Rep. Rachel Hood

Maddy summaryThis bill directs the state department of education, working with the department of labor and economic opportunity, to develop educational materials on digital literacy and cybersafety. These resources, which include model curricula and lesson plans, must be made available for free on the department of labor and economic opportunity's website. The primary goal is to provide accessible tools to help individuals improve their online safety and digital skills without cost.

Maddy summaryThis bill modifies the rules for filing civil lawsuits against the state of Michigan specifically for cases involving criminal sexual conduct. It creates an exception to the standard requirement that plaintiffs must file a notice of their claim within one year of the incident. By linking this change to a companion bill, the legislation allows victims of criminal sexual conduct to bypass the usual strict filing deadlines that apply to other types of property damage or injury claims. The measure is designed to ensure that these specific cases can proceed in court without being dismissed due to missed procedural time limits.

Maddy summaryThis bill modifies Michigan's criminal procedure code to establish specific sentencing guidelines for violating maritime traffic rules in the Straits of Mackinac. It directly affects boaters and captains operating watercraft in that area by clarifying the penalties for failing to use a required maritime pilot or for anchoring in prohibited zones. The legislation does not create new rules but instead updates the legal framework to ensure consistent punishment when these existing safety requirements are broken.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires the Michigan Strategic Fund to submit an annual report detailing its economic development activities to state officials and the public by April 10 each year. The report must include specific data such as lists of recipients, project types, financial amounts, job creation and retention statistics, salary information, and the status of loans and bankruptcies. Additionally, the legislation mandates that the fund's annual audit be made available online and specifies that bankruptcy notices for major recipients must be shared with specific legislative committees. These changes aim to increase transparency and accountability for the fund's use of taxpayer money in supporting businesses and investments across Michigan.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes new regulations for large watercraft, defined as vessels over 700 feet long, navigating the Straits of Mackinac. It mandates that these vessels must be guided by a licensed maritime pilot and strictly prohibits the use of anchors or any equipment that could touch the lake bottom within the designated area. Additionally, the legislation requires the state to install buoys to mark navigation hazards and designates specific emergency anchorage zones. Owners of obstructions in the straits are also required to mark their property with buoys within 90 days to ensure safe passage. Violations of these rules are classified as felonies, carrying potential prison sentences, fines, and mandatory reimbursement for environmental cleanup costs.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires the state department and the Michigan Strategic Fund to submit an annual report on the research and development tax credits by July 1 each year. The report must detail the overall effectiveness of these credits, the number of businesses filing claims, and specific names and amounts of credits for both standard claims and those involving university collaboration. This change directly affects the state's financial reporting process and provides legislators and the governor with data on how these tax incentives are being utilized by businesses.

Maddy summaryThis bill updates Michigan's sentencing guidelines to specifically address the use of computers or similar technology to program key codes for automobile theft. It directly affects prosecutors and judges by adding this specific method of vehicle theft to the list of crimes used to calculate sentencing severity. The legislation requires that this new offense be treated alongside other burglary-related felonies when determining potential prison terms. Additionally, the bill includes a condition that it will not take effect unless a companion bill, HB 5182, is also passed into law.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends Michigan's penal code to specifically address the use of technology for automobile theft. It makes it a felony punishable by up to five years in prison for anyone who possesses tools or electronic devices designed to unlock or start a vehicle with the intent to steal it. The law further increases the penalty to up to ten years if the offender is part of a criminal organization targeting multiple vehicles. Additionally, the legislation clarifies that previously issued keys or cards belonging to the lawful owner are not considered prohibited tools under this statute.

Maddy summaryThis bill modifies the Michigan Motor Vehicle Sales Finance Act to update definitions and regulations regarding retail installment sales of motor vehicles. It directly affects sellers, buyers, and financial institutions involved in financing car purchases by clarifying terms such as "cash price," "down payment," and "collateral security." The key provision redefines what constitutes a "motor vehicle" to explicitly include recreational vehicles with their own motive power while excluding certain equipment like tractors and road machinery. Additionally, the bill adjusts the legal description of various contract types, including loans and leases, to ensure they align with current market practices. These changes aim to provide clearer guidelines for enforcing payment obligations under vehicle installment contracts.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes the specific roles of the Department of Natural Resources and the State Historic Preservation Office regarding archaeology, Native American cultural items, and human remains in Michigan. It designates the Department of Natural Resources as the primary contact for non-federal projects and requires it to set best practices for managing archaeological resources on state lands while consulting with federally recognized tribes. The legislation also mandates that these agencies collaborate on curating archaeological collections, ensuring data accuracy, and providing expertise to various government entities and the public. Additionally, the bill outlines procedures for responding to inadvertent discoveries of human remains and requires state departments to update public information within 60 days of the law's effective date.