Sen. Sue Shink

Maddy summarySB 1135 allows certain law enforcement officers who were first hired after a specific date and currently participate in the state employees' retirement system to purchase service credit for their previous work. This provision applies to officers covered under sections 4(1)(b), (d), and (f) of the State Police Retirement Act, enabling them to count prior state employee service toward their law enforcement retirement benefits. To receive this credit, members must pay an amount equal to the actuarial value of that service, which can be done through tax-deferred or additional payments. The bill sets a deadline of October 15, 2027, for initiating these purchases and requires that payment be completed within four years of starting the process.

Maddy summarySB 1047 creates a new rate class for large energy users, specifically targeting data centers, to ensure they do not shift costs to residential and small business customers. The bill requires these facilities to sign long-term contracts with electric utilities that include a minimum monthly charge based on their potential usage, even if they consume less power. Additionally, the legislation mandates that large energy users pay for all costs they cause, such as new power lines and generation, and must provide collateral or a letter of credit to guarantee these payments. To further protect the grid, the bill also requires these facilities to participate in demand response programs, source 90% of their electricity from clean energy, and pay a significant application fee.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires data centers in Michigan to sign community benefit agreements before they can begin construction or operation. These agreements are legal contracts between the data center owner or operator and local governments or community stakeholders that mandate the provision of specific resources to benefit the local area. Local governments must review and approve these agreements within 90 days, and they can deny necessary permits if such an agreement has not been finalized. The legislation aims to ensure that data center projects provide tangible benefits to public health, safety, and general welfare in the communities where they are built.

Maddy summaryThis bill updates Michigan's water laws to streamline the registration process for large-scale water withdrawals while introducing new requirements for water conservation and reporting. It primarily affects property owners, agricultural operators, and industrial facilities that plan to extract significant amounts of water, requiring them to register their intended capacity before beginning operations. The legislation mandates that the state develop and post generic water conservation measures for different sectors, with specific rules for agriculture and data centers, and requires facilities permitted under new provisions to submit annual reports on wastewater usage and pollutant levels. Additionally, the bill clarifies exemptions for smaller residential wells and test wells, while establishing a timeline for property owners to develop their water capacity after registration or face invalidation of their application.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires electric utilities in Michigan to include specific labor conditions in contracts for building or maintaining data centers. Under the new rules, these projects must use registered apprenticeship programs, pay workers at least the prevailing local wage and fringe benefit rates, and utilize project labor agreements or collective bargaining agreements. The legislation defines data centers as facilities housing equipment for data storage and processing and aims to ensure fair labor standards for construction work without speculating on future economic impacts.

Maddy summaryThis bill, known as the Data Center Nondisclosure Agreement Prohibition Act, prevents public employees and officers in Michigan from signing nondisclosure agreements related to data center projects. It defines a data center as a facility with significant power demand and restricts these officials from using confidentiality claims to hide information from the public. The law applies to agreements entered into, amended, or renewed after its effective date, though it allows exceptions for legally privileged information or settlement documents. Violations of this rule could result in a civil fine of up to $1,000, which can be pursued by county prosecutors or the attorney general.

Maddy summaryThis bill modifies Michigan's interim teaching certification process to establish stricter requirements for individuals seeking to teach without a full teaching certificate. It mandates that all candidates complete an approved alternative program with intensive training equivalent to at least 12 college credits, including coursework in child development, diverse learners, and classroom experience. A significant change is the prohibition of new interim certificates for special education teaching starting July 21, 2027, which requires applicants to complete an additional 32-credit specialized training program unless they already hold a full teaching certificate. The legislation also ensures that teachers holding these interim certificates receive intensive observation and coaching while they work toward earning a permanent Michigan teaching certificate.

Maddy summarySB 81 expands Michigan's Indigent Defense Commission's duties to include providing effective legal representation for indigent youth (those under 18 facing juvenile court cases). The bill amends the existing law to require the Commission to establish minimum standards for youth defense services, ensuring they meet constitutional requirements for "effective assistance of counsel." It specifically defines "youth" and clarifies that indigent criminal defense services for youth must begin at their initial court appearance. This change directly affects juvenile defendants who cannot afford a lawyer, ensuring they receive legally required representation under the same standards applied to adults.

Maddy summarySB 293 amends Michigan’s animal welfare law (MCL 750.50) to clarify and strengthen standards for animal care. It defines "adequate care" as providing food, water, shelter, and veterinary attention to maintain an animal’s health, and prohibits neglect that jeopardizes health. The bill requires owners to reimburse shelters for care costs when animals are forfeited due to neglect, and adds specific rules like tethering dogs with a minimum 3x length leash. It directly affects pet owners, breeders, pet shops, and animal shelters by imposing penalties for violations and creating restitution mechanisms. The changes focus on concrete standards for care, abandonment, and transportation, without adding new categories of prohibited conduct.

Maddy summarySB 294 strengthens Michigan's animal cruelty laws by increasing penalties for harming companion animals (like pets and service animals) and adding new requirements for convicted individuals. It classifies offenses into three degrees (with first-degree punishable by up to 10 years in prison) and mandates courts to order restitution for animal care costs, including veterinary treatment and shelter. The bill also allows courts to prohibit convicted individuals from owning animals for a specified period or permanently. Exemptions cover lawful activities like hunting, farming, and veterinary care. This law directly affects people convicted of animal cruelty, particularly those targeting companion animals.