Sen. Rosemary Bayer

Maddy summarySB 329 removes penalties that insurers could apply for past lapses in auto insurance coverage. It specifically eliminates requirements for applicants to prove they maintained insurance for the 6 months before applying (prior to January 1, 2022), and prohibits insurers from refusing coverage, raising premiums, or charging reinstatement fees solely due to prior coverage gaps. The bill directly affects drivers applying for auto insurance before 2022 who had brief periods without coverage. These changes streamline the application process by preventing insurers from penalizing applicants for past lapses that occurred before the effective date.

Maddy summarySB 478 transfers administrative control of a specific 92.98-acre parcel of state-owned land in Green Oak Township, Livingston County, from the Department of Corrections to the Department of Military and Veterans Affairs. The property, described in detail in the bill, includes all improvements and equipment on the land. The transfer is permanent, requires approval by the state administrative board, and occurs without cost to the receiving department (though the Military Affairs Department must reimburse administrative costs). This bill directly affects how these two state agencies manage the property, shifting responsibility from corrections facilities to military/veterans services.

Maddy summarySCR 6 is a memorial resolution passed by the Michigan Legislature to honor Virgil Clark Smith, a former member of the Michigan Senate (1988-2000) and House of Representatives (1977-1988). The resolution commemorates his 40+ years of public service, including his historic role as the first African American Senate Democratic Floor Leader. It expresses the Legislature's tribute to his dedication, leadership, and legacy as a trailblazing legislator and later Wayne County Circuit Court judge. The resolution was adopted unanimously by both chambers in October 2025 and will be transmitted to Smith's family.

Maddy summarySB 623 shortens the deadline for Michigan employees to file workplace discrimination complaints related to safety concerns. It changes the current 180-day window for filing a complaint after retaliation to 30 days. This directly affects employees who report safety issues and employers who may retaliate against them. The bill modifies the existing Michigan Occupational Safety and Health Act to require complaints be filed within 30 days of the discriminatory act, streamlining the process for addressing retaliation. The change is procedural and does not alter other protections or enforcement mechanisms under the act.

Maddy summarySB 622 requires Michigan to adopt federal OSHA standards within 10 working days of their federal adoption, replacing the previous requirement for state rulemaking. It also mandates that state officials justify new Michigan safety rules when federal standards don't cover specific workplace issues, including demonstrating industry-specific needs or broad consensus among employers and workers. The bill directly affects Michigan's Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs, which must process these rules, and impacts employers and workers across all regulated industries. These changes streamline alignment with federal standards while adding transparency requirements for state rule development.

Maddy summarySB 330 expands exemptions from Michigan jury duty to include nursing mothers (with medical verification), participants in the address confidentiality program, U.S. military service members and their spouses (during active duty), hospice caregivers, and parents caring for children with serious health conditions. To claim these exemptions, individuals must provide documentation like a physician's letter, military orders, or program verification. The bill modifies existing jury eligibility rules to add these specific categories while maintaining requirements for basic qualifications like U.S. citizenship and English communication. This change directly affects those in these protected groups who would otherwise be required to serve on juries.

Maddy summaryThis Senate Resolution (SR 80) is a symbolic recognition of Diwali's significance, not a law with policy changes. It formally acknowledges Diwali's historic, cultural, and religious importance to Hindu, Sikh, and Jain communities in Michigan and globally - describing it as the "festival of lights" symbolizing light overcoming darkness and celebrating shared values like tolerance. The resolution expresses the Senate's respect for Diwali's message and its celebration by over one billion people worldwide. As a ceremonial resolution, it has no binding effect but affirms Michigan's commitment to religious diversity.

Maddy summarySB 610 requires Michigan's health department to create a public database tracking uterine fibroid incidence, demographics, and treatment options in the state, while prohibiting personal patient data. Healthcare providers must submit diagnostic and treatment data to this database, and the department must publish annual reports summarizing the data starting two years after the law takes effect. The bill also mandates development of educational materials highlighting racial disparities in risk, non-surgical treatment options (like medications), and other key information for both the public and health professionals. These materials must be posted on the department's website and distributed by medical boards, with additional public awareness campaigns coordinated through nonprofit partnerships.

Maddy summarySB 548 requires Michigan insurance companies to cover the costs of state-mandated market conduct exams, which are regulatory reviews of insurers' business practices. This bill amends Michigan's insurance code (MCL 500.100-500.8302) by adding Chapter 4A to establish this requirement. It directly affects all insurers operating in Michigan by shifting the financial responsibility for these exams from the state to the companies themselves. The bill was introduced by Senator Jeff Irwin on September 17, 2025, and recently advanced to the Committee of the Whole with a favorable report.

Maddy summarySB 603 requires Michigan's Department of Corrections to help prisoners obtain essential identification documents (like driver's license or state ID requirements) before release and provide written voter registration information. This applies to all prisoners nearing parole or sentence completion who could qualify for a driver's license or state ID. The bill mandates the department to give specific details on voting eligibility, registration steps, and election dates, and to include voter information in parole reports. It also creates a dedicated "reentry success fund" to cover costs for these services.