Maddy summaryThis bill modifies Michigan election procedures to allow the Board of State Canvassers to use statistical random sampling when checking signatures on ballot initiatives and other petitions. It establishes rules for verifying voter registration and signature authenticity, creating a rebuttable presumption that a signature is invalid if the voter was not registered or did not live in the correct district at the time of signing. The legislation also requires the board to refer signatures that appear obviously fraudulent to the Attorney General for further investigation. Additionally, it sets specific deadlines for declaring petitions sufficient and mandates that the board complete its review at least two months before the relevant election.
Rep. Carrie Rheingans
Sponsored bills
Maddy summaryThis bill creates a new tax credit for Michigan employers to encourage research and development spending starting in 2025. The credit amount depends on company size, offering a higher percentage of expenses for businesses with fewer than 250 employees and an additional bonus for those that partner with in-state universities. To receive the credit, companies must submit a preliminary claim by April 1, 2026, and the total amount of all credits awarded in any single year is capped at $100 million, which may require reducing individual claims if the limit is reached.
Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a state-level Perinatal Quality Collaborative to improve maternal and infant health outcomes across Michigan. The program will create ten regional groups, each led by a designated agency, to bring together healthcare providers, community organizations, and families to review data and develop local action plans. These regional teams will focus on advancing equity, supporting families affected by substance use, and ensuring respectful care throughout pregnancy and the postpartum period. The state department will provide resources to these collaboratives, subject to available funding, to help implement proven strategies for better birth outcomes.
Maddy summaryThis bill updates Michigan's education savings program rules to align with recent changes in federal tax law. It specifically allows account owners to use their savings for qualified expenses related to apprenticeships and student loan interest, in addition to traditional tuition and fees. The legislation also clarifies that withdrawals used for these new purposes remain tax-free, provided they meet other federal requirements. By amending state tax definitions, the law ensures that the program continues to offer tax benefits consistent with current national standards.
Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a new scholarship program in Michigan to help individuals who face financial hardship become doulas, providing continuous support to mothers before, during, and after childbirth. To qualify, applicants must demonstrate financial need, prove Michigan residency, and commit to serving as a doula in a health professional shortage area or with a medically underserved population. The program awards up to $3,000 per person to cover training costs such as books and workshop fees, with funds drawn from a dedicated state treasury account. Recipients must use the money to complete approved doula training and provide proof of their work or training progress within six months, or they must repay the award.
Maddy summaryThis bill establishes the "Protection from Intimate Deep Fakes Act" to provide legal remedies for individuals harmed by nonconsensual deep fake images depicting sexual conduct. It allows victims to file civil lawsuits against anyone who creates or shares these realistic but fake videos, provided the creator knew or should have known the content would cause harm and was made using artificial technology rather than physical impersonation. The law defines specific protections for identifiable individuals and clarifies that consent is not a valid defense unless it is documented in a clear, signed agreement describing exactly what the fake image entails. Additionally, the legislation sets rules for where lawsuits can be filed and ensures that plaintiffs can use pseudonyms to protect their privacy during legal proceedings.
Maddy summaryThis bill updates Michigan's sentencing guidelines to include specific penalties for crimes involving the abuse of companion animals. It assigns 25 points to a criminal score when an animal is subjected to sadistic, torturous, or brutally excessive conduct intended to cause fear or anxiety, while similar acts against humans carry a higher 50-point penalty. The legislation defines "sadism" as actions that inflict extreme or prolonged pain or humiliation for the offender's gratification. These changes apply only if the bill is passed alongside two related companion bills, HB 5588 and HB 5592.
Maddy summaryHB 5590 amends Michigan's sentencing guidelines to include specific provisions for crimes committed against animals. This change directly affects judges and prosecutors by providing updated rules for determining sentences in cases involving animal cruelty. The bill revises existing legal statutes to ensure that penalties for harming animals are clearly defined within the state's criminal code. By linking this measure to a companion bill, the legislation aims to standardize how such offenses are handled in the judicial system.
Maddy summaryThis bill proposes changes to Michigan's sentencing guidelines specifically for crimes committed against animals. It amends an existing section of the state's criminal procedure code to update how judges determine penalties in these cases. The legislation does not create new crimes but instead modifies the rules used to calculate sentences when animal abuse or neglect is charged.
Maddy summaryThis bill proposes changes to Michigan's sentencing guidelines specifically for crimes committed against animals. It directly affects judges and prosecutors who determine punishments for animal cruelty cases by updating the rules they must follow. The legislation revises the existing legal framework to ensure consistent and updated sentencing standards for these offenses. As a procedural amendment, it does not create new crimes but rather adjusts how penalties are calculated and applied under current law.