Rep. Cynthia Neeley

Maddy summaryHB 5557 amends Michigan's planning laws to require local governments to forecast and incorporate housing needs into their master plans. The bill mandates that these plans include a range of housing types and costs to serve a diverse population. Additionally, it establishes specific rules for appointing planning commission members to ensure the groups represent various community segments and include school board representatives in counties. These changes affect cities, villages, townships, and counties by updating how they structure their planning commissions and develop long-term development strategies.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a one-time tax credit of up to $10,000 for Michigan residents who incur unreimbursed costs related to live organ donation. Starting in the 2025 tax year, eligible individuals can claim this credit for expenses such as travel, lodging, lost wages, and child care, provided they submit proof of the donation and related costs. The credit is not refundable, meaning it can only reduce the tax owed to zero but will not result in a cash payment if the credit amount exceeds the taxpayer's liability.

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 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 allows courts to use records of deferred domestic violence charges as evidence when deciding child custody and parenting time cases. It requires courts to make these previously sealed records available to judges and the parties involved in custody disputes to help determine the best interests of the child. The legislation does not change how domestic violence cases are handled but instead ensures that past deferred charges are visible in family court proceedings.

Maddy summaryHB 6009 amends Michigan's penal code to establish new guidelines for expert testimony in assault cases involving domestic violence or attacks on healthcare workers. The bill requires that any expert witness testifying in these specific prosecutions must have demonstrated expertise and experience working with victims of domestic violence. Additionally, the legislation defines key terms such as "dating relationship" and "health professional" to clarify the scope of protected individuals and situations. These changes aim to ensure that expert testimony in such cases is provided by individuals with relevant background knowledge.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends Michigan's Home Rule City Act to clarify how cities can establish administrative hearings bureaus to handle blight violations. It allows qualifying cities to create these bureaus to adjudicate specific issues like zoning, property maintenance, and sanitation violations, with fines capped at $10,000 and the cost of operation borne by the city. The legislation also updates the process for serving violation notices, permitting cities to use email with a read receipt confirmation and requiring a sworn statement for notices that demand a hearing. Additionally, it restricts the issuance of blight notices to landlords during routine inspections unless there is an immediate emergency or the landlord has been given a chance to correct the issue first.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires businesses that participate in round-up donation programs to clearly disclose which organization will receive the donated funds. By adding a new section to the Michigan Consumer Protection Act, the legislation mandates that these disclosures be made prominently to ensure consumers understand where their money is going. The rule applies to any merchant offering a round-up option where a customer's purchase total is rounded up to the nearest dollar, with the difference donated to a charity or nonprofit. This change aims to increase transparency in charitable giving practices by preventing confusion about the recipient of the contributions.

Maddy summaryThis bill modifies Michigan's Child Custody Act to strengthen how courts handle parenting time when domestic violence or abuse is alleged. It requires judges to specifically consider certain evidence, such as protection orders, arrests, and victim assessments, while also establishing stricter rules for admitting expert testimony in these cases. The legislation further restricts courts from removing children from safe, bonded caregivers or ordering reunification therapy unless the treatment is proven safe and effective, and it mandates that courts address the abusive parent's behavior before blaming the other parent for a child's resistance to contact. These changes aim to ensure that decisions regarding custody and visitation prioritize the safety and well-being of children in families affected by violence or coercive control.