Sen. Jeff Irwin

Maddy summarySenate Resolution 27 designates April 2025 as Financial Literacy Month in Michigan. The resolution aims to raise public awareness about the importance of personal financial education and encourages parents, schools, businesses, and other organizations to observe the month with relevant programs and activities.

Maddy summarySenate Resolution No. 25 recognizes April 2025 as Donate Life Month. This resolution encourages Michigan residents to join the Michigan Organ Donor Registry to help address the critical need for organ, tissue, and eye donations.

Maddy summarySenate Bill 114 allows counties or regions in Michigan to create vulnerable adult multidisciplinary teams. These teams, comprising public and private professionals such as law enforcement, adult protective services, and healthcare providers, are designed to prevent, investigate, and prosecute the abuse and financial exploitation of vulnerable adults. The bill permits team members to share information for their duties, but requires strict confidentiality and sworn statements. Importantly, the information and records produced by these teams are exempt from public disclosure under the Freedom of Information Act, and their meetings are not subject to the Open Meetings Act.

Maddy summarySenate Bill 112 amends Michigan's penal code to expand the definition of "racketeering." The bill specifically adds the crime of embezzlement from a vulnerable adult to the list of offenses that can be considered racketeering activity. This change means that individuals who commit embezzlement against vulnerable adults could be prosecuted under racketeering laws, which are typically associated with organized crime and may carry more severe penalties. The bill aims to strengthen legal protections against the financial exploitation of vulnerable adults.

Maddy summarySB 113 amends Michigan's penal code to address the financial exploitation of vulnerable adults. The bill makes it illegal to obtain or use a vulnerable adult's money or property through fraud, deceit, or coercion for personal benefit, and extends this prohibition to include acts committed against their estate after death. It establishes a tiered system of penalties, ranging from misdemeanors to felonies, based on the value of the money or property involved and the offender's prior convictions. This legislation provides increased legal consequences for individuals who financially abuse vulnerable adults and their estates.

Maddy summarySB 111 creates a new "elder and vulnerable adult personal protection order" to protect individuals aged 60+ or those defined as vulnerable adults (e.g., with developmental disabilities or under specific legal protections). The order can restrain specific harmful actions, including assault, firearm possession, animal abuse, property destruction, financial exploitation, and interference with personal liberty. It also allows courts to order return of assets, prohibit access to funds, award damages, and require bond security to prevent financial harm. The bill mandates transferring cases to probate court if the petitioner is under guardianship, ensuring coordinated legal oversight. This directly affects vulnerable Michiganders facing abuse or exploitation by caregivers or others.

Maddy summarySB 195 repeals Michigan's 2016 law (PA 389) that prevented local governments from regulating plastic bags and similar containers. This repeal directly affects cities and counties, allowing them to create their own rules about plastic bag use, fees, or bans. The bill removes a state-level barrier that previously blocked local environmental policies targeting single-use plastic containers. It does not create new regulations but restores local authority over this issue. The change enables communities to address plastic pollution through tailored approaches.

Maddy summaryThis is a ceremonial resolution (not a law) introduced by Senator Chang designating March 2025 as Social Work Month. It recognizes the contributions of social workers in Michigan and across the U.S., highlighting their roles in mental health care, child welfare, advocacy for vulnerable populations, and community support. The resolution calls on citizens to join the National Association of Social Workers in celebrating this month. It does not create new policies or affect specific groups through legislative action.

Maddy summarySB 140 increases the fee for monitoring Michigan's oil and gas industry from up to 1% to up to 2% of the gross cash market value of oil and gas produced. This fee applies directly to oil and gas producers who pay it when selling their products, collected alongside existing taxes. The fee amount adjusts annually based on the fund balance: it remains at 2% if the fund has less than $7 million, or calculates as a ratio of the budget to estimated production value if the fund meets or exceeds $7 million. Proceeds fund the state's monitoring, surveillance, and enforcement activities for oil and gas operations.

Maddy summarySB 141 requires oil and gas well operators in Michigan to reduce fugitive methane and volatile organic compound (VOC) emissions by at least 95% through methods like capturing gas for sale, on-site fuel use, or reinjection. It directly affects operators of oil/gas wells (excluding simple wellheads), with specific exemptions for wells exceeding 40 tons/year of emissions if technical infeasibility is certified by an engineer. The bill mandates operators to implement capture systems, report compliance, and maintain equipment, with enforcement including $100,000 fines or permit revocation for violations (excluding prompt repairs of malfunctions). Rules to implement these requirements must be finalized within 180 days of the bill’s effective date.