Rep. Brenda Carter

Maddy summaryHB 4025 extends Michigan's sales tax exemption for firearm safety devices until December 31, 2024. It defines "firearm safety devices" as equipment (like gun safes, lockboxes, or trigger locks) designed to prevent unauthorized access or operation of firearms, but excludes display cabinets. Retail sellers must provide written notices to purchasers and post conspicuous signage at points of sale about the tax exemption. The bill also requires the state to annually compensate the school aid fund for any revenue lost due to this exemption.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends Michigan's Truth in Renting Act to require landlords to include a specific written notice in rental agreements regarding rent increases. The law mandates that landlords provide tenants with at least 90 days' written warning before any rent hike takes effect. Additionally, the bill updates the required text on rental contracts to ensure tenants are clearly informed of their rights under the act and instructed to seek legal help if needed. These changes directly affect landlords and tenants by standardizing how rent increase notices are communicated and ensuring they are prominently displayed in lease documents.

Maddy summaryThis bill, known as the Tenant Opportunity to Purchase Act, would allow tenants in Michigan to get the first chance to buy their rental homes or apartments before the landlord sells them to someone else. It requires landlords to offer the property to tenants at a price and terms that are at least as good as what a third-party buyer would get, or comparable to the property's appraised value if no other offer exists. The law applies to various types of rental units, including apartments and single-family homes, but excludes hotels, motels, and vacation rentals. Tenants can exercise this right individually or by forming an association representing a majority of the tenants in the building.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes the "Tenants Right to Organize Act" in Michigan, granting residential tenants the legal right to form unions and collectively negotiate with landlords. It allows tenant groups to distribute literature, hold meetings in shared spaces, and organize canvassing efforts by non-tenant organizers, while prohibiting landlords from retaliating against tenants who participate in these activities. The legislation also sets specific penalties for landlords who interfere with organizing rights, including fines of up to $1,000 per violation and the requirement to pay reasonable attorney fees. By defining terms like "tenant union" and outlining permissible activities, the law aims to create a structured framework for collective bargaining within rental properties.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends Michigan's housing law to require landlords and building owners to provide relocation assistance to tenants living in hazardous or dangerous structures. The measure mandates that if an enforcing agency determines unsafe conditions exist due to a landlord's poor maintenance and orders the property vacated or demolished, the responsible party must pay the tenant three months of current rent. This financial aid must be issued within seven business days of the order and applies regardless of whether the tenant is up to date on rent payments. The provision ensures that this assistance is in addition to any other legal remedies available under existing housing laws.

Maddy summaryHB 6068 updates Michigan's penal code to refine the legal definition of slot machines and clarify rules for amusement devices like crane games. The bill establishes specific criteria for what constitutes a slot machine, including devices that dispense value based on chance, while explicitly excluding older machines not used for gambling and crane games that award items worth $3.75 or less. It also creates new penalties for knowingly altering crane games to violate these definitions and mandates that non-compliant crane games be confiscated by law enforcement. Additionally, the legislation clarifies that these gaming restrictions do not apply to state-licensed lotteries, bingo operations, or activities regulated by the Michigan Gaming Control and Revenue Act.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends Michigan's natural resources laws to update regulations on commercial fishing, including allowable catch limits and quota percentages for various fish species. It establishes stricter record-keeping requirements for fish dealers and mandates that commercial fishers report their catch immediately after each fishing season ends. The legislation also introduces new financial penalties for illegal fishing, requiring offenders to pay fines based on the weight of the fish taken, and sets a rule that commercial licenses will be permanently revoked if a fisher commits five specific violations within a five-year period. Additionally, the bill rescinds several outdated administrative rules related to commercial fishing operations.

Maddy summaryHB 5552 amends Michigan's interest rate law to allow lenders to charge higher interest rates on mortgage loans made primarily for business purposes, removing state rate limits for these loans. It also prohibits prepayment penalties exceeding 1% of the loan amount for personal/family home loans within the first three years, with no penalties allowed after that period. The bill sets a maximum 11% annual interest rate for certain other mortgage types, including purchase money mortgages and second mortgages, inclusive of all finance charges. This affects lenders and borrowers involved in business-purpose mortgages, personal/family home loans, and specific second mortgages under Michigan law.

Maddy summaryThis House resolution urges President Trump, the IRS, and other parties to cancel a settlement agreement that established the "Anti-Weaponization Fund." The bill directly addresses the use of taxpayer money to fund individuals convicted of crimes related to the January 6 Capitol attack, including those linked to extremist groups. It calls for the rescission of the agreement, arguing that public funds should not support those who engaged in political violence or attempted to overturn election results. The resolution is a formal statement of opposition rather than a law that immediately changes policy.

Maddy summaryHB 4696 amends Michigan's Guardianship Assistance Act (MCL 722.872) to expand the definition of "relative" for eligibility purposes. The bill adds that a "relative" may include individuals not related within the fifth degree by blood or marriage if they have a strong emotional connection to the child or the child's parent (especially for infants), as determined by the Department of Health and Human Services or the child's tribe for Indian children. This change directly affects foster youth and potential guardians seeking guardianship assistance payments by broadening who qualifies as a "relative" under the law. The amendment is tied to companion bill HB 4697 and would take effect only if both bills pass.