Rep. Regina Weiss

Maddy summaryThis bill prohibits individuals from carrying firearms within 100 feet of locations where absentee ballots are being counted during processing. The restriction applies to anyone not in law enforcement or holding a valid concealed carry license, while allowing exceptions for security personnel and those with owner permission. Violating this rule is classified as a misdemeanor punishable by up to 90 days in jail, a fine of $100, or both.

Maddy summaryThis bill prohibits individuals from possessing firearms at polling places, early voting sites, and within 100 feet of ballot drop boxes or clerk offices during election periods. The restrictions apply specifically while polls are open on election day and for 40 days before an election near drop boxes, though they do not apply to peace officers, licensed concealed carry holders, or people transporting firearms in vehicles. Violating these rules is classified as a misdemeanor punishable by up to 90 days in jail, a fine of up to $100, or both.

Maddy summaryThis bill, known as the Domestic Violence Firearm Protection Act, establishes new procedures for removing firearms from individuals convicted of misdemeanor domestic violence in Michigan. It requires courts to inform defendants at sentencing that they must surrender any guns or concealed pistol licenses they own within 24 hours of their conviction or release from jail. The law designates specific law enforcement agencies or licensed dealers to accept these items and mandates a follow-up hearing to verify that the surrender has occurred. If a defendant fails to turn over their weapons voluntarily, the court can issue a search warrant to locate and seize them. Additionally, the bill outlines how surrendered firearms will be stored and the process for their eventual return or disposal once the legal prohibition period ends.

Maddy summaryHB 6134 amends Michigan law to strengthen personal protection orders by explicitly requiring the removal of firearms from individuals subject to domestic relations orders. The bill mandates that courts issue orders prohibiting respondents from possessing or purchasing guns if they are found to have committed acts of domestic violence or abuse against a spouse, former spouse, dating partner, or household member. Additionally, the legislation clarifies that the absence of a police report, medical documentation, or physical evidence of abuse should not prevent a judge from granting a protection order. These changes aim to provide clearer legal mechanisms for victims to secure their safety and ensure law enforcement has immediate access to information about firearm restrictions.

Maddy summaryHB 6137 amends state law to clarify how public employers must handle wages and benefits when a collective bargaining agreement expires before a new one is negotiated. The bill requires that pay and benefits during this gap period cannot exceed the levels established at the end of the previous contract, while also shifting any increases in insurance premiums to employees through payroll deductions. It includes specific exceptions for employees eligible for compulsory arbitration, allowing wage increases that were already authorized in the expired contract and ensuring that total employee health insurance costs do not exceed limits set by existing state health insurance laws. This legislation focuses strictly on defining financial obligations during contract transitions and does not take effect unless another related bill is passed.

Maddy summaryThis bill prohibits the force-feeding of any bird species in Michigan by requiring that food be delivered only through methods the bird would choose voluntarily. It defines force-feeding as using tubes or devices to force a bird to eat more than it would naturally, and it applies this rule specifically to poultry. Anyone violating this ban faces a civil fine of up to $1,000 for each day the violation continues, which can be pursued by county prosecutors or the state attorney general. The legislation does not impose criminal penalties for this specific violation and amends the state's Animal Industry Act to include this new restriction.

Maddy summaryHB 6093 updates the Michigan Liquor Control Code by adding new definitions for terms such as "alcohol vapor device" and "alternating proprietorship" to clarify regulations for shared production spaces. The bill also modifies rules regarding ownership interests, allowing small distillers and brandy manufacturers to sell their products in restaurants they own or operate under commission approval. Additionally, it permits brewpubs to hold ownership stakes in up to five other brewpubs provided their combined annual beer production does not exceed 18,000 barrels. These changes directly affect liquor licensees, manufacturers, and suppliers by expanding specific operational allowances and refining the language used to describe various alcohol-related businesses.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires owners and operators of senior living facilities in Michigan to provide CPR and automated external defibrillator (AED) training to their staff and residents. It also mandates that these facilities keep an AED on the premises in a location that is easily accessible to employees, residents, and guests. Compliance with these requirements must be achieved one year after the law takes effect, and violations could result in a civil fine of up to $500.

Maddy summaryThis bill proposes to remove the $300 annual cap on retirement allowance increases for state employees in Michigan. Under the new rules, the annual increase would be calculated as 3% of the retirement allowance, without the previous dollar limit. The legislation also modifies how supplemental payments are distributed to retirees based on investment returns and service credits. These changes would directly affect current and future state retirees by potentially increasing their annual pension growth.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends Michigan's public health code to strictly prohibit public bodies from using dogs in research or training activities that cause pain or distress. It defines specific scenarios where such use is forbidden, including procedures that could cause death, injury, fear, trauma, or involve invasive surgeries, while allowing exceptions for veterinary training on existing ailments and routine spaying or neutering. The legislation empowers the state department to inspect facilities and establish rules for animal care, and it imposes civil fines of up to $5,000 per day for each dog involved in a violation. Additionally, the bill creates a new Animal Research Advisory Board to oversee these standards and repeals previous sections of the code that are no longer needed.