Maddy summaryThis bill amends Michigan's Drain Code to clarify how interest rates are calculated on drain tax installments used to repay bonds. It requires that the interest charged to property owners be no more than one percentage point higher than the average interest rate paid on the bonds themselves, with a cap that cannot exceed the bond rate. The legislation also mandates that all collected funds be deposited in county-designated banks and used exclusively for paying off the bonds as they mature. Additionally, it sets a maximum interest rate for these bonds based on the Revised Municipal Finance Act. These changes directly affect drain commissioners, county treasurers, and property owners within drainage districts by standardizing financial rules for debt repayment.
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Maddy summaryThis bill amends Michigan's drain code to require drain commissioners to send detailed cost notices by first-class mail to every property owner within a drainage district before a public meeting on benefit apportionment. The legislation mandates that these mailed notices include a clear summary of estimated costs, such as the percentage and dollar amount each landowner would owe, along with information about how assessments are collected and paid. Additionally, the bill requires that bid advertisements be posted online or on county websites and allows commissioners to send notices via email if an address is available. These changes aim to improve transparency and ensure landowners receive specific financial details regarding potential drainage projects before they are assessed.
Maddy summarySenate Bill 959 requires railroads operating in Michigan to install and maintain wayside detector systems that scan trains for defects like hot wheel bearings and dragging equipment. The bill sets specific rules for how often these systems must be placed along tracks, depending on the size of the railroad, and mandates that alerts be sent immediately to train operators so they can stop or repair issues safely. It also gives the state Office of Rail the authority to investigate railroads that refuse to cooperate and requires a report on derailments caused by bearing or axle failures by the end of 2028.
Maddy summarySB 433 requires Michigan's Department of Health and Human Services to create and distribute multilingual (English, Spanish, Arabic) informational notices about the health risks of high-potency THC cannabis products and vaping to parents of K-12 students. Starting in the 2026-2027 school year, public and nonpublic schools must provide these notices to parents annually by October 1 and post a link to the department's website on their own sites. The notices must be updated yearly to reflect new health research, and the bill grants immunity from civil liability to schools and state agencies for distributing them. This bill directly affects all Michigan schools and parents of enrolled students, focusing on preventive health education.
Maddy summaryThis bill, known as the Responsible Artificial Intelligence Security for Employees Act, restricts how employers in Michigan can use automated decision-making tools and electronic monitoring systems for their workforce. It generally prohibits using these technologies for employment decisions like hiring or firing, except when screening large volumes of applications based on specific job criteria. Employers are only allowed to monitor employees for specific purposes such as ensuring job function completion, monitoring production quality, or protecting health and safety, and they must obtain written consent from every employee before using such tools. The legislation also mandates that employers provide clear notice of monitoring, maintain accurate data, allow employees to correct their records, and conduct impact assessments to ensure these tools do not negatively affect individuals based on protected characteristics.
Maddy summarySB 480 amends Michigan's Child Care Organizations Act to clarify definitions related to staff roles and facility types. The key change lowers the minimum age for certain child care staff members from 18 to 16 years old, specifically for individuals providing unsupervised care or having unsupervised access to children in licensed settings. It also updates definitions for "child care center" (excluding brief religious programs or sports activities) and "child caring institution" (clarifying it excludes hospitals and adult facilities). These changes directly affect licensed child care centers, family child care homes, and their staff members by defining eligibility and responsibilities more precisely. The bill makes no new funding or program requirements - it only refines existing regulatory language.
Maddy summarySB 517 amends Michigan's school code to clarify how school districts can use bond funds. It allows districts to borrow for physical infrastructure (like buildings, playgrounds, and initial technology hardware/software purchases) but explicitly prohibits using bond proceeds for ongoing technology costs - such as software upgrades, maintenance, training, or repairs. The bill directly affects school districts by restricting their borrowing options for technology-related expenses. It also requires independent audits of bond spending and permits residents to sue if districts violate these rules.
Maddy summaryThis bill modifies Michigan's skilled trades regulation act to create a preliminary determination process for individuals with criminal convictions who are seeking professional licenses. Under the new rules, applicants can submit a request to the department to get an early assessment of whether their past court judgments would likely lead to a license denial based on good moral character requirements. The department must provide this written decision within 60 days and cannot require the applicant to complete education or training before making this initial review. Additionally, the bill requires the department to publish an annual report detailing the number of license denials and the specific criminal offenses that led to those decisions.
Maddy summaryThis bill modifies Michigan's Public Health Code to create a preliminary determination process for individuals seeking professional licensure or registration who have criminal court judgments. It allows applicants to request a written decision from the Department of Health and Human Services on whether their criminal history would likely result in a license denial based on good moral character requirements. The process requires applicants to submit a specific form, a nonrefundable fee, and details of their criminal proceedings, with the department required to provide a response within 60 days. Additionally, the bill clarifies that a negative preliminary determination does not bar a future license application and mandates that the department publish lists of disciplined individuals to inform the public and relevant agencies.
Maddy summaryThis bill amends Michigan's occupational code to create a preliminary determination process for individuals seeking professional licenses who have criminal convictions. It allows applicants to request an early assessment from the department to see if their past court judgments would likely lead to a denial based on good moral character requirements. The legislation also modifies rules for relicensing, permitting individuals who let their licenses expire to renew without re-examination or additional training if they apply within three years and meet specific conditions. These changes aim to provide clearer guidance for applicants with criminal records and streamline the process for those who have lapsed in maintaining their professional credentials.