Sen. Sylvia Santana

Maddy summaryThis bill amends Michigan's recodified tax increment financing act to exclude property taxes levied under the history museum authorities act from the definition of "tax increment revenues." The change applies across multiple types of development authorities, including downtown development, local development finance, and neighborhood improvement authorities. By removing these specific museum-related taxes from the captured revenue pool, the bill prevents local economic development districts from using those funds for general development projects. The measure directly affects municipalities that have established tax increment financing districts overlapping with areas where history museum authorities operate.

Maddy summarySB 1140 amends the Brownfield Redevelopment Financing Act to exempt museum authorities, specifically those created under the art institute and history museum acts, from having their property taxes captured by brownfield redevelopment plans. This change prevents local governments from diverting tax revenues that would otherwise go directly to these cultural institutions when nearby properties are redeveloped as brownfields. The bill takes effect only if companion bills SB 1139 and SB 1141 are also enacted, ensuring a coordinated update to the state's economic development financing framework.

Maddy summaryMichigan Senate Bill 1139 establishes a framework for counties to create history museum authorities, which are public corporate bodies designed to fund and support historical museums. These authorities can levy a property tax of up to 0.2 mills for a maximum of 10 years, but only if approved by a majority vote of county electors. The collected funds must be used exclusively to support nonprofit organizations that provide services to major history museums or local historical institutions. If the tax is approved, the funding recipient is required to offer free admission and specific educational programming to county residents, while the authority itself is prohibited from owning real property or governing the museums directly.

Maddy summarySB 501 updates Michigan's licensing rules for physical therapists to join the Physical Therapy Licensure Compact. This allows physical therapists licensed in Michigan to practice in other participating states without needing separate licenses, directly affecting licensed physical therapists seeking multi-state practice. The bill amends specific sections of Michigan's health code and adds new provisions to implement the compact agreement. It does not change patient care standards or create new fees, focusing solely on streamlining licensing across state lines. The compact is a voluntary agreement among states to recognize each other's licenses, reducing administrative barriers for therapists.

Maddy summarySB 585 requires conservators (appointed to manage the estates of protected individuals, such as minors without parental rights or adults under guardianship) to obtain a court-approved appraisal from a licensed professional before selling a protected individual's principal residence or real property. The appraisal must be conducted within six months of the sale, and the court must determine the sale is in the protected individual's best interest before approving it. This change applies specifically to sales of real property and adds a formal valuation requirement to existing conservator powers under Michigan law. The bill amends Section 5423 of the Estates and Protected Individuals Code to ensure objective property valuation in significant financial decisions.

Maddy summarySB 586 amends Michigan's guardianship law to require courts to document on the record why moving a person under guardianship (a "ward") from their current residence is necessary. It also mandates that guardians consult with the ward before making major decisions affecting them, such as changes to their living situation. The bill specifically updates sections 5306 and 5314 of Michigan's Estates and Protected Individuals Code to clarify these requirements. These changes directly affect guardians, wards under guardianship, and courts overseeing guardianship cases.

Maddy summarySB 616 prohibits Michigan local governments (such as counties, cities, and school districts) from filing new lawsuits against certain opioid settlement defendants for claims already covered by specific agreements. The bill blocks legal actions related to "released claims" under settlements with companies like CVS, Walgreens, Walmart, and others, with effective dates ranging from January 1, 2021 (for distributor settlements) to January 1, 2025 (for most other settlements). This means local governments cannot pursue the same claims that were settled under these agreements after the specified deadlines. The law applies to all local government entities (political subdivisions) but does not affect the state of Michigan itself.

Maddy summarySB 423 ends specific programs that helped homeowners pay overdue property taxes and avoid foreclosure. It directly affects property owners with delinquent taxes who previously could use these reduced payment options. The bill modifies existing law by setting expiration dates ("sunsetting") for these programs, meaning they will no longer be available after the specified dates. This change removes temporary relief measures, requiring affected homeowners to pay full delinquent taxes or face standard foreclosure processes.

Maddy summarySenate Bill 78 revises the procedures and eligibility requirements for setting aside, or expunging, certain criminal convictions in Michigan. The bill defines how multiple, contemporaneous offenses can be treated as a single conviction for expungement, with exclusions for specific serious crimes. It also adjusts which types of convictions are ineligible for expungement, creating an exception for first-time operating while intoxicated offenses under certain conditions. Additionally, the bill modifies the required waiting periods for applying to set aside convictions, ranging from 3 to 7 years, and requires applicants to have no pending charges or new convictions during these periods.

Maddy summaryThis bill is a memorial resolution honoring the life and public service of R. Robert Geake, a former Michigan legislator who served in both the House of Representatives and the Senate. The text details his extensive career, including his legislative work on committees focused on education, mental health, and children's welfare, as well as his later roles as an investigator and chair of the Office of the Children's Ombudsman and the Legislative Retirement System Board. The resolution formally expresses the Legislature's tribute to his dedication and instructs that copies of the document be sent to his family.