Sen. Paul Wojno

Maddy summarySB 88 requires liquor retailers to pay administrative fees to wholesalers when payments are bounced due to insufficient funds. It directly affects liquor retailers who make dishonored payments and wholesalers who collect these fees. The bill establishes a progressive fee structure: $50 for the first bounced payment, increasing to $250 for the fifth or subsequent bounced payments within a 12-month period. Wholesalers must charge these fees for each bounced payment, with higher fees applying for repeated offenses within the same 12-month window. This changes the existing law by adding specific fee amounts and requiring wholesalers to enforce them.

Maddy summarySB 87 amends Michigan's liquor control code to require the Liquor Control Commission to suspend a liquor retailer's license for 14 days if the retailer has six or more payments to a wholesaler dishonored by a bank (due to insufficient funds) on different dates within 12 consecutive months. This directly affects licensed liquor retailers who repeatedly fail to cover payments to wholesalers. The key provision establishes a clear, automatic suspension trigger based on the frequency of bounced payments. The bill creates a specific enforcement mechanism to address payment issues between retailers and wholesalers under the existing code.

Maddy summarySB 124 automatically extends Michigan individual income tax filing deadlines to match any federal extension provided by the IRS for the same tax year. It applies to taxpayers required to file annual returns, ensuring their state deadline aligns with the IRS extension date. The state tax department must publish any extended deadline and taxpayers cannot be charged interest or penalties during the extension period. This bill changes the process for deadline extensions but does not alter tax rates or benefits.

Maddy summarySB 127 prohibits public bodies (such as state agencies, schools, and universities) from using dogs in research or training activities that cause pain or distress. It defines prohibited actions as those requiring federal reporting (e.g., USDA regulations), causing injury/fear, or involving invasive procedures like surgery. Exceptions include veterinary training for treating existing conditions and routine procedures like spaying/neutering performed by veterinarians or students. Violations carry civil fines of $1,000-$5,000 per dog per day, enforceable by county prosecutors or the Attorney General.

Maddy summarySB 60 removes the expiration date (sunset) from Michigan's participation in the Interstate Medical Licensure Compact. This compact allows physicians licensed in one participating state to more easily practice in other participating states without obtaining separate licenses in each. The bill directly affects physicians seeking to practice across state lines, particularly in neighboring states that are part of the compact. It does not change Michigan's physician licensing requirements within the state but extends the existing agreement to continue enabling interstate medical practice.

Maddy summaryThis is a symbolic resolution (not a law) introduced by Senator Santana to formally recognize February 2025 as Black History Month in Michigan. It does not create new policies or affect specific groups; instead, it affirms the legislature's support for the annual observance of Black History Month. The resolution cites historical context, honors African-American contributions, and encourages public awareness of both achievements and ongoing efforts toward racial equality. It was introduced and adopted by the Senate on February 12-13, 2025, with no further legislative action required.

Maddy summaryThis ceremonial resolution (SR 8) designates February 3-7, 2025, as School Counseling Week in Michigan. It recognizes the vital role school counselors play in supporting students' academic, social-emotional, and career development, while raising awareness about the critical need to improve student-to-counselor ratios (currently 598:1 in Michigan, far exceeding the recommended 250:1). The resolution has no policy or funding impact - it is purely symbolic recognition of counselors' contributions.

Maddy summaryThis is a ceremonial resolution, not a law with policy changes. The Michigan Senate formally recognizes January 26-February 1, 2025, as Catholic Schools Week. It expresses support for Catholic schools' role in Michigan education, citing their student enrollment, compliance with public school standards, and contributions to community values. The resolution has no legal effect or funding impact - it solely serves to honor these schools during the designated week.

Maddy summaryThis resolution (SR 3) authorizes the Senate Majority Leader to take legal action against the House of Representatives to compel it to present nine specific bills to the Governor. The bills - passed by both chambers during the 2023-2024 legislative session - were returned to the House on December 20, 2024, but the House has refused to present them to the Governor despite a constitutional requirement under Michigan’s Article IV, Section 33. The Senate seeks to enforce this duty through court action, targeting House Bills 4177 and 4665-4667 (2023) and 4900-4901, 5817-5818, and 6058 (2024). The resolution focuses solely on procedural compliance, not policy content.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends Michigan's Elliott-Larsen Civil Rights Act to explicitly prohibit housing discrimination based on a person's source of income. It directly affects landlords, real estate brokers, and anyone involved in property transactions by banning them from refusing to rent or sell homes to individuals using government assistance, veterans benefits, Social Security, or other legal income sources. The law clarifies that these protections apply to all forms of discrimination, including refusing to negotiate, making false claims about property availability, or publishing advertisements that exclude people based on how they pay rent. By adding "source of income" to the list of protected categories, the legislation ensures that housing opportunities cannot be denied solely because a tenant relies on subsidies or retirement funds.