Rep. Angela Rigas

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 summaryHouse Bill 4364 modifies the requirements for obtaining permits to discharge waste into Michigan's waters. Beginning January 1, 2026, any person applying for a new or increased discharge permit must provide documentation of permission from any contiguous county that would be impacted by the discharge. This permission must be in the form of a resolution adopted by the contiguous county's board of commissioners. If an applicant fails to secure this permission, the state department will deny the permit application.

Maddy summaryHouse Bill 4377 proposes changes to the Michigan Reconnect Grant and the Reconnect Short-Term Training Program. It would allow the minimum age requirement for both programs to be reduced from 25 to 21 years old, specifically for individuals seeking associate degrees, industry-recognized certificates, or qualified occupational training. This age reduction is contingent on the appropriation of sufficient funds and would not apply after September 30, 2032. The bill is tie-barred with HB 4378, meaning both must be enacted for these changes to take effect.

Maddy summaryHouse Bill 4378 proposes to amend the Michigan Reconnect Grant Act, which provides last-dollar financial assistance for higher education. The bill modifies the eligibility requirements for the Michigan Reconnect program. Specifically, it lowers the minimum age for participants to receive this financial aid from 25 to 21 years old. This change would expand access to associate degrees or industry-recognized certificates for a broader range of adult learners in Michigan.

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 4368 amends Michigan's Public Health Code regarding the reporting of infant deaths. It expands existing provisions to include the death of an infant who was born alive after an attempted abortion and then surrendered to an emergency service provider or a newborn safety device under the safe delivery of newborns law. For such cases, the bill mandates that the deceased infant be listed as "Baby Doe" and prohibits reporting any information that would directly identify the infant or their parents, such as names or addresses. It also reinforces the timelines for funeral directors and physicians to certify and file death records.

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.