Rep. Brenda Carter

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a temporary commission to develop age-appropriate instruction on African-American history for Michigan K-12 schools. The commission will be appointed by the governor and include representatives from major universities, the NAACP, and historical museums. Within one year of its first meeting, the commission must submit recommendations to the state board of education on how to integrate this history into the core curriculum. Following the submission of these recommendations, the state board is required to update academic standards within two school years, and school districts must begin providing this instruction starting in the 2025-2026 school year. Additionally, the bill mandates that state social studies assessments include questions related to the new learning objectives beginning in the 2025-2026 school year.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends Michigan's Youth Tobacco Act to strictly prohibit the advertising, display, marketing, and sale of nicotine and tobacco products with characterizing flavors, such as fruity or menthol tastes. It defines characterizing flavors broadly to include any distinguishable taste or aroma other than tobacco, as well as cooling or numbing sensations, and establishes a legal presumption that a product has such a flavor if the manufacturer or seller implies it through text, images, or consumer-facing actions. Businesses that violate these restrictions face escalating civil fines and potential license suspensions or revocations for repeat offenses within a 36-month period. The legislation also creates a new state fund to finance the administration and enforcement of these rules, including compliance checks and staff training.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends the Age of Majority Act to clarify that it does not apply to the Youth Nicotine and Tobacco Act, ensuring that the legal age for purchasing tobacco products remains 21 despite the general age of adulthood being 18. By explicitly excluding tobacco regulations from the age of majority provisions, the legislation maintains the existing restriction that individuals under 21 cannot buy tobacco. The change affects the state's legal framework by preventing any conflict between the general definition of an adult and the specific rules governing tobacco sales.

Maddy summaryThis bill updates the Michigan Campaign Finance Act by clarifying definitions for political terms and expanding reporting requirements for specific nonprofit groups. It formally defines "501(c)(4) organizations" and "527 organizations" as entities that are controlled, directed, or staffed by candidates, elected officials, their appointees, or their family members. Additionally, the legislation provides new definitions for concepts like "election cycle," "honorarium," and "fund raising event" to ensure consistent application of campaign finance rules. These changes directly affect political candidates, public officials, and the nonprofit organizations that interact with them by establishing clearer boundaries for what must be disclosed to the public.

Maddy summaryHB 6232 amends Michigan's tax administration laws to allow the Department of Treasury to share specific information found on state income tax returns with the Department of Insurance and Financial Services. This change enables the insurance department to access data relevant to insurance matters, such as details about life insurance policies or annuities held by taxpayers. The bill does not create new taxes or change tax rates but rather clarifies the conditions under which tax records can be disclosed to other state agencies for regulatory purposes.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends Michigan's state income tax forms to include a checkoff box that allows taxpayers to voluntarily authorize the sharing of their insurance status with state agencies. Starting in the 2025 tax year, if a taxpayer selects this option, the Department of Treasury will share their information with the Department of Insurance and Financial Services, the Department of Health and Human Services, and the health insurance exchange to help determine eligibility for affordable health coverage. The forms will also require the date of birth for any uninsured individuals listed on the return and provide a space for taxpayers to indicate interest in specific insurance programs. Additionally, the bill mandates that tax instructions explain the consequences of disclosing this information and how the data will be used to facilitate enrollment in health plans.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires certain political nonprofits, specifically 527 and 501(c)(4) organizations, to electronically register with the Michigan Secretary of State within 10 days of forming. The registration must include the organization's name, the names of its key leaders, and the elected officials or candidates they support. The Secretary of State will make this information publicly available on their website, while political party committees are exempt from these requirements. Organizations that fail to register face civil fines ranging from $1,000 to $5,000 depending on their financial balance, and individual officials associated with non-compliant groups may also be fined up to $1,000.

Maddy summaryThis bill modifies Michigan's probate laws to create a streamlined process for trustees to settle trust accounts without requiring immediate court approval. Under the new rules, a trustee must provide beneficiaries and other interested parties with a detailed report of the trust's assets, receipts, and expenses, along with a notice explaining that any objections must be submitted in writing within 45 days. If no objections are received during this period, the trustee may distribute the remaining assets, and the recipients are barred from later challenging the account or bringing claims against the trustee. However, if a party does object, they can either resolve the issue through a written agreement or take the matter to court, and the bill also allows a successor trustee to rely on this process to avoid liability for failing to object.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires Michigan correctional facilities to give every prisoner forms that let them choose who can receive their medical records and who should be notified in a medical emergency. Prisoners must sign these forms to designate specific people as authorized recipients for their health information and as emergency contacts for critical situations. If a prisoner faces a serious medical emergency requiring hospital care, the department must immediately contact the designated emergency contact and may share the prisoner's location if necessary. The law also allows authorized recipients to request specific medical details about the prisoner, while the department must provide clear instructions and brochures explaining how these designations work.

Maddy summaryThis bill allows Michigan taxpayers to claim a state income tax credit of 50% for donating feminine hygiene products to public schools. The credit is capped at $100 for individual filers and $200 for joint returns, with higher limits for estates and trusts, and applies to donations made starting in 2025. To qualify, donors must receive a written acknowledgment from the school detailing the type and quantity of items donated, along with their value. The legislation defines eligible products as items such as tampons, panty liners, and menstrual cups, and requires that the donation be deductible under federal tax law. If the calculated credit exceeds the taxpayer's liability, the excess amount will be refunded.