Maddy summaryThis bill establishes the Michigan Water Trust Fund within the state treasury to manage and protect the state's water resources for current and future generations. The fund will be financed through royalties collected by the Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy, with strict rules ensuring that at least $750 million in principal remains invested while allowing up to 70% of annual earnings to be used for specific purposes. A new board will oversee the distribution of grant money to support low-income households with water access, assist communities during water emergencies, replace lead service lines, test private wells, and fund broader water infrastructure and flood resilience projects. The legislation also defines the roles of the state department and the newly created board, which will consist of the department director and six members appointed by the governor to review and recommend grant recipients.
Sponsored bills
Maddy summaryThis bill, known as the Judicial Protection Act, establishes new safety and privacy measures for judges in Michigan and their immediate family members. It allows judges to request that government agencies and private entities stop sharing specific personal details, such as home addresses, phone numbers, and financial information, with the public. To enforce this, the law creates a formal process where judges can submit written requests to remove or prevent the posting of this sensitive data. The protections apply to state, federal, and tribal court judges within the state, as well as their spouses, children, parents, and other relatives living at the same address.
Maddy summaryThis bill amends Michigan's Safe Drinking Water Act to establish a new permitting and licensing system for companies that produce bottled drinking water using large quantities of state water. It requires facilities withdrawing more than 200,000 gallons per day or transferring over 100,000 gallons daily to submit detailed applications assessing environmental and hydrological impacts, which must include public notice, community consultation, and a $5,000 fee through 2025. Starting in 2026, the bill mandates that all such bottling operations obtain a specific state license that includes a $6,000 fee, ensuring compliance with water quality standards and addressing potential effects on local water sources. The legislation also empowers the Department of Agriculture to withhold approval if out-of-state water sources lack adequate oversight or if proposed withdrawals threaten local water systems.
Maddy summaryThis bill amends the Natural Resources and Environmental Protection Act to clarify the Department of Environment Quality's responsibilities regarding water resources and pollution control. It explicitly states that the department must protect and conserve Michigan's surface and underground waters, including the Great Lakes, and manage waste disposal impacts. The legislation also outlines the department's role in assisting flood control districts and complying with federal water pollution laws using appropriated funds. A key provision notes that existing rules created before January 1, 2007, will remain in effect unless officially rescinded, while limiting the creation of new rules under specific sections.
Maddy summaryThis bill amends Michigan's Youth Tobacco Act to strictly prohibit the advertising, display, marketing, and sale of nicotine and tobacco products with characterizing flavors, such as fruity or menthol tastes. It defines characterizing flavors broadly to include any distinguishable taste or aroma other than tobacco, as well as cooling or numbing sensations, and establishes a legal presumption that a product has such a flavor if the manufacturer or seller implies it through text, images, or consumer-facing actions. Businesses that violate these restrictions face escalating civil fines and potential license suspensions or revocations for repeat offenses within a 36-month period. The legislation also creates a new state fund to finance the administration and enforcement of these rules, including compliance checks and staff training.
Maddy summaryThis bill amends the Age of Majority Act to clarify that it does not apply to the Youth Nicotine and Tobacco Act, ensuring that the legal age for purchasing tobacco products remains 21 despite the general age of adulthood being 18. By explicitly excluding tobacco regulations from the age of majority provisions, the legislation maintains the existing restriction that individuals under 21 cannot buy tobacco. The change affects the state's legal framework by preventing any conflict between the general definition of an adult and the specific rules governing tobacco sales.
Maddy summaryThis bill updates the Michigan Campaign Finance Act by clarifying definitions for political terms and expanding reporting requirements for specific nonprofit groups. It formally defines "501(c)(4) organizations" and "527 organizations" as entities that are controlled, directed, or staffed by candidates, elected officials, their appointees, or their family members. Additionally, the legislation provides new definitions for concepts like "election cycle," "honorarium," and "fund raising event" to ensure consistent application of campaign finance rules. These changes directly affect political candidates, public officials, and the nonprofit organizations that interact with them by establishing clearer boundaries for what must be disclosed to the public.
Maddy summaryThis bill requires health insurance companies in Michigan to cover hearing-related services and devices for individuals under 19 who have been evaluated by an audiologist for hearing loss. The coverage includes audiologist exams, hearing aid fittings, maintenance, repairs, remote microphones, and speech therapy, though insurers may still apply standard cost-sharing rules like deductibles and co-pays. The law specifically excludes plans tied to health savings accounts to ensure compliance with federal tax regulations and will only take effect on January 1, 2026, if a related bill is also passed.
Maddy summaryThis bill updates Michigan's recreational trespassing law to clarify when property owners can legally restrict access for activities like hiking, hunting, and trapping. It establishes that entry is prohibited on fenced, enclosed, or posted properties, while maintaining that farm properties and connected wooded areas are always restricted regardless of signage. The legislation also preserves specific exceptions, such as allowing fishermen to cross banks to avoid hazards and permitting individuals to enter to retrieve a lost hunting dog. By defining these rules and the requirements for posting signs, the bill aims to provide clearer guidance on the responsibilities of property owners and the rights of recreational users.
Maddy summaryHB 6149 modifies the Michigan Probate Code to clarify the specific circumstances under which juvenile courts have exclusive jurisdiction over minors under 18. The bill directly affects juveniles involved in criminal cases, dependency proceedings, or situations involving truancy and disobedience by updating the legal criteria for court intervention. Key provisions expand the definition of "specified juvenile violations" to include specific crimes such as possession of a dangerous weapon, escape from a juvenile facility, and certain public health offenses, while also detailing conditions for finding a child dependent due to neglect, abuse, or homelessness. Additionally, the legislation sets stricter requirements for when courts can intervene in cases of school absenteeism or repeated disobedience, ensuring that alternative placements and counseling have been considered before court action. Overall, the bill aims to refine the legal framework governing how juvenile courts handle delinquency and dependency cases to ensure consistent application of the law.