Maddy summaryHB 5516, the "Foreign Law Limitation Act," prohibits Michigan courts, arbitrators, and administrative bodies from applying or enforcing foreign or religious laws in contracts or legal agreements if doing so would violate a resident's constitutional rights under U.S. or Michigan law. It requires these entities to block, modify, or void offending provisions when they conflict with constitutional rights, and to consider whether parties knowingly agreed to foreign law without duress. The law specifically excludes enforcement of federal or U.S. state laws and does not affect agreements made before the law's effective date. It directly affects courts handling disputes involving foreign legal provisions and protects Michigan residents from potential rights violations under external legal systems.
Sponsored bills
Maddy summaryHR 244 is a House resolution urging Congress to pass the SAVE Act (H.R. 22), which would require states to verify U.S. citizenship for federal election voter registration. The resolution references the SAVE Act’s key provision: requiring documentary proof of citizenship - such as a passport, birth certificate, or REAL ID-compliant ID - during registration, including through driver’s license offices or mail-in forms. It also mandates states to use DHS data to remove non-citizens from voter rolls and establish processes for resolving citizenship disputes. As a resolution, HR 244 itself does not change law but formally advocates for the SAVE Act’s adoption.
Maddy summaryHB 5491 requires that pat-down searches of visitors and strip searches of prisoners in Michigan state correctional facilities be conducted by staff of the same biological sex as the person being searched. This directly affects visitors to prisons and incarcerated individuals. The bill defines "biological sex" as sex characteristics present at birth (including chromosomes, hormones, and genitalia), excluding gender identity or self-identification. Visitors may opt out of the same-sex requirement by signing a waiver, but strip searches of prisoners must always follow the same-sex rule.
Maddy summaryHB 5490 removes the existing list of prohibited nonnative species from Michigan's Natural Resources and Environmental Protection Act. The bill amends Section 41301 to eliminate specific prohibitions on species like giant salvinia, Asian longhorned beetles, and Eurasian ruffe, which previously required DNR oversight. This change directly affects individuals and businesses that previously had to comply with restrictions on these species. The key mechanism is deleting the defined prohibitions, reducing regulatory authority for the Department of Natural Resources regarding these specific nonnative species.
Maddy summaryHB 5315 amends Michigan law to clarify when the Attorney General must intervene in court cases involving the state. It changes Section 28 of the Revised Statutes to require the Attorney General to intervene in state court cases when specifically requested by the Governor or either legislative chamber, rather than having discretion. This directly affects the Attorney General's office and state entities involved in civil or criminal cases where the state has an interest. The bill modifies existing procedure by making intervention mandatory upon request, streamlining the process for state representation in court. (Procedural bill; summary concise per guidelines.)
Maddy summaryHB 4734 expands who can legally consent to medical treatment for patients unable to make decisions themselves. It adds "designated surrogates" (people formally appointed under Michigan's Estates Code) to the list of authorized decision-makers, alongside relatives, patient advocates, and guardians. This directly affects patients without decision-making capacity, healthcare providers needing consent, and the individuals authorized to act for them. The bill clarifies that emergency care can still be provided without consent during urgent situations requiring immediate action.
Maddy summaryHB 5314 repeals a specific section (MCL 14.102) from an old 1919 law that required certain lawsuits brought by the Michigan Attorney General on behalf of the state to be filed in Ingham County circuit court. This procedural change eliminates the requirement for those cases to be filed in a specific county, allowing the Attorney General to file such lawsuits in appropriate courts as needed. The bill does not create new legal requirements or affect who can bring lawsuits; it only removes a historical jurisdictional rule. This is a straightforward procedural update with no direct impact on public employees, officers, or state operations.
Maddy summaryHB 5316 modifies Michigan's court venue rules for cases brought by the state's attorney general. It requires that lawsuits filed by the attorney general "in the name of the state" must be filed and tried in the county where the state government is headquartered (typically Ingham County, where Lansing is located). This change specifically applies to cases seeking relief for the state or its citizens, such as enforcement actions against businesses or public officials. The bill does not alter the substance of the cases but clarifies where they must be heard.
Maddy summaryHB 5154 requires public middle schools (grades 6-8) and high schools (grades 9-12) to accept cash as a payment option for admission fees to interscholastic athletic events. It directly affects school districts and public school academies that charge such fees. The bill amends Michigan’s School Code to mandate that school boards ensure cash is accepted, alongside other payment methods. This change applies only to schools charging admission fees for athletic activities, with no other policy changes specified.
Maddy summaryHB 5459 clarifies how utility companies collect the 2% additional sales tax on residential electricity, gas, and heating fuels in Michigan. It directly affects utility companies serving residential customers, requiring them to calculate the tax based on specific rules depending on their customer size. Companies with 100,000+ Michigan customers must prorate the tax starting from May 1, 1994, based on days after April 30, 1994. Smaller companies (under 100,000 customers) can either use this proration method or apply the tax starting with the first bill after April 30, 1994. The bill amends existing tax collection rules to provide clear, practical guidelines for utilities.