Rep. Kimberly Edwards

Maddy summaryThis bill modifies the Michigan Liquor Control Code to prevent the Liquor Control Commission from using certain past violations to deny, suspend, or revoke liquor licenses. Specifically, it states that if at least two years have passed since a violation occurred, the commission cannot consider it when making licensing decisions. The law defines a "qualified violation" as any breach of the liquor code that is not a criminal offense or a state civil infraction. This change aims to ensure that older, non-criminal mistakes do not permanently bar individuals or businesses from holding liquor licenses.

Maddy summaryThis bill increases the discount that specially designated distributors and on-premises licensees receive on alcoholic liquor from 17% to 23%. It also establishes a new certification program for small distillers that use at least 40% Michigan-grown grain, allowing them to sell their products with a lower required profit margin for the state. The law requires the department of agriculture and rural development to certify these distillers, maintain records of their grain sources, and submit annual reports listing certified entities. Additionally, the bill includes penalties for providing false information during the certification process and mandates that distillers keep accurate accounts of their qualified grain transactions for inspection.

Maddy summaryThis bill modifies Michigan's post-conviction DNA testing laws to allow certain felony defendants to request new trials based on DNA evidence. It establishes specific criteria for petitions, such as requiring proof that biological material exists, was not previously tested, or can be tested with more accurate modern technology. The legislation outlines the court's responsibilities to order testing, cover costs for indigent defendants, and determine whether the results warrant a new trial or the inclusion of the defendant's DNA in state databases.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires the state to avoid policies that conflict with federal rules for certified community behavioral health clinics. It mandates the creation of a process to determine where new clinic sites should be located to prevent overlapping service areas. Additionally, the state must continue cooperating with the federal government on these clinics unless the legislature votes to stop such participation. The bill does not take effect until another related piece of legislation is passed.

Maddy summaryThis bill updates Michigan's marriage license laws by increasing the standard fee from $20 to $50 and raising the additional fee for nonresidents from $10 to $25. It requires applicants to provide a birth certificate or other proof of age and directs $15 of each collected fee to fund domestic violence and child abuse counseling services. Large charter counties are given the option to set their own license fees, provided they allocate the collected money to the same counseling services and do not charge more than the actual cost of providing those services.

Maddy summaryThis bill, known as the District Library Freedom to Read Act, establishes new rules for Michigan district libraries regarding how they select and remove books and other materials. It requires libraries to create formal policies that outline standards for collection choices and a specific process for handling requests to remove items. Under the new rules, only residents of the library's service area can request reconsideration, and they must certify that they have read or viewed the entire material before filing. Additionally, the bill designates the library director as the final authority on collection decisions and sets limits on how frequently the same item can be reviewed.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends Michigan's Consumer Protection Act to require businesses to clearly disclose automatic renewal terms in consumer contracts. It mandates that any provision allowing a service or subscription to continue without explicit consumer consent must be prominently displayed within the agreement itself. The law directly affects businesses offering recurring services and consumers who sign up for such products, ensuring they are fully informed about how their subscriptions will renew. By adding a new section to the statute, the bill aims to prevent hidden fees and unexpected charges by making these renewal conditions transparent and easy to understand.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires Michigan public schools to offer an optional lesson on organ, eye, and tissue donation to students before they finish ninth grade. The state education department must create or adopt a short presentation model by January 1, 2025, which includes information about the Michigan organ donor registry and can be delivered within a single class period. While school boards are encouraged to use this material, parents or legal guardians can request that their child be excused from the lesson without any penalty.

Maddy summaryThis bill directs the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services to create a new funding system that pays certified community behavioral health clinics in advance for their expected costs. The law applies to clinics, nonprofit groups, and private organizations that provide mental health services and meet specific federal and state certification standards. To ensure fair treatment, the bill requires the department to establish rules that prevent retaliation against these providers and creates a process for resolving payment disputes through an independent adjudicator. Implementation of this payment system must be completed by October 1, 2027, but the bill will only take effect if a companion bill is also passed into law.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends Michigan's food law to clarify how enforcement authority is shared between the state Department of Health and local health departments. It establishes specific rules for delegating oversight to local agencies, primarily for retail food service establishments, while reserving direct state control for complex wholesale processing activities like canning or acidified foods. The legislation also outlines procedures for investigating foodborne illness outbreaks and sets conditions under which a local health department can lose its certification if it fails to meet state standards.