change directly affects individuals who engage in private sexual conduct between consenting adults.

Maddy summaryThis bill allows tenants in single-unit, metered rental homes to request that their water and sewer bills be sent to them in addition to the landlord. It prohibits landlords from retaliating against tenants who make this request by taking actions such as shutting off water, refusing lease renewals, or raising rent. The law applies to all new or renewed leases and ensures that tenants have direct access to their utility billing information without fear of punishment.

Maddy summaryThis bill modifies Michigan's laws regarding utility theft by creating a specific exemption from criminal charges for people who restore water service to their own homes after a shut-off due to non-payment. Under the new provisions, individuals caught bypassing a meter or regulator to regain water access for their occupied residence will face a state civil infraction instead of a misdemeanor or felony, provided they do not damage the metering equipment. Penalties for these civil infractions range from community service to fines, with stricter consequences for repeat offenses. The change aims to decriminalize a situation often driven by financial hardship while still allowing utility companies to pursue civil damages for the cost of the service used.

Maddy summaryThis bill updates the definitions within Michigan's Animal Welfare Fund Act to clarify terms like "animal control shelter," "qualified veterinarian," and "state animal anticruelty laws." By referencing existing statutes, the legislation ensures these terms align with current legal standards for animal care and veterinary licensing. The bill does not create new laws or change funding rules but rather organizes the current act for consistency. It includes a provision that prevents it from becoming effective unless a related companion bill is also passed by the legislature.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a new low-income water affordability program in Michigan designed to help households with limited income manage their water and sewer bills. The program defines eligible customers as those earning less than 200% of the federal poverty guidelines or receiving specific government assistance, such as SNAP or medical aid. It requires water providers to collect a mandatory fee from all customers to fund the program, which will be used to reduce or eliminate unpaid bills and adjust monthly charges so they do not exceed 3% of a household's income. Starting in 2026, the state will administer the program for larger providers, with the goal of expanding to all providers within 18 months of the program's launch.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes the Water Shutoff Protection Act to regulate how Michigan water utilities handle unpaid bills for residential customers. It mandates that providers must make at least three contact attempts using multiple methods, such as door notices, phone calls, or mail, before cutting off service for non-payment. The law specifically prohibits shutting off water for households with critical care needs, such as those using life-support systems, and defines eligibility for assistance based on income levels and participation in various state and federal aid programs. Additionally, the act requires utilities to inform customers about available payment plans and affordability programs before enforcing a shutoff.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a new Low-Income Water Residential Affordability Fund in Michigan to help pay for water assistance programs and reduce utility bills for low-income households. Water providers will collect a monthly fee of up to $2.00 per residential account, which is then sent to the state treasury to be distributed for bill discounts, arrears payments, and plumbing repairs. The law also protects these payments from being seized to collect other debts and requires providers to report their usage annually. Additionally, the funding amount can be adjusted every three years based on recommendations from a task force, but it cannot exceed $3.00 per month or increase total collections by more than 10% compared to the previous year.