Rep. Helena Scott

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a new Energy Stability Fund within the state treasury to help cover energy costs for specific groups of people. The fund can receive money from any source, and the state treasurer will manage its investments while the Department of Health and Human Services oversees its use. Money in the fund will not be returned to the general budget at the end of the year and can only be spent to provide energy assistance to low-income seniors, individuals with qualified disabilities, and veterans.

Maddy summaryThis bill updates Michigan's school code to require that sex education in public schools be medically accurate, age-appropriate, and objective. It mandates that teachers instructing on these topics receive specific training and that school boards approve curricula through a process involving public hearings. The legislation also requires school districts to establish advisory boards with significant parent representation to oversee sex education programs. Additionally, it clarifies that such classes must be elective, allow parents to review course materials in advance, and provide an option for students to be excused without penalty.

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 summaryThis bill strengthens Michigan's laws against real estate fraud by increasing penalties for individuals who knowingly create or submit false documents to the register of deeds. It directly affects anyone involved in drafting or filing property records, as well as the officials who maintain those records. Under the new provisions, submitting a fraudulent document with the intent to defraud a property owner is now classified as a felony punishable by up to 10 years in prison and a fine of up to $5,000. Additionally, the law allows county prosecutors to receive evidence of such violations directly from the register of deeds. These changes aim to deter deceptive practices in property transactions and provide clearer legal consequences for those who attempt to deceive owners or the public record.

Maddy summaryThis bill updates Michigan's criminal laws to impose stricter penalties for knowingly creating or submitting false documents to the Register of Deeds. It specifically targets fraudulent activities related to property transfers, including deceptive conveyances and false statements made by contractors regarding building funds. By clarifying the classification and maximum prison sentences for these offenses, the legislation aims to increase accountability for individuals who attempt to deceive public records. The changes apply to various property-related crimes, ensuring that those who intentionally falsify documents face appropriate legal consequences.

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 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 seeks to prevent Michigan cities, counties, and other local governments from creating new rules or bans on how tobacco products are sold or distributed. By amending state law, it would stop local areas from passing ordinances that restrict the sale of tobacco or require specific licenses for distributors. The legislation allows existing local regulations to remain in place but blocks any future attempts by local units of government to impose additional sales restrictions. Essentially, the bill would centralize authority over tobacco sales rules at the state level, removing the ability of local communities to set their own policies on the matter.

Maddy summaryThis bill proposes to update Michigan's occupational code to formally establish a licensing requirement for interior designers. By adding a new article to the law, it would create specific rules and standards that individuals must meet to legally practice interior design in the state. The legislation directly affects current and future interior designers, as well as businesses and consumers who hire them for professional services.