Rep. Carrie Rheingans

Maddy summaryThis bill amends the Michigan Gaming Control and Revenue Act to require local labor unions representing casino employees to register with the state board and submit detailed personal information about their designated officials and staff. The new provisions mandate that unions provide extensive data, including full names, addresses, compensation details, criminal history, and photographs for these individuals, with the option to use existing U.S. Department of Labor reports to satisfy some requirements. Additionally, the legislation establishes a disqualification process that allows the board to bar union officers from negotiating wages or collecting dues if they have convictions for specific crimes such as gambling, theft, fraud, or prostitution, provided there is clear and convincing evidence of a pattern of behavior. Information submitted under this section is exempt from public disclosure under the state's freedom of information act, and the board retains the authority to waive disqualifications or rescind bans based on a finding that justice requires it.

Maddy summaryThis bill modifies Michigan's public health code to exclude individuals under the age of 19 from facing life imprisonment without parole for specific drug-related crimes. It targets the sale, manufacture, or possession of adulterated or misbranded drugs that result in death, particularly when the offender intended to kill or cause serious harm to two or more people. While adults committing these acts could previously face life sentences without the possibility of parole, this legislation ensures that minors convicted of the same offenses receive a fixed-term sentence ranging from 20 to 60 years instead. The law also maintains existing penalties for less severe violations and includes a tie-breaker provision requiring the simultaneous enactment of four related bills for this change to take effect.

Maddy summaryThis bill updates Michigan's corrections code to improve mental health care and HIV testing for incarcerated individuals. It requires facilities to create detailed discharge plans for people leaving prison who are receiving mental health services, including specific assessments, medication continuity, and connections to community care. Additionally, the legislation mandates that all incoming prisoners undergo HIV testing within 60 days of arrival, with positive results triggering specific housing protocols and counseling. The bill also establishes requirements for staff exposure to blood or body fluids and calls for ongoing education programs on HIV prevention and treatment within correctional facilities.

Maddy summaryThis resolution designates December 9-15, 2024, as Computer Science Week in Michigan to highlight the importance of computer science education and its role in economic growth and innovation. The measure encourages schools, universities, and businesses to organize activities that expose students to computer science concepts and provide teachers with professional development opportunities. It also specifically supports initiatives aimed at increasing participation among female students and other groups underrepresented in the field.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes the Michigan Water Trust Fund within the state treasury to manage and protect the state's water resources for current and future generations. The fund will be financed through royalties collected by the Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy, with strict rules ensuring that at least $750 million in principal remains invested while allowing up to 70% of annual earnings to be used for specific purposes. A new board will oversee the distribution of grant money to support low-income households with water access, assist communities during water emergencies, replace lead service lines, test private wells, and fund broader water infrastructure and flood resilience projects. The legislation also defines the roles of the state department and the newly created board, which will consist of the department director and six members appointed by the governor to review and recommend grant recipients.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends Michigan's Estates and Protected Individuals Code to require courts to inform people considering guardianship about alternatives to full guardianship, such as limited guardianship, conservatorship, and supported decision-making. Supported decision-making is defined as a process where individuals with incapacities work with trusted friends, family, or professionals to understand their options and make their own decisions. The legislation also mandates that a guardian ad litem be appointed to represent the individual in incapacity hearings if they do not have their own legal counsel. These changes aim to ensure that individuals facing potential guardianship are fully informed about less restrictive options before a court order is issued.

Maddy summaryThis bill, known as the Judicial Protection Act, establishes new safety and privacy measures for judges in Michigan and their immediate family members. It allows judges to request that government agencies and private entities stop sharing specific personal details, such as home addresses, phone numbers, and financial information, with the public. To enforce this, the law creates a formal process where judges can submit written requests to remove or prevent the posting of this sensitive data. The protections apply to state, federal, and tribal court judges within the state, as well as their spouses, children, parents, and other relatives living at the same address.

Maddy summaryThis bill designates two specific stretches of Michigan highways as memorial roads to honor fallen law enforcement officers. It names a section of Interstate 75 in Saginaw County the "Trooper Joel E. Popp Memorial Highway" and a portion of M-53 in Macomb County the "Officer Leroy Imus Memorial Highway." The legislation also requires that signs for the M-53 memorial be placed at two specific intersections to mark the location. Additionally, the bill removes an existing section from the state's memorial highway act that is no longer needed for this designation.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends the Michigan Regulation and Taxation of Marihuana Act to update rules governing licenses for medical and recreational marijuana businesses. It directly affects individuals and companies involved in the cultivation, processing, testing, transportation, and sale of marijuana and industrial hemp by modifying existing requirements and adding new sections to the law. The key provisions include changes to how licenses are issued, adjustments to tax structures on commercial facilities, and updates to definitions regarding product safety and the roles of state regulatory agencies. Additionally, the legislation repeals certain previous sections while establishing new ones to ensure the safety of products and the security of licensed premises.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends Michigan's Safe Drinking Water Act to establish a new permitting and licensing system for companies that produce bottled drinking water using large quantities of state water. It requires facilities withdrawing more than 200,000 gallons per day or transferring over 100,000 gallons daily to submit detailed applications assessing environmental and hydrological impacts, which must include public notice, community consultation, and a $5,000 fee through 2025. Starting in 2026, the bill mandates that all such bottling operations obtain a specific state license that includes a $6,000 fee, ensuring compliance with water quality standards and addressing potential effects on local water sources. The legislation also empowers the Department of Agriculture to withhold approval if out-of-state water sources lack adequate oversight or if proposed withdrawals threaten local water systems.