Sen. Thomas Albert

Maddy summarySCR 6 is a memorial resolution passed by the Michigan Legislature to honor Virgil Clark Smith, a former member of the Michigan Senate (1988-2000) and House of Representatives (1977-1988). The resolution commemorates his 40+ years of public service, including his historic role as the first African American Senate Democratic Floor Leader. It expresses the Legislature's tribute to his dedication, leadership, and legacy as a trailblazing legislator and later Wayne County Circuit Court judge. The resolution was adopted unanimously by both chambers in October 2025 and will be transmitted to Smith's family.

Maddy summaryThis Senate resolution (SR 77) honors the late Charlie Kirk, founder of Turning Point USA, following his 2025 assassination at Utah Valley University. It formally condemns political violence, commends law enforcement, and extends condolences to his family. The resolution does not create new laws or policies - it is a symbolic tribute expressing the Senate’s condemnation of violence targeting individuals for their political views. It calls on all Americans to reject political violence and uphold civil discourse. (Note: As a memorial resolution, it does not directly affect any individuals or policies beyond this expression of sentiment.)

Maddy summaryThis bill proposes a constitutional amendment requiring Michigan's state budget bills to be passed into law by a specific annual deadline. If the budget isn't enacted by that date, both state legislators and the governor would lose their pay until the budget is approved. The amendment modifies three sections of the state constitution to establish this deadline and link compensation to budget passage. It specifically targets the general appropriation bills that fund state operations, not other legislation. The deadline is defined by existing law (MCL 18.1365) as the date set for budget enactment each year.

Maddy summarySB 496 amends Michigan's Youth Employment Standards Act to restore previous work permit requirements and update related rules. It shifts the responsibility for issuing work permits from school officials to the Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity after an 18-month transition period. The bill clarifies exceptions allowing minors as young as 11 to work in specific roles like sports refereeing, golf caddying, or farm work during school breaks, while maintaining safety standards for all youth employment. These changes directly affect minors under 18 seeking jobs, employers hiring them, schools issuing permits, and the Department of Labor enforcing the law. The bill also modifies penalties for violations and removes certain outdated provisions.

Maddy summarySB 497 amends Michigan's sentencing guidelines to specifically address violations of the Youth Employment Standards Act. It modifies section 14b of the Code of Criminal Procedure (MCL 777.14b) to adjust the sentencing rules for offenses related to youth employment laws. This change directly affects employers who violate rules governing minors' working hours, safety, or other protections under the Youth Employment Standards Act. The bill updates the criminal procedure code to reflect these specific sentencing considerations for youth employment violations.

Maddy summarySB 491 requires the Michigan Department of Technology, Management, and Budget to periodically evaluate economic development incentives, with specific timelines based on program type. It mandates evaluations for SOAR projects (funded by the Strategic Outreach and Attraction Reserve) "as often as necessary," and for other incentives at least every 4-6 years depending on funding size. The department must contract independent evaluators, complete reviews within 270 days, and publish results on its website. This directly affects the Michigan Strategic Fund, state agencies administering incentives, and businesses receiving tax breaks, grants, or other economic development support.

Maddy summarySB 489 provides supplemental funding for Michigan's Strategic Outreach and Attraction Reserve Fund, managed by the Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity (DOLEO), for fiscal year 2024-2025. The bill creates a new appropriation act to allocate this funding while repealing outdated sections (109, 351, 352, and 353) of a prior law (2024 PA 121). This funding supports state efforts to attract businesses and economic development initiatives. The bill directly affects DOLEO's budget operations and modifies existing financial authorization provisions. It is a procedural funding measure with no new policy mandates.

Maddy summarySB 490, the "Economic Development Transparency Act," prohibits public officers (including elected officials and appointed leaders of state or local governments) from signing nondisclosure agreements (NDAs) related to economic development projects funded by public money. The bill specifically bans NDAs covering details like job creation numbers, investment amounts, project locations, site selection criteria, or the identity of project proponents. Any such NDA entered into after the law's effective date is void and unenforceable. This directly affects government officials negotiating economic development incentives like tax abatements or grants, ensuring transparency about public funds used for these projects.

Maddy summarySB 486 eliminates the Strategic Outreach and Attraction Reserve (SOAR) fund, a dedicated revenue source for economic development programs under Michigan's trust fund law. The bill repeals Section 4 of the 2000 Michigan Trust Fund Act (MCL 12.254), which established the SOAR fund for attracting businesses and supporting community outreach initiatives. This change directly affects state funding mechanisms for economic development efforts, removing a specific allocation channel. The repeal is contingent on Senate Bill 488 also becoming law.

Maddy summarySB 487 restricts the State Administrative Board's authority over state budget funds by prohibiting transfers to the general fund or for purposes not specified by the legislature. It allows the board to move funds within a single department's budget only after notifying legislative appropriations committees and waiting for a set period without committee approval. The bill also explicitly blocks the board from transferring funds from designated programs, such as the strategic outreach reserve fund and critical industry programs. These changes aim to strengthen legislative oversight of state spending while maintaining the board's general supervisory role.