Maddy summaryThis bill modifies the Low-Income Energy Assistance Fund to ensure money collected from utility bills remains in the fund rather than lapsing back to the state's general treasury. It establishes a mandatory monthly surcharge of up to one dollar per residential electric meter, capped at a total of $50 million annually, to finance energy assistance for low-income households. Utilities must list this fee separately on customer bills and remit the collected funds to the state treasurer, though they may opt out of the surcharge if they agree not to shut off service during the winter heating season. The legislation also clarifies that the Public Service Commission cannot regulate municipally owned utilities and requires the department of health and human services to return collected funds to the geographic areas where they originated when possible.
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Maddy summaryThis bill modifies the Michigan Energy Assistance Act to update how the state manages and distributes funds for low-income energy assistance. It establishes clearer rules for the state treasurer to manage the fund, ensuring that money collected from specific geographic areas is returned to eligible customers in those same areas. The legislation also sets a new annual funding factor cap of $2.00 per customer, which will increase by the Consumer Price Index starting in 2029, while requiring detailed reports on fund distribution and usage. Additionally, the bill mandates that the public service commission annually approve this funding factor and ensures collaboration between state agencies to improve outreach and program effectiveness.
Maddy summaryThis bill updates Michigan's energy assistance program to change who qualifies for help and how funds are managed. It adjusts eligibility rules so that households earning up to 150% of the federal poverty line receive aid until September 2025, after which the limit shifts to 60% of the state median income. The legislation also allows the state department of health and human services to set stricter verification guidelines for applicants and requires that at least 90% of funds given to outside contractors be used directly for energy assistance. Additionally, the bill defines specific situations that constitute a "crisis," such as receiving a past-due notice or having a low fuel tank level, to prioritize aid for those in immediate need.
Maddy summaryThis bill modifies Michigan's rules for filing claims against the state in cases involving criminal sexual conduct. It creates an exception to the standard requirement that individuals must file a written notice within one year of an incident. Specifically, victims of criminal sexual conduct are exempt from the usual deadline and filing procedures outlined in the state's judicial code. The law applies retroactively to cases already in progress and depends on the passage of a related House bill to become effective.
Maddy summaryThis bill creates a new Technical Advisory Committee within the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services to oversee onsite wastewater treatment systems, such as septic tanks. The committee will consist of 21 members representing local health departments, engineers, scientists, manufacturers, installers, and other stakeholders to provide expert advice on standards, testing, and regulations. Its primary role is to develop recommended guidance for system design, maintenance, and the registration of evaluators and practitioners who manage these systems. By establishing this advisory group, the bill aims to improve the consistency and quality of wastewater management across the state through structured expert input.
Maddy summaryThis bill requires the state of Michigan to adjust annual reimbursements for child care providers under the Child Development and Care Program to account for inflation. The adjustments will be calculated using the Detroit Consumer Price Index, a specific measure of local cost changes. This change directly affects families and businesses that operate child care facilities within the state by ensuring their funding keeps pace with rising costs.
Maddy summaryThis bill updates Michigan's child care licensing laws to strengthen safety standards and oversight for organizations caring for children. It requires the state to create advisory committees made up of parents and affected organizations to help develop and review rules regarding staff qualifications, facility safety, and operational conduct. A key provision mandates that inspections for health and fire safety be conducted by state staff, fire services, or local authorities, with specific exemptions for schools that already meet existing fire codes. Additionally, the bill ensures that rules are reviewed at least every five years and gives operators up to 90 days to comply with new regulations unless there is an immediate health or safety risk.
Maddy summarySB 1197 amends Michigan's Candidate for Office Financial Disclosure Act to update how candidates report their personal financial information. The bill clarifies definitions for terms like "gift," "earned income," and "liabilities," while establishing specific thresholds for reporting assets, unearned income, and debts. Candidates for state and federal offices in Michigan must file annual reports detailing their employment, spouse's occupation, business interests, and investments that meet certain monetary limits. The legislation also introduces inflation adjustments for asset valuations every four years and simplifies reporting requirements for candidates who are not elected.
Maddy summaryThis bill updates Michigan's ethics laws by clarifying how the value of gifts and services is calculated for public employees and lobbyists. It establishes a specific method for determining fair market value based on the date of exchange and requires lobbyists to provide evidence of these values within nine days when requested. The legislation also refines the definition of a reportable gift, setting the threshold at over $25 in a month while explicitly excluding routine business loans, family contributions, and standard campaign donations.
Maddy summaryThis bill updates Michigan's Public Health Code to strengthen the regulation of onsite wastewater treatment systems, such as septic tanks, for properties not connected to public sewer lines. It establishes new definitions for various waste treatment methods and grants the Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy, along with local health departments, the authority to inspect, evaluate, and enforce compliance with these systems. The legislation also clarifies that connecting to a public sewer system is a public interest goal and outlines specific enforcement tools, including violation notices and warrant procedures, to ensure these systems do not threaten public health or water quality.