Rep. Betsy Coffia

Maddy summaryThis bill designates a specific stretch of Interstate 94 in Wayne County as the "Corporal Mohamed Said Memorial Highway." The designated section runs between Oakwood Boulevard and Outer Drive W. By adding this new section to the Michigan Memorial Highway Act, the legislation officially names the road in honor of Corporal Mohamed Said.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a new Office of Tribal Legislative Liaison within Michigan's Legislative Council to strengthen government-to-government relationships between the state legislature and federally recognized tribes. The office will be led by a liaison appointed by the council from a list provided by the United Tribes of Michigan, who will be supported by at least two policy advisors. Key duties include visiting each tribe annually, advising lawmakers on how proposed legislation impacts tribal communities, and providing mandatory training for legislators on tribal history and consultation processes. Additionally, the office must submit an annual public report detailing tribal concerns raised during the legislative process to the governor and legislative leaders.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates two new entities within the Michigan state government: the Bureau of Community Action and Economic Opportunity and the Commission on Community Action and Economic Opportunity. The Bureau is tasked with coordinating state efforts to reduce poverty, providing technical assistance to designated community action agencies, and administering specific programs like weatherization assistance. The Commission serves as an advisory body that includes elected officials, private sector members, and low-income individuals to help develop policies and programs aimed at fostering self-sufficiency. Together, these organizations will work to identify poverty-related issues, evaluate existing state programs, and recommend changes to improve economic and social opportunities for low-income residents.

Maddy summaryThis bill modifies Michigan's state housing development authority to update rules regarding the sale prices of affordable housing units. It allows the authority to make loans for projects where the average purchase price is capped at a specific limit relative to the average purchase price of similar units in the area. The changes primarily affect nonprofit housing corporations, cooperatives, and developers who build or rehabilitate homes for low- and moderate-income individuals. By adjusting these pricing constraints, the legislation aims to provide more flexible financing options while maintaining affordability standards for residents.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires Michigan school districts to allow Native American students to wear traditional clothing and bring culturally significant items during school ceremonies. It defines these ceremonies to include events like graduations and honor society meetings, while ensuring that any prohibited weapons or dangerous items remain banned. The law specifically protects the right of Indigenous individuals to express their cultural and ancestral traditions within the educational setting.

Maddy summaryThis bill updates Michigan's education savings program rules to align with recent changes in federal tax law. It specifically allows account owners to use their savings for qualified expenses related to apprenticeships and student loan interest, in addition to traditional tuition and fees. The legislation also clarifies that withdrawals used for these new purposes remain tax-free, provided they meet other federal requirements. By amending state tax definitions, the law ensures that the program continues to offer tax benefits consistent with current national standards.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes the "Protection from Intimate Deep Fakes Act" to provide legal remedies for individuals harmed by nonconsensual deep fake images depicting sexual conduct. It allows victims to file civil lawsuits against anyone who creates or shares these realistic but fake videos, provided the creator knew or should have known the content would cause harm and was made using artificial technology rather than physical impersonation. The law defines specific protections for identifiable individuals and clarifies that consent is not a valid defense unless it is documented in a clear, signed agreement describing exactly what the fake image entails. Additionally, the legislation sets rules for where lawsuits can be filed and ensures that plaintiffs can use pseudonyms to protect their privacy during legal proceedings.

Maddy summaryThis bill updates Michigan's sentencing guidelines to include specific penalties for crimes involving the abuse of companion animals. It assigns 25 points to a criminal score when an animal is subjected to sadistic, torturous, or brutally excessive conduct intended to cause fear or anxiety, while similar acts against humans carry a higher 50-point penalty. The legislation defines "sadism" as actions that inflict extreme or prolonged pain or humiliation for the offender's gratification. These changes apply only if the bill is passed alongside two related companion bills, HB 5588 and HB 5592.

Maddy summaryHB 5590 amends Michigan's sentencing guidelines to include specific provisions for crimes committed against animals. This change directly affects judges and prosecutors by providing updated rules for determining sentences in cases involving animal cruelty. The bill revises existing legal statutes to ensure that penalties for harming animals are clearly defined within the state's criminal code. By linking this measure to a companion bill, the legislation aims to standardize how such offenses are handled in the judicial system.

Maddy summaryThis bill proposes changes to Michigan's sentencing guidelines specifically for crimes committed against animals. It amends an existing section of the state's criminal procedure code to update how judges determine penalties in these cases. The legislation does not create new crimes but instead modifies the rules used to calculate sentences when animal abuse or neglect is charged.