Rep. Brian BeGole

Maddy summaryHB 4260 redirects $115 million annually from Michigan's 4% general sales tax revenue into the Public Safety and Violence Prevention Fund starting with the 2025-2026 fiscal year. This change affects state budget allocations, shifting funds previously going to the general fund toward public safety and violence prevention programs. The bill amends Michigan's General Sales Tax Act (MCL 205.75) to establish this specific annual transfer, with the amount adjusted based on actual tax collections. It does not create new taxes but reallocates existing revenue streams.

Maddy summaryHB 4034 amends Michigan's probate law to adjust rules governing trusts that could last indefinitely ("rule against perpetuities"). It specifically revises the time limit for certain trust interests from 90 years to 360 years when a second power of appointment is exercised, as defined in the 2008 Personal Property Trust Perpetuities Act. The bill affects trust creators, beneficiaries, and estate planners by clarifying when trust interests are considered created and modifying time limits for perpetuity violations. It does not change existing rules for most marital agreements, fiduciary powers, or trusts created before 1988.

Maddy summaryHB 4033 allows fiduciaries (like executors or trustees) managing certain trusts to convert between income trusts (where payments aren't tied to asset value) and unitrusts (where payments are a fixed percentage of trust value). It also permits changing how unitrust payments are calculated. Fiduciaries must obtain approval from an independent person before making these changes to prevent conflicts of interest. This bill directly affects trust beneficiaries and fiduciaries managing trusts governed by Michigan's probate laws.

Maddy summaryHouse Bill 4357 amends Michigan's election law concerning township officers. The bill modifies the official start date for the terms of office for these elected officials. Specifically, for township officers elected after December 31, 2024, their terms will commence at 12 noon on December 1 following their election, rather than the current November 20 start date. This change affects township officers and the administrative timing of their transition into office.

Maddy summaryHouse Bill 4366 proposes to amend Michigan's Code of Criminal Procedure. Specifically, it modifies section 13c of chapter XVII (MCL 777.13c), which outlines sentencing guidelines. The bill aims to adjust the sentencing guidelines for certain offenses related to excess discharges into the waters of the state. This change would directly affect individuals or entities convicted of such environmental violations, impacting how their sentences are determined by the courts.

Maddy summaryHB 4360 modifies the start dates for terms of office for elected officials in Michigan's home rule villages. For village officers elected after December 31, 2024, their terms will begin at 12 noon on December 1 following their election, overriding any conflicting village charter provisions. The bill also specifies that individuals elected to fill a vacancy cannot take the oath of office until the election results have been certified.

Maddy summaryHouse Bill 4365 amends Michigan's Natural Resources and Environmental Protection Act concerning discharges of untreated or partially treated sewage. It expands the list of parties that sewer system operators must notify immediately (within 24 hours) after a discharge begins, including additional county officials and local newspapers in potentially affected counties. The bill also clarifies requirements for testing affected waters for E. coli to assess public health risks. Violations of these updated notification and testing requirements are subject to existing civil fines ranging from $2,500 to $25,000 per day.

Maddy summaryHouse Bill 4333 proposes to amend Michigan's Code of Criminal Procedure, specifically section 13k of chapter XVII (MCL 777.13k). The bill aims to establish or modify sentencing guidelines for individuals convicted of offenses related to conducting pathogen enhancement engineering or research. These guidelines would provide a framework for judges to determine appropriate penalties for such crimes. It directly affects individuals involved in this type of research and the state's judicial system by standardizing sentencing procedures for these specific offenses.

Maddy summaryHouse Bill 4332 prohibits individuals and governmental entities in Michigan from conducting "pathogen enhancement engineering or research," defined as altering pathogens to enhance their harmfulness or spread. Violations of this prohibition would be considered a felony, punishable by up to five years in prison, a $100,000 fine, or both. The bill also establishes a $50,000 reward for individuals whose reports lead to the discovery of such prohibited activities. Additionally, the department would be required to notify employees of biological research facilities about this reward and provide educational materials.

Maddy summaryHB 4336 amends Michigan's penal code to create new state crimes related to individuals who are not authorized to be in the United States. The bill establishes felony and misdemeanor offenses for knowingly bringing, transporting, harboring, or encouraging such persons to enter or remain in the U.S. It also creates a felony offense for knowingly hiring ten or more undocumented individuals for employment within a 12-month period. Penalties include fines and imprisonment, with higher penalties for offenses involving commercial gain, serious injury, or death. An exception is provided for religious organizations bringing in volunteer ministers or missionaries.