Sen. Sue Shink

Maddy summaryThis bill increases the fines for violating Michigan's natural gas safety regulations, raising the maximum penalty per violation from $10,000 to $200,000 and the total cap for related violations from $500,000 to $2.5 million. It requires the Public Service Commission to adjust these fines annually for inflation starting September 1, 2024, using the Detroit area Consumer Price Index. The law also mandates that the commission consider factors like the violator's financial ability and history of prior offenses when setting specific fine amounts. Additionally, the bill strengthens penalties for willfully damaging pipeline signs or markers, classifying such acts as a misdemeanor punishable by up to one year in jail or a $5,000 fine.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends Michigan vehicle code sections to establish a specific registration program for historic vehicles and clarifies the rules for personalized license plates. Owners of historic vehicles can now apply for a special "historical vehicle - Michigan" plate, which requires a lower fee than personalized plates and allows the registration to be transferred to another historic vehicle. To qualify, owners must certify that the vehicle is used solely for historic purposes and provide proof that it has been inspected and is safe for highway operation. The bill also sets the expiration date for these historic vehicle registrations at ten years from the date of issuance. Additionally, the legislation updates the fee structure for personalized plates and clarifies how the associated service fees are allocated to state transportation funds.

Maddy summarySB 1028 updates Michigan law to require county road commissions to use competitive sealed bidding when purchasing machines, tools, and materials over $250,000, with an exception for emergency situations. The bill also mandates that these commissions create a plan to ensure minority business enterprises have equal opportunities to compete for contracts and purchases. Additionally, it adjusts the threshold for required competitive bidding annually based on the Detroit Consumer Price Index and allows commissions to finance property purchases through installment plans lasting up to 30 years. These changes directly affect county road commissions and the vendors they contract with for road maintenance projects.

Maddy summaryThis bill is a memorial resolution honoring Nancy C. Cassis, a former Michigan legislator who served in both the House of Representatives and the Senate. It recognizes her career as a public servant and details her legislative achievements, including her work on tax policy and her receipt of various awards. The resolution formally expresses the legislature's condolences to her family and requests that copies of the document be sent to them as a tribute.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends Michigan's sex offender registration act to clarify who must register and under what circumstances. It expands the definition of a "conviction" to include specific tribal and military court judgments, as well as certain juvenile dispositions for serious offenses committed by individuals aged 14 or older. The legislation also updates the definition of "custodial authority" to explicitly include various school employees, correctional facility staff, and other individuals in positions of power who exploit their status to engage in sexual contact with victims. These changes ensure that a broader range of offenders, including those with specific types of past adjudications or those who abused authority, are subject to the state's registration requirements.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends Michigan's sentencing guidelines to establish specific rules for crimes involving sexual conduct with or involving a corpse. It directly affects judges who must determine appropriate prison sentences for these offenses by providing a structured framework for sentencing decisions. The key provision creates new statutory language within the Code of Criminal Procedure to ensure consistency in how these particular crimes are punished.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes new licensing and registration fees for individuals operating refrigeration facilities or removal services for human bodies in Michigan. It sets specific costs for application processing, biennial licenses or registrations, and initial inspections, with an additional fee for vehicle inspections for removal services. The law requires these fees to be paid by anyone seeking licensure or registration under the state's occupational code. The bill also includes a provision stating that it will not take effect unless a related bill, SB 544, is also enacted into law.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires oil and gas well operators in Michigan to reduce fugitive methane and volatile organic compound emissions by at least 95%. To achieve this, operators must capture the gas and either sell it, use it as fuel, reinject it, or flare it, unless they can prove that other methods are technically infeasible or unsafe. The legislation mandates that the state develop specific rules within 180 days to define acceptable control systems, set compliance schedules, and establish inspection and reporting procedures. Non-compliance with these requirements could result in a $100,000 fine and the revocation of the operator's permit, though penalties may be waived if the equipment malfunctioned and was promptly repaired.

Maddy summaryThis bill modifies the Michigan Corrections Code to clarify how parole eligibility is calculated for inmates serving consecutive sentences and those subject to disciplinary time. It establishes specific rules for when the parole board gains jurisdiction over prisoners, ensuring that time served is computed based on the total minimum terms of all sentences rather than just the current one. Additionally, the legislation outlines the conditions under which life sentences may become eligible for parole, specifying required years served and interview schedules for the parole board to review these cases.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates new criminal penalties for engaging in sexual acts with a dead human body in Michigan. It establishes that sexual contact, defined as intentional touching of specific body areas for sexual purposes like revenge or humiliation, is a misdemeanor punishable by up to two years in prison or a $500 fine. More severe sexual penetration, such as entry into genital or anal openings, is classified as a felony carrying a potential sentence of up to 15 years in prison. The law also allows prison terms for these offenses to run consecutively to other sentences related to the same incident.