Rep. Jennifer Conlin

Maddy summaryThis House resolution calls on the Department of Justice to investigate every individual named in the Epstein files, regardless of their political affiliation. The measure responds to the release of millions of documents and a previous statement by the Acting Attorney General that no further federal prosecutions would occur. It urges the government to distinguish between victims, active participants, and those merely mentioned to ensure accountability for all potential perpetrators. As a non-binding resolution, it does not create new laws but formally requests that the Justice Department take action on this specific matter.

Maddy summaryThis bill modifies Michigan's property tax laws to exclude certain university data centers from tax exemptions. It specifically targets public universities, defined as those receiving state school aid, by removing their tax-free status for facilities used solely to operate data centers. The legislation defines a data center as a building housing infrastructure for third-party commercial data processing. This change directly affects public universities in Michigan that currently rely on property tax exemptions for their data center operations.

Maddy summaryThis Michigan bill creates a new regulatory framework requiring large-scale data centers to register with the state and pay fees based on their energy consumption. It defines a large-scale data center as a facility with at least 5 megawatts of power or 25,000 square feet of space, while excluding schools, hospitals, and government buildings. Owners must post financial security to cover potential environmental or infrastructure costs and reimburse any research expenses related to public safety reviews. The legislation also establishes a specific fund to manage these revenues and grants the state department of environment, Great Lakes, and energy the authority to set rules and enforce compliance.

Maddy summaryHB 4658 amends Michigan's Judges Retirement Act to allow judges to name a special needs trust as a beneficiary for their retirement payments. Specifically, it permits judges to direct retirement payments to a trust established under federal law (42 USC 1396p(d)(4)(A) or (C)) instead of only designating family members like spouses or children. This change helps beneficiaries with disabilities maintain eligibility for government assistance programs while still receiving retirement benefits. The bill affects only judges participating in Michigan's judges' retirement system who choose to use this trust option.

Maddy summaryHB 4660 would allow Michigan public school employees to name a special needs trust as a beneficiary for their retirement benefits, expanding current options. Currently, beneficiaries must be immediate family members (spouse, child, parent, or sibling), but this bill would explicitly permit special needs trusts. The change directly affects retirees who wish to provide for dependents with disabilities through legally structured trust arrangements. This amendment to Section 85 of Michigan's Retirement Act would update beneficiary designation rules without altering payment amounts or retirement eligibility.

Maddy summaryHB 4659 allows Michigan state employees to name a special needs trust as a beneficiary for their retirement benefits, expanding current options that only permitted family members (like spouses or children). This change directly affects state employees with disabled family members who rely on government benefits, as naming a trust protects beneficiaries' eligibility for programs like Medicaid without disrupting retirement payments. The bill amends Section 31 of the State Employees' Retirement Act to explicitly include special needs trusts in the list of permitted beneficiaries, replacing the current restriction to family relationships. This policy change ensures retirement benefits can continue to support disabled dependents while maintaining their access to public assistance programs.

Maddy summaryHB 4657 allows Michigan state police retirees to name a special needs trust as a beneficiary for their retirement payments. The bill amends the State Police Retirement Act to explicitly permit the retirement system to pay benefits directly to such a trust upon written direction from the retiree or their designated beneficiary. This change affects state police members who have established special needs trusts under federal law (42 USC § 1396p(d)(4)(A)/(C)) and wish to provide for dependents with disabilities. The key provision replaces previous restrictions that required individual beneficiaries, enabling trusts to receive payments without requiring the retiree to name a specific person.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends Michigan's Consumer Protection Act to prohibit merchants from charging consumers prices that are grossly in excess of what similar products or services cost elsewhere. It directly affects businesses and consumers by establishing clearer rules against predatory pricing practices. The key provision adds a new unfair practice definition that makes it unlawful to charge prices significantly higher than market rates for comparable goods or services. This change aims to protect consumers from price gouging while maintaining the existing framework of consumer protection laws.

Maddy summaryThis bill allows Michigan customers to install small, portable solar power systems on their property without needing approval from their electric provider or paying installation fees. It defines these systems as plug-in photovoltaic devices that produce up to 1,200 watts and connect through standard electrical outlets, while protecting providers from liability for any damage caused by customer installations. The law requires customers to notify their electric provider within 30 days of installation using a form developed by the state commission, which must include details like the system's capacity and address. Electric providers cannot require additional equipment or charge fees for these systems, and providers must not approve or reject their use. The bill amends Michigan's Clean and Renewable Energy Act to formalize these rules for small-scale solar generation.

Maddy summaryHB 4044 designates the wood duck (*Aix sponsa*) as Michigan's official state duck. This symbolic bill establishes a state symbol without changing laws, policies, or affecting any specific group or community. It simply adds the wood duck to Michigan's list of official state emblems, following standard procedural naming practices for state symbols.