Rep. Jennifer Conlin

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 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.

Maddy summaryHouse Bill 6070 proposes to authorize Michigan to issue up to $2 billion in general obligation bonds to fund environmental and natural resources protection programs. These funds would be used to clean up contaminated sites, improve water quality, prevent pollution, address lead contamination, revitalize waterfronts, and remove contaminated sediments from waterways. The bill requires that the question of approving this debt be submitted to a statewide vote at the next general election, with bond issuance contingent on a majority "yes" vote from eligible voters. If approved, the state would pledge its full faith and credit to pay the bond principal and interest, with repayment coming from the state's general fund.

Maddy summaryThis bill proposes changes to Michigan's sentencing guidelines specifically for cases involving the killing or causing serious physical harm to police dogs, police horses, or search and rescue dogs. It directly affects prosecutors and judges who determine punishments for crimes against these animals by modifying the existing legal framework found in the Code of Criminal Procedure. The legislation aims to update how severe penalties are applied in these specific circumstances without altering the underlying definition of the offense itself.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends Michigan's penal code to strengthen penalties for harming or interfering with police dogs, police horses, and search and rescue dogs. It specifically prohibits intentionally killing or causing serious physical harm to these animals, as well as causing any physical harm or harassing them while they are lawfully performing their duties. The legislation establishes felony charges with potential prison sentences and fines for killing or seriously injuring these animals, while lesser offenses like causing minor harm or harassment are classified as misdemeanors. These provisions apply to anyone who acts against these working animals, regardless of whether the perpetrator is also committing another crime at the time.

Maddy summaryThis bill prohibits retailers in Michigan from selling specific weight loss dietary supplements and diet pills to anyone under the age of 18. To enforce this, the law requires physical stores to check identification before a sale and mandates that online orders include age verification through independent government databases and secure shipping methods that prevent minors from receiving the product. The state Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs will create and annually update a list of covered products based on their marketing claims regarding weight loss or appetite control. Retailers found violating these rules could face civil fines of up to $1,000 or other legal remedies.

Maddy summaryThis bill expands eligibility for special "disabled veteran" license plates in Michigan to include partially disabled veterans who have a service-connected disability rating of at least 50%, in addition to those with total disabilities. The law allows these eligible veterans to obtain plates marked with "DV" and "disabled veteran" without paying the standard service fee, while also permitting their surviving spouses to use the plates after the veteran's death. Furthermore, the legislation authorizes the Secretary of State to issue free adhesive disability tabs to these veterans and their spouses, provided the applicant also meets the state's criteria for a permanent windshield placard. These changes aim to increase recognition and support for a broader range of veterans by simplifying the application process and reducing associated costs.