Sen. Lana Theis

Maddy summarySenate Resolution 105 officially designates April 13-14, 2026, as Holocaust Remembrance Day in Michigan. This symbolic measure aims to honor the victims of the Holocaust and encourage citizens to reflect on the history of genocide and the dangers of hatred. The resolution does not create new laws or alter government procedures but serves as a formal statement of remembrance and commitment to learning from past atrocities.

Maddy summaryThis Senate resolution honors the memory of Joel Gougeon, a former Michigan State Senator who passed away, by formally recognizing his life and public service. The bill does not change any laws or policies but serves as an official tribute to Gougeon's career, military service, and community contributions. It directs copies of the resolution to the Gougeon family as a formal acknowledgment of his legacy. The measure was introduced by Senator Brinks and adopted by the full Senate membership.

Maddy summaryThis Senate resolution designates March 2026 as Agriculture Appreciation Month to recognize Michigan's significant agricultural contributions to the state's economy and workforce. The bill does not create new laws or regulations but serves as a symbolic gesture to highlight the industry's importance, noting that agriculture supports over 800,000 jobs and contributes more than $125 billion annually to Michigan. The resolution encourages citizens to celebrate the sector during March 2026, acknowledging the state's leadership in various agricultural products like tart cherries, blueberries, and hops.

Maddy summaryThis Senate resolution asks the federal government to clarify that medical billing disputes covered by Michigan's surprise billing laws must be handled through Michigan's state dispute process instead of the federal independent dispute resolution system. The bill directly affects healthcare providers, insurance companies, and patients in Michigan who face unexpected medical bills from out-of-network services. It highlights concerns that providers are increasingly using the federal process for claims that should go through state procedures, potentially leading to higher payments and increased costs for consumers. The resolution urges federal agencies to issue guidance ensuring claims subject to state surprise billing protections are properly directed to state arbitration rather than federal review.

Maddy summaryThis bill is a concurrent resolution that formally honors Bruce Patterson, a former Michigan state legislator who served in both the House of Representatives and Senate. It recognizes his public service career, which included leadership roles in committees on energy policy, environmental protection, and consumer rights, as well as his advocacy for nursing home care and water pollution control. The resolution expresses the Legislature's tribute to his memory and directs that copies be sent to his family.

Maddy summarySB 798 amends Michigan's school immunization law to restrict exemptions from required vaccines. It eliminates the option for parents to claim exemptions based on "other objections" (like personal or philosophical beliefs), allowing exemptions only for religious reasons. This directly affects parents of children entering kindergarten or grade 7 who previously could cite non-religious objections. The bill maintains existing requirements for vision screenings and reporting immunization status to health authorities, but narrows the acceptable exemption categories under school enrollment rules.

Maddy summarySB 797 prevents Michigan's health department from creating stricter rules or requiring specific forms for school immunization exemptions. It protects the existing exemption categories: medical exemptions certified by a physician and religious/philosophical exemptions documented via a written statement. The bill ensures no additional requirements can be imposed beyond what's currently allowed under Michigan law (MCL 333.9215), directly affecting children seeking exemption from school immunization mandates. This is a procedural clarification, not a new policy change.

Maddy summaryThis resolution designates February 19, 2026, as "Conductive Education Day" to recognize a teaching method developed in Hungary that helps people with neuromotor disabilities - including cerebral palsy, stroke survivors, and multiple sclerosis patients - improve mobility and independence through neuroplasticity-based learning. It does not create new laws or allocate funding but formally acknowledges Conductive Education's potential to benefit nearly 9 million people in the U.S. and Canada. The resolution encourages broader support for this program without specifying any concrete policy changes. As a symbolic gesture, it directly affects awareness and advocacy for Conductive Education rather than individual beneficiaries.

Maddy summarySB 773 adds Section 2940a to Michigan's Revised Judicature Act, providing legal immunity to racing facilities and racetracks from nuisance claims. It protects owners/operators from lawsuits by property owners who acquired land *after* the racetrack was built, regardless of later changes to the facility (as long as those changes are legal). The immunity applies to all claims filed after the law's effective date, even if the alleged harm occurred before the property was purchased. However, it does not exempt racetracks from compliance with environmental laws or health/safety regulations. This directly affects property owners near existing racetracks who bought land after the facility existed.

Maddy summaryThis Senate Resolution (SR 89) is a ceremonial recognition of January 25-31, 2026, as Catholic Schools Week in Michigan. It does not create new laws or policies but formally acknowledges the role of Catholic schools in the state. The resolution highlights that Catholic schools serve over 50,000 students across 207 schools, comply with public school safety standards, and contribute to community values and academic excellence. As a symbolic gesture, it has no binding effect on funding, regulations, or school operations.