Sen. Paul Wojno

Maddy summarySB 463 removes criminal penalties and civil fines for minors (under 18) who purchase, possess, or use tobacco products, vapor products, or alternative nicotine products. The bill eliminates existing legal consequences for these minor offenses, shifting focus away from punishment. It directly affects underage individuals by ending enforcement of penalties under current law (MCL 722.642). The key provision is a "sunset" of these penalties, meaning they would no longer apply once the bill takes effect.

Maddy summarySB 466 amends two sections of Michigan's 1971 Age of Majority Act (MCL 722.52 & 722.53) to update a reference to 1915 Public Act 31 regarding tobacco regulations. It specifically revises how the law cites this historical tobacco statute, ensuring the reference is accurate within the current legal framework. This is a procedural correction to the law's wording, not a change to tobacco regulations or age restrictions themselves. The bill directly affects the legal text of the Age of Majority Act, aligning it with existing tobacco-related statutes.

Maddy summarySenate Resolution 109 designates April 2026 as Community College Month to honor Michigan's 31 community and tribal colleges. This resolution does not change any laws or policies but serves as a formal recognition of the role these institutions play in education and workforce development. A copy of the resolution will be sent to each community college to highlight their contributions to the state.

Maddy summarySenate Resolution 107 officially designates April 11-17, 2026, as Black Maternal Health Week within the state legislature. This commemorative resolution highlights the critical disparities in maternal health outcomes for Black women and supports awareness efforts led by the Black Mamas Matter Alliance. The measure does not alter laws or funding but serves to recognize the theme 'Rooted in Justice & Joy' and draw attention to the urgent need for improved maternal healthcare.

Maddy summaryThis Senate Resolution designates April 2026 as Autism Acceptance Month to raise awareness about autism spectrum disorder. The bill directly affects the legislative body by formally acknowledging the unique strengths and challenges of individuals with autism and their families. It calls on the community to promote inclusion and support early intervention services without changing any laws or policies.

Maddy summarySB 737 changes parole eligibility rules for Michigan prisoners serving life sentences who do not fall under automatic exclusion (e.g., murder convictions). It requires these prisoners to serve 10 years (for crimes committed before October 1, 1992) or 15 years (for crimes on or after that date) before becoming eligible for parole consideration. The bill also adds new procedures: annual parole board interviews after 10 years, file reviews at 15 years and every 5 years thereafter, and mandatory public hearings with parole board. These changes apply to life-sentence prisoners not covered by existing exceptions in Section 34(6) of Michigan’s Corrections Code.

Maddy summaryThis Senate resolution honors the memory of Joel Gougeon, a former Michigan State Senator who passed away, by formally recognizing his life and public service. The bill does not change any laws or policies but serves as an official tribute to Gougeon's career, military service, and community contributions. It directs copies of the resolution to the Gougeon family as a formal acknowledgment of his legacy. The measure was introduced by Senator Brinks and adopted by the full Senate membership.

Maddy summarySB 695 allows regional transit authorities in Michigan to charge an extra $1.20 per $1,000 of a vehicle’s value (on top of standard registration fees) for transit funding, but only if approved by voters in a November election. It requires ballot measures to specify how funds will be used and limits spending to transit projects. The tax applies to regular vehicle registrations in transit regions, excluding company test vehicles (e.g., manufacturer-owned vehicles used for testing). It takes effect January 1, 2027, pending approval of related legislation. This change directly affects vehicle owners in participating transit regions through their registration costs.

Maddy summarySB 697 amends Michigan's election law to change the signature requirements for petitions that qualify candidates or initiatives for the ballot. This bill directly affects candidates seeking office and citizen-led initiatives needing to collect signatures to appear on election ballots. The amendment modifies section 544f of the Michigan Election Law (MCL 168.544f), which currently sets the rules for petition signature counts. Specific details about the revised signature numbers or process are not provided in the available context.

Maddy summarySB 691 would move Michigan's primary elections for governor, U.S. Senate, and congressional races from August to May and add a new February regular election. This affects all political parties holding primaries (except those using caucuses/conventions) and changes key deadlines for candidate nominations, such as shifting petition filing dates earlier in the year. The bill amends multiple sections of Michigan's election law to adjust election dates, including moving primary election dates from August to May and establishing February as a new regular election date. These changes would directly impact how candidates qualify for ballots and when voters participate in primaries and regular elections.