Sen. Paul Wojno

Maddy summaryThis bill removes the expiration date for a provision that allows the state to adjust legal notice publication fees based on inflation. It affects newspapers that publish required legal notices and the Department of Treasury, which is responsible for calculating these adjustments. Under the bill, fees will continue to be updated annually using the Consumer Price Index starting from March 1, 2026, ensuring the rates remain current without a fixed end date. The legislation also maintains existing rules that cap standard publication costs and prohibit newspapers from charging higher rates for political notices compared to similar commercial ads.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a new Michigan-Ireland trade commission within the Michigan Economic Development Corporation to strengthen economic ties between the two regions. The commission will be composed of seven members appointed by the governor, including representatives from higher education, the chamber of commerce, Irish-American communities, and legislators who have expertise in Irish affairs or trade relations. Its primary duties include advancing bilateral trade and investment, promoting business and academic exchanges, and encouraging mutual infrastructure support, while operating under state laws regarding open meetings and public records. The commission will be funded through a dedicated state treasury account that accepts donations, grants, and bequests to cover its administrative costs and operational needs. Members serve two-year terms without compensation but may receive reimbursement for necessary expenses, and the group must submit annual reports to the governor and legislature by February 1st.

Maddy summarySB 863 updates Michigan's sentencing laws to incorporate productivity credits for prisoners, allowing time earned through work programs to reduce their sentences. The bill amends the Code of Criminal Procedure to ensure that credits previously established by other legislation are formally recognized when calculating release dates for inmates. This change directly affects incarcerated individuals who have participated in prison work or educational programs, potentially shortening the time they must serve before becoming eligible for parole. By aligning the statute with existing credit systems, the measure aims to provide a clearer legal framework for sentence reductions based on inmate productivity.

Maddy summaryThis bill updates Michigan's Public Health Code to strengthen the regulation of onsite wastewater treatment systems, such as septic tanks, for properties not connected to public sewer lines. It establishes new definitions for various waste treatment methods and grants the Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy, along with local health departments, the authority to inspect, evaluate, and enforce compliance with these systems. The legislation also clarifies that connecting to a public sewer system is a public interest goal and outlines specific enforcement tools, including violation notices and warrant procedures, to ensure these systems do not threaten public health or water quality.

Maddy summaryThis bill allows specific military veterans and their families to apply for special Michigan license plates that identify their service or sacrifice. Eligible individuals include former prisoners of war, World War I veterans, Pearl Harbor survivors, Purple Heart recipients, and family members of active-duty soldiers, fallen service members, or those who lost a loved one while serving. To qualify, applicants must submit proof of their status to the Secretary of State, and the plates will feature unique designs such as "EX-POW," "WWI," "Pearl Harbor survivor," or "Gold Star Family" along with the vehicle owner's birthday expiration. The legislation also waives standard service fees for these applications and grants tax exemptions for the first plate issued to a prisoner of war, while requiring taxes on additional plates.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes the Uniform Premarital and Marital Agreements Act in Michigan to standardize how prenuptial and postnuptial contracts are created and enforced. It requires both parties to sign the agreement in writing and mandates that individuals have a reasonable opportunity to consult with their own lawyer before signing. To ensure fairness, the law also demands that each person receives a clear explanation of the rights they are giving up and an accurate financial disclosure from their spouse, unless they explicitly waive that right. The bill applies only to agreements signed after its effective date and allows couples to choose which state's laws govern their contract, provided that state has a significant connection to the agreement or the parties.

Maddy summaryThis bill updates Michigan's mental health code to clarify when individuals with mental illness can be hospitalized and how police officers should handle those situations. It defines specific criteria for a "person requiring treatment," including those who pose a serious physical threat to themselves or others, cannot care for basic needs like food or shelter, or are unwilling to follow necessary treatment plans due to impaired judgment. The legislation also outlines procedures for peace officers, allowing them to take individuals into protective custody and transport them to screening units for evaluation without being financially responsible for the care costs. Additionally, the bill requires that a psychiatrist examine hospitalized patients within 24 hours and ensures that the examining doctor is different from the one who initially certified the need for hospitalization.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a grant program to provide funding to veteran service organizations in Michigan that support veterans with federal benefits. To receive money from the state fund, organizations must agree to use the grants for allowable expenses, such as paying accredited veteran service officers who help veterans and their families access health, financial, and memorial benefits. The program requires the Michigan veterans affairs agency to work with the state veterans coalition to manage the grants and approve administrative support costs. Additionally, the bill includes a condition that it will only become effective if a companion bill, SB 541, is also passed into law.

Maddy summaryThis bill allows individuals and government agencies in Michigan to select the specific type, dosage, and delivery method of free naloxone provided by the state's Department of Health and Human Services. The law applies only when the department distributes these overdose reversal drugs at no cost to help reduce opioid-related overdoses. While it grants recipients the choice of formulation and administration route, it includes a provision to maintain federal funding eligibility if those choices would jeopardize state grants.

Maddy summaryThis bill prohibits retailers with sales floors larger than 2,500 square feet from placing co-branded alcoholic beverages next to youth-oriented snacks, cartoons, or similar items. For smaller stores, the law allows either the same prohibition or the option to post a specific age-restriction sign near those displays. The term "co-branded" refers to alcohol products that share logos or packaging with non-alcoholic drinks. Any fines for breaking these rules must be added to the state's liquor enforcement fund.