Rep. Joey Andrews

Maddy summaryThis bill updates the Michigan Vehicle Code to modify how points are assigned to various traffic convictions and infractions. It directly affects drivers, insurance companies, and the Secretary of State by changing the specific point values associated with different violations. The key change involves adjusting the point totals for speeding offenses, where exceeding the speed limit by more than 15 miles per hour now carries 4 points instead of 6, and speeding between 10 and 15 miles per hour over the limit is reduced to 3 points. Additionally, the bill clarifies that points will not be assessed for certain non-moving violations such as overweight loads or defective equipment. These adjustments aim to refine the driver's license point system to better reflect the severity of specific traffic behaviors.

Maddy summaryThis bill modifies Michigan's election laws to add a review process for recall petitions before they can be circulated to voters. It requires the Board of State Canvassers for state officials and county election commissioners for local officials to meet and determine if the reasons listed on a petition are factual and clear. During this review, the targeted official and petition sponsors can present arguments, and either party may appeal the board's decision to a court. If the review finds reasons unclear or false, the entire petition is rejected; if the board fails to meet the deadline, the petition is automatically considered valid. The bill also sets a 180-day window for circulating a valid petition and allows individuals to resubmit rejected petitions for a new review.

Maddy summaryThis Michigan bill prohibits veterinarians and others from performing surgical procedures that remove a cat's claws or prevent them from functioning, such as declawing, unless it is medically necessary to treat an illness or injury. The law defines a cat broadly to include various breeds and specifies that the procedure is only allowed for therapeutic reasons, explicitly excluding cosmetic purposes or convenience for the owner. Individuals who violate this rule face civil fines of up to $2,500 for a first offense and up to $5,000 for subsequent violations, which can be enforced by county prosecutors or the state attorney general.

Maddy summaryThis bill prohibits veterinarians and other licensed professionals from performing declawing surgeries on cats unless the procedure is medically necessary to treat a specific health condition. The law defines a cat to include various breeds and hybrids, while strictly limiting the exception for surgery to cases involving illness, injury, or disease that threatens the animal's health. It explicitly bans removing claws for cosmetic reasons or to make the cat easier to handle, ensuring that the decision is based solely on therapeutic needs. By adding a new section to the state's public health code, the legislation aims to restrict a common but controversial medical practice to only those situations where it is required for the cat's well-being.

Maddy summaryThis Michigan bill officially designates May 2 of every year as Negro Leagues Day. The law establishes this specific date as a recognized observance to honor the history of the Negro Leagues, which were professional baseball leagues for African American players. By creating this new designation, the state acknowledges the significant contributions of these athletes to the sport and American culture. The measure does not mandate any specific actions or changes to existing holidays but serves to formally recognize the day within the state.

Maddy summaryThis bill updates Michigan's Public Health Code to clarify how death records are certified and reported, primarily affecting funeral directors, physicians, and medical examiners. It establishes specific timelines, requiring medical certification to be completed within 48 hours of death and the filing of death records within 72 hours, while also mandating the use of a new web-based application system for submitting these reports. The legislation defines key terms such as "institution" and "miscarriage" and outlines a hierarchy of who can certify a death if the attending physician is unavailable, ranging from authorized representatives to pathologists. Additionally, the bill includes a provision to protect the privacy of infants who were born alive following an attempted abortion and subsequently died, ensuring their records are filed without identifying information for parents or informants.

Maddy summaryThis bill modifies Michigan laws to clarify when county medical examiners must investigate deaths and how they should be notified by healthcare providers. It requires an investigation if a death results from violence, occurs unexpectedly, happens without recent medical care, or involves an abortion, while also mandating immediate notification for sudden or suspicious deaths. The legislation grants medical examiners the authority to subpoena records for investigations and ensures that such records remain confidential under the freedom of information act. Additionally, it introduces a specific requirement for notifying examiners if multiple individuals with similar physical characteristics are involved in the same incident.

Maddy summaryThis resolution designates June 7, 2024, as Gun Violence Awareness Day throughout Michigan to honor victims and survivors of gun violence. The measure encourages citizens to wear orange on that date to raise awareness and remember Hadiya Pendleton, a teenager killed in a shooting incident. While the bill does not change laws or introduce new regulations, it formally recognizes the significance of the day and urges the community to support efforts to prevent gun violence.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a new Transformational Projects Authority within the state Department of Transportation to oversee and fund major transportation initiatives. The authority will be led by a five-member board appointed by the governor, with specific requirements for expertise in public transportation and balanced representation from different legislative leaders. It grants the power to award financial assistance, such as grants and loans, to public transportation providers and local governments for projects that meet specific eligibility criteria based on regional population sizes. The legislation also establishes the rules for how the authority operates independently of the department director while remaining under the director's overall budget and procurement supervision.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a new Michigan Mobility Trust Fund within the state treasury to support transportation projects. It allows the state treasurer to accept money from various sources, including existing tax revenues, and directs that all interest earned on these investments be added to the fund. Money in the fund will not be lost at the end of each fiscal year but will remain available for future use. The bill designates the Transformational Projects Authority as the administrator responsible for auditing and spending the fund, but only after a specific appropriation is made. This legislation does not take effect unless several other related bills are also passed by the legislature.