Sen. Sylvia Santana

Maddy summaryThis is a ceremonial resolution, not a law with policy changes. The Michigan Senate formally recognizes January 26-February 1, 2025, as Catholic Schools Week. It expresses support for Catholic schools' role in Michigan education, citing their student enrollment, compliance with public school standards, and contributions to community values. The resolution has no legal effect or funding impact - it solely serves to honor these schools during the designated week.

Maddy summaryThis resolution (SR 3) authorizes the Senate Majority Leader to take legal action against the House of Representatives to compel it to present nine specific bills to the Governor. The bills - passed by both chambers during the 2023-2024 legislative session - were returned to the House on December 20, 2024, but the House has refused to present them to the Governor despite a constitutional requirement under Michigan’s Article IV, Section 33. The Senate seeks to enforce this duty through court action, targeting House Bills 4177 and 4665-4667 (2023) and 4900-4901, 5817-5818, and 6058 (2024). The resolution focuses solely on procedural compliance, not policy content.

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 modifies the age requirements for children and adults with developmental disabilities to be eligible for courtroom support dogs during legal proceedings in Michigan. It specifically allows individuals under 18 with developmental disabilities to have a trained support dog sit with them while testifying, whereas the previous rule restricted this benefit to those under 16. The legislation applies to various criminal cases involving vulnerable witnesses, including child protection and assaultive crimes, and maintains existing rules that require advance notice for using a support dog during a trial. Additionally, the bill clarifies that the prosecutor's office assumes full responsibility for the dog while it is present in the courtroom.

Maddy summaryThis bill updates Michigan's unemployment insurance system by increasing the maximum weekly benefit amount and adjusting how payments are calculated for dependents starting in 2025. It directly affects unemployed individuals who file for benefits, raising the weekly payment cap to $446 in 2025, $530 in 2026, and $614 in 2027. The legislation also changes the calculation method for dependents, increasing the additional weekly allowance per dependent from $6 to $12.66 in 2025, with further increases planned for subsequent years. These changes are designed to provide higher financial support to eligible claimers while maintaining specific rules for verifying dependent status and preventing fraud.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires Michigan's Department of Corrections to collect and report the pre-incarceration addresses and demographic data of individuals held in state facilities. The law mandates that this information be shared with the independent citizens redistricting commission to assist in drawing fairer legislative district maps following each federal census. Additionally, the state must request similar data from the federal government regarding incarcerated individuals in federal facilities to ensure they are counted in the correct geographic locations. A key provision ensures that this specific data cannot be used to distribute state or federal funds, limiting its use strictly to redistricting purposes.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires law enforcement officers in Michigan to complete specific training focused on mental health, de-escalation, and implicit bias. The legislation mandates that new officers finish this curriculum by July 1, 2025, while those already licensed must complete it by July 1, 2026. Key provisions include detailed training on verbal tactics, recognizing mental health indicators, and using behavioral health resources to divert individuals from the criminal justice system. Additionally, the bill directs the state commission to develop these standards and requires agencies to adopt written policies ensuring officers use de-escalation techniques whenever safe and reasonable.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires law enforcement agencies in Michigan to create and publicly share written policies on how officers should use force. The law mandates that these policies must include specific rules, such as using only objectively reasonable force, reserving deadly force for situations involving an immediate threat of death or serious injury, and prioritizing de-escalation techniques. Additionally, the bill defines key terms like "deadly force" and "objectively reasonable" to guide policy creation and requires agencies to regularly review and update their policies to stay current with laws and court rulings.

Maddy summaryThis bill modifies Michigan's environmental laws to clarify how the state handles the cleanup of contaminated sites, specifically allowing for more flexibility when full restoration to drinking water standards is not technically possible. It requires that cleanup efforts generally meet safety standards and stop the spread of pollution, but it permits the Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy to approve alternative solutions if achieving strict standards is impractical, too costly, or would cause more harm than good. The legislation also introduces specific conditions under which a site can be closed without meeting certain chemical limits, such as when natural processes will reduce contamination over time or when strict cleanup would have negative environmental impacts. These changes directly affect property owners, developers, and environmental agencies by defining the rules and exceptions they must follow when remediating hazardous waste sites.

Maddy summaryThis bill updates Michigan's environmental cleanup laws by clarifying definitions for terms like agricultural property and hazardous substance background levels. It requires property owners to conduct specific environmental assessments before buying or occupying land and establishes new standards for determining when soil contamination is safe for residential use. The legislation also adds new sections to the Natural Resources and Environmental Protection Act while repealing an outdated provision. These changes aim to streamline the process for cleaning up contaminated sites and provide clearer guidelines for developers and landowners.