Rep. Erin Byrnes

Maddy summaryThis bill modifies the rules for filing civil lawsuits against the state of Michigan specifically for cases involving criminal sexual conduct. It creates an exception to the standard requirement that plaintiffs must file a notice of their claim within one year of the incident. By linking this change to a companion bill, the legislation allows victims of criminal sexual conduct to bypass the usual strict filing deadlines that apply to other types of property damage or injury claims. The measure is designed to ensure that these specific cases can proceed in court without being dismissed due to missed procedural time limits.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates the Michigan 4-H Foundation fund within the state treasury to hold money and assets contributed from various sources. It authorizes the state treasurer to manage investments for the fund, ensure earnings stay within the account, and distribute the money to the Michigan 4-H Foundation on a quarterly basis. The legislation includes a provision stating that it will not take effect unless a related bill, HB 5058, is also passed into law.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires the Michigan Strategic Fund to submit an annual report detailing its economic development activities to state officials and the public by April 10 each year. The report must include specific data such as lists of recipients, project types, financial amounts, job creation and retention statistics, salary information, and the status of loans and bankruptcies. Additionally, the legislation mandates that the fund's annual audit be made available online and specifies that bankruptcy notices for major recipients must be shared with specific legislative committees. These changes aim to increase transparency and accountability for the fund's use of taxpayer money in supporting businesses and investments across Michigan.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires the state department and the Michigan Strategic Fund to submit an annual report on the research and development tax credits by July 1 each year. The report must detail the overall effectiveness of these credits, the number of businesses filing claims, and specific names and amounts of credits for both standard claims and those involving university collaboration. This change directly affects the state's financial reporting process and provides legislators and the governor with data on how these tax incentives are being utilized by businesses.

Maddy summaryThis bill, known as the Homeowners' Energy Policy Act, makes it illegal for homeowners' associations in Michigan to ban owners from installing, maintaining, or operating specific energy-saving upgrades like solar panels, heat pumps, and rain barrels. It also prevents local governments from forcing homeowners to get HOA approval for these improvements, though local rules can still impose other reasonable limits. To ensure compliance, the law requires every homeowners' association to adopt a written solar energy policy statement within one year of the bill taking effect.

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 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 Michigan bill, known as the Drug Manufacturer Data Reporting Act, requires pharmaceutical companies to submit specific cost and development data to the Department of Insurance and Financial Services. Manufacturers must report within 30 days if they increase the price of a high-cost drug by 15% in a year or 40% over three years, providing details on research expenses, patent status, and drug types. Additionally, companies must notify the department within three days when launching a new specialty-priced drug, including information on FDA designations and acquisition costs if applicable. The department will compile this data into an annual report for legislative committees and the public while keeping individual company information confidential. Failure to comply with these reporting requirements could result in civil fines of up to $100,000 per month.

Maddy summaryThis Michigan bill prohibits veterinarians and others from performing surgical procedures that remove a cat's claws or prevent them from functioning, such as declawing, unless it is medically necessary to treat an illness or injury. The law defines a cat broadly to include various breeds and specifies that the procedure is only allowed for therapeutic reasons, explicitly excluding cosmetic purposes or convenience for the owner. Individuals who violate this rule face civil fines of up to $2,500 for a first offense and up to $5,000 for subsequent violations, which can be enforced by county prosecutors or the state attorney general.

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.