Sen. Joe Bellino

Maddy summarySB 10 prohibits foreign governments, state-sponsored enterprises, or their agents from purchasing or acquiring new farmland in Michigan after the bill's effective date. Existing owners of farmland (before October 1, 2023) may keep their land but cannot buy additional farmland. The bill defines "farmland" as land zoned for agricultural use producing crops, livestock, timber, dairy, orchards, ranching, or hemp. It explicitly excludes U.S. government entities, Michigan, and other U.S. states from the prohibition. This law targets foreign ownership of agricultural land only, not all real estate transactions.

Maddy summarySB 14 requires public schools in Michigan that charge admission fees for high school interscholastic athletic events to accept cash as a payment method. It directly affects public school districts and public school academies operating high schools (grades 9-12) that impose such fees. The key provision mandates that school boards must ensure cash is an acceptable form of payment for these admission fees. This change applies only to the payment method, not to whether schools can charge fees or the fee amounts themselves.

Maddy summarySB 9 requires Michigan public schools to restrict access to multiple-occupancy restrooms and changing areas (like locker rooms or showers) based solely on biological sex, defined as the sex listed on a person's original birth certificate. Exceptions allow use by individuals entering for custodial, maintenance, medical, or caregiver purposes (including parents or authorized caregivers), or when temporarily designated for their biological sex. The bill directly affects public school students and staff by mandating gender-based restroom access in shared facilities. It modifies existing school code to establish this requirement, with specific definitions clarifying terms like "biological sex" and "multiple-occupancy area." The law does not apply to single-stall restrooms or facilities not designed for multiple users at once.

Maddy summarySB 13 creates a tax credit for Michigan taxpayers who sell or rent agricultural assets (like land, equipment, or livestock) to qualifying "beginning farmers." Owners can claim up to 5% of a sale price (capped at $32,000) or 10-15% of rental income for the first three years (capped at $7,000 or $10,000 annually), subject to a $5 million total annual limit. To qualify, the recipient must be certified as a beginning farmer (a resident new to farming within 10 years, with net worth under $800,000 adjusted for inflation, and not related to the asset owner). The credit requires state certification and annual reporting to track its impact on supporting new farmers.

Maddy summaryThis bill modifies Michigan's use tax to exempt data center equipment purchased for qualified data centers and their contractors, provided the equipment is used within the facility's operations or permanently installed in the building. The exemption for standard data centers is conditional, requiring the state to verify that at least 400 related jobs are created by 2022 and 1,000 jobs by 2026 to continue the tax break after those dates. For larger enterprise data centers, the exemption is available for up to 65 years if the facility receives a certificate from the Michigan Strategic Fund confirming it meets specific job and investment criteria. To claim this exemption, operators must apply for and receive a certificate from the state before purchasing the equipment and must report their purchases and employment data to the Michigan Strategic Fund.

Maddy summaryThis bill updates definitions in Michigan's Crude Oil and Petroleum Act to clarify what constitutes a "carbon dioxide substance" and who counts as a "person" under the law. It reinforces that companies transporting or storing oil, petroleum products, or carbon dioxide cannot use eminent domain to access highways or private land unless specifically authorized by the act. The legislation includes exceptions for rights established before 1929 and for specific carbon sequestration wells. Because the bill is tied to two others, it will only become effective if all three related bills are passed together.

Maddy summaryThis bill updates the financial duties of conservators in Michigan, who manage the assets of individuals unable to do so themselves. It clarifies that conservators have broad powers to manage property, invest funds, and run businesses without needing prior court approval for each action, provided they act reasonably. The legislation specifically requires that any investments in securities be made through brokerage firms insured by the Securities Protection Corporation. Additionally, the bill allows conservators to hold assets in their own names to facilitate transactions and to employ advisors, even if those advisors are related to the conservator.

Maddy summaryThis bill designates rye as the official commercial grain of Michigan. It achieves this by adding a single line to state law that names rye (*Secale cereale*) as the state's official grain. The change is symbolic and does not alter any existing regulations or create new requirements for businesses or individuals.

Maddy summaryThis bill, known as the hospital price transparency act, prohibits Michigan hospitals from attempting to collect debts if the hospital was not in compliance with price transparency laws at the time the services were provided. The legislation specifically bans hospitals from referring such debts to third-party collectors, suing patients, or reporting these unpaid bills to credit agencies. By defining what constitutes a prohibited collection action, the law aims to prevent hospitals from pursuing financial penalties for patients when the hospital itself has failed to meet its own reporting requirements.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires the Michigan Department of Education to create and distribute a model firearm safety program for students in grades 6 through 12 by June 1, 2025. The curriculum must cover topics such as proper handling, maintenance, storage, and hunting practices, totaling at least 10 hours of instruction led by certified hunter education instructors. While schools can offer this as an optional class or integrate it into existing courses, firearms and ammunition are strictly prohibited from being brought onto school property during these sessions. Additionally, the bill ensures that any student or their parent can request an exemption from the course without penalty or loss of academic credit. Finally, completing this instruction satisfies the state's hunter safety course requirement for obtaining a hunting license.