Sen. Veronica Klinefelt

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a new Technical Advisory Committee within the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services to oversee onsite wastewater treatment systems, such as septic tanks. The committee will consist of 21 members representing local health departments, engineers, scientists, manufacturers, installers, and other stakeholders to provide expert advice on standards, testing, and regulations. Its primary role is to develop recommended guidance for system design, maintenance, and the registration of evaluators and practitioners who manage these systems. By establishing this advisory group, the bill aims to improve the consistency and quality of wastewater management across the state through structured expert input.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires the Michigan Department of Corrections to assist prisoners in obtaining identification documents, such as those needed for a driver's license, and to provide written information about voter registration and election processes while they are incarcerated. The legislation mandates that the department help eligible inmates secure these resources before their release on parole or discharge, and it allows the Secretary of State to access prisoner data electronically to verify identities for license applications. Additionally, the bill creates a new "reentry success fund" to finance these reentry activities and updates procedures for how the parole board considers victim statements and conducts interviews prior to granting parole.

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 summaryThis bill modifies Michigan's marriage laws to protect the validity of a wedding even if the person performing the ceremony lacks proper legal authority. It applies to couples who believe they are getting legally married, ensuring their union is not declared void simply because the officiant was not authorized. The key provision states that a marriage remains valid if both partners or at least one partner genuinely believed the ceremony was lawful, regardless of the officiant's jurisdiction. However, the bill will not become effective until a separate related bill, Senate Bill 1044, is also passed into law.

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 summarySB 1086 adds a new section to Michigan's firearm laws that creates a specific list of individuals who are exempt from the state's prohibition on selling firearms. This exemption applies to retired law enforcement officers, corrections officers, and parole or probation officers who retired in good standing. The bill defines these specific groups in detail and expands the existing legal framework to allow them to sell firearms without a standard license.

Maddy summaryThis bill adds a new section to Michigan's election law that imposes civil fines on individuals who knowingly make false statements about election details, voter eligibility, or voting penalties. The law specifically targets misinformation intended to stop people from voting and sets a maximum penalty of $1,000 for each violation. It also holds employers of election workers accountable with fines up to $10,000 unless they can prove they were unaware of the worker's intent to spread misinformation. Local governments are given a legal presumption that they did not know about such violations before they occurred.

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 updates Michigan's criminal record expungement laws by clarifying how multiple crimes committed at the same time are counted and by adding new eligibility rules for certain offenses. It allows people who committed several non-violent crimes within a 24-hour period to have them treated as a single conviction for expungement purposes, while still barring expungement for serious crimes like those involving weapons, long prison sentences, or domestic violence. The legislation also introduces a specific process for first-time operating while intoxicated convictions, permitting expungement only if the individual completes court-ordered rehabilitation programs and does not apply for expungement without a formal request. Additionally, the bill sets a seven-year waiting period before someone can apply to expunge more than one felony conviction and ensures that traffic-related expungements do not automatically remove violations from driving records.

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.