Rep. Carrie Rheingans

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a permanent Family Advisory Board within Michigan's Department of Corrections to improve visitation policies and family reunification efforts. The board will consist of 11 to 16 members, including representatives from the department, the legislative corrections ombudsman, current and former incarcerated individuals, and family members, who will meet regularly and hold public informational sessions. Additionally, the bill modifies hearing procedures by requiring that prisoners be granted access to video recordings of restricted visits before their evidentiary hearings, unless such access is deemed dangerous or disruptive. The department must also consult with the advisory board on any proposed changes to visitation policies and provide them with draft documents for review.

Maddy summaryThis bill modifies the Michigan Education Trust Act to update definitions and rules for advance tuition payment contracts, directly affecting individuals who purchase these contracts to fund future college education. The legislation clarifies who qualifies as a beneficiary and purchaser while establishing specific conditions under which a contract can be terminated, such as when a student dies, is not admitted to a state school, or chooses to attend a different type of institution. It also outlines how refunds are calculated upon termination, specifying that payments may be reduced based on the number of credit hours completed and allowing for the transfer of funds to other eligible colleges if the student changes schools. By amending existing sections of the law, the bill aims to ensure the trust operates with updated terminology and clearer procedures for handling contract cancellations and refunds.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a new Climate Resiliency Corps program in Michigan to train and employ residents in projects that address climate change, such as creating green infrastructure, improving energy efficiency, and supporting sustainable agriculture. The program would be managed by the Michigan Community Service Commission in partnership with local governments, nonprofits, universities, and other organizations, with a goal of placing at least 40% of participants in environmental justice communities. Selected corps members, who must be state residents at least 17 years old, would receive wages or stipends, scholarships, and workforce development training while working on approved resiliency projects. The legislation also creates a dedicated state fund to finance grants, scholarships, and the administrative costs of running the program.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a new cancer cluster investigation program within Michigan's public health code to help identify unusual patterns of cancer cases linked to environmental exposures. It requires the state health department to create a registry for recording cancer diagnoses and mandates the development of a public-facing map that visually displays geographic variations in cancer incidence alongside potential environmental risks. The program emphasizes community engagement throughout the investigation process and requires the department to use CDC best practices and advanced statistical tools to analyze data. Additionally, the bill sets a schedule for the department to evaluate collected reports and publish annual summary findings for public access.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a new Energy Stability Fund within the state treasury to help cover energy costs for specific groups of people. The fund can receive money from any source, and the state treasurer will manage its investments while the Department of Health and Human Services oversees its use. Money in the fund will not be returned to the general budget at the end of the year and can only be spent to provide energy assistance to low-income seniors, individuals with qualified disabilities, and veterans.

Maddy summaryThis bill updates Michigan's rules for appointing representatives to the Midwestern Higher Education Commission, a regional group that coordinates higher education policies across several states. It clarifies that the state's voting delegation includes the governor, one senator, one state representative, and two at-large members appointed by the governor. Additionally, the legislation designates the state board of education and the department of lifelong education, advancement, and potential to serve as nonvoting members, allowing them to participate in discussions without casting formal votes. The law also establishes that any vacancies in these positions must be filled using the same appointment process as the original roles to ensure the delegation remains complete.

Maddy summaryThis bill updates Michigan's school code to require that sex education in public schools be medically accurate, age-appropriate, and objective. It mandates that teachers instructing on these topics receive specific training and that school boards approve curricula through a process involving public hearings. The legislation also requires school districts to establish advisory boards with significant parent representation to oversee sex education programs. Additionally, it clarifies that such classes must be elective, allow parents to review course materials in advance, and provide an option for students to be excused without penalty.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires soil products sold in Michigan to include at least 5% compost made from specific compostable materials starting in 2027. It directly affects businesses selling bulk soil, prepackaged soil, and potting soil by mandating a minimum compost content. Additionally, the law requires sellers to clearly label these products or their receipts with the exact percentage of compost included. The regulation aims to improve soil health and conservation while ensuring consumers are informed about the composition of the soil they purchase.

Maddy summaryHB 5557 amends Michigan's planning laws to require local governments to forecast and incorporate housing needs into their master plans. The bill mandates that these plans include a range of housing types and costs to serve a diverse population. Additionally, it establishes specific rules for appointing planning commission members to ensure the groups represent various community segments and include school board representatives in counties. These changes affect cities, villages, townships, and counties by updating how they structure their planning commissions and develop long-term development strategies.

Maddy summaryHB 6064 modifies how Michigan's Renew Michigan Fund is managed and spent to support environmental and recycling initiatives. The bill designates the Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy as the administrator and ensures that any money remaining in the fund at the end of a fiscal year stays in the fund rather than moving to the general fund. It establishes specific spending percentages for environmental cleanup, waste management, and recycling, with the allocation for cleanup and redevelopment gradually increasing from 65% to 55% starting in the 2025-2026 fiscal year. Additionally, the legislation introduces a new category for host community grants to cities and townships near landfills and coal ash impoundments, effective from 2025-2026. The bill also requires the department to submit an annual report to the state legislature detailing the fund's revenue, expenditures, and balance.