Rep. Jaz Martus

Maddy summaryHB 4598 expands Michigan's Organized Retail Crime Act to specifically address new tactics used in theft. It adds provisions criminalizing the acquisition, alteration, or use of stolen gift cards (subsections i(i)-(iii)), fraudulent wireless device purchases (subsections h), and manipulating fire exit alarms (subsections g) as organized retail crime. The bill makes these acts felonies punishable by up to 5 years in prison, $5,000 fines, or both, and requires offenders to pay restitution to retailers and forfeit stolen merchandise. This directly affects retailers (through enhanced protections) and individuals committing these expanded theft methods, while clarifying that property representation as stolen is sufficient for prosecution.

Maddy summaryHB 5839 designates the Lunar New Year as a state holiday in Michigan. The bill defines the holiday based on the Chinese calendar and recognizes it as a celebration for people of Chinese, Korean, Taiwanese, Vietnamese, and other East or Southeast Asian origins. This legislation creates a new act to formally acknowledge the date as a holiday within the state.

Maddy summaryThis bill proposes to designate April 13 and April 14 of each year as official holidays in Michigan to recognize Vaisakhi, a significant holy day for Sikhs and Hindus. If passed, the legislation would formally acknowledge these dates as state holidays, allowing government employees and institutions to observe the day. The measure does not specify how businesses or private organizations must respond to the designation. It is a procedural bill that creates a new statutory definition for the holiday rather than mandating specific operational changes.

Maddy summaryHB 5841 proposes to officially recognize Eid al-Adha, Eid al-Fitr, and Eid al-Ghadeer as designated holidays in Michigan. The bill defines these dates by their specific days in the Islamic Hijri calendar, establishing them as state-recognized observances. This legislation directly affects state employees and government operations by setting aside these specific days as holidays.

Maddy summaryHB 5838 proposes to officially designate Diwali, also known as Deepavali or the Festival of Lights, as a state holiday in Michigan. The bill defines the holiday as occurring on the new moon day of the eighth lunar month according to the Indic pūrṇimānta lunisolar calendar. This change would allow state employees to take time off for the observance, which is celebrated by Hindus and Jains.

Maddy summaryThis bill proposes the creation of a select committee to investigate the Interlochen Center for the Arts and its connection to Jeffrey Epstein. The committee would be tasked with examining the relationship between the arts center and the individual, potentially leading to further inquiries or recommendations. The measure is currently under consideration by the Michigan House of Representatives and has been referred to the Committee on Government Operations.

Maddy summaryThis House resolution calls on the Department of Justice to investigate every individual named in the Epstein files, regardless of their political affiliation. The measure responds to the release of millions of documents and a previous statement by the Acting Attorney General that no further federal prosecutions would occur. It urges the government to distinguish between victims, active participants, and those merely mentioned to ensure accountability for all potential perpetrators. As a non-binding resolution, it does not create new laws but formally requests that the Justice Department take action on this specific matter.

Maddy summaryHB 4658 amends Michigan's Judges Retirement Act to allow judges to name a special needs trust as a beneficiary for their retirement payments. Specifically, it permits judges to direct retirement payments to a trust established under federal law (42 USC 1396p(d)(4)(A) or (C)) instead of only designating family members like spouses or children. This change helps beneficiaries with disabilities maintain eligibility for government assistance programs while still receiving retirement benefits. The bill affects only judges participating in Michigan's judges' retirement system who choose to use this trust option.

Maddy summaryHB 4660 would allow Michigan public school employees to name a special needs trust as a beneficiary for their retirement benefits, expanding current options. Currently, beneficiaries must be immediate family members (spouse, child, parent, or sibling), but this bill would explicitly permit special needs trusts. The change directly affects retirees who wish to provide for dependents with disabilities through legally structured trust arrangements. This amendment to Section 85 of Michigan's Retirement Act would update beneficiary designation rules without altering payment amounts or retirement eligibility.

Maddy summaryHB 4659 allows Michigan state employees to name a special needs trust as a beneficiary for their retirement benefits, expanding current options that only permitted family members (like spouses or children). This change directly affects state employees with disabled family members who rely on government benefits, as naming a trust protects beneficiaries' eligibility for programs like Medicaid without disrupting retirement payments. The bill amends Section 31 of the State Employees' Retirement Act to explicitly include special needs trusts in the list of permitted beneficiaries, replacing the current restriction to family relationships. This policy change ensures retirement benefits can continue to support disabled dependents while maintaining their access to public assistance programs.