Rep. Kara Hope

Maddy summaryThis bill requires soil products sold in Michigan to include at least 5% compost made from specific compostable materials starting in 2027. It directly affects businesses selling bulk soil, prepackaged soil, and potting soil by mandating a minimum compost content. Additionally, the law requires sellers to clearly label these products or their receipts with the exact percentage of compost included. The regulation aims to improve soil health and conservation while ensuring consumers are informed about the composition of the soil they purchase.

Maddy summaryHB 6064 modifies how Michigan's Renew Michigan Fund is managed and spent to support environmental and recycling initiatives. The bill designates the Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy as the administrator and ensures that any money remaining in the fund at the end of a fiscal year stays in the fund rather than moving to the general fund. It establishes specific spending percentages for environmental cleanup, waste management, and recycling, with the allocation for cleanup and redevelopment gradually increasing from 65% to 55% starting in the 2025-2026 fiscal year. Additionally, the legislation introduces a new category for host community grants to cities and townships near landfills and coal ash impoundments, effective from 2025-2026. The bill also requires the department to submit an annual report to the state legislature detailing the fund's revenue, expenditures, and balance.

Maddy summaryHouse Bill 6070 proposes to authorize Michigan to issue up to $2 billion in general obligation bonds to fund environmental and natural resources protection programs. These funds would be used to clean up contaminated sites, improve water quality, prevent pollution, address lead contamination, revitalize waterfronts, and remove contaminated sediments from waterways. The bill requires that the question of approving this debt be submitted to a statewide vote at the next general election, with bond issuance contingent on a majority "yes" vote from eligible voters. If approved, the state would pledge its full faith and credit to pay the bond principal and interest, with repayment coming from the state's general fund.

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 amends Michigan's Judges Retirement Act to increase employer contributions and employee matching options for judges participating in the Tier 2 retirement plan. Under the new rules, employers must contribute 4% of a judge's salary to their Tier 2 account, while judges can choose to contribute up to 5% of their salary starting in April 2025, with their employer matching that amount dollar-for-dollar. The legislation also allows judges who were previously unable to contribute due to a legal restraining order to make up to 6% of their salary with an equivalent employer contribution for a specific period. Additionally, judges taking office on or after January 1, 2002, are required to contribute 2% of their compensation to the retirement system, which will be used to fund health and sick care benefits.

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 allows Michigan courts to appoint volunteer advocates, such as lawyers or law students, to represent the interests of animals in cruelty and welfare cases. These advocates would monitor proceedings, review relevant records, attend hearings, and provide recommendations to help judges make decisions that consider the animal's well-being. To serve in this role, attorneys and law students must complete approved training and cannot receive monetary payment, though they may earn pro bono hours or academic credit. The legislation applies to criminal prosecutions involving the treatment or custody of vertebrate animals and takes effect 90 days after becoming law.

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 designates the month of May each year in Michigan as Huntington's Disease Awareness Month. The legislation aims to increase public and medical knowledge about Huntington's disease, a progressive neurological condition that currently has no cure. By officially recognizing this time period, the state hopes to encourage greater understanding of the disease's challenges and support ongoing research efforts.