Rep. Denise Mentzer

Maddy summaryThis bill amends Michigan's Revised School Code to require intermediate school districts to create a single, common school calendar for all schools within their region by July 1, 2008. The new calendar must specify winter and spring break dates for at least the next five school years and must be posted online, with the goal of aligning start dates and schedules across different districts. While the law mandates compliance starting with the 2008-2009 school year, it includes exceptions for schools with existing collective bargaining agreements, year-round programs, trimester schedules, or advanced placement schools that meet specific criteria. Districts operating under these special conditions can apply for a waiver from the state superintendent if they can justify their unique scheduling needs. Additionally, the bill repeals previous sections of the Revised School Code and the State School Aid Act that are no longer needed under this new framework.

Maddy summaryThis bill, known as the Energy Pricing Protection Act, prohibits businesses in Michigan from charging excessively high prices for gasoline, propane, and home heating oil during market disruptions such as severe weather or supply shortages. It defines an excessive price increase as one exceeding 20% unless the seller can prove the hike is due to higher costs or a prior discount, and it applies to these goods for 30 days after the disruption ends. To enforce these rules, the state attorney general can investigate violations, seize assets to prevent their removal, and file class-action lawsuits to recover damages for affected consumers. The legislation also outlines specific procedures for legal demands and limits the time frame for filing such actions to four years.

Maddy summaryThis bill prohibits hotels, bed and breakfasts, short-term rentals, and other lodging providers from raising prices by more than 20% during or shortly after a declared state of emergency unless they can prove the increase is due to higher costs or pre-existing contracts. It defines an emergency to include natural disasters, fires, floods, and public health threats, and sets a specific rule for what counts as an "excessively increased price" based on rates charged in the 30 days before the emergency. To enforce these rules, the act allows prosecutors to issue written demands for documents and testimony, and it grants the attorney general the power to file class-action lawsuits on behalf of affected consumers to recover damages or seek other relief.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes the Commodities and Emergency Services and Supplies Pricing Protection Act to stop businesses from raising prices too much on essential items like food, building materials, and medical supplies during a declared state of emergency. It defines an excessive price increase as one that is more than 20% higher than pre-emergency rates unless the seller can prove the rise was due to higher costs, prior discounts, or selling at cost. The law prohibits charging or offering these goods at unjustified inflated prices and grants state and local prosecutors the power to investigate violations and compel the production of relevant documents. Additionally, the act allows the attorney general to file class-action lawsuits on behalf of affected consumers to recover actual damages or a minimum of $100 per person, while also providing courts with tools to freeze assets or modify unfair contracts.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires health insurance companies in Michigan to limit the co-pay or coinsurance for insulin to no more than $35 per 30-day supply. The rule applies to at least one product within each major type of insulin, including rapid-acting, long-acting, and premixed varieties, and prevents insurers from bypassing this limit by raising costs elsewhere or changing benefit categories. While the $35 cap is set as a maximum, insurers are allowed to charge less, and the limit only applies to insulin products; other medical costs can remain higher. The amount will be automatically adjusted each July starting in 2027 based on changes in the local Consumer Price Index.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires electric utilities in Michigan to hire independent third parties to conduct engineering audits of their distribution systems every five years, with the goal of improving grid reliability and safety. The audits must include a physical inspection of infrastructure and a review of operational processes such as storm restoration and maintenance planning, with all costs paid by the utilities. Additionally, the bill mandates that electric utilities establish programs to help workers transition to new roles during ownership changes, ensuring employees receive comparable wages and benefits for at least 30 months. The Public Service Commission will compile reports on these audits to inform decisions on rates and grid planning.

Maddy summaryHB 6095 amends state law to regulate how public utilities in Michigan can raise their rates and charges. The bill requires utilities to obtain approval from the Public Service Commission before increasing costs for customers and mandates that they provide notice and hold hearings for affected parties. It establishes specific timelines for the commission to review rate applications and grants utilities the ability to implement proposed rate increases temporarily if the commission does not act within 180 days, provided they refund any excess amounts later with interest. Additionally, the legislation sets rules for spacing out rate filings by large electric utilities and outlines procedures for seeking immediate partial rate relief for smaller gas utilities.

Maddy summaryThis bill prohibits electric and natural gas utilities in Michigan from including specific administrative and political expenses in the rates charged to customers. It explicitly bans the recovery of costs related to executive compensation, fines, lobbying, advertising, charitable donations, and trade association memberships. If the Public Service Commission determines that a utility has improperly collected these fees, it must order a refund to customers with interest and impose escalating fines based on the number of violations. Any fines levied under this new rule would be directed toward a fund designed to assist low-income individuals with energy costs.

Maddy summaryHB 5511 would allow courts to delay officially recording a conviction (entry of judgment) until sentencing occurs, under specific conditions. This applies when the prosecutor agrees after consulting the victim, and either the court finds good cause to delay or the defendant enters a specialty rehabilitation program. The bill does not apply to certain traffic offenses involving vehicle operation (even if felony/misdemeanor) or convictions already eligible for delayed sentencing under other laws. The delay mechanism aims to support rehabilitation efforts while ensuring victims are consulted, but the bill requires another related bill (HB 5510) to pass first.

Maddy summaryHB 5510 allows Michigan courts to delay final sentencing for up to one year (or longer for specific cases) for certain non-violent offenses, giving defendants time to participate in rehabilitation programs like drug court. It requires courts to collect supervision fees ($30-$60 per month, depending on electronic monitoring) during the delay period, with maximum limits of 12 months for most cases or 60 months for child support violations. The bill exempts juveniles in specific cases and permits courts to waive fees for indigent defendants. This modifies existing sentencing procedures to prioritize rehabilitation while adding structured financial obligations during the delay.