Rep. Jason Morgan

Maddy summaryThis bill updates the definitions within Michigan's Animal Welfare Fund Act to clarify terms like "animal control shelter," "qualified veterinarian," and "state animal anticruelty laws." By referencing existing statutes, the legislation ensures these terms align with current legal standards for animal care and veterinary licensing. The bill does not create new laws or change funding rules but rather organizes the current act for consistency. It includes a provision that prevents it from becoming effective unless a related companion bill is also passed by the legislature.

Maddy summaryThis bill proposes minor technical corrections to Michigan's Code of Criminal Procedure, specifically updating a cross-reference within the sentencing guidelines section. The legislation does not introduce new laws or alter existing penalties but instead ensures that internal references in the statute accurately reflect recent amendments made to other sections. By updating these citations, the bill aims to maintain consistency and clarity in how sentencing rules are applied by courts. Directly affected parties are legal professionals and judges who rely on the code for sentencing decisions, though the changes are administrative rather than substantive.

Maddy summaryThis bill adds a new section to Michigan's civil procedure laws to allow the state and private citizens to sue firearm industry members for creating a public nuisance through the sale, manufacture, or marketing of firearms and related products. The legislation requires these companies to implement reasonable controls to prevent sales to prohibited individuals, stop product theft, and avoid promoting illegal use, while holding them liable for foreseeable harm caused by their products even if third parties acted unlawfully. If a violation occurs, the attorney general or an injured person can seek court orders to stop the conduct, force the company to pay for cleanup, and recover compensatory and punitive damages along with legal fees. The bill explicitly defines key terms such as "firearm industry member" and "firearm-related product" to include items like 3D printers and accessories that enhance a gun's firing capabilities, ensuring the law covers a broad range of items. Additionally, the statute clarifies that proving intent to harm is not necessary to win a case and does not limit existing legal rights under other state laws.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends Michigan's penal code to update the definitions of terms used in animal cruelty laws, such as "adequate care," "shelter," and "neglect." It specifically clarifies what constitutes proper shelter for dogs, detailing requirements for doghouses and prohibiting the use of inadequate spaces like crawl spaces or wire crates. The legislation also defines "animal control" and "animal protection" shelters to distinguish between government-run facilities and those operated by private organizations. By refining these legal definitions, the bill aims to provide clearer standards for what constitutes proper animal treatment and neglect.

Maddy summaryThis bill updates the Revised Judicature Act to clarify how existing personal protection orders apply to animal abuse cases. It directly affects individuals seeking legal protection from domestic violence or stalking by explicitly adding provisions that allow courts to restrain a respondent from injuring, killing, or neglecting an animal owned by the petitioner. The key mechanism involves expanding the list of prohibited behaviors to include specific acts against pets intended to cause mental distress or exert control over the victim. Additionally, the bill ensures that courts cannot refuse to issue an order solely because there is no police or medical report, while prohibiting mutual orders unless both parties independently petition for them. These changes aim to strengthen legal recourse for victims by formally recognizing animal cruelty as a relevant factor in domestic safety restraining orders.

Maddy summaryHB 6185 amends Michigan's firearm laws to require federally licensed dealers to sell guns with a trigger lock or a secure storage container, unless the buyer provides their own safety device or the firearm is an antique. The bill also mandates that dealers provide free safety brochures and warning notices to purchasers and retain records of these transactions for six years. Additionally, the legislation clarifies that firearm manufacturers and producers are generally immune from civil lawsuits by local governments, except in cases involving specific contract breaches or product defects that cause injury to government employees or property. This provision aims to limit liability for manufacturers while reserving the right for the state attorney general to bring certain legal actions.

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.

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 the Michigan Regulation and Taxation of Marihuana Act to update rules governing licenses for medical and recreational marijuana businesses. It directly affects individuals and companies involved in the cultivation, processing, testing, transportation, and sale of marijuana and industrial hemp by modifying existing requirements and adding new sections to the law. The key provisions include changes to how licenses are issued, adjustments to tax structures on commercial facilities, and updates to definitions regarding product safety and the roles of state regulatory agencies. Additionally, the legislation repeals certain previous sections while establishing new ones to ensure the safety of products and the security of licensed premises.

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.