Sen. Erika Geiss

Maddy summaryThis bill is a memorial resolution honoring Nancy C. Cassis, a former Michigan legislator who served in both the House of Representatives and the Senate. It recognizes her career as a public servant and details her legislative achievements, including her work on tax policy and her receipt of various awards. The resolution formally expresses the legislature's condolences to her family and requests that copies of the document be sent to them as a tribute.

Maddy summaryThis Senate resolution designates September 21, 2024, as Maltese American Heritage Day to honor the contributions of Maltese Americans in Michigan. The measure commemorates the 60th anniversary of Malta's independence and acknowledges the state's large population of Maltese immigrants and their descendants, particularly in the Metro Detroit area. By adopting this resolution, the legislature formally recognizes the cultural and economic impact of this community without altering any laws or policies.

Maddy summaryThis Senate resolution designates September 2024 as Childhood Cancer Awareness Month to highlight the importance of supporting children affected by cancer. The measure, introduced by Senator Erika Geiss, serves to recognize the resilience of patients and their families while acknowledging the progress made in treatment and research over recent decades. By officially setting aside the month for awareness, the bill aims to encourage increased support and attention to the cause without imposing new laws or funding requirements.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes rules for parking in designated electric vehicle charging spaces by defining what constitutes an electric vehicle parking space and the equipment used to charge vehicles. It prohibits stopping, standing, or parking in these marked spaces unless the vehicle is actively plugged in, while requiring space owners to post clear signs detailing the restriction, time limits, and potential fines. The legislation applies only to public charging spaces and allows local governments to create similar laws that do not conflict with state rules. Additionally, the bill updates existing parking violation procedures to ensure that registered vehicle owners can be held responsible for parking infractions and have the right to seek reimbursement from the actual driver if they were not authorized to operate the vehicle.

Maddy summaryThis Senate resolution officially designates September 2024 as Suicide Prevention Month to raise awareness about the issue. The bill directly affects the members of the legislative body by asking them to formally acknowledge the importance of mental health support and suicide prevention efforts. It highlights the urgency of the crisis by citing statistics on suicide rates and the barriers to treatment, such as stigma and cost, while promoting the 988 lifeline as a resource for those in distress. The measure serves as a symbolic gesture to encourage the community to invest in mental health resources and reduce the stigma surrounding suicide.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends Michigan's sex offender registration act to clarify who must register and under what circumstances. It expands the definition of a "conviction" to include specific tribal and military court judgments, as well as certain juvenile dispositions for serious offenses committed by individuals aged 14 or older. The legislation also updates the definition of "custodial authority" to explicitly include various school employees, correctional facility staff, and other individuals in positions of power who exploit their status to engage in sexual contact with victims. These changes ensure that a broader range of offenders, including those with specific types of past adjudications or those who abused authority, are subject to the state's registration requirements.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends Michigan's sentencing guidelines to establish specific rules for crimes involving sexual conduct with or involving a corpse. It directly affects judges who must determine appropriate prison sentences for these offenses by providing a structured framework for sentencing decisions. The key provision creates new statutory language within the Code of Criminal Procedure to ensure consistency in how these particular crimes are punished.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes new safety standards for smoke alarms sold in Michigan, requiring that most devices be powered by a battery that cannot be easily removed or replaced. Starting 18 months after it takes effect, manufacturers and sellers must ensure these alarms use a non-removable battery or another long-lasting power source capable of functioning for at least 10 years. The law exempts devices that are hardwired into a building's electrical system, connected to a central monitoring service, or equipped with wireless internet capabilities. Violations of these standards are classified as civil infractions and can result in fines of up to $500 for those who distribute or sell non-compliant alarms.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires oil and gas well operators in Michigan to reduce fugitive methane and volatile organic compound emissions by at least 95%. To achieve this, operators must capture the gas and either sell it, use it as fuel, reinject it, or flare it, unless they can prove that other methods are technically infeasible or unsafe. The legislation mandates that the state develop specific rules within 180 days to define acceptable control systems, set compliance schedules, and establish inspection and reporting procedures. Non-compliance with these requirements could result in a $100,000 fine and the revocation of the operator's permit, though penalties may be waived if the equipment malfunctioned and was promptly repaired.

Maddy summaryThis bill modifies the Michigan Corrections Code to clarify how parole eligibility is calculated for inmates serving consecutive sentences and those subject to disciplinary time. It establishes specific rules for when the parole board gains jurisdiction over prisoners, ensuring that time served is computed based on the total minimum terms of all sentences rather than just the current one. Additionally, the legislation outlines the conditions under which life sentences may become eligible for parole, specifying required years served and interview schedules for the parole board to review these cases.