Rep. Brenda Carter

Maddy summaryHB 5543 increases the annual funding for grade crossing surface improvements from $3 million to $6 million per year by amending Section 10(1)(b) of Michigan's Transportation Fund Act (MCL 247.660). This change directs more state transportation funds toward safety and surface repairs at railroad crossings - locations where roads intersect train tracks - across Michigan. The bill specifically adjusts the allocation within the state trunk line fund, ensuring doubled resources for maintaining these critical infrastructure points. It does not alter other funding mechanisms but directly affects how money is distributed for grade crossing safety upgrades.

Maddy summaryHB 5527 amends Michigan's penal code to increase penalties for assaulting public officials while they are performing their duties, such as police officers, firefighters, and emergency medical personnel. Penalties range from up to 2 years in prison for basic assault to up to 20 years for causing death, based on the severity of harm (e.g., bodily injury requiring medical care or serious impairment of body function). The bill also adds a provision clarifying that attending a protest is protected under the First Amendment and does not by itself violate disorderly conduct laws.

Maddy summaryThis bill modifies Michigan's abandoned vehicle law to simplify vehicle redemption for owners. It allows owners to pay a $40 fee plus accrued towing/storage costs to reclaim their vehicle instead of posting a bond, directly affecting those who don't contest abandonment claims. The key change replaces bond requirements with a fixed payment option for vehicles deemed abandoned after 48 hours on public property (or 18 hours with valid registration). This applies when owners fail to request a hearing within 20 days of receiving notice from authorities.

Maddy summaryHB 5528 amends Michigan's 1968 riot law (MCL 752.541 and 752.542) to clarify the definitions of riot and incitement to riot. It specifies that a riot occurs when five or more people acting together cause public terror through violent conduct, and incitement to riot involves urging others to commit unlawful violence, property destruction, or interfere with law enforcement officers. The bill explicitly states that peaceful protests - protected under the First Amendment and Michigan's constitution - are not violations of these provisions. This affects individuals participating in public gatherings or protests by defining clear legal boundaries between protected activity and unlawful conduct.

Maddy summaryHB 5524 creates a program to provide financial assistance to Michigan businesses that suffer revenue losses due to unexpected street closures or road construction projects extending beyond their scheduled end dates. The bill establishes a "road construction business loss reimbursement program" that offers grants covering up to $15,000 annually per business, based on a three-year average of lost revenue. To qualify, businesses must demonstrate a significant revenue decline directly tied to construction, and applications must be reviewed within 120 days using criteria like revenue decline rate, construction duration, and traffic disruption severity. The program requires the state transportation department to annually report grant usage details - including approved/rejected applications and project statuses - to relevant legislative committees.

Maddy summaryHB 5494 prohibits Michigan state agencies or anyone acting on behalf of the state from selling or transferring state-owned property to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) or its subsidiaries. It requires that any property transfer must include a restriction banning the property from being used as an immigration detention center by ICE, federal contractors, or private companies working with the federal government. The state can reclaim the property if this restriction is violated, and any transfer violating these rules is legally void. This directly affects state property transactions and limits federal immigration enforcement use of Michigan land.

Maddy summaryHB 5483 amends Michigan's penal code to specifically protect United States Postal Service letter carriers by adding them to the list of protected individuals under assault laws. The bill increases penalties for assaulting, obstructing, or endangering these workers based on injury severity: up to 2 years for basic assault, 4 years for serious injury requiring medical care, 15 years for serious bodily impairment, and 20 years if the assault causes death. It clarifies that existing penalties for assaulting law enforcement or emergency personnel also apply to letter carriers when they are performing their duties. The law takes effect 90 days after enactment and does not affect other potential charges for the same incident.

Maddy summaryHB 5477 allows parolees in Michigan to use an identification card issued by the Department of Corrections as valid proof of identity when applying for a driver's license or state ID card. The bill amends Michigan's vehicle code to require the Secretary of State to accept these correctional facility ID cards, which include the parolee's legal name, photograph, and identifying information. This change directly affects individuals recently released from prison who need to establish legal identification for driving and other purposes. The key mechanism is adding this specific ID card as an accepted document under existing identity verification rules for license applicants. This eliminates a barrier to obtaining essential identification for parolees reentering communities.

Maddy summaryHB 5475 requires Michigan's Secretary of State to issue official state identification cards to individuals who are about to be released on parole or discharged from prison. Beginning January 1, 2026, the Secretary must issue these cards to eligible parolees using information provided by the Department of Corrections about their release date. The bill mandates that cards be delivered to the correctional facility before the parolee's release date or mailed to the facility if the person is already released. This directly affects parolees in Michigan who need state ID cards for accessing services, housing, or employment upon reentry.