Sen. Sarah Anthony

Maddy summarySB 1080 amends Michigan's Drain Code to update how drain commissioners must notify property owners and officials about proposed drainage projects. The bill requires commissioners to post bid advertisements on official websites or county sites and mandates specific notice procedures for public meetings regarding benefit apportionment. These notices must be sent via mail, publication, and personal service to landowners and local officials, including detailed information about estimated costs and project specifications. Additionally, the legislation clarifies that individual landowners may file objections if they believe the project costs exceed the benefits to their property, while allowing commissioners to adjust cost estimates without further notice.

Maddy summaryThis bill, known as the Energy Pricing Protection Act, prohibits businesses from charging excessively high prices for gasoline, propane, and home heating oil during market disruptions. It defines a market disruption as events like natural disasters, strikes, or emergencies and sets a 20% price increase threshold as the limit for what is considered unjustified, unless sellers can prove higher costs or prior discounts caused the rise. The law applies to anyone selling these essential energy products but excludes utilities regulated by state or federal commissions. Enforcement is handled by state and local prosecutors, who can issue written demands for documents and testimony and file court actions against violators, with investigative details kept confidential until a formal charge is made.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates the Hotel and Lodging Pricing Protection Act to stop businesses from raising room rates by more than 20% during a declared state of emergency unless they can prove the increase is due to higher costs or pre-existing contracts. The law applies to hotels, bed and breakfasts, campgrounds, and short-term rentals like Airbnb, but excludes large resort-managed units. It allows prosecutors to investigate violations by issuing legal demands for documents and testimony, with courts empowered to enforce compliance if the investigation is deemed proper.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes the Commodities and Emergency Services and Supplies Pricing Protection Act to stop businesses from raising prices unfairly during a declared state of emergency. It specifically targets sales of building materials, food, emergency supplies, medical items, and general goods, defining an illegal price hike as an increase of more than 20% compared to pre-emergency rates unless the seller can prove higher costs. The law prohibits charging or offering these items at excessively high prices and grants prosecutors the power to investigate violations by demanding documents and testimony from suspected violators.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends Michigan's Drain Code to clarify how interest rates are calculated on drain tax installments used to repay bonds. It requires that the interest charged to property owners be no more than one percentage point higher than the average interest rate paid on the bonds themselves, with a cap that cannot exceed the bond rate. The legislation also mandates that all collected funds be deposited in county-designated banks and used exclusively for paying off the bonds as they mature. Additionally, it sets a maximum interest rate for these bonds based on the Revised Municipal Finance Act. These changes directly affect drain commissioners, county treasurers, and property owners within drainage districts by standardizing financial rules for debt repayment.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends Michigan's drain code to require drain commissioners to send detailed cost notices by first-class mail to every property owner within a drainage district before a public meeting on benefit apportionment. The legislation mandates that these mailed notices include a clear summary of estimated costs, such as the percentage and dollar amount each landowner would owe, along with information about how assessments are collected and paid. Additionally, the bill requires that bid advertisements be posted online or on county websites and allows commissioners to send notices via email if an address is available. These changes aim to improve transparency and ensure landowners receive specific financial details regarding potential drainage projects before they are assessed.

Maddy summaryThis bill, known as the Responsible Artificial Intelligence Security for Employees Act, restricts how employers in Michigan can use automated decision-making tools and electronic monitoring systems for their workforce. It generally prohibits using these technologies for employment decisions like hiring or firing, except when screening large volumes of applications based on specific job criteria. Employers are only allowed to monitor employees for specific purposes such as ensuring job function completion, monitoring production quality, or protecting health and safety, and they must obtain written consent from every employee before using such tools. The legislation also mandates that employers provide clear notice of monitoring, maintain accurate data, allow employees to correct their records, and conduct impact assessments to ensure these tools do not negatively affect individuals based on protected characteristics.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a new grant program and fund to support community violence intervention and prevention efforts in Michigan. It directs state funding to eligible local governments and nonprofit organizations that meet specific criteria, such as having high homicide rates or a demonstrated need to address violence. The grants must be used for evidence-based strategies that utilize trauma-informed care, expand economic opportunities, and avoid contributing to mass incarceration. Furthermore, the legislation requires that at least 75% of any grant given to a local government be passed on to community-based or nonprofit groups, ensuring that law enforcement agencies do not receive these specific funds. The bill also mandates regular reporting on financial use and program outcomes to ensure accountability.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a new Office of Community Violence Intervention and Prevention Services within the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services. The office would manage state funds and grants, track violence trends, and provide technical assistance to local nonprofit organizations working to reduce shootings and homicides. It would also set statewide goals for violence reduction, publish best practices, and coordinate all related prevention efforts across the state. The legislation does not take effect unless a companion bill, SB 1016, is also passed.

Maddy summarySB 451 prohibits consumer reporting agencies in Michigan from including medical debt in credit reports, protecting residents from negative credit impacts due to unpaid medical bills. The law requires collection agencies to disclose this restriction in writing to consumers and forbids them from claiming medical debt will appear on credit reports unless the debt relates to a mortgage exceeding the federal conforming loan limit ($766,550 for 2024). It directly affects consumers who receive medical care but have unpaid bills, as their credit scores will no longer be harmed by such debt. The law also provides legal remedies, including damages and attorney fees, for violations.