Rep. Jenn Hill

Maddy summaryThis law prohibits using a victim's actual or perceived sexual orientation or gender identity as a legal defense in criminal cases. Specifically, it bars evidence of such information from being used to claim reasonable provocation, heat of passion, or reduced mental capacity. Additionally, the bill states that discovering or knowing about a person's gender identity or sexual orientation does not justify using force against them. These rules apply to all criminal proceedings in Michigan to prevent bias from influencing the outcome of a trial.

Maddy summaryThis bill designates July 2024 as Cleft and Craniofacial Awareness Month in Michigan to highlight the challenges faced by children with birth defects affecting their lips or mouths. The resolution aims to increase public understanding of the medical and developmental needs of these infants, who often require surgeries, speech therapy, and special feeding techniques. By officially recognizing this month, the state legislature intends to draw attention to the condition without mandating any specific actions or funding changes.

Maddy summaryThis bill modifies Michigan's election laws to add a review process for recall petitions before they can be circulated to voters. It requires the Board of State Canvassers for state officials and county election commissioners for local officials to meet and determine if the reasons listed on a petition are factual and clear. During this review, the targeted official and petition sponsors can present arguments, and either party may appeal the board's decision to a court. If the review finds reasons unclear or false, the entire petition is rejected; if the board fails to meet the deadline, the petition is automatically considered valid. The bill also sets a 180-day window for circulating a valid petition and allows individuals to resubmit rejected petitions for a new review.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes the Michigan National Guard Child Care Assistance Act to provide financial support for child care costs to eligible National Guard members. To qualify, a service member must be in active duty without disciplinary issues, and they must either be a single parent or have a spouse who is also an eligible National Guard member. Approved members receive a stipend of $5.00 per hour for up to 12 hours daily during weekend drills and annual training, capped at 39 days per year. The program is administered by the Adjutant General within the Department of Military and Veterans Affairs using a dedicated state fund that does not expire at the end of the fiscal year.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a new Michigan High-Speed Internet Office within the Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity to oversee broadband development in the state. The office will be led by a director appointed by the department head and has the authority to award grants and provide technical support for digital infrastructure projects. Its main duties include coordinating with other agencies, collecting data on internet availability, and promoting policies that use broadband to support economic growth and community revitalization. Additionally, the office will act as a central contact point for the public and internet service providers to improve transparency and adoption of high-speed internet.

Maddy summaryHB 5867 amends Michigan's tax tribunal act to clarify how property tax appeals are handled and how refunds are calculated when assessments are found unlawful. The bill outlines specific rules for determining a property's taxable value and state equalized valuation, while also detailing the burden of proof for both the taxpayer and the assessing agency. It further establishes procedures for taxpayers to amend their appeals to include claims for refunds from subsequent years if they paid extra taxes due to errors, along with specific interest rates for those refunds. This legislation directly affects property owners and tax assessors by standardizing the process for resolving valuation disputes and seeking monetary corrections.

Maddy summaryHB 5868 amends the Michigan Tax Tribunal Act to update the definitions of key terms used in property tax disputes. The bill clarifies what constitutes an "agency," "mediation," "mediator," and "proceeding" within the context of the tribunal's jurisdiction. It also specifies that the term "entire tribunal" refers to the hearing division excluding the residential property and small claims divisions. Additionally, the legislation excludes the drain code from the definition of "property tax laws" for the purposes of the act. This measure does not take effect unless two other related bills are also enacted into law.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends Michigan's property tax laws to prevent assessors from using certain sales as benchmarks for calculating property values. It specifically instructs tax officials to exclude transactions involving properties with deed restrictions that limit their sale or transfer from being used in sales studies. Additionally, the legislation clarifies that normal home repairs and maintenance, such as roof replacement or furnace installation, should not increase a home's assessed value until it is actually sold. The bill also requires buyers to inform assessors if they paid extra for items like financing costs or personal property included in the purchase price, ensuring these amounts are not counted toward the property's taxable value.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires Michigan's property tax tribunal to issue detailed, independent written explanations when deciding disputes over property valuations. Under the new rules, the tribunal must separately analyze market conditions, the property's highest and best use, construction costs, and comparable sales data before determining a value. The legislation also mandates that the tribunal explain its reasoning for accepting or rejecting specific valuation methods and stipulations from the parties involved. By enforcing these transparency measures, the bill aims to ensure that property tax assessments are based on verified evidence and clearly articulated legal findings.

Maddy summaryThis bill directs the Michigan Department of Military and Veterans Affairs to create a buddy-to-buddy mentorship program for active-duty service members and veterans living in the state. The initiative pairs individuals with volunteer mentors who provide guidance on practical matters like education, employment, and healthcare, as well as connect them with advocates for mental health and substance use support. While non-veterans can serve as mentors, the program prioritizes recruiting veterans to lead these efforts. Additionally, the bill establishes that private information shared within the program remains confidential and is exempt from public disclosure under the state's freedom of information laws. This legislation will only take effect if several other related bills are also passed into law.