Rep. Joey Andrews

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes the Public Library Freedom to Read Act, which creates new rules for how public libraries in Michigan select and remove books and other materials. It requires libraries to adopt written policies that outline their standards for choosing items and the specific steps they must follow when someone requests a book be reconsidered or removed. Under the new law, library directors have the final say on collection decisions, and requests for reconsideration are only reviewed if they come from residents of the library's local area and meet specific conditions, such as the requester having read the entire item. The act defines what counts as a library material and clarifies that it does not apply to websites, interlibrary loans, or programs not run by the library itself.

Maddy summaryThis bill modifies the Michigan law governing county apportionment commissions, which are responsible for drawing district lines for county boards of commissioners. The primary change involves adjusting the number of districts within these commissions to align with updated population data or structural requirements. By amending specific sections of the existing apportionment act, the legislation alters how county commissioner districts are defined and managed. This update directly affects county officials and residents by changing the geographic boundaries used to elect local representatives. The bill was passed by the House with immediate effect and is now being reviewed by the Committee on Government Operations.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires townships in Michigan to adopt a written conflict of interest policy for their officials. Under the new rules, board members must publicly announce and record the factual reasons for any abstentions from voting due to conflicts, including situations where a member seeks to fill a vacancy. The legislation also mandates that members vote on all questions unless excused by unanimous consent and ensures that official records clearly reflect these voting procedures. These provisions aim to increase transparency and accountability in township governance by formalizing how officials handle potential conflicts.

Maddy summaryThis bill, known as the District Library Freedom to Read Act, establishes new rules for Michigan district libraries regarding how they select and remove books and other materials. It requires libraries to create formal policies that outline standards for collection choices and a specific process for handling requests to remove items. Under the new rules, only residents of the library's service area can request reconsideration, and they must certify that they have read or viewed the entire material before filing. Additionally, the bill designates the library director as the final authority on collection decisions and sets limits on how frequently the same item can be reviewed.

Maddy summaryThis bill modifies how Michigan distributes revenue from the state recreation passport fee, which is a charge added to vehicle registration for residents who use state parks and forests. The primary change adjusts the percentage of remaining funds allocated to state parks based on how many people purchased the passport in the previous year. If fewer than 55% of eligible residents bought a passport, a larger share of the leftover money goes to capital improvements and marketing, whereas a higher participation rate directs more funds toward general park operations and maintenance. Additionally, the bill updates the fixed dollar amounts for specific accounts to automatically increase with inflation and clarifies how the state estimates potential revenue from vehicle owners who are currently exempt from the fee.

Maddy summaryThis bill updates Michigan's laws on expunging criminal convictions by clarifying how multiple offenses are counted and adjusting the waiting periods before individuals can apply to have their records set aside. Under the new rules, crimes committed within a 24-hour window and stemming from the same incident will be treated as a single offense unless they involve assault, weapons, or carry a maximum penalty of ten years or more. The legislation also establishes specific waiting times based on the severity of the crime, ranging from three years for standard misdemeanors to seven years for serious felonies, and requires applicants to have no pending charges or new convictions during those waiting periods. Additionally, the bill mandates that expungement applications include detailed personal information, a certified record of the convictions, and a $50 processing fee paid to the state police.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires Michigan's Department of Education to create and distribute informational notices about sextortion to school districts, academies, and their staff, students in grades 6 through 12, and parents. The notices must explain the legal definition of sextortion, include the relevant state law, and provide contact details for the state police office of school safety. Additionally, school boards are mandated to develop educational policies on the topic and hold at least one annual meeting to share free resources on sextortion from federal and national organizations. The legislation defines sextortion as a form of child sexual exploitation where an adult threatens to share a minor's nude or sexual image unless they provide more content, engage in sexual activity, or pay money.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes the Michigan e-bike transportation incentive program to provide financial assistance for purchasing electric bicycles. It creates a process where the state issues discount vouchers to residents who are at least 18 years old and meet specific eligibility criteria, such as participating in certain assistance programs or having a household income below 300% of the federal poverty level. Qualified residents receive a voucher worth up to $300, while income-qualified residents receive up to $600, both capped at 90% of the bike's price and limited to one per person. The program requires retailers to register with the state and mandates that vouchers be redeemed within one year, with the initiative set to end on December 31, 2028.

Maddy summaryThis bill modifies Michigan's Home Rule City Act to change the timeline for electing charter commissions in cities that vote to revise their local charters. Specifically, it extends the deadline for electing these commissions from 60 days to 200 days after a city approves a charter revision. The legislation also clarifies that if a proposed charter is rejected by voters, the commission can choose to continue working on amendments before resubmitting the plan, but it limits the total number of times a charter can be voted on to three. Additionally, the bill allows cities to include advisory votes on government structure changes alongside the main charter revision question.

Maddy summaryThis bill modifies Michigan's Wrongful Imprisonment Compensation Act to clarify the rules for individuals seeking financial relief after being wrongly convicted and imprisoned. It specifically defines what counts as "new evidence" for compensation claims, including DNA results and expert testimony, while noting that a witness recantation alone is insufficient without additional supporting proof. The legislation also establishes new procedural requirements, such as mandating that prosecutors notify victims of assaultive crimes when a compensation claim is filed and setting strict timelines for legal responses. Additionally, it adjusts the standard of proof needed to win a case, requiring plaintiffs to demonstrate their innocence by clear and convincing evidence rather than just a preponderance of the evidence.