Rep. Noah Arbit

Maddy summaryThis bill modifies Michigan's probate laws to create a streamlined process for trustees to settle trust accounts without requiring immediate court approval. Under the new rules, a trustee must provide beneficiaries and other interested parties with a detailed report of the trust's assets, receipts, and expenses, along with a notice explaining that any objections must be submitted in writing within 45 days. If no objections are received during this period, the trustee may distribute the remaining assets, and the recipients are barred from later challenging the account or bringing claims against the trustee. However, if a party does object, they can either resolve the issue through a written agreement or take the matter to court, and the bill also allows a successor trustee to rely on this process to avoid liability for failing to object.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires Michigan correctional facilities to give every prisoner forms that let them choose who can receive their medical records and who should be notified in a medical emergency. Prisoners must sign these forms to designate specific people as authorized recipients for their health information and as emergency contacts for critical situations. If a prisoner faces a serious medical emergency requiring hospital care, the department must immediately contact the designated emergency contact and may share the prisoner's location if necessary. The law also allows authorized recipients to request specific medical details about the prisoner, while the department must provide clear instructions and brochures explaining how these designations work.

Maddy summaryThis bill prohibits individuals from carrying firearms within 100 feet of locations where absentee ballots are being counted during processing. The restriction applies to anyone not in law enforcement or holding a valid concealed carry license, while allowing exceptions for security personnel and those with owner permission. Violating this rule is classified as a misdemeanor punishable by up to 90 days in jail, a fine of $100, or both.

Maddy summaryThis bill prohibits individuals from possessing firearms at polling places, early voting sites, and within 100 feet of ballot drop boxes or clerk offices during election periods. The restrictions apply specifically while polls are open on election day and for 40 days before an election near drop boxes, though they do not apply to peace officers, licensed concealed carry holders, or people transporting firearms in vehicles. Violating these rules is classified as a misdemeanor punishable by up to 90 days in jail, a fine of up to $100, or both.

Maddy summaryThis bill updates Michigan's ethics rules to restrict former state legislators and top executive officials from lobbying on behalf of private interests for a set period after leaving office. Specifically, it prohibits former lawmakers from lobbying for one year after their term ends and extends this one-year ban to the governor, lieutenant governor, attorney general, and secretary of state. The law allows these individuals to continue lobbying for the state government or their former offices during this time but sets a financial threshold that, if exceeded, requires them to register as lobbyists. Violating these restrictions is classified as a misdemeanor punishable by fines, jail time, or both.

Maddy summaryHB 5581 amends Michigan's lobbying laws to clarify definitions and update spending thresholds for individuals and organizations engaging in lobbying activities. The bill specifically redefines who qualifies as a lobbyist or lobbyist agent by adjusting the annual expenditure limits and clarifying rules about group spending on food and travel. It also expands the list of state officials considered "executive branch officials" for lobbying purposes to include various department directors and commission members. Additionally, the legislation updates terminology to ensure consistency across the statute while maintaining exemptions for journalists and most public employees.

Maddy summaryThis bill updates Michigan's veterinary laws to formally require a veterinarian-client-patient relationship before a veterinarian can treat an animal. To establish this relationship, a veterinarian must assume responsibility for clinical judgments, obtain the owner's agreement to follow instructions, and have current knowledge of the animal through an in-person exam, a specific telehealth visit, or a visit to the animal's location. The legislation explicitly allows veterinarians to conduct telehealth exams for companion animals using real-time audio and video, provided they have the necessary equipment and are available for emergencies. However, it restricts telehealth by prohibiting remote exams for non-companion animals, forbidding the issuance of interstate health certificates remotely, and limiting remote prescriptions to a 14-day supply without refills. Additionally, the bill mandates that controlled substances can only be prescribed after an in-person examination or a visit to the animal's premises.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a new Climate Resiliency Corps program in Michigan to train and employ residents in projects that address climate change, such as creating green infrastructure, improving energy efficiency, and supporting sustainable agriculture. The program would be managed by the Michigan Community Service Commission in partnership with local governments, nonprofits, universities, and other organizations, with a goal of placing at least 40% of participants in environmental justice communities. Selected corps members, who must be state residents at least 17 years old, would receive wages or stipends, scholarships, and workforce development training while working on approved resiliency projects. The legislation also creates a dedicated state fund to finance grants, scholarships, and the administrative costs of running the program.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a new cancer cluster investigation program within Michigan's public health code to help identify unusual patterns of cancer cases linked to environmental exposures. It requires the state health department to create a registry for recording cancer diagnoses and mandates the development of a public-facing map that visually displays geographic variations in cancer incidence alongside potential environmental risks. The program emphasizes community engagement throughout the investigation process and requires the department to use CDC best practices and advanced statistical tools to analyze data. Additionally, the bill sets a schedule for the department to evaluate collected reports and publish annual summary findings for public access.

Maddy summaryHB 6071 establishes the legal framework for issuing and managing bonds to fund the Clean Michigan 2 initiative, which aims to protect the environment and natural resources across the state. The bill authorizes the State Administrative Board to issue negotiable, tax-exempt bonds and creates a dedicated fund in the state treasury to hold the proceeds. These funds are specifically allocated for projects such as cleaning up brownfields, upgrading water infrastructure, and remediating contaminated sediments in lakes and rivers. By adding a new section to the Natural Resources and Environmental Protection Act, the legislation provides the necessary tools to finance these environmental improvements while defining key terms and administrative procedures.