Sen. Joe Bellino

Maddy summaryThis bill amends the Michigan Strategic Fund Act to update legal definitions and add new compliance requirements related to the Uyghur Forced Labor Prevention Act. It clarifies what counts as an economic development project by explicitly including renewable energy facilities, port infrastructure, and green chemistry initiatives while excluding certain retail and housing activities. The legislation also establishes specific definitions for financial institutions and municipalities to ensure clarity when the fund approves loans or guarantees. By adding a new section to the act, the bill aims to align the fund's operations with federal labor standards and modernize its scope to support sustainable industrial growth.

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 designates a specific stretch of Highway M-50 in Monroe County as the "Animal Control Officer Darrian Young Memorial Highway" to honor Officer Darrian Young. The change officially names the road segment between South Raisinville Road and Herr Road in memory of the deceased officer. By amending the Michigan Memorial Highway Act, the legislation ensures this portion of the state highway carries a permanent tribute to his service.

Maddy summaryThis bill designates a specific stretch of M-34 in Hillsdale County as the "Deputy Sheriff William Butler, Jr. Memorial Highway." The change officially names the road segment between Pioneer Road and South Pittsford Road to honor Deputy Sheriff Butler. By adding this section to the Michigan Memorial Highway Act, the legislation ensures the location is recognized with a permanent memorial title.

Maddy summaryThis bill designates the cherry as the official fruit of Michigan. It achieves this by amending state law to formally recognize the cherry in this capacity. The change is symbolic and does not alter any existing regulations or create new legal obligations.

Maddy summarySB 991 restores previous amendments to Michigan's minimum wage law that were previously repealed, reinstating specific wage schedules and overtime rules. The bill sets a new timeline for minimum wage increases, starting at $10.56 in 2024 and reaching $12.05 by 2030, with an additional annual adjustment based on inflation. A key provision allows these wage increases to be delayed if the state's unemployment rate is 8.5% or higher for the preceding year. Additionally, the legislation clarifies overtime requirements for employees in fire protection, law enforcement, and healthcare settings, while maintaining existing exemptions for certain job categories like executives and agricultural workers.

Maddy summarySB 992 amends Michigan's Earned Sick Time Act to restore specific provisions that were previously repealed, ensuring that employers with 50 or more employees must provide paid medical leave for personal health needs, domestic violence, and sexual assault. The bill redefines key terms such as "eligible employee" and "employer" to clarify who qualifies for these benefits and outlines strict rules against retaliating against workers who request or use this time off. By reinstating sections related to accrual, usage, and enforcement while removing others, the legislation aims to maintain consistent protections for workers across the state. This change directly impacts large businesses and their staff, requiring them to adhere to the restored standards for granting sick leave.

Maddy summarySB 706 modifies Michigan's vehicle code to remove unpaid driver responsibility fees from the centralized computerized driving records maintained by the secretary of state. This change affects drivers who have accumulated these fees, ensuring that such financial obligations no longer appear on their official driving history alongside traffic violations and accidents. The bill achieves this by amending specific sections of the state law that previously required these fees to be listed in the central file. Consequently, the removal of this information aims to provide a more accurate reflection of a driver's actual traffic behavior rather than their financial compliance with state fees.

Maddy summaryThis bill updates Michigan election laws to establish stricter standards for electronic voting machines and their maintenance. It requires all new voting systems to be manufactured in the United States and mandates that machines include specific features like paper ballots, audit trails, and accessibility tools for voters with disabilities. Additionally, the legislation introduces a certification process where vendors must pay fees and submit detailed performance data and maintenance contracts to the Secretary of State for approval. Local election officials are also instructed to ensure every polling place has at least one accessible voting device for use by individuals with disabilities.

Maddy summaryThis bill prohibits the Michigan Strategic Fund from providing grants, loans, or other economic assistance to individuals or companies linked to specific foreign nations designated as security risks. It defines these restricted entities as those from countries of concern, state sponsors of terror, or those on federal military end-user lists, as well as any organization where such entities hold a significant ownership stake. By adding a new section to the Michigan Strategic Fund Act, the legislation ensures that public funds cannot support projects involving these disqualified persons, regardless of other program criteria. The law also updates existing sections to explicitly include these restrictions within the fund's critical industry and outreach programs.