Sen. Aric Nesbitt

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 516 would allow Michigan pharmacists to provide ivermectin without a prescription, directly affecting pharmacists and patients seeking this medication. The bill requires that ivermectin sold over-the-counter must meet manufacturing standards and have clear labeling with dosage, contraindications, and safety information. It amends Michigan’s Public Health Code to add new sections (17771 and 17771a) enabling this access under pharmacist discretion. The bill is currently in committee after being introduced on September 3, 2025.

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 437 amends Michigan's public employment law to prohibit most public employees from being required to pay union fees or dues as a condition of employment. It removes mandatory financial contributions to labor organizations for general public employees (excluding police, firefighters, and state troopers under specific constitutional provisions). The bill restores the pre-2023 policy that allows employees to choose whether to financially support a union, while preserving agreements for police/fire departments where such fees were previously permitted. This directly affects all non-exempt public workers in Michigan state and local government positions.

Maddy summarySB 436 amends Michigan's labor law to restore a "right to work" provision, prohibiting employers and labor organizations from requiring employees to pay union dues or fees as a condition of employment. The bill explicitly bans mandatory union dues (Section 14(2)), making any agreement requiring such payments unlawful and unenforceable after its effective date. It also allocates $1 million to the Department of Labor for public education and implementation support regarding these changes. The bill directly affects employees (who can no longer be forced to pay union fees), employers (who cannot require such payments), and labor organizations (which must operate under voluntary membership).

Maddy summarySB 378 requires Michigan public schools to receive annual letter grades (A-F) starting in the 2025-2026 school year based on five specific metrics: student proficiency in math and English language arts, student growth in those subjects, progress for English language learners, high school graduation rates, and academic performance compared to similar schools. The grades are assigned by the state education department using defined measures, such as growth from fall to spring assessments or maintaining proficiency. This directly affects all public schools in Michigan by publicly reporting their performance across these standardized indicators. The bill does not change school funding or operations but creates a new transparency framework for reporting school performance.

Maddy summarySB 406 updates Michigan's firearm exemption rules by amending sections 231 and 237a of the penal code and repealing outdated provisions. It adds a training requirement for certain exemptions in section 231 (e.g., corrections employees must complete weapon use training) and clarifies school zone exemptions in section 237a. The bill specifically allows security personnel, licensed carry holders, and hunters transporting firearms under defined conditions (e.g., unloaded in a trunk for hunting trips) to carry weapons on school property without penalty. It directly affects law enforcement, corrections staff, security contractors, and hunters who transport firearms for permitted activities. The changes aim to modernize exemptions while maintaining school safety protections.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends Michigan's education savings program to expand "qualified higher education expenses" to include K-12 tuition at public, private, or religious schools. It directly affects Michigan families using the state's education savings accounts who wish to cover K-12 tuition costs. The key provision changes the definition in the program's law to explicitly include tuition expenses for elementary and secondary schools, aligning with IRS Section 529(c)(7). This allows account owners to withdraw funds for K-12 education without penalty, matching the current treatment for higher education expenses under federal law. The amendment applies to all accounts established under the Michigan Education Savings Program Act.

Maddy summarySB 379 modifies Michigan's school code to require school districts to base personnel decisions (like layoffs, recalls, or hiring) on teacher effectiveness measured by the existing performance evaluation system, rather than length of service or tenure alone. It specifically prohibits retaining teachers rated "ineffective" over those rated "minimally effective," "effective," or "highly effective," and mandates that individual performance - especially student growth - be the primary factor. School districts must adopt transparent procedures for these decisions, considering factors like teaching skills, classroom management, and contributions to school performance. The bill directly affects public school teachers, administrators, and school districts in Michigan, changing how staffing changes are handled. It also limits remedies for teachers challenging decisions to reinstatement only, excluding financial damages.