Sen. Erika Geiss

Maddy summaryThis bill updates Michigan's school attendance laws to require kindergarten enrollment for children who turn five by September 1, starting in the 2025-2026 school year. It allows parents to enroll children who turn five by December 1 in kindergarten, though schools can recommend against it while the parent keeps the final decision. The law also mandates that all public schools and academies offering first grade must provide kindergarten. Additionally, the bill clarifies that school districts are not required to operate their own schools directly and sets new age limits for compulsory attendance through age 18 for most students.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires the Michigan Liquor Control Commission to suspend a retailer's license for 14 days if they make six or more bounced payments to a wholesaler within a 12-month period. The rule applies specifically to retailers who fail to honor their payment obligations to suppliers on different dates over a consecutive year. By adding this new section to the state's liquor control code, the legislation establishes a clear financial threshold that triggers automatic license suspension.

Maddy summarySB 1010 allows private individuals to transfer ownership of off-road vehicles and watercraft electronically without visiting a state office, provided neither party is a licensed dealer. This change applies to Michigan residents buying or selling these items directly with one another, streamlining the process by letting them use a digital system managed by the Department of State. The bill authorizes the department to create and run this online platform while requiring all users to follow specific rules and protect sensitive data. Existing laws requiring physical title transfers for these items remain in effect for transactions involving dealers or those not using the new electronic option.

Maddy summaryThis bill prohibits individuals from carrying firearms on the premises of specific state buildings, including the Michigan State Capitol and the Anderson House Office Building. It also bans guns in various public and private locations such as banks, churches, courts, theaters, sports arenas, day care centers, hospitals, and licensed liquor establishments. The law includes exceptions for security personnel, peace officers, licensed concealed carry holders serving as state legislators, and anyone with the property owner's permission. Violating these restrictions is classified as a misdemeanor punishable by up to 90 days in jail, a fine of up to $100, or both.

Maddy summaryThis bill updates Michigan's vehicle code to allow the Secretary of State to accept digital transmissions of vehicle insurance policy information as proof of insurance for registration purposes. It mandates that insurers send this data to the state at least every 14 days and establishes strict confidentiality rules, ensuring the information is not subject to public disclosure requests. Additionally, the legislation authorizes the issuance of free temporary registration permits for up to 60 days to drivers who have applied for specialty plates but have not yet received their permanent plates. These changes directly affect vehicle owners, insurance companies, and the state's Department of State by streamlining the registration process and protecting sensitive insurance data.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes the Reproductive Health Data Privacy Act in Michigan to protect personal information related to reproductive health status. It directly affects businesses and organizations that provide reproductive health services by requiring their explicit, opt-in consent before collecting, processing, or selling such data. The law also prohibits the use of geofencing technology to track individuals near reproductive health facilities and defines specific rules for what counts as valid consent, excluding vague terms of service or deceptive design. Additionally, the act outlines civil sanctions and remedies for violations, ensuring that only de-identified or aggregated data is exempt from these privacy protections.

Maddy summaryThis bill prohibits licensed individuals from carrying concealed pistols or electro-muscular disruption devices on the premises of various public and private locations, including schools, child care centers, sports arenas, bars serving alcohol, places of worship, hospitals, and college classrooms. The law explicitly excludes parking areas from these restrictions and does not apply to current state legislators or specific groups of law enforcement and security personnel who are required to carry weapons for their jobs. Violations of the ban result in escalating penalties, starting with a fine and license suspension for a first offense and potentially leading to felony charges and license revocation for third or subsequent offenses.

Maddy summaryThis bill removes the existing cap on Michigan's Disaster and Emergency Contingency Fund, allowing the state to maintain a reserve of up to $10 million instead of the previous limit. It enables the director of emergency management to use these funds for employee overtime, travel, and subsistence during disasters, as well as for other emergency needs with the governor's approval. The legislation also clarifies that any leftover money in the fund at the end of a fiscal year will not be returned to the general budget but will remain available for future use. Additionally, the bill ensures that interest earned on investments made with the fund is credited back to the account.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a new tax credit for Michigan taxpayers who donate money to endowment funds at certified community foundations starting in 2024. Individuals can claim a credit equal to 50% of their donation, up to a maximum of $100 for single filers or $200 for joint filers, while estates and trusts can claim up to 10% of their tax liability or $5,000, whichever is less. To qualify, the community foundation must be certified by the state department and have at least $1 million in assets, and donors must receive a gift acknowledgment confirming the contribution went to an endowment fund. The bill also requires the state department to report the total amount of these credits claimed each year to the legislature.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends Michigan's liquor control code to address situations where liquor retailers use payments that are rejected by banks due to insufficient funds. Under the new rules, a retailer who makes such a dishonored payment to a wholesaler must pay a $50 administrative fee. If the retailer repeats this mistake within 12 months, the fee increases to $150 for a second offense and $300 for a third or subsequent offense. The bill also clarifies that any fines imposed by the state commission for these violations must be placed into a specific state fund.