Rep. Brenda Carter

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a new tax credit for Michigan residents who purchase required textbooks for college or vocational school courses. To qualify, the student must be enrolled in an eligible institution and currently receiving a federal Pell grant or be a graduate student with financial need who would have qualified for one. The credit allows taxpayers to reduce their state income tax liability by the amount of sales or use tax paid on these books, with any excess amount refunded as a cash payment. The law also requires taxpayers to provide receipts proving the purchase and the student's eligibility if requested by the state department.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends Michigan's domestic violence prevention laws to explicitly allow shelters to accept common household pets, such as dogs and cats, alongside victims and their children. By updating the definition of a "family or household member" and revising shelter requirements, the legislation ensures that emergency housing programs can accommodate animals as part of their crisis support services. Prime sponsors, which include local governments and nonprofit organizations, may use state funds to establish or maintain these inclusive shelter programs that offer counseling, legal aid, and other essential resources. The changes aim to remove barriers for victims seeking immediate safety by recognizing the emotional and practical importance of keeping pets during domestic violence situations.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires Michigan judges and other court staff involved in child custody cases to undergo specific training on recognizing and responding to domestic violence and child abuse. The training must include at least 20 initial hours and 15 additional hours every five years, covering topics such as various forms of abuse, trauma, implicit bias, and the dynamics of coercive control. A key provision mandates that all training content be based on evidence-based research and explicitly defines certain terms like "DARVO" to ensure clarity. Ultimately, the legislation aims to improve custody decisions by prioritizing the safety and well-being of children through better-informed court personnel.

Maddy summaryHB 6012 prohibits insurance companies in Michigan from denying, canceling, or raising premiums on residential property liability policies based solely on the breed or mix of dogs owned by the policyholder. The bill also bans insurers from asking about or investigating specific dog breeds when underwriting these policies. While the law restricts breed-based decisions, it allows insurers to continue adjusting rates or coverage based on other standard underwriting factors unrelated to dog breeds. This change applies to all residential property liability insurance policies issued or renewed on or after January 1, 2025.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends Michigan's income tax law to clarify how certain types of income and deductions are calculated for individual taxpayers. It specifically adjusts the definition of taxable income by adding back interest from out-of-state bonds and taxes paid to other jurisdictions while simultaneously allowing deductions for military retirement benefits, Social Security, and contributions to state education tuition programs. The legislation also updates the maximum deduction limits for other retirement and pension income, ensuring these amounts are adjusted annually based on inflation. These changes directly affect Michigan residents filing state income tax returns by modifying the final amount of income subject to taxation.

Maddy summaryHB 5583 amends the Michigan Campaign Finance Act to give the Secretary of State the authority to apply to the Ingham County circuit court for injunctive relief when a complaint alleges a violation of campaign finance rules. The bill establishes a formal process for citizens to file complaints against individuals or committees, requiring the Secretary of State to notify the accused party and allow for written responses and rebuttals before any legal action is taken. Additionally, the legislation clarifies the standards for waiving late filing fees due to specific hardships and sets strict timelines for the Secretary of State to issue rulings on requests for legal interpretations. This measure is designed to provide a structured mechanism for enforcing campaign finance laws while ensuring due process for those accused of violations.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes the Michigan Secure Retirement Savings Program to help private-sector employees save for retirement through automatic payroll deductions. It creates a new oversight board and a separate trust fund to manage individual retirement accounts for enrolled workers, ensuring the money remains distinct from state funds. Employers that do not currently offer qualified retirement plans are required to participate by allowing employees to make automatic contributions from their paychecks. The legislation also sets up a separate administrative fund to cover the program's operational costs and defines the specific duties of the state officials who will run the system.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a new law requiring employers in Michigan to provide severance pay to eligible employees when they close a facility, relocate operations at least 100 miles away, or conduct a mass layoff of 20 or more workers. To qualify for this pay, an employee must have worked at the location for at least one year and not have been fired for cause, while the facility itself must have employed 20 or more people and paid out $2 million or more in the previous year. The severance amount is calculated as one week's pay for each year of employment, and employers must also notify the state labor department at least 90 days before these events occur. If an employer fails to make these payments, they face civil fines and are liable for the unpaid amount plus an additional four weeks' pay, which employees can recover through court action.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a new special license plate in Michigan to raise money for sickle cell anemia research and treatment. The Secretary of State will work with the Sickle Cell Disease Association of America, Michigan Chapter, to design the plate, and all proceeds from its sale will go into a dedicated state fund. That fund will be managed by the State Treasurer, who is required to invest the money and distribute the earnings to the association every quarter. Additionally, the bill removes an outdated section from the state's vehicle code that is no longer needed.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a new Michigan High-Speed Internet Office within the Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity to oversee state broadband efforts. The office will be led by a director appointed by the department head and will have the authority to award grants and provide technical assistance for digital infrastructure projects. Its main duties include coordinating with other agencies, collecting data on internet availability, and promoting policies that support economic development and community revitalization through better broadband access. Additionally, the office will serve as a central contact point between the public and internet service providers to improve transparency and adoption rates.