Rep. Veronica Paiz

Maddy summaryHB 6064 modifies how Michigan's Renew Michigan Fund is managed and spent to support environmental and recycling initiatives. The bill designates the Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy as the administrator and ensures that any money remaining in the fund at the end of a fiscal year stays in the fund rather than moving to the general fund. It establishes specific spending percentages for environmental cleanup, waste management, and recycling, with the allocation for cleanup and redevelopment gradually increasing from 65% to 55% starting in the 2025-2026 fiscal year. Additionally, the legislation introduces a new category for host community grants to cities and townships near landfills and coal ash impoundments, effective from 2025-2026. The bill also requires the department to submit an annual report to the state legislature detailing the fund's revenue, expenditures, and balance.

Maddy summaryHouse Bill 6070 proposes to authorize Michigan to issue up to $2 billion in general obligation bonds to fund environmental and natural resources protection programs. These funds would be used to clean up contaminated sites, improve water quality, prevent pollution, address lead contamination, revitalize waterfronts, and remove contaminated sediments from waterways. The bill requires that the question of approving this debt be submitted to a statewide vote at the next general election, with bond issuance contingent on a majority "yes" vote from eligible voters. If approved, the state would pledge its full faith and credit to pay the bond principal and interest, with repayment coming from the state's general fund.

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 proposes the creation of a formal apprenticeship program for massage therapists in Michigan. It directly affects individuals seeking to become licensed massage therapists and the organizations that would train them. The legislation amends existing public health laws to establish the legal framework for this new training pathway. By adding a new section to the state code, the bill sets up the administrative structure needed to oversee and regulate these apprenticeships.

Maddy summaryThis bill prohibits retailers in Michigan from selling specific weight loss dietary supplements and diet pills to anyone under the age of 18. To enforce this, the law requires physical stores to check identification before a sale and mandates that online orders include age verification through independent government databases and secure shipping methods that prevent minors from receiving the product. The state Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs will create and annually update a list of covered products based on their marketing claims regarding weight loss or appetite control. Retailers found violating these rules could face civil fines of up to $1,000 or other legal remedies.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a new Michigan Community Investment Tax Credit Program designed to help distressed areas and low-income neighborhoods by encouraging donations to local nonprofit organizations. Under the program, place-based nonprofits that focus on specific communities can apply for approval to receive tax credits, which they then issue to donors who contribute at least $500 to support their community development projects. The state fund will manage this process, with a total annual limit of $25 million in tax credits and individual allocations capped between $50,000 and $150,000 for up to three consecutive years. To qualify, the nonprofit must demonstrate that its leadership includes meaningful representation from the economically disadvantaged residents it serves. The bill also requires the fund to publish application guidelines and a list of approved organizations on its website to ensure transparency.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a Michigan Community Investment Tax Credit program that allows taxpayers to reduce their state income tax by 50% on donations made to qualified organizations between December 31, 2024, and January 1, 2030. The program is designed to encourage private investment in local communities by letting donors claim the credit against their tax liability, with any unused portion carried forward for up to five years. A total annual cap of $25 million limits the total credits available, and the Department of Treasury must report how these funds are distributed among organizations. The legislation requires cooperation with the Michigan Strategic Fund and mandates that donations be certified by the recipient organization to be eligible for the tax benefit.

Maddy summaryThis bill allows courts to use records of deferred domestic violence charges as evidence when deciding child custody and parenting time cases. It requires courts to make these previously sealed records available to judges and the parties involved in custody disputes to help determine the best interests of the child. The legislation does not change how domestic violence cases are handled but instead ensures that past deferred charges are visible in family court proceedings.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends Michigan's Home Rule City Act to clarify how cities can establish administrative hearings bureaus to handle blight violations. It allows qualifying cities to create these bureaus to adjudicate specific issues like zoning, property maintenance, and sanitation violations, with fines capped at $10,000 and the cost of operation borne by the city. The legislation also updates the process for serving violation notices, permitting cities to use email with a read receipt confirmation and requiring a sworn statement for notices that demand a hearing. Additionally, it restricts the issuance of blight notices to landlords during routine inspections unless there is an immediate emergency or the landlord has been given a chance to correct the issue first.

Maddy summaryThis bill designates the month of May each year in Michigan as Huntington's Disease Awareness Month. The legislation aims to increase public and medical knowledge about Huntington's disease, a progressive neurological condition that currently has no cure. By officially recognizing this time period, the state hopes to encourage greater understanding of the disease's challenges and support ongoing research efforts.