Maddy summarySB 444 requires all public employers (state/local government entities) and contractors working on public contracts to verify new employees' work authorization through the federal E-verify system. It directly affects state/local government departments, contractors, and subcontractors who hire 10+ employees annually, mandating they use E-verify or Form I-9 to confirm employees are U.S. citizens or authorized to work. Violations can result in civil fines ($100-$1,000 per violation) or a one-year ban on contracting with public bodies. The law also requires contractors to verify subcontractor employees and imposes penalties for knowingly false statements. This applies to all public contracts within Michigan, taking effect 90 days after enactment.
Sponsored bills
Maddy summarySB 427 amends Michigan's Open Meetings Act to strengthen enforcement by allowing any person, the Attorney General, or local prosecutors to sue public bodies that violate the law. It specifies where lawsuits must be filed (circuit court for local bodies, circuit court or Ingham County for state bodies) and requires courts to award actual attorney fees and court costs to winning plaintiffs if violations were intentional, repeated, harmed the public, or involved significant public interest. The bill also sets a 180-day deadline to file such lawsuits after a violation occurs. These changes aim to make it easier for citizens to hold public bodies accountable for noncompliance with open meeting requirements.
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406 updates Michigan's firearm exemption rules by amending sections 231 and 237a of the penal code and repealing outdated provisions.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.
Maddy summarySB 380 modifies Michigan's teacher tenure rules to clarify how probationary teachers (new teachers) achieve tenure and how performance evaluations affect both probationary and tenured teachers. It requires probationary teachers to earn "effective" or "highly effective" ratings on their most recent three year-end evaluations (with specific timelines: 5 years before July 1, 2024, and 4 years after) to complete their probationary period. For tenured teachers rated "ineffective" or "minimally effective," the bill mandates an individualized development plan with clear goals, to be completed within 180 days. The bill directly affects public school teachers in Michigan, particularly new educators seeking tenure and existing tenured teachers needing performance support.
Maddy summarySB 408 amends Michigan's Natural Resources and Environmental Protection Act to update language regarding firearm restrictions in wildlife areas. It clarifies that existing exceptions for concealed pistol license holders (under MCL 28.421-28.435) and authorized carry under specific statutes (MCL 28.432a, 750.227, etc.) remain valid when transporting or carrying firearms in areas frequented by wild animals. The bill does not change general requirements for hunters or alter laws governing wildlife hunting; it only updates the legal text to reflect current concealed carry provisions. This affects hunters, outdoor enthusiasts, and anyone carrying firearms in Michigan's natural areas.
Maddy summarySB 409 updates outdated references in Michigan's criminal procedure code related to firearm sentencing. It amends specific sections (MCL 769.12, 777.11b, and 777.16m) to correct legal citations, ensuring consistency in how firearm-related sentencing guidelines are referenced. This procedural update directly affects courts, prosecutors, and legal professionals who apply these sections when handling firearm cases. The bill does not change sentencing rules or penalties, only modernizing the code's references for clarity.
Maddy summarySB 410 updates references in Michigan’s Corrections Code to reflect current law. It amends Section 33b of the 1953 Corrections Code (MCL 791.233b) by replacing outdated citations to specific sections of the Michigan Penal Code and Public Health Code with their current, amended versions. This technical correction does not change parole eligibility rules or who is affected - prisoners convicted of the listed violent crimes (e.g., assault, sexual offenses, certain firearms violations) remain ineligible for parole under the existing provisions. The bill only ensures the law references accurate, current statutes, not policy changes. It is a procedural update dependent on another bill (SB 406) passing.