Sen. Ruth Johnson

Maddy summarySB 535 requires businesses selling goods or services with automatic renewal contracts to clearly disclose key terms to consumers in 14-point type. This includes the contract length, pricing (including promotional periods), renewal terms, and simple cancellation procedures - both at sign-up and before each renewal. Businesses must send electronic renewal notices 30-60 days in advance, allow at least 30 days to cancel, and provide easy cancellation methods (like a website link or phone number). The law applies to most subscription services but excludes regulated utilities, insurance, and contracts cancelable for pro-rata refunds. Consumers can void contracts that violate these rules.

Maddy summarySB 536 amends Michigan's Consumer Protection Act to require clear, conspicuous disclosure of conditions when businesses advertise goods or services as "free" or without charge. This specifically targets deceptive marketing practices by mandating that any terms, prerequisites, or conditions for receiving free offers must be disclosed prominently alongside the "free" claim (as added under subdivision (r) of Section 3). The bill directly affects businesses - such as subscription services, trials, or promotional offers - that use "free" language without clarifying requirements like payment, sign-up fees, or automatic renewal terms. It strengthens existing protections by making it unlawful to mislead consumers about the true cost or conditions of "free" offers.

Maddy summarySenate Bill 240 modifies the Michigan election law concerning township officers. The bill changes the start date for the terms of office for elected township officers. For officers elected after December 31, 2024, their terms will now commence at 12 noon on December 1 following their election, instead of November 20. It also updates language regarding the qualification process for these officers and clarifies procedures for filling vacancies.

Maddy summarySenate Bill 241 amends Michigan's home rule village act to change the start dates for terms of office for elected village officials. For officers elected after December 31, 2024, their terms will not begin earlier than 12 noon on December 1 following their election, even if a village's charter specifies an earlier date. This standardizes the commencement of terms for new village officers. Additionally, individuals elected to fill a vacancy cannot take the oath of office until the election results have been officially certified.

Maddy summaryThis bill modifies the definition of a homestead and adjusts how property tax credits are calculated for Michigan residents. It clarifies that unoccupied property leased to others is excluded from homestead status and sets specific acreage limits for agricultural land based on how long a claimant has lived there. Additionally, the legislation updates the rules for determining household resources by excluding certain business, rental, and operating losses from income calculations. These changes directly affect homeowners and renters who rely on property tax credits and aim to refine the criteria used to determine eligibility.

Maddy summarySB 1045 clarifies the definition of "owner" for Michigan's homestead property tax credit by explicitly including individuals who place their primary residence into a revocable trust or a qualified personal residence trust. This change ensures that people using these specific types of trusts to hold their homes can still qualify for the tax credit, which is designed to help offset property taxes for homeowners. The bill amends the state's income tax act to update this eligibility rule without altering other parts of the tax code or the credit amount itself.

Maddy summaryThis bill modifies Michigan's Credit Union Act to update how credit unions must notify state officials about changes to their names and locations. It requires credit unions to give at least 30 days' written notice before adopting a new assumed name and mandates clear disclosure of both the official and assumed names on all marketing materials and financial documents. Additionally, the legislation clarifies that state directors have the authority to deny or revoke the right to use an assumed name if it is found to be confusing or misleading. These provisions directly affect domestic credit unions operating within the state by standardizing their reporting and branding requirements.

Maddy summaryThis bill modifies the rules for credit unions in Michigan to change how they must notify members about potential mergers. It allows credit unions to merge with each other or with foreign credit unions while ensuring that member votes and board approvals are properly documented and submitted to the state director. The legislation also clarifies the process for converting member shares during a merger and permits the state director to waive the requirement for a member vote in specific cases, such as when a credit union is insolvent.

Maddy summaryThis bill modifies the rules for how Michigan credit unions can change their governing documents, such as bylaws. It allows a credit union's members to vote on whether to let the board of directors make these changes or to keep the power to amend them with themselves. The legislation also requires that any proposal to change these documents be clearly listed in the meeting notice so members are informed. Additionally, most changes to these documents must be reviewed and approved by the state director before they take effect, except for minor logistical updates.

Maddy summaryThis bill allows Michigan credit unions to set their own minimum voting age for members, provided the age is 18 or younger. Currently, the law requires that any member with at least one share has one vote, but this legislation gives credit unions the flexibility to establish a lower voting age in their bylaws. The change directly affects domestic credit unions and their members by permitting these financial institutions to define eligibility for voting on internal matters. It does not alter the requirement that voting must occur at meetings and that members cannot vote by proxy.