Rep. Brenda Carter

Maddy summaryThis bill directs the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy to create a program that tests public drinking water for microplastics between July 2025 and July 2028. The department must sample water sources quarterly using established methods and focus on areas such as Great Lakes shorelines, agricultural groundwater, and sites near landfills. After the testing period, the department is required to submit a final report by January 2029 that details findings and offers recommendations for future action.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends Michigan's public health code to regulate medical exfoliation procedures, which include dermaplaning and microdermabrasion. It requires that anyone performing these treatments must do so under the supervision of a licensed physician, except for the physicians themselves. Additionally, the law mandates that patients must give their informed consent before undergoing these procedures. The bill does not take effect unless another related bill is also passed into law.

Maddy summaryThis bill proposes changes to how prisoners in Michigan pay for medical, dental, and vision care. It would require inmates who request nonemergency services to pay a copayment fee, with the cost shared by parents or guardians if the inmate is a minor. Additionally, the bill mandates that prisoners who intentionally harm themselves and receive emergency care must pay the full cost of that treatment instead of a copayment. The legislation also directs the state corrections department to decide whether to house self-injuring inmates in facilities equipped for on-site medical care and requires a report on the feasibility and cost of this arrangement within six months.

Maddy summaryThis bill allocates $10 million from the state school aid fund to reimburse Michigan school districts for providing free menstrual hygiene products to eligible students. To qualify for funding, districts must have designated bathrooms for females and males or both in their school buildings and must supply at least 20 tampons or pads per month to students who request them. The reimbursement amount is based on the percentage of students in the district who qualify for free or reduced-price meals, with a minimum guarantee of covering 50% of the program costs. Funding will be distributed across urban, suburban, and rural areas, including specific requirements for districts in Wayne, Eaton, Grand Traverse, Kent, Macomb, and Marquette counties.

Maddy summaryThis bill updates Michigan's laws regarding the protection and management of critical sand dunes by amending and adding sections to the Natural Resources and Environmental Protection Act. It directly affects local governments, property owners, and developers by refining definitions of land use, such as what constitutes a "contour change" or a "special use project," and clarifying the roles of state and local agencies. Key provisions include establishing clearer criteria for when permits are required, defining how dune areas are identified in official maps, and ensuring that any development balances environmental preservation with economic needs. The legislation also repeals several outdated sections and adds new ones to modernize the regulatory framework for these fragile ecosystems.

Maddy summaryThis bill modifies Michigan's occupational code to update definitions and licensing requirements for cosmetologists, estheticians, and natural hair culturists. It clarifies that "braiding" and "natural hair cultivation" are distinct services that do not involve chemical treatments, while "skin care services" include facials, waxing, and body treatments but exclude permanent makeup and tanning. The legislation also establishes new training hour requirements for estheticians, increasing the mandate from 400 to 750 hours for those starting training on or after July 1, 2024, and expands the definition of cosmetology establishments to include mobile salons and cosmetology suites.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires Michigan school districts to provide free feminine hygiene products to students identified as "at-risk" starting in the 2025-2026 school year. Under the new provision, any eligible student who requests these items must receive at least 20 tampons or menstrual pads per month at no cost. The term "at-risk pupil" is defined by existing state laws regarding school aid eligibility, and the requirement applies to public school districts, intermediate school districts, and public school academies.

Maddy summaryThis bill modifies Michigan's foreclosure laws to clarify how deeds must be recorded and to adjust the timeline for when a property can be legally sold if the owner fails to redeem it. It requires that deeds be recorded within 20 days of a foreclosure sale, ensuring that if this deadline is missed, the sale remains valid but the clock for the owner to reclaim the property starts only after recording. The legislation also updates the rules for calculating redemption amounts by explicitly including fees for taxes, senior liens, and insurance premiums, while allowing purchasers to designate a representative to help buyers compute these costs. Additionally, the bill mandates that registers of deeds mark deeds with the word "Redeemed" once a property is successfully reclaimed, providing a clear record of the transaction's status.

Maddy summaryThis bill updates Michigan's ethics rules to restrict former state legislators and top executive officials from lobbying on behalf of private interests for a set period after leaving office. Specifically, it prohibits former lawmakers from lobbying for one year after their term ends and extends this one-year ban to the governor, lieutenant governor, attorney general, and secretary of state. The law allows these individuals to continue lobbying for the state government or their former offices during this time but sets a financial threshold that, if exceeded, requires them to register as lobbyists. Violating these restrictions is classified as a misdemeanor punishable by fines, jail time, or both.

Maddy summaryHB 5581 amends Michigan's lobbying laws to clarify definitions and update spending thresholds for individuals and organizations engaging in lobbying activities. The bill specifically redefines who qualifies as a lobbyist or lobbyist agent by adjusting the annual expenditure limits and clarifying rules about group spending on food and travel. It also expands the list of state officials considered "executive branch officials" for lobbying purposes to include various department directors and commission members. Additionally, the legislation updates terminology to ensure consistency across the statute while maintaining exemptions for journalists and most public employees.