Maddy summaryThis bill establishes new rights in Michigan that allow individuals to own and license their name, likeness, voice, and image as personal property for commercial use. It requires written consent from a living person before their identity can be used for trade, though it includes exceptions for news reporting, artistic criticism, and incidental appearances in media. The law also creates a system where these rights can be transferred or inherited, with specific rules on how long an estate can continue to commercially exploit a deceased person's identity after they pass away. If a business violates these rules, the affected individual can sue for damages, which may include up to three times the actual harm caused or a minimum of $10,000 per violation.
Sponsored bills
Maddy summaryThis bill allows the state treasurer to provide interest-free loans to school districts and intermediate school districts if the state budget is not passed by October 1. Under the new rules, a district can borrow an amount equal to what it received from the school aid fund in the previous year for a period of up to one year. The state treasurer retains the authority to set additional terms for these loans, which are intended to help districts manage cash flow during budget delays.
Maddy summaryThis bill designates June 27, 2026, as National Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder Awareness Day within the state of Michigan. It directly affects residents by encouraging them to learn about PTSD, show compassion to those affected, and support mental health services. The resolution aims to raise public understanding of the disorder and reduce stigma without changing any laws or funding.
Maddy summaryThis bill designates July 1, 2026, as Food Day in the state of Michigan. It aims to raise awareness about the importance of food security and to honor the various groups involved in the state's food supply chain, including farmers, farmworkers, and food assistance organizations. The resolution encourages residents to observe the day by learning about food issues, supporting local agriculture, and recognizing the efforts of those who strengthen the food system.
Maddy summaryHB 6131 amends state law to clarify the process public utilities must follow when requesting rate increases, ensuring they provide the Public Service Commission with specific evidence supporting their financial projections. The bill mandates that utilities coordinate with commission staff to avoid overlapping filings and requires the commission to notify interested parties and hold hearings before approving any changes that raise costs for customers. It also establishes strict timelines for the commission to review applications and grants utilities the ability to implement temporary rate increases while awaiting a final decision, provided they refund any excess amounts collected with interest if the final order is lower. Additionally, the legislation maintains existing protections against automatic fuel cost adjustments without proper notice and hearing, reinforcing the requirement for transparency in utility rate-making.
Maddy summaryThis bill directs the Michigan Attorney General to investigate how prescription insulin drugs are priced and sold within the state to ensure fair consumer protections. To conduct this study, the Attorney General will gather data from insulin manufacturers, pharmacy benefit managers, and other relevant parties, while explicitly protecting trade secrets from being disclosed. By October 1, 2027, the Attorney General must publish a public report summarizing pricing practices and offering policy recommendations to prevent overpricing or unfair trade methods. The findings will be shared with state leaders and legislative committees to inform future decisions on health policy and potential law changes.
Maddy summaryThis bill extends the state of energy emergency in Michigan by an additional 77 days, effective July 1, 2026. The measure allows the sale of E15 fuel in several counties where current regulations previously restricted it to lower vapor pressure gasoline. By suspending these fuel requirements, the extension aims to increase fuel supply options and help manage rising gas prices for consumers and businesses. The resolution requires approval from both the House and Senate before being sent to the Governor.
Maddy summaryHB 5120 eliminates fees for serving documents in personal protection order (PPO) cases. It amends Michigan's civil procedure law to prohibit charging fees for serving process under the Extreme Risk Protection Order Act or for any order issued in a PPO case, including petitions, orders, and related documents. This directly affects PPO petitioners (who no longer pay service fees) and process servers (who cannot charge for these specific services). The bill also clarifies that law enforcement may charge a $50 flat fee from a dedicated fund for multiple PPO-related documents served at once, but not per document. The change aims to remove financial barriers for individuals seeking protection orders.
Maddy summaryHB 5121 eliminates the cost for serving personal protection orders (PPOs) in Michigan. It directly affects individuals seeking PPOs to protect against harassment, stalking, or sexual assault by removing the requirement that petitioners pay for service of the order on the respondent. The bill amends Michigan’s court procedures to eliminate this fee, making it easier for petitioners - especially those with limited resources - to obtain and enforce PPOs without upfront costs. This change applies to all PPOs filed under the specified sections of Michigan law, streamlining the process for victims.
Maddy summaryThis bill modifies how Michigan distributes transportation funds to county road commissions, directly affecting local governments responsible for maintaining state roads. It introduces specific requirements for reimbursing counties up to $10,000 annually for hiring licensed professional engineers and mandates that 1% of funds be withheld specifically for snow removal. Additionally, the legislation allocates a portion of the funding based on whether a county has roads in urban areas and sets new distribution percentages for preserving and building primary and local road systems. These changes aim to streamline the allocation process and ensure specific resources are directed toward engineering support, winter maintenance, and road infrastructure projects.