Sen. Paul Wojno

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 summarySB 406 modifies the Michigan Reconnect Grant Act to update eligibility rules and establish a new short-term training program for adult learners. The bill maintains the existing requirement that grant recipients be at least 25 years old, though it allows for a temporary reduction to age 21 if funding permits, with this lower age limit expiring after the 2032 fiscal year. Additionally, the legislation creates a new skills scholarship program offering one-time grants of up to $1,500 for individuals to attend approved short-term occupational training programs. To receive these funds, applicants must meet the same age, residency, and education requirements as the standard reconnect grant and apply for all available financial aid. The bill also directs the state department to manage applications, approve qualified training programs, and maintain a public list of available options.

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.

Maddy summaryThis bill allows Michigan's liquor control commission to issue alcohol licenses to various public universities and colleges for specific venues on their property. It permits colleges to sell alcohol at conference centers for scheduled events and enables private entities to operate restaurants or host events at university facilities under strict conditions, such as fair market value leases and designated development zones. The legislation also authorizes alcohol sales at university golf clubhouses and baseball stadiums during summer months when they are leased to private operators. These changes directly affect the governing boards of multiple state universities and the private businesses that may lease their properties.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends Michigan's Youth Tobacco Act to strengthen penalties for minors who purchase, possess, or use tobacco, vapor, or alternative nicotine products in public places. It specifically prohibits minors from using false identification to obtain these items and outlines a tiered system of consequences, including fines, mandatory health assessments, and increasing amounts of community service for repeat offenses. The law includes exceptions for minors participating in authorized law enforcement operations or employment-related activities, and it requires the bill to be enacted alongside two other related measures to take effect.

Maddy summaryThis bill proposes changes to the Michigan law governing charter counties, specifically targeting how commissioners are elected and how districts are drawn. It directly affects counties that have adopted a charter and the citizens who vote for their local leaders. The legislation modifies existing sections to allow for adjustments in the number of commissioner districts and updates the rules for the charter county apportionment commission. By amending specific parts of the state's charter county act, the bill aims to refine the structural framework for local government representation without altering the core powers of these counties.

Maddy summarySB 1185 modifies Michigan's highway signage laws to allow the Department of Transportation to issue permits for directional signs pointing to specific military facilities, nationally or regionally known attractions, and sites of outstanding interest. These permitted signs must be limited in size and content, displaying only the name of the destination and basic navigation details like route numbers without any pictures or descriptive phrases. The bill also establishes strict placement rules, such as keeping signs at least 2,000 feet from highway interchanges and limiting the total number of signs for a single attraction to three along any road. Additionally, the legislation clarifies that the number of annual visitors to a military facility will not be used as a factor when deciding whether to grant a sign permit.

Maddy summarySB 802 requires Michigan to create and maintain an electronic registry that lists available inpatient psychiatric beds and community-based mental health and substance use disorder services. This registry must categorize available resources by factors such as patient gender, age, and diagnosis, and it must be accessible to health plans, hospitals, and individuals seeking help. The bill mandates that psychiatric facilities and community programs provide near real-time data on their capacity to the state department, which will then share this information with the Michigan crisis and access line. Consequently, the crisis line will be better equipped to connect callers directly with open beds and appropriate providers using digital communication tools. Additionally, the legislation establishes a committee to oversee the registry's operation and includes a requirement for the department to report quarterly on its implementation progress.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends the existing law to officially rename the Office of the Legislative Corrections Ombudsman to the Office of the Legislative Corrections Ombudsperson. It directly affects the Michigan Department of Corrections by granting the ombudsperson expanded powers to investigate complaints from prisoners, their families, legislators, and advocates regarding administrative actions or facility issues. Key provisions allow the ombudsperson to access prisoner medical and mental health records, hire qualified experts, and use photographic equipment during investigations. Additionally, the bill requires the creation of a standardized complaint form available both online and in correctional facility libraries to streamline how grievances are filed.