Sen. Sue Shink

Maddy summaryThis bill requires the Michigan Department of Corrections to assist prisoners in obtaining identification documents, such as those needed for a driver's license, and to provide written information about voter registration and election processes while they are incarcerated. The legislation mandates that the department help eligible inmates secure these resources before their release on parole or discharge, and it allows the Secretary of State to access prisoner data electronically to verify identities for license applications. Additionally, the bill creates a new "reentry success fund" to finance these reentry activities and updates procedures for how the parole board considers victim statements and conducts interviews prior to granting parole.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes the Personal Data Privacy Act in Michigan to protect consumers by regulating how businesses collect, process, sell, and share their personal information. It requires companies to provide clear notices about data practices, bans deceptive user interface designs known as dark patterns, and mandates a universal opt-out mechanism for consumers to control their data. The law also creates a registration system for data brokers and defines specific protections for sensitive categories such as children, biometric data, and health information.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires Michigan public school districts to publish detailed financial information on their websites to improve transparency and allow the public to track how school funds are used. Under the new rules, districts must post their annual budgets, expense charts broken down by category such as salaries and instruction, and links to collective bargaining agreements and audit reports. The legislation also mandates that districts disclose specific details regarding high-paid employees, credit card usage, out-of-state travel, and spending on lobbying services. Additionally, the bill clarifies that up to 20% of certain state aid funds can be used for debt service or capital projects and permits districts to contract with third parties for noninstructional services.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires prosecutors to provide crime victims with written notice when a defendant becomes eligible to earn productivity credits that could reduce their prison sentence. The legislation applies to both adult and juvenile offenders and mandates that victims be informed of their right to submit impact statements detailing the harm suffered and their sentencing recommendations. These notices must be delivered promptly and include specific details about the upcoming sentencing hearing, the nature of the crimes, and how the victim's input will be used in preparing reports for the court. By clarifying these notification requirements, the bill aims to ensure victims are kept informed of significant developments in their cases without altering the underlying rules for earning sentence credits.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a new Strategic Advisory Board within the Michigan Strategic Fund to help develop and update strategic and operational plans for economic development. The board will consist of numerous voting members representing various state departments, business organizations, regional alliances, and universities, along with nonvoting experts in economics and site selection. Appointed by the governor, these members will work together to create a comprehensive plan that guides the fund's activities. The legislation establishes the board's composition, appointment procedures, term lengths, and the authority to remove members for cause.

Maddy summaryThis bill updates Michigan's corrections code to formally recognize and incorporate "productivity credits" into the calculation of time served for prisoners. It directly affects inmates in state correctional facilities by allowing them to earn credit toward their minimum sentence requirements through work or other productive activities. The amendment modifies existing sections of the law to ensure these credits are properly considered when determining eligibility for parole, aligning the system with recent legislative changes.

Maddy summaryThis bill updates the rules for Michigan's Agriculture Preservation Fund, which manages money to protect farmland and open space. It increases the annual budget for administrative costs from $1.4 million to $2.1 million and establishes a formula to adjust this amount each year based on changes in the Consumer Price Index. Additionally, the legislation clarifies that any funds remaining in the account after paying for administration and local grants can be used to purchase development rights or conservation easements if the balance exceeds $5 million. These changes aim to ensure the fund has adequate resources to support its ongoing mission of preserving agricultural land.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a new productivity time credit system for prisoners in Michigan who are sentenced on or after its effective date, allowing them to reduce their minimum and maximum sentences by participating in educational or vocational programs. Eligible inmates can earn up to 20 days of credit per month for enrollment in recommended programs or 10 to 20 days for voluntary programs, with additional bonuses of 90 to 120 days awarded upon successfully completing these courses. However, the department of corrections cannot award credits to individuals classified as very high risk, those assigned to maximum security housing, or those convicted of specific serious offenses such as life without parole or certain violent crimes. Credits are also forfeited if a prisoner commits major misconduct, and the total number of credits a person can earn is capped at 20% of their minimum sentence.

Maddy summaryThis bill updates the timeline for filing legal claims related to groundwater contamination and environmental cleanup costs under Michigan's Natural Resources and Environmental Protection Act. It establishes specific deadlines for lawsuits seeking response costs or natural resource damages, generally requiring claims to be filed within six years of starting cleanup work or three years after cleanup finishes. The legislation also sets a fixed cutoff date of July 1, 1994, for claims involving incidents that occurred before that time, while clarifying that this rule applies retroactively to ensure consistency with the original law.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a new Michigan-Ireland trade commission within the Michigan Economic Development Corporation to strengthen economic ties between the two regions. The commission will be composed of seven members appointed by the governor, including representatives from higher education, the chamber of commerce, Irish-American communities, and legislators who have expertise in Irish affairs or trade relations. Its primary duties include advancing bilateral trade and investment, promoting business and academic exchanges, and encouraging mutual infrastructure support, while operating under state laws regarding open meetings and public records. The commission will be funded through a dedicated state treasury account that accepts donations, grants, and bequests to cover its administrative costs and operational needs. Members serve two-year terms without compensation but may receive reimbursement for necessary expenses, and the group must submit annual reports to the governor and legislature by February 1st.