Rep. Brenda Carter

Maddy summaryHB 5557 amends Michigan's planning laws to require local governments to forecast and incorporate housing needs into their master plans. The bill mandates that these plans include a range of housing types and costs to serve a diverse population. Additionally, it establishes specific rules for appointing planning commission members to ensure the groups represent various community segments and include school board representatives in counties. These changes affect cities, villages, townships, and counties by updating how they structure their planning commissions and develop long-term development strategies.

Maddy summaryThis bill strengthens Michigan's laws against real estate fraud by increasing penalties for individuals who knowingly create or submit false documents to the register of deeds. It directly affects anyone involved in drafting or filing property records, as well as the officials who maintain those records. Under the new provisions, submitting a fraudulent document with the intent to defraud a property owner is now classified as a felony punishable by up to 10 years in prison and a fine of up to $5,000. Additionally, the law allows county prosecutors to receive evidence of such violations directly from the register of deeds. These changes aim to deter deceptive practices in property transactions and provide clearer legal consequences for those who attempt to deceive owners or the public record.

Maddy summaryThis bill updates Michigan's criminal laws to impose stricter penalties for knowingly creating or submitting false documents to the Register of Deeds. It specifically targets fraudulent activities related to property transfers, including deceptive conveyances and false statements made by contractors regarding building funds. By clarifying the classification and maximum prison sentences for these offenses, the legislation aims to increase accountability for individuals who attempt to deceive public records. The changes apply to various property-related crimes, ensuring that those who intentionally falsify documents face appropriate legal consequences.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a one-time tax credit of up to $10,000 for Michigan residents who incur unreimbursed costs related to live organ donation. Starting in the 2025 tax year, eligible individuals can claim this credit for expenses such as travel, lodging, lost wages, and child care, provided they submit proof of the donation and related costs. The credit is not refundable, meaning it can only reduce the tax owed to zero but will not result in a cash payment if the credit amount exceeds the taxpayer's liability.

Maddy summaryThis bill prohibits retailers in Michigan from selling specific weight loss dietary supplements and diet pills to anyone under the age of 18. To enforce this, the law requires physical stores to check identification before a sale and mandates that online orders include age verification through independent government databases and secure shipping methods that prevent minors from receiving the product. The state Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs will create and annually update a list of covered products based on their marketing claims regarding weight loss or appetite control. Retailers found violating these rules could face civil fines of up to $1,000 or other legal remedies.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a new Michigan Community Investment Tax Credit Program designed to help distressed areas and low-income neighborhoods by encouraging donations to local nonprofit organizations. Under the program, place-based nonprofits that focus on specific communities can apply for approval to receive tax credits, which they then issue to donors who contribute at least $500 to support their community development projects. The state fund will manage this process, with a total annual limit of $25 million in tax credits and individual allocations capped between $50,000 and $150,000 for up to three consecutive years. To qualify, the nonprofit must demonstrate that its leadership includes meaningful representation from the economically disadvantaged residents it serves. The bill also requires the fund to publish application guidelines and a list of approved organizations on its website to ensure transparency.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a Michigan Community Investment Tax Credit program that allows taxpayers to reduce their state income tax by 50% on donations made to qualified organizations between December 31, 2024, and January 1, 2030. The program is designed to encourage private investment in local communities by letting donors claim the credit against their tax liability, with any unused portion carried forward for up to five years. A total annual cap of $25 million limits the total credits available, and the Department of Treasury must report how these funds are distributed among organizations. The legislation requires cooperation with the Michigan Strategic Fund and mandates that donations be certified by the recipient organization to be eligible for the tax benefit.

Maddy summaryThis bill allows courts to use records of deferred domestic violence charges as evidence when deciding child custody and parenting time cases. It requires courts to make these previously sealed records available to judges and the parties involved in custody disputes to help determine the best interests of the child. The legislation does not change how domestic violence cases are handled but instead ensures that past deferred charges are visible in family court proceedings.

Maddy summaryHB 6009 amends Michigan's penal code to establish new guidelines for expert testimony in assault cases involving domestic violence or attacks on healthcare workers. The bill requires that any expert witness testifying in these specific prosecutions must have demonstrated expertise and experience working with victims of domestic violence. Additionally, the legislation defines key terms such as "dating relationship" and "health professional" to clarify the scope of protected individuals and situations. These changes aim to ensure that expert testimony in such cases is provided by individuals with relevant background knowledge.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends Michigan's Home Rule City Act to clarify how cities can establish administrative hearings bureaus to handle blight violations. It allows qualifying cities to create these bureaus to adjudicate specific issues like zoning, property maintenance, and sanitation violations, with fines capped at $10,000 and the cost of operation borne by the city. The legislation also updates the process for serving violation notices, permitting cities to use email with a read receipt confirmation and requiring a sworn statement for notices that demand a hearing. Additionally, it restricts the issuance of blight notices to landlords during routine inspections unless there is an immediate emergency or the landlord has been given a chance to correct the issue first.