Rep. Betsy Coffia

Maddy summaryThis resolution designates June 7, 2024, as Gun Violence Awareness Day throughout Michigan to honor victims and survivors of gun violence. The measure encourages citizens to wear orange on that date to raise awareness and remember Hadiya Pendleton, a teenager killed in a shooting incident. While the bill does not change laws or introduce new regulations, it formally recognizes the significance of the day and urges the community to support efforts to prevent gun violence.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a new Transformational Projects Authority within the state Department of Transportation to oversee and fund major transportation initiatives. The authority will be led by a five-member board appointed by the governor, with specific requirements for expertise in public transportation and balanced representation from different legislative leaders. It grants the power to award financial assistance, such as grants and loans, to public transportation providers and local governments for projects that meet specific eligibility criteria based on regional population sizes. The legislation also establishes the rules for how the authority operates independently of the department director while remaining under the director's overall budget and procurement supervision.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a new Michigan Mobility Trust Fund within the state treasury to support transportation projects. It allows the state treasurer to accept money from various sources, including existing tax revenues, and directs that all interest earned on these investments be added to the fund. Money in the fund will not be lost at the end of each fiscal year but will remain available for future use. The bill designates the Transformational Projects Authority as the administrator responsible for auditing and spending the fund, but only after a specific appropriation is made. This legislation does not take effect unless several other related bills are also passed by the legislature.

Maddy summaryThis bill modifies how Michigan distributes revenue collected from the corporate income tax, establishing a specific allocation plan for the years 2025 through 2035. Under the new rules, funds are prioritized to support the general fund, housing initiatives, local revitalization projects, transportation improvements, and economic development programs before any remaining money goes back to the general fund. The legislation also repeals an older section of the tax act and includes a condition that it will only become effective if several related bills are passed into law.

Maddy summaryThis bill updates Michigan's Medicaid and Healthy Michigan programs to expand coverage for telemedicine services, specifically clarifying that visits originating from a patient's home or school are covered. It defines a "distant site" as the location of the healthcare professional providing the service, allowing for both audio-only and video interactions. The legislation requires providers to verify patient eligibility, ensure a private environment for the visit, and follow clinical guidelines while prohibiting restrictions on reimbursement rates or technology that are more strict than those for in-person care. Additionally, it ensures that services delivered through federally qualified health centers are eligible for reimbursement and mandates that managed care programs include these telemedicine services in their rate development.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires the Michigan Strategic Fund to provide more detailed annual reports on its economic development activities to state officials and the public. The key provision mandates that these reports include specific data on every project, such as the number of jobs created or retained, the average salaries of those positions, and the total amount of financial assistance given. Additionally, the bill adds new requirements to immediately notify legislative leaders if a recipient of significant funding files for bankruptcy and to include specific financial metrics for recent investment programs. These changes aim to increase transparency by ensuring the public can see exactly how state funds are used and what results they produce.

Maddy summaryThis bill modifies Michigan's drug treatment court rules to clarify that violent offenders are generally ineligible for admission unless specific exceptions are met. Under the new provisions, a judge and prosecutor must consult with any known victims before allowing a violent offender to enter the program, and individuals currently charged with or convicted of first-degree murder or certain sexual offenses are automatically excluded. The legislation also outlines detailed requirements for pre-admission screening, which must include a review of criminal history, an assessment of potential danger to the community, and a clinical evaluation of substance abuse issues. Additionally, the bill ensures that information gathered during this screening process remains confidential and cannot be used in criminal prosecutions unless it reveals crimes other than personal drug use.

Maddy summaryThis bill modifies Michigan law to restrict who can be admitted to mental health courts by explicitly banning violent offenders from participation. Specifically, it prohibits admission for individuals charged with or convicted of first-degree murder or first-degree criminal sexual conduct, unless both the judge and the prosecutor agree to an exception. The legislation also clarifies that admission remains a discretionary decision for courts based on legal and clinical eligibility rather than a guaranteed right. Additionally, the bill outlines requirements for pre-admission screenings, which must include reviews of criminal history, risk assessments, and clinical evaluations of serious mental health conditions. Information gathered during these screenings is kept confidential and cannot be used in criminal prosecutions unless it reveals crimes other than personal drug use.

Maddy summaryThis resolution officially designates May 22, 2024, as Cherry Industry Day in Michigan to honor the state's significant role in cherry production. It recognizes Michigan as the nation's top cherry producer and highlights the economic and cultural importance of the industry to the Grand Traverse Region. The measure commemorates the historical roots of the National Cherry Festival, which began on this date in 1926, and acknowledges the health benefits associated with cherries. By adopting this declaration, the legislative body aims to celebrate the contributions of growers, processors, and merchants to the state's agricultural sector.

Maddy summaryThis bill removes specific requirements from Michigan's driver licensing laws that previously barred non-citizens and foreign exchange students from obtaining a driver's license. By deleting the restriction on non-residents, the change allows individuals who are not U.S. citizens to apply for and receive a driver's license if they meet other standard eligibility criteria. The legislation also amends rules regarding license revocation for certain criminal convictions, ensuring these penalties apply consistently regardless of the individual's citizenship status. Ultimately, the bill eliminates a citizenship-based barrier to driving privileges while maintaining existing standards for safety and legal compliance.