Rep. Sarah Lightner

Maddy summaryThis bill declares April 19, 2026, as Patriots' Day in Michigan to honor the 251st anniversary of the battles at Lexington and Concord. It establishes a specific date for commemoration, aligning Michigan with other states that observe this holiday to remember the start of the Revolutionary War. The resolution requires no new laws or funding and serves only as an official state acknowledgment of the historical event.

Maddy summaryThis bill designates April 18, 2026, as Champions Day in Michigan to honor the state's historic sports achievements from 1935 and recent successes. The resolution encourages citizens to celebrate the 1935 victories of Joe Louis, the Detroit Tigers, the Detroit Lions, and the Detroit Red Wings, while also acknowledging Olympic gold medalists and the University of Michigan men's basketball team's 2026 national championship. As a commemorative measure, the bill has no legal requirements or funding provisions and serves solely to recognize these athletic milestones.

Maddy summaryHB 4668, the "Artificial Intelligence Safety and Security Transparency Act," requires large AI developers (defined as companies spending at least $5 million on a single model or $100 million total in the past year) to implement detailed safety protocols for foundation models. These protocols must address critical risks like mass casualties, $1 billion+ property damage, or AI-enabled weapons, including testing procedures, incident response plans, and physical/digital security measures. Developers must publicly publish safety protocols by 2026 and release quarterly transparency reports detailing risk assessments, critical risk thresholds, and any incidents. The law directly affects major AI companies building advanced systems, mandating concrete safety steps rather than vague guidelines.

Maddy summaryThis bill declares March 2026 as Agriculture Month in Michigan to recognize the state's significant food and agriculture industry. The resolution highlights the sector's economic contributions, including over 805,000 jobs and billions in annual revenue from various crops like cherries, apples, and soybeans. It serves as a commemorative measure with no operational changes, encouraging citizens to celebrate the importance of agriculture to Michigan's economy.

Maddy summaryThis bill regulates private residence vertical lifts in Michigan by updating state elevator laws to include specific safety standards for these devices. It requires that any private residence vertical lift be certified as safe by a nationally recognized testing laboratory using specific American Society of Mechanical Engineers standards. The legislation also clarifies that these lifts do not need a traditional hoistway, pit, or machine room if they are installed according to manufacturer specifications and meet performance-based safety requirements. This change directly affects homeowners and contractors who install or maintain vertical lifts in private residences.

Maddy summaryThis bill allows Michigan residents to execute a power of attorney using two-way real-time audiovisual technology, such as video conferencing, instead of requiring all parties to be in the same physical location. The law applies to durable powers of attorney created on or after June 30, 2024, and requires that the video interaction be recorded and kept for at least three years. To qualify, the technology must enable direct, simultaneous sight and sound between the person creating the document and the witnesses, who must also be present during the signing process. The bill also clarifies definitions for key terms like "principal," "agent," and "incapacity" within Michigan's Uniform Power of Attorney Act.

Maddy summaryThis bill updates Michigan's notary public laws to expand and clarify rules for electronic and remote electronic notarizations. It directly affects notaries public, individuals needing notarized documents, and financial institutions by modifying existing statutes and adding new definitions for terms like communication technology and remote electronic notarization platforms. The key provisions establish requirements for using audio-visual technology to verify identities through credential analysis and identity proofing services, while also defining what constitutes an electronic signature and notarial act in digital formats. These changes aim to modernize how notaries perform their duties using technology without changing the fundamental legal requirements for valid notarizations.

Maddy summaryHB 4347 modifies how funds from horse racing operations are allocated to the Michigan Agriculture and Equine Industry Development Fund. It changes specific sections of the 1995 horse racing law to adjust the reallocation process, directly affecting horse racing operations that contribute to the fund. The bill’s key provision is altering the mechanism for directing these funds toward supporting Michigan’s agricultural and equine industries, without specifying new funding levels or programs. This is a procedural change to existing fund allocation rules, not a new program.

Maddy summaryHB 4346 redirects revenue from Michigan's lawful internet gaming programs to the Michigan Agriculture Equine Industry Development Fund and removes the existing spending limit on these funds. This bill directly affects the state's horse and agricultural industries by providing them with potentially increased funding for development initiatives. The key provision changes a 2019 law (MCL 432.315) to allow all allocated gaming revenue - previously subject to a cap - to flow into the equine fund without restriction. The bill is currently pending in the House Rules Committee after being reported with a substitute amendment.

Maddy summaryThis resolution designates February 21-28, 2026, as National FFA Week in Michigan. It formally recognizes the Future Farmers of America (FFA) organization, which supports agricultural education for students in grades 7-12 through local chapters, leadership development, and career preparation. The resolution does not create new laws or policies but encourages Michiganders to celebrate FFA’s role in fostering student leadership, agricultural skills, and community engagement. It directly affects Michigan residents by promoting awareness of FFA’s educational programs and achievements.