Sen. Rosemary Bayer

Maddy summarySB 165 is a funding bill that allocates $166.4 million in state general funds for Michigan's Department of Education during the 2025-2026 fiscal year. It provides specific appropriations for key programs including special education services ($9.8 million), Michigan Schools for the Deaf and Blind ($19.4 million), and departmental operations like information technology ($4.9 million). The bill directs state funds to cover salaries, program operations, and essential services across education departments, with additional support from federal and private revenue sources. It directly affects state education programs and administrative functions, ensuring funding continuity for existing services without creating new policies.

Maddy summarySB 164 is a procedural appropriations bill that allocates funding for Michigan's fictional "Department of Lifelong Education, Advancement, and Potential" for fiscal year 2025-2026. It provides a total of $756.2 million, including $670.8 million for early childhood education programs (like child care licensing and Head Start), $11.8 million for higher education initiatives (including student financial aid), and $60 million for one-time programs like college support services. The funding comes primarily from the state general fund, with additional support from federal and private sources. This bill does not create new policies or affect specific individuals - it simply authorizes how existing state funds will be spent on these education-related services.

Maddy summarySenate Bill 284, the "digital age assurance act," aims to protect minors by regulating online content and requiring age verification. It mandates that device manufacturers, operating systems, and app stores estimate a user's age and provide a digital age signal to websites and online services. Websites and applications that offer mature content must then use these signals to block access for individuals under 18 or provide disclaimers and parental supervision tools. The bill also requires application stores to obtain parental consent for users under 16 to download apps and offers options for parental supervision tools. The Michigan Department of the Attorney General is responsible for enforcing this act.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates Michigan's "Uniform Premarital and Marital Agreements Act," establishing clear rules for premarital (before marriage) and marital (during marriage) agreements. It requires such agreements to be in writing and signed by both parties to be enforceable, and they cannot be enforced if signed under unfair pressure, such as threats to cancel a wedding. The law also determines which state's laws apply to these agreements, either the one chosen by the couple or Michigan law. This act directly affects couples who use these agreements to define financial rights and responsibilities during marriage or in the event of divorce.

Maddy summarySenate Resolution 39 expresses the Michigan Senate's commitment to strengthening and deepening ties between the state of Michigan and Taiwan. It urges Michigan businesses to refer to Taiwan as "Taiwan" and encourages the United States to enhance trade agreements, provide defense support, and advocate for Taiwan's participation in international organizations.

Maddy summarySenate Bill 268 proposes to modify the scope of practice for Advanced Practice Registered Nurses (APRNs) in Michigan, specifically focusing on nurse anesthetists and nurse practitioners. It expands the authority of certified nurse anesthetists to include prescribing and administering anesthesia and analgesic agents, as well as developing and implementing care plans. These services may be provided without direct physician supervision if the nurse anesthetist meets specific experience or education requirements and participates in a patient-centered care team. The bill also allows healthcare facilities to adopt policies for these services and clarifies that it does not mandate new third-party reimbursement or worker's compensation benefits.

Maddy summarySenate Resolution 32 designates April 2025 as Autism Acceptance Month. This resolution aims to promote understanding, acceptance, and inclusion of individuals on the autism spectrum within the community.

Maddy summarySenate Resolution 29 designates April 20-26, 2025, as Infertility Awareness Week. This resolution aims to raise awareness about infertility and its impact on individuals and couples.

Maddy summarySenate Resolution 26 designates April 18, 2025, as Lineman Appreciation Day. This resolution aims to recognize the work of linemen in constructing and maintaining energy infrastructure and their role as first responders during emergencies.

Maddy summarySenate Bill 129 amends Michigan's Open Meetings Act to expand the circumstances under which public bodies can hold electronic meetings. Primarily, it allows appointed members of public bodies with disabilities to participate remotely as an accommodation, enabling them to fully engage without disclosing the nature of their disability, provided they are physically in the state. However, this accommodation does not apply to elected members or to state legislative bodies when taking a formal vote. Additionally, the bill permits remote meetings for public bodies managing municipal public employee retirement systems and joint agencies formed under the Michigan energy employment act.