Rep. Samantha Steckloff

Maddy summaryThis bill amends Michigan's marijuana regulations to explicitly allow for the transportation and disposal of marijuana plant waste. It defines plant waste as roots, stalks, leaves, and stems intended for destruction through incineration, landfilling, composting, or anaerobic digestion, while clarifying that such waste is not considered hazardous waste. The legislation establishes specific roles for "marijuana disposers," who must be licensed operators or permitted incinerators authorized to receive and destroy this material. By adding these definitions and permissions, the bill provides a legal framework for licensed marijuana businesses to manage and dispose of plant remnants without violating environmental or waste disposal laws.

Maddy summaryThis bill clarifies how Michigan would appoint presidential electors if the state joins an agreement to choose the President based on the national popular vote rather than the Electoral College. It requires the state Board of State Canvassers to calculate the total national popular vote for each candidate and designate the winner accordingly, while also reporting these results to other participating states. If a tie occurs for the national popular vote, the bill specifies that Michigan would appoint electors based on which candidate received the most votes within Michigan itself. The legislation updates existing election laws to ensure these procedures are followed and includes requirements for issuing official certificates of appointment.

Maddy summaryThis bill updates Michigan's Medicaid False Claim Act to clarify what counts as a kickback or bribe. It maintains that offering, soliciting, or accepting payments to refer patients for medical services is a felony punishable by up to four years in prison or a fine of $30,000. The law explicitly excludes government-approved "model arrangements" and "model patient incentives" from being considered illegal kickbacks. This change aims to provide clearer guidance on which financial incentives are permissible under federal and state programs.

Maddy summaryHB 4833 modifies the number of judges for several Oakland County district courts in Michigan. It reduces the number of judges in the 48th district (Birmingham, Bloomfield Hills area) from 3 to 2, and in the 50th district (Pontiac) from 4 to 3, effective when a vacancy occurs or an incumbent does not seek re-election. The bill applies directly to residents of these specific communities by changing court staffing levels under defined conditions. These changes are administrative adjustments to court structure, not new policies affecting broader public services.

Maddy summaryHB 6145 requires school districts and intermediate school districts in Michigan to develop and submit five-year capital outlay plans for facility improvements, including new construction and renovations. These plans must be submitted electronically by November each year and will be evaluated based on factors such as safety needs, occupancy rates, sustainability, and projected operating costs. The bill allows districts to opt into this process, which involves a review by the Department of Treasury and the Joint Committee on Oversight Services before any funding is authorized for final design and construction. By establishing these specific criteria and timelines, the legislation aims to bring greater transparency and oversight to how public school districts plan and request funds for building projects.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires anyone applying for a building permit for a data center in Michigan to submit a detailed acoustic engineering report. The report must include measurements of current noise levels, projections of construction and operational noise, and a comparison of these levels against local rules or national standards. An enforcing agency cannot issue the permit until this report is provided and shared with the Michigan Public Service Commission and the local government. The law only takes effect if several other related bills are also passed.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends Michigan's zoning enabling act to explicitly include the Data Center Community Benefit Agreement Act as a law that local zoning ordinances must follow. By adding this requirement to the list of existing state laws, the measure ensures that municipalities cannot create zoning rules that conflict with community benefit agreements for data center projects. The legislation also clarifies that local governments cannot regulate oil and gas drilling operations and establishes specific criteria for evaluating mining activities based on factors like safety, traffic, and public interest. Additionally, it protects renewable energy projects approved after January 1, 2021, from having their special land use approvals revoked once substantial construction or financial investment has begun.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires electric utilities in Michigan to include project labor agreements or collective bargaining agreements for all construction and maintenance work on qualified data centers. A project labor agreement is a pre-hire contract that sets standard employment terms, prevents strikes, and ensures labor-management cooperation for specific construction projects. The measure applies to facilities designed to house data center equipment for storing and processing information. The legislation will only take effect if several related bills are also passed into law.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires data centers in Michigan to sign legally binding community benefit agreements before they can begin construction or operation. To get approval, data center owners must negotiate deals with local governments and utility providers that address issues like hiring local workers, managing water usage, and funding community projects. The law mandates that these agreements cover at least half of five specific topics, including infrastructure costs and home efficiency improvements, and they must be approved by both the local government and the state public service commission. Without these signed agreements, local authorities cannot issue necessary permits, and the state commission cannot approve the facility's connection to the power grid. This legislation applies to any facility designed to house equipment for storing and processing data within the state.

Maddy summaryThis bill, known as the Data Center Transparency Act, prohibits elected officials in Michigan from signing nondisclosure agreements that keep data center construction details secret. It specifically applies to contracts between local governments and data center owners where the facility is built in exchange for tax incentives. Under the law, any such agreement attempting to hide information about the project would be considered void and unenforceable, while still allowing the redaction of specific intellectual property details. The measure requires that all related bills be passed for this provision to take effect.