Sen. Sue Shink

Maddy summarySB 585 requires conservators (appointed to manage the estates of protected individuals, such as minors without parental rights or adults under guardianship) to obtain a court-approved appraisal from a licensed professional before selling a protected individual's principal residence or real property. The appraisal must be conducted within six months of the sale, and the court must determine the sale is in the protected individual's best interest before approving it. This change applies specifically to sales of real property and adds a formal valuation requirement to existing conservator powers under Michigan law. The bill amends Section 5423 of the Estates and Protected Individuals Code to ensure objective property valuation in significant financial decisions.

Maddy summarySB 586 amends Michigan's guardianship law to require courts to document on the record why moving a person under guardianship (a "ward") from their current residence is necessary. It also mandates that guardians consult with the ward before making major decisions affecting them, such as changes to their living situation. The bill specifically updates sections 5306 and 5314 of Michigan's Estates and Protected Individuals Code to clarify these requirements. These changes directly affect guardians, wards under guardianship, and courts overseeing guardianship cases.

Maddy summarySB 456 amends Michigan's "Mozelle senior or vulnerable adult medical alert act" to require law enforcement agencies to activate a text-message alert system for missing seniors or vulnerable adults. After filing a report under Section 3, agencies must notify the State Police to trigger a system that sends location-specific alerts via wireless devices through the existing emergency alert network. This directly affects vulnerable individuals and their families by enabling rapid public notification through texts, broadcasters, and newspapers. The bill mandates that alerts include descriptions and relevant details to aid in locating missing persons, while ensuring the system operates only after a completed report and per State Police policies.

Maddy summaryThis bill prohibits limited liability companies in Michigan from spending money to support or oppose candidates, political parties, or ballot measures. It applies to both companies formed in the state and those from other states doing business here, with exceptions for existing contracts and bona fide news reporting. If a company violates this rule, the state can invalidate the spending, order the company to return the funds, or dissolve the company. The legislation also clarifies that a company's lack of legal power to make political donations does not automatically make all its other business actions invalid. This measure is tied to two other bills and will only take effect if all three are passed into law.

Maddy summarySB 1086 amends the Michigan Nonprofit Corporation Act to clarify and expand the legal powers of nonprofit organizations regarding financial activities and governance. The bill specifically adds a new section to detail the authority of nonprofits to make contracts, incur liabilities, and provide guarantees for related entities, such as corporations they own or control. By updating existing statutes and inserting new provisions, the legislation aims to remove previous ambiguities about how nonprofits can manage their assets and support affiliated businesses. This change directly affects nonprofit corporations across the state by formalizing their ability to engage in complex financial arrangements necessary for their operations.

Maddy summaryThis proposed constitutional amendment would prohibit businesses formed in Michigan and foreign companies authorized to do business here from spending money to support or oppose candidates, political parties, or ballot measures. The rule applies to corporations, nonprofits, and limited liability companies, but it allows exceptions for existing financial contracts and independent news reporting or editorials. If a business violates these restrictions, the state attorney general could sue to invalidate the spending, force the company to return the funds, or dissolve the entity. The measure would also allow the state to revoke the operating authority of any foreign company that breaks the spending ban.

Maddy summaryThis bill prohibits Michigan business corporations from using their funds to support or oppose candidates, political parties, committees, or ballot measures. It applies to both companies formed within the state and foreign corporations doing business in Michigan, declaring any such spending illegal and subject to penalties like disgorgement of funds or corporate dissolution. The law includes specific exceptions for existing contracts signed before the bill takes effect and for bona fide news stories published by independent media outlets. Additionally, it grants the Attorney General or the administrator the authority to sue to stop violations or force companies to return illegally spent money.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends the Michigan Natural Resources and Environmental Protection Act to update and clarify definitions related to dam safety and inland lakes. It directly affects dam owners, operators, and the state department responsible for regulating these structures by refining terms such as "dam," "failure," and "high hazard potential dam." The legislation adds new sections to the statute to establish clearer standards for what constitutes a dam, how it is classified based on potential risk, and the specific requirements for emergency action plans. By modifying existing legal language, the bill aims to improve consistency in how dam safety regulations are applied and understood.

Maddy summaryThis bill updates Michigan's criminal procedure code to clarify how courts assess and collect financial costs from defendants. It requires judges to determine if a defendant is financially unable to pay before ordering fines or court fees. If a defendant is not indigent, the court can impose specific minimum state costs and additional expenses related to the trial, such as personnel salaries and facility maintenance, but must waive these charges for those who qualify as indigent. The legislation also establishes a fee structure for probation supervision, charging $30 per month without electronic monitoring or $60 per month with it, while allowing courts to waive these fees for indigent individuals.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a standardized process for courts to determine whether individuals can afford court-related fees and fines. It requires judges to conduct a three-part financial assessment before imposing costs, which includes checking if a person receives public assistance, has income below a specific low-income threshold, or faces unique financial hardships. Under the new rules, people currently incarcerated are automatically considered indigent, and those found to be unable to pay will not be ordered to cover court costs or fees. Additionally, the legislation allows individuals to request a review of their financial status after sentencing if their circumstances have changed, potentially leading to the waiver of previously imposed charges.