Rep. Doug Wozniak

Maddy summaryThis bill requires counties in Michigan with more than one million residents to create and submit a plan to the state department to cut sewage discharge volumes by 50% within five years if they violate their environmental permits. The state department will review these plans within 180 days, and if approved, the counties must finish implementing the reduction measures within two years or risk having their permits denied. Counties that fail to submit a plan or complete the required reductions could face administrative fines of up to $1 million per month, which would be collected by the state attorney general and added to the state's clean water funding.

Maddy summaryHB 5941 amends Michigan's income tax law to clarify how certain gratuities received by tipped employees are treated for tax purposes. The bill specifically addresses the exclusion of these tips from taxable income, ensuring that workers in the service industry are not taxed on amounts that are already exempt under federal rules. By updating the state tax code, the legislation aligns Michigan's treatment of tipped income with existing federal standards. This change directly affects employees who rely on tips as part of their compensation and the employers who report such earnings.

Maddy summaryThis bill strengthens Michigan's environmental laws by requiring counties to notify neighboring counties at least 24 hours before discharging waste or sewage into shared waters, with permission needed from the affected county before the discharge occurs. It establishes new penalties for failing to provide this advance notice or for discharging without permission, including fines up to $500,000 that go into a state recovery fund. The legislation also clarifies existing rules by defining specific circumstances under which violations lead to criminal charges or civil fines, particularly when actions pose a substantial danger to public health or the environment. Additionally, it adjusts how courts determine liability for serious violations and mandates that certain fines be paid to the state's general fund while creating liens on the property of those found liable.

Maddy summaryHB 5916 proposes changes to Michigan's sentencing guidelines specifically regarding cases involving excessive discharges into state waters. The bill aims to modify how judges determine punishments for these environmental violations by updating the relevant legal section in the Code of Criminal Procedure. It directly affects prosecutors, defense attorneys, and judges who handle such cases by altering the framework used to calculate sentences. This legislative measure is part of a paired bill effort to refine sentencing standards for water pollution offenses.

Maddy summaryThis bill modifies Michigan's environmental laws to require new or increased discharge permits to include proof of permission from any neighboring counties that might be affected by the discharge. Starting in 2025, applicants must submit a resolution from the impacted county's board of commissioners, and the state department must review applications within 30 to 90 days, treating them as complete if no decision is made by the deadline. The legislation also clarifies rules for oceangoing vessels by mandating specific permits for ballast water management to prevent the spread of aquatic nuisance species, while ensuring state standards remain at least as protective as federal requirements. Additionally, the bill sets strict timelines for the department to determine if applications are administratively complete and outlines the process for denying permits if county permission is missing.

Maddy summaryThis bill modifies Michigan's pawnbroker regulations by increasing the maximum civil fine for charging excessive interest from an unspecified amount to $5,000. It also updates the criminal penalties for violating the act, allowing courts to impose fines ranging from $250 to $1,000 or imprisonment for up to three months. The legislation directly affects pawnbrokers and their employees by clarifying the consequences for non-compliance with state laws. Additionally, the bill includes a provision that prevents it from taking effect unless a companion bill, HB 5536, is also enacted into law.

Maddy summaryThis bill proposes to increase the maximum monthly interest rate pawnbrokers in Michigan can charge from 3% to 5%, while also raising the minimum interest requirement to 50 cents per loan. It updates the mandatory text printed on loan receipts to reflect this new 5% cap and clarifies that loans exceeding this rate are automatically void. The legislation also maintains the existing fee for storing unencumbered property at $3.00 per month and prohibits charging interest on unpaid balances in advance. This measure directly affects licensed pawnbrokers and consumers who use their services for short-term loans.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends Michigan's income tax law to establish specific definitions for calculating research and development tax credits. It clarifies who qualifies as an "authorized business" for these credits, distinguishing between flow-through entities and general taxpayers based on their increase in qualifying research expenses. The legislation also defines key terms such as "base amount," which is calculated from the average of prior years' research spending, and "research university," which includes public institutions and independent nonprofits. By setting these clear definitions, the bill aims to streamline how businesses and universities claim tax incentives for conducting research within the state.

Maddy summaryThis bill officially designates a specific stretch of M-53 in Macomb County as the "Officer Leroy Imus Memorial Highway" to honor a fallen law enforcement officer. The legislation affects the Michigan State Transportation Department by amending state laws to recognize this new name for the road segment running from 17 Mile Road to Hall Road. Once signed into law, the change immediately updates official records and signage to reflect the memorial title.

Maddy summaryThis resolution designates June 27, 2024, as Public Employee Freedom Day in Michigan to honor the sixth anniversary of the Supreme Court's Janus v. AFSCME decision. The bill directly affects public sector employees by recognizing their constitutional rights regarding union membership and dues established in that 2018 ruling. It serves as a commemorative gesture rather than enacting new laws, aiming to highlight principles of free speech and individual choice in workplace representation.