Rep. Jaz Martus

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a mandatory registry in Michigan for individuals convicted of specific crimes involving harm to animals. It requires the state police to maintain a list of these offenders, who must be registered for periods ranging from two years for misdemeanor convictions to life for repeat felony offenders. While on the registry, these individuals are prohibited from owning, buying, selling, or handling any animals. The legislation also outlines procedures for courts to notify offenders of their registration status and allows for hearings if a person contests whether they must be listed.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires the state department and the Michigan Strategic Fund to submit an annual report on the research and development tax credits by July 1 each year. The report must detail the overall effectiveness of these credits, the number of businesses filing claims, and specific names and amounts of credits for both standard claims and those involving university collaboration. This change directly affects the state's financial reporting process and provides legislators and the governor with data on how these tax incentives are being utilized by businesses.

Maddy summaryHB 5876 establishes a new law in Michigan that allows animal control agencies to permanently take ownership of animals involved in specific cruelty or fighting crimes. The bill requires agencies to notify owners within 72 hours of seizure and gives them 21 days to post a security bond covering care costs to keep the animal. If the owner fails to provide this bond or if the court finds the owner guilty of the listed offenses, the animal is forfeited to the agency for adoption, transfer, or euthanasia. The legislation also outlines the specific crimes that trigger these forfeiture rules and grants immunity to certain individuals involved in the process.

Maddy summaryThis law prohibits using a victim's actual or perceived sexual orientation or gender identity as a legal defense in criminal cases. Specifically, it bars evidence of such information from being used to claim reasonable provocation, heat of passion, or reduced mental capacity. Additionally, the bill states that discovering or knowing about a person's gender identity or sexual orientation does not justify using force against them. These rules apply to all criminal proceedings in Michigan to prevent bias from influencing the outcome of a trial.

Maddy summaryThis bill modifies Michigan's public health laws to allow the state health department to issue nonrenewable temporary licenses to individuals who have met all licensure requirements for emergency medical roles except for specific exams. These temporary licenses are valid for one year and permit the holder to practice only under direct supervision. The measure directly affects aspiring medical first responders, emergency medical technicians, and paramedics who need time to complete their required examinations. It also includes a provision stating that the law does not take effect unless a companion bill, HB 4614, is also enacted.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends Michigan's animal cruelty laws to strengthen penalties for individuals who organize, promote, or participate in animal fighting, baiting, or shooting events. It directly affects anyone involved in these activities by increasing potential prison sentences, fines, and community service hours, while also imposing a five-year ban on owning animals of the same species for those convicted. The legislation mandates that animal control agencies sterilize seized fighting animals before adoption and requires detailed history disclosures to new owners. Additionally, the bill establishes stricter liability for owners if their trained fighting animals attack people, including enhanced penalties if the attack results in death or occurs without provocation.

Maddy summaryThis bill modifies Michigan's election laws to add a review process for recall petitions before they can be circulated to voters. It requires the Board of State Canvassers for state officials and county election commissioners for local officials to meet and determine if the reasons listed on a petition are factual and clear. During this review, the targeted official and petition sponsors can present arguments, and either party may appeal the board's decision to a court. If the review finds reasons unclear or false, the entire petition is rejected; if the board fails to meet the deadline, the petition is automatically considered valid. The bill also sets a 180-day window for circulating a valid petition and allows individuals to resubmit rejected petitions for a new review.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends Michigan's Code of Criminal Procedure to establish specific sentencing guidelines for individuals convicted of committing fraudulent acts against insurance companies. It directly affects prosecutors, judges, and defendants involved in insurance fraud cases by providing a structured framework for determining appropriate prison terms and fines. The legislation updates existing laws to ensure consistent and standardized penalties for these financial crimes, replacing previous vague directives with clearer statutory requirements.

Maddy summaryThis bill expands the legal definition of racketeering in Michigan to explicitly include insurance fraud. It directly affects individuals and organizations accused of committing organized crime schemes that involve defrauding insurance companies. By adding insurance fraud to the list of qualifying offenses, the law allows prosecutors to charge such activities as part of a broader pattern of criminal behavior rather than isolated incidents. This change aims to provide law enforcement with clearer tools to investigate and prosecute complex financial crimes that target the insurance industry.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends Michigan's insurance code to establish clear civil penalties for individuals or entities that violate insurance regulations without a specific penalty already defined. It requires the insurance director to provide a hearing before imposing fines, which can range from $1,000 to $5,000 per violation depending on whether the violation was intentional, with a maximum total fine of $50,000. In addition to monetary penalties, the director may suspend, limit, or revoke licenses for non-compliance and can impose a $20,000 fine for knowingly ignoring cease and desist orders. The bill also allows the director to reopen previous penalty decisions if facts or laws have changed and permits the use of court injunctions to stop ongoing violations.