Rep. Carrie Rheingans

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.

Maddy summaryThis bill modifies how Michigan distributes revenue collected from the corporate income tax, establishing a specific allocation plan for the years 2025 through 2035. Under the new rules, funds are prioritized to support the general fund, housing initiatives, local revitalization projects, transportation improvements, and economic development programs before any remaining money goes back to the general fund. The legislation also repeals an older section of the tax act and includes a condition that it will only become effective if several related bills are passed into law.

Maddy summaryThis bill proposes changes to Michigan's Public Health Code to update the licensure requirements for respiratory therapists. It directly affects individuals seeking to become licensed respiratory therapists and the state agencies responsible for overseeing their certification. The legislation modifies existing sections of the law and adds new provisions to clarify or adjust how these professionals are regulated. By altering specific statutes within the public health code, the bill aims to formalize the standards for practicing respiratory therapy in the state.

Maddy summaryThis bill clarifies how property tax payments are officially recorded in Michigan by allowing a postmark date to count as the payment date. It directly affects property owners who mail their payments, ensuring that the date stamped by the postal service or a common carrier is used instead of the date the tax office physically receives the check. However, the law includes a safety rule stating that a payment cannot be considered received until at least seven calendar days before the actual receipt date, preventing last-minute mail from being accepted early. The provision applies to current and overdue property taxes, as well as any related penalties, interest, or fees, but it does not apply to payments made before a property sale.

Maddy summaryThis bill updates the legal definition of a veteran in Michigan to explicitly include commissioned officers from the Public Health Service Commissioned Corps. Currently, the state's definition covers those who served in the U.S. Armed Forces, but this change ensures that public health service officers are recognized under the same veteran status laws. The amendment aligns Michigan's statutes with federal criteria, allowing these officers to access benefits and protections previously reserved for military service members. This change directly affects public health service officers and the state agencies responsible for administering veteran benefits.

Maddy summaryThis bill adds a new legal definition for "vulnerable transportation device" to the Michigan Vehicle Code. It classifies human-powered vehicles, electric bikes, electric skateboards, and electric personal assistive mobility devices as vulnerable transportation devices. The law is designed to work in conjunction with related bills that establish traffic rules for these vehicles. If the other linked bills are not passed, this specific definition will not take effect.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends Michigan's criminal code to increase penalties for moving violations that result in physical injury or death to vulnerable roadway users, such as pedestrians and cyclists. It specifically raises the severity of charges and potential prison sentences for accidents occurring in work zones or school bus areas, as well as for incidents involving operators of farm equipment. The legislation requires the simultaneous passage of three companion bills to take effect, ensuring a coordinated approach to strengthening accountability for traffic offenses involving vulnerable road users.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires health insurance companies in Michigan to cover telemedicine services at the same level as in-person visits, ensuring patients do not face higher costs or reduced benefits for remote care. Under the new rules, insurers cannot mandate face-to-face contact for services that are clinically appropriate to deliver via secure audio or video technology, provided the healthcare professional is licensed in the patient's state. The law applies to all health insurance policies delivered or renewed in Michigan and defines telemedicine as remote communication using interactive audio, video, or store-and-forward messaging systems. While insurers retain the right to set standard copayments and deductibles, they must allow coverage for telemedicine without requiring physical examinations unless specifically needed for clinical safety.