Rep. Karen Whitsett

Maddy summaryThis bill modifies the rules for filing civil lawsuits against the state of Michigan specifically for cases involving criminal sexual conduct. It creates an exception to the standard requirement that plaintiffs must file a notice of their claim within one year of the incident. By linking this change to a companion bill, the legislation allows victims of criminal sexual conduct to bypass the usual strict filing deadlines that apply to other types of property damage or injury claims. The measure is designed to ensure that these specific cases can proceed in court without being dismissed due to missed procedural time limits.

Maddy summaryHB 5733 establishes a new tolling enforcement program that allows the Michigan Secretary of State to work with operators of toll bridges and tunnels to collect unpaid tolls. Under this program, the Secretary of State will negotiate agreements to identify vehicle owners who have failed to pay tolls and will send them official notices. The bill also creates a formal process for these individuals to dispute unpaid toll claims and sets strict rules for how data is shared and used between the state and toll operators. Additionally, the legislation requires the Secretary of State to refuse vehicle registration or title transfers if there is an outstanding unpaid toll associated with the vehicle.

Maddy summaryThis bill officially designates a specific stretch of M-53 in Macomb County as the "Officer Leroy Imus Memorial Highway" to honor a fallen law enforcement officer. The legislation affects the Michigan State Transportation Department by amending state laws to recognize this new name for the road segment running from 17 Mile Road to Hall Road. Once signed into law, the change immediately updates official records and signage to reflect the memorial title.

Maddy summaryThis bill allows Michigan cities with specific population thresholds to create administrative hearings bureaus to handle violations related to blight, such as property maintenance issues, illegal dumping, and zoning problems. These local bureaus can issue violation notices, accept admissions of guilt, and impose civil fines up to $10,000, with the operating costs covered by the city itself. The law includes protections for landlords by requiring them to receive correction notices and a chance to fix issues before facing penalties during inspections, unless there is an immediate safety emergency. Additionally, the new bureaus are limited to civil matters and cannot impose jail time or handle criminal offenses.

Maddy summaryThis bill allows Michigan school districts to use a design-build method for constructing or remodeling certain school buildings, where a single entity handles both design and construction services. It defines specific requirements for this process, such as the need for an independent licensed architect or engineer to help select the design-build team and ensure the project scope is clear. Additionally, the law mandates that rules be created to regulate the inspection and reuse of modular classrooms when they are relocated. The bill also establishes penalties for individuals who violate these new construction and supervision standards.

Maddy summaryThis bill updates Michigan's law regarding how much money insurance companies must set aside from fire and storm damage claims for residential homes. It increases the maximum amount of withheld funds that local governments can hold in escrow to ensure repairs are made, raising the cap from $12,000 to $24,000 starting July 1, 2024. The legislation also clarifies the notification process, requiring insurers to inform homeowners, lenders, and local officials about these withheld funds and the option for municipalities to secure the money for public safety repairs.

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 creates a new Michigan High-Speed Internet Office within the Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity to oversee broadband development in the state. The office will be led by a director appointed by the department head and has the authority to award grants and provide technical support for digital infrastructure projects. Its main duties include coordinating with other agencies, collecting data on internet availability, and promoting policies that use broadband to support economic growth and community revitalization. Additionally, the office will act as a central contact point for the public and internet service providers to improve transparency and adoption of high-speed internet.

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 House resolution urges Congress to pass the Kidney PATIENT Act of 2023, which aims to protect access to essential oral medications for dialysis patients. The proposed law would delay a scheduled change to Medicare payment rules that would have shifted coverage for certain kidney drugs from Part D to a bundled dialysis payment system starting in 2025. By postponing this shift until 2033 or until an approved intravenous alternative is available, the bill seeks to prevent potential disruptions in medication availability for people with end-stage renal disease. The measure directly affects the roughly 808,000 Americans living with end-stage renal disease and specifically highlights concerns for minority and low-income communities who rely on these treatments.