Rep. Helena Scott

Maddy summaryHB 4025 extends Michigan's sales tax exemption for firearm safety devices until December 31, 2024. It defines "firearm safety devices" as equipment (like gun safes, lockboxes, or trigger locks) designed to prevent unauthorized access or operation of firearms, but excludes display cabinets. Retail sellers must provide written notices to purchasers and post conspicuous signage at points of sale about the tax exemption. The bill also requires the state to annually compensate the school aid fund for any revenue lost due to this exemption.

Maddy summaryThis bill, known as the Energy Pricing Protection Act, prohibits businesses in Michigan from charging excessively high prices for gasoline, propane, and home heating oil during market disruptions such as severe weather or supply shortages. It defines an excessive price increase as one exceeding 20% unless the seller can prove the hike is due to higher costs or a prior discount, and it applies to these goods for 30 days after the disruption ends. To enforce these rules, the state attorney general can investigate violations, seize assets to prevent their removal, and file class-action lawsuits to recover damages for affected consumers. The legislation also outlines specific procedures for legal demands and limits the time frame for filing such actions to four years.

Maddy summaryThis bill prohibits hotels, bed and breakfasts, short-term rentals, and other lodging providers from raising prices by more than 20% during or shortly after a declared state of emergency unless they can prove the increase is due to higher costs or pre-existing contracts. It defines an emergency to include natural disasters, fires, floods, and public health threats, and sets a specific rule for what counts as an "excessively increased price" based on rates charged in the 30 days before the emergency. To enforce these rules, the act allows prosecutors to issue written demands for documents and testimony, and it grants the attorney general the power to file class-action lawsuits on behalf of affected consumers to recover damages or seek other relief.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes the Commodities and Emergency Services and Supplies Pricing Protection Act to stop businesses from raising prices too much on essential items like food, building materials, and medical supplies during a declared state of emergency. It defines an excessive price increase as one that is more than 20% higher than pre-emergency rates unless the seller can prove the rise was due to higher costs, prior discounts, or selling at cost. The law prohibits charging or offering these goods at unjustified inflated prices and grants state and local prosecutors the power to investigate violations and compel the production of relevant documents. Additionally, the act allows the attorney general to file class-action lawsuits on behalf of affected consumers to recover actual damages or a minimum of $100 per person, while also providing courts with tools to freeze assets or modify unfair contracts.

Maddy summaryHB 5124 modifies Michigan's Uniform Video Services Local Franchise Act to clarify reporting requirements for video service providers. It requires providers to submit specific information (name, service description, contact details) to the commission within 60 days of the law's effective date or 30 days after starting service in Michigan, using data they already collect. The bill also mandates that providers notify the commission 30 days in advance of name changes, closures, or mergers. Additionally, the commission must file an annual report by April 1st to the governor and legislature, detailing video service competition status and suggesting legislative changes. These provisions directly affect all video service providers operating in Michigan.

Maddy summaryHB 5123 amends Michigan's Uniform Video Services Local Franchise Act by clarifying the definition of "video service" to explicitly include cable, IPTV (internet protocol television), and OVS (open video systems), while excluding mobile streaming services, direct satellite TV, and internet-based video access. This definition directly affects video service providers (like cable companies and IPTV providers) who must operate under franchise agreements with local governments. The bill ensures these providers pay required fees for using public rights-of-way, without changing existing franchise obligations for current providers. It is a technical clarification of existing law, not a new policy change.

Maddy summaryThis resolution designates June 2026 as Gun Violence Awareness Month in Michigan to honor victims and support survivors of firearm-related incidents. The measure serves as a symbolic declaration intended to encourage community engagement and awareness regarding the impacts of gun violence. It does not alter any laws or create new regulations but rather establishes an official observance period for public education and remembrance.

Maddy summaryThis bill extends the time limit for survivors of criminal sexual conduct to file civil lawsuits for damages, raising the maximum age to file from 28 to 42 and adding a seven-year window based on when the injury is discovered. It also creates a special revival window for claims that were previously barred, allowing victims who were minors between 1997 and the bill's effective date to sue if the alleged perpetrator was convicted and admitted to abusing their authority or engaging in unethical medical conduct. Additionally, the legislation sets a cap of $1.5 million in damages for each incident involving a single defendant in these specific cases. The law applies to incidents of criminal sexual conduct regardless of whether a criminal prosecution was ever brought or resulted in a conviction, provided the civil suit is filed within the new extended deadlines.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a new community solar program in Michigan, allowing residents to subscribe to local solar projects and receive credits on their electricity bills. It defines specific terms for these facilities and subscribers, while also categorizing certain areas as "environmental justice communities" based on factors like low-income populations and existing pollution. The legislation requires the state energy commission to create rules that facilitate the creation and financing of these solar projects, prioritizing those that benefit environmental justice communities. Additionally, the bill mandates simple, one-page disclosure forms for all subscription contracts to ensure customers clearly understand the terms before signing.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a specific exception to governmental immunity in Michigan, allowing public universities, colleges, and school districts to be sued for criminal sexual conduct committed by their employees. Under the new provisions, an institution can be held liable if it was negligent in hiring, supervising, or training the employee, or if it knew or should have known about the misconduct and failed to report it to law enforcement. Additionally, liability may arise if the school district had prior knowledge of the employee's history of sexual misconduct and did not intervene to prevent further acts. The law clarifies that a criminal conviction is not required for a lawsuit to proceed, ensuring that victims can seek civil remedies even if the perpetrator avoids criminal charges.