Sen. Joe Bellino

Maddy summarySB 514 creates a corporate income tax credit for beverage distributors who charge deposits on returnable containers. It allows eligible distributors to claim a $0.005 credit per container sold starting in 2026, with annual adjustments based on the U.S. Consumer Price Index beginning in 2027. Distributors must attach a specific report to their tax return to claim the credit, and any unused credit amount is refundable. The bill directly affects beverage distributors who originate container deposits and depends on the passage of companion bill SB 512 to take effect.

Maddy summarySB 70 designates a specific segment of M-34 in Hillsdale County (between Pioneer Road and South Pittsford Road) as the "Deputy Sheriff William Butler, Jr. Memorial Highway." This bill amends Michigan's Memorial Highway Act (2001 PA 142) by adding Section 115 to formally name the highway portion. The change affects signage and official references to that section of M-34, directly honoring Deputy Sheriff William Butler, Jr. through the highway designation. The bill was enacted into law on August 26, 2025.

Maddy summarySB 511 amends Michigan's gambling law to clarify and expand exceptions for small-scale social wagers. It allows informal betting among friends or groups (up to 100 people) where each person wagers no more than $25, the game is incidental to a social relationship, and organizers cannot profit beyond winning prizes like other participants. The bill explicitly prohibits such games from being promoted by businesses to attract customers or held in venues like bars. This change directly affects social groups hosting casual bets, ensuring these activities remain legal under specific, limited conditions.

Maddy summarySB 438 repeals 2023 PA 10, which required prevailing wages and fringe benefits for workers on state construction projects. This bill directly affects state contractors and construction workers by removing the requirement to pay prevailing wages on state-funded projects. The repeal eliminates the specific legal provisions (MCL 408.1101-408.1126) that governed wage standards and penalties for noncompliance. As a procedural repeal, it makes no new policy changes but removes the existing law.

Maddy summarySB 69 designates a specific section of M-50 in Monroe County (from South Raisinville Road east to Herr Road) as the "Animal Control Officer Darrian Young Memorial Highway." This bill amends Michigan's memorial highway act to formally name this roadway in honor of Darrian Young, who served as an Animal Control Officer. The legislation has no policy provisions or financial impact - it solely creates a commemorative designation for a public highway segment. It was passed by the Senate on July 1, 2025, with 36 yeas and no nays.

Maddy summarySB 460 modifies Michigan's penalties for manufacturing, delivering, or possessing with intent to deliver certain controlled substances, primarily targeting Schedule 1 and 2 drugs (like narcotics and fentanyl derivatives). It establishes tiered penalties based on the substance's danger and quantity - for example, 1,000 grams or more of fentanyl or heroin now carries a potential life sentence or $1 million fine, while smaller amounts face reduced but still severe penalties. This directly affects individuals convicted of drug offenses under Michigan law, with specific provisions for fentanyl-related crimes and adjustments to prior sentencing structures.

Maddy summarySB 461 amends Michigan's sentencing guidelines for specific drug offenses under MCL 777.13m. It directly affects individuals convicted of manufacturing, creating, delivering, or possessing with intent certain Schedule 1 and 2 controlled substances. The bill changes the sentencing structure for these offenses by adjusting the applicable guidelines within the criminal procedure code. This is a policy change to the sentencing framework for these particular drug-related crimes, not a general sentencing reform.

Maddy summarySB 464 allows licensed tobacco sellers to sell nicotine or tobacco products at events like fairs, festivals, or farmers' markets under specific conditions. It directly affects licensed tobacco businesses by permitting sales at unlicensed locations, provided they prominently display their license certificate and a required health warning sign within 6 feet of each sale point. The bill requires compliance with all existing tobacco laws and imposes fines for violations (up to $2,500 for missing the warning sign). This bill is contingent on the passage of SB 463, SB 465, and SB 466.

Maddy summarySB 442 creates a new state-level process for charitable nonprofit housing organizations to obtain property tax exemptions on specific residential properties (like single-family homes, duplexes, or small multi-unit buildings). Organizations must apply to the state tax commission, which has 60 days to approve or deny the exemption. If approved, the exemption lasts 3-5 years (depending on property type) or ends sooner if the property is occupied by an income-eligible person (family income ≤120% of statewide median) or transferred. The bill modifies existing rules to shift from local resolution-based exemptions to a centralized state application system.

Maddy summarySB 445 requires Michigan's Department of Corrections to publish aggregate data every 90 days on its website about non-U.S. citizen prisoners. The report must include each prisoner's immigration status, their specific convictions, and their home country (defined as birthplace). This applies only to prisoners under the department's jurisdiction who are not U.S. citizens. The bill mandates this reporting starting six months after it takes effect, focusing on transparency around this specific population's data.