Rep. Sharon MacDonell

Maddy summaryMichigan's HB 6265 requires owners and operators of data centers to submit annual reports to the state public service commission detailing their total water and electricity consumption, along with the sources of that water and the percentage of electricity derived from renewable energy. These reporting obligations begin on March 1, 2028, and if the commission finds a submitted report inaccurate or incomplete, it must notify the operator to file corrected information within 30 days. The bill authorizes civil fines of up to $10,000 for each day a violation continues, with collected penalties deposited into the state general fund. This legislation only takes effect if several other specific bills from the current legislative session are also enacted into law.

Maddy summaryMichigan House Bill 6264, titled the "data center energy standards act," requires owners and operators of data centers in the state to source 100% of their annual energy use from clean or renewable sources by January 1, 2040. The bill allows facilities to meet this requirement through on-site generation, power purchase agreements, or other energy instruments approved by the Michigan Public Service Commission. Violations of these standards are subject to civil fines of up to $10,000 per day, which must be deposited into the state's general fund. This legislation only takes effect if seven companion bills from the 103rd Legislature are also enacted into law.

Maddy summaryHB 6256 creates a new Local Agency Disaster Relief Board Fund and an accompanying board within the Michigan Department of Transportation to provide financial assistance for repairing or replacing local road infrastructure damaged by declared emergencies. The bill allocates $3 million annually from the county road commission share and $2 million from the city and village share of the state's transportation fund to this new disaster relief program, with a total annual cap of $5 million and a maximum fund balance of $50 million. Local road agencies must exhaust other federal and state funding sources before applying for these grants, which can cover costs such as restoring roads and bridges, engineering design, land acquisition, and project administration. The board, composed of representatives from county and municipal associations along with nonvoting state officials, is responsible for establishing application criteria, reviewing requests within 180 days, and reporting annually to the legislature on fund utilization.

Maddy summaryThis resolution declares August 2026 as National Filicide Awareness Month in Michigan to increase public understanding of cases where a parent or caregiver causes the death of a child. It aims to encourage collaboration among medical professionals, educators, law enforcement, and community organizations to better recognize risk factors and support child safety. The measure also seeks to honor the memory of children lost to filicide and promote education on prevention efforts across the state.

Maddy summaryThis bill updates Michigan's Natural Resources and Environmental Protection Act to clarify definitions and procedures for commercial fishing in the state's Great Lakes waters. It directly affects licensed commercial fishermen, fish dealers, and the Department of Natural Resources by establishing precise meanings for terms like "abandoned gear," "quota," and various types of fishing nets. The legislation also adds new definitions to improve record-keeping requirements for fish production, storage, and sale, ensuring that all commercial activities are clearly regulated. By amending multiple existing sections and adding a new one, the bill aims to provide a more structured framework for managing allowable catch limits and enforcing fishing privileges.

Maddy summaryMichigan House Bill 6237 amends the Publicly Funded Health Insurance Contribution Act to modify how public employers pay for employee medical benefits. The bill retains existing options that cap employer contributions at specific dollar amounts or limit them to 80% of total plan costs, with annual adjustments based on healthcare inflation. Starting in 2027, the legislation introduces new requirements mandating that public employers pay a minimum amount toward these plans, effectively establishing a floor for employer contributions rather than just a ceiling. These changes apply to state and local government employees and elected officials, while existing collective bargaining agreements are generally exempt until they expire or are renegotiated.

Maddy summaryHB 6233 allows specific state law enforcement officers, including corrections staff, conservation officers, and certain state police personnel, to voluntarily transfer from the general state employees' retirement system to the Michigan State Police Retirement System. Eligible employees must submit a written election between August 4, 2027, and October 17, 2027, which becomes effective on January 3, 2028, and is irrevocable once filed. The bill permits these individuals to transfer their personal contributions and vested employer contributions from the general system to purchase service credit in the state police system. This legislation only takes effect if two related bills, HB 6234 and HB 6235, are also enacted into law.

Maddy summaryHB 6234 allows certain law enforcement officers who were first hired after a specific date to purchase service credit for time previously worked under the state employees' retirement system. This provision applies to members covered by sections 4(1)(b), (d), and (f) of the State Police Retirement Act, enabling them to count their prior civilian service toward their law enforcement retirement benefits. To qualify, officers must pay an amount equal to the actuarial value of that service, with payments made through tax-deferred or additional payment methods established by the retirement system. The bill sets a deadline of October 17, 2027, for initiating these purchases and requires completion within four years, while also stipulating that this act overrides any conflicting provisions in collective bargaining agreements.

Maddy summaryHB 6235 expands the definition of who can join Michigan's state police retirement system to include certain law enforcement officers hired after June 7, 2027, as well as those who previously left the state employees' retirement system. The bill allows these new members to purchase credit for prior service under the state employees' retirement system and treats them as if they first became members after June 9, 2012. This change ensures that officers in eligible positions, such as conservation officers and state police motor carrier officers, have access to specific retirement benefits and tier structures similar to those available to earlier hires.

Maddy summaryHouse Resolution 342 urges the U.S. House of Representatives to reject Amendment 041 to the BUILD America 250 Act, a provision that would shield rideshare and delivery companies from vicarious liability for injuries or damages caused by their drivers. The resolution argues that this amendment would prevent victims from holding platforms accountable under state law unless the company is found to be grossly negligent or criminally wrongdoers, citing concerns about sexual assault cases on these apps. By blocking this federal preemption, the bill aims to preserve states' authority to regulate liability and ensure companies can be held responsible for harms arising from their operations.