Rep. Jaz Martus

Maddy summaryHB 6081 amends Michigan's state income tax law to allow taxpayers to deduct distributions from baby bond trust accounts when those funds are used for eligible education expenses. This change directly affects individuals who have invested in Michigan's 529 college savings plans and are using the money to pay for tuition or other qualified costs. The bill modifies the existing tax code by adding a specific line item that reduces taxable income by the amount of these distributions, effectively providing a tax benefit for utilizing the savings. By aligning the treatment of baby bond withdrawals with other education-related deductions, the legislation aims to simplify the tax process for families saving for higher education.

Maddy summaryThis bill proposes to change how income is calculated for people applying for Michigan's state medical assistance program. Specifically, it would exclude money received from the Michigan Baby Bond Trust Account program when determining if an applicant qualifies for help. The bill does not alter other rules regarding support payments from estranged spouses or parents, nor does it change the overall income threshold used for eligibility. Because this bill requires another piece of legislation to pass first, it is currently inactive and has not yet taken effect.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a new Baby Bond Trust Fund within the Michigan Department of Treasury to support the state's existing baby bond trust account program. The fund will be financed through various sources, managed by the state treasurer, and used to cover the costs of administering the program and establishing individual accounts for designated beneficiaries. Money held in the fund at the end of each fiscal year will remain available for future use rather than being returned to the general fund. Additionally, the bill requires the department to submit an annual report on the fund's activities to the governor and legislative leaders. This measure is contingent upon the simultaneous passage of related companion bills to fully implement the program.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a new Energy Stability Fund within the state treasury to help cover energy costs for specific groups of people. The fund can receive money from any source, and the state treasurer will manage its investments while the Department of Health and Human Services oversees its use. Money in the fund will not be returned to the general budget at the end of the year and can only be spent to provide energy assistance to low-income seniors, individuals with qualified disabilities, and veterans.

Maddy summaryThis bill updates Michigan's rules for appointing representatives to the Midwestern Higher Education Commission, a regional group that coordinates higher education policies across several states. It clarifies that the state's voting delegation includes the governor, one senator, one state representative, and two at-large members appointed by the governor. Additionally, the legislation designates the state board of education and the department of lifelong education, advancement, and potential to serve as nonvoting members, allowing them to participate in discussions without casting formal votes. The law also establishes that any vacancies in these positions must be filled using the same appointment process as the original roles to ensure the delegation remains complete.

Maddy summaryThis bill prohibits retailers in Michigan from selling specific weight loss dietary supplements and diet pills to anyone under the age of 18. To enforce this, the law requires physical stores to check identification before a sale and mandates that online orders include age verification through independent government databases and secure shipping methods that prevent minors from receiving the product. The state Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs will create and annually update a list of covered products based on their marketing claims regarding weight loss or appetite control. Retailers found violating these rules could face civil fines of up to $1,000 or other legal remedies.

Maddy summaryThis bill expands eligibility for special "disabled veteran" license plates in Michigan to include partially disabled veterans who have a service-connected disability rating of at least 50%, in addition to those with total disabilities. The law allows these eligible veterans to obtain plates marked with "DV" and "disabled veteran" without paying the standard service fee, while also permitting their surviving spouses to use the plates after the veteran's death. Furthermore, the legislation authorizes the Secretary of State to issue free adhesive disability tabs to these veterans and their spouses, provided the applicant also meets the state's criteria for a permanent windshield placard. These changes aim to increase recognition and support for a broader range of veterans by simplifying the application process and reducing associated costs.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a new Michigan Community Investment Tax Credit Program designed to help distressed areas and low-income neighborhoods by encouraging donations to local nonprofit organizations. Under the program, place-based nonprofits that focus on specific communities can apply for approval to receive tax credits, which they then issue to donors who contribute at least $500 to support their community development projects. The state fund will manage this process, with a total annual limit of $25 million in tax credits and individual allocations capped between $50,000 and $150,000 for up to three consecutive years. To qualify, the nonprofit must demonstrate that its leadership includes meaningful representation from the economically disadvantaged residents it serves. The bill also requires the fund to publish application guidelines and a list of approved organizations on its website to ensure transparency.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a Michigan Community Investment Tax Credit program that allows taxpayers to reduce their state income tax by 50% on donations made to qualified organizations between December 31, 2024, and January 1, 2030. The program is designed to encourage private investment in local communities by letting donors claim the credit against their tax liability, with any unused portion carried forward for up to five years. A total annual cap of $25 million limits the total credits available, and the Department of Treasury must report how these funds are distributed among organizations. The legislation requires cooperation with the Michigan Strategic Fund and mandates that donations be certified by the recipient organization to be eligible for the tax benefit.

Maddy summaryThis bill prohibits health insurance companies in Michigan from covering any medical service if the patient's required copayment or coinsurance exceeds 50% of the total cost. It applies to new policies starting after the law is passed and to existing policies when they are next renewed or changed. If an insurer includes such a high-cost service in a plan, they would be violating this rule, and the state insurance director is authorized to investigate complaints about these violations. The measure aims to ensure that patients do not face excessive out-of-pocket costs for services included in their health insurance coverage.