Sen. Ed McBroom

Maddy summaryThis bill changes how Michigan distributes corporate income tax revenue by setting aside specific amounts for various state funds over the next several years. It directs money to the general fund, housing initiatives, economic revitalization programs, and a reserve for attracting businesses, while also creating a new earmark for the beverage container handling fund starting in the 2026-2027 fiscal year. The amount allocated to the beverage container fund will be adjusted annually for inflation, and the entire plan depends on a related bill being passed and approved by voters in a future election.

Maddy summaryThis bill expands Michigan's existing bottle deposit law to require a minimum 10-cent refundable deposit on a wider variety of beverage containers, including certain juices and noncarbonated drinks. It directly affects dealers, distributors, and manufacturers by mandating that they collect deposits when selling returnable containers and pay refunds when empty containers are returned. The legislation also establishes new definitions for different types of containers and creates specific rules for handling unredeemed deposits. Additionally, the bill outlines the duties of state agencies and sets penalties for violations of the new deposit requirements.

Maddy summaryThis bill modifies the definition of an "involuntary statement" for law enforcement officers in Michigan, specifically regarding when such statements must be disclosed. It clarifies that a statement is considered involuntary only if an officer is forced to provide information under threat of losing their job or facing other employment sanctions. The legislation also updates the list of who counts as a law enforcement officer to include emergency dispatch workers and local corrections officers. These changes affect state agencies and local law enforcement entities by altering the rules on when officers must reveal certain information. The bill takes effect 90 days after it is signed into law.

Maddy summaryThis bill updates Michigan's Freedom of Information Act to explicitly include the state legislature and the governor's office within its scope, ensuring their records are subject to public disclosure requests. It clarifies definitions for terms like "public body" and "public record" to cover digital formats such as cloud storage and quantum computing systems while excluding personal notes and certain software licenses. The legislation also establishes specific procedures for handling requests, including requirements for contact information and the right to subscribe to regularly issued records, with exceptions for the executive office of the governor and legislative fiscal agencies. By amending existing sections of the law, the bill aims to standardize how citizens can access government information across all branches of state government.

Maddy summaryThis bill updates Michigan's Freedom of Information Act to include the state legislature and the governor's office, ensuring they are subject to the same public records rules as other government agencies. It requires the Speaker of the House and the Senate Majority Leader to appoint specific coordinators to handle requests and appeals for their respective chambers. Under the new rules, if a legislative body denies access to records, citizens can appeal to these designated coordinators before filing a lawsuit, and courts must prioritize hearing these cases to ensure timely resolution.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends the existing law to officially rename the Office of the Legislative Corrections Ombudsman to the Office of the Legislative Corrections Ombudsperson. It directly affects the Michigan Department of Corrections by granting the ombudsperson expanded powers to investigate complaints from prisoners, their families, legislators, and advocates regarding administrative actions or facility issues. Key provisions allow the ombudsperson to access prisoner medical and mental health records, hire qualified experts, and use photographic equipment during investigations. Additionally, the bill requires the creation of a standardized complaint form available both online and in correctional facility libraries to streamline how grievances are filed.

Maddy summarySB 1060 amends Michigan law to prohibit the issuance of personalized license plates containing specific offensive or restricted content. The bill explicitly bans plates that feature swear words, sexually explicit material, drug references, illegal activities, hate speech, or configurations that interfere with law enforcement identification. It also prevents the reuse of a personalized plate sequence by a new owner if the previous owner does not renew the plate before its expiration date. This legislation directly affects vehicle owners seeking custom plates and the Secretary of State, who must enforce these new restrictions during the application process. The bill includes provisions for standard service fees and outlines how renewal tabs are handled, but it does not take effect unless a companion bill is also enacted.

Maddy summaryThis bill modifies Michigan's teacher licensing rules to streamline the process for out-of-state and international educators seeking certification in the state. It allows teachers from other states, countries, or federally recognized tribes to receive Michigan credentials without retaking exams if they have at least three years of successful teaching experience in their home region. Additionally, the legislation mandates that all new teachers complete a specific course on diagnosing and remediating reading disabilities before advancing to professional certification. The bill also requires that future revisions to reading standards explicitly include methods for identifying and supporting students with reading disorders. These changes directly affect the Michigan Department of Education and educators currently licensed in other jurisdictions who wish to work in Michigan schools.

Maddy summarySB 1061 amends the Michigan Vehicle Code to establish a formal process for issuing special organization license plates to members of qualifying nonprofit fraternal or public service groups. To be eligible, an organization must have at least 500 members, possess a recognizable symbol, and agree not to discriminate against any protected class. The bill prohibits plates from displaying offensive language, sexually explicit content, drug references, hate speech, or configurations that could hinder law enforcement identification. Members of approved organizations must pay a $25 service fee and submit proof of membership to receive these custom plates, which expire on the same schedule as standard registration tabs.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends Michigan's Revised Judicature Act to update the fees that individuals must pay to file various civil cases in circuit courts. It specifically sets new dollar amounts for filing civil actions, appeals, jury trial demands, and motions, while also establishing fee exemptions for certain family law matters involving child custody or support. The legislation includes provisions for waiving these fees for indigent parties and outlines how collected funds will be distributed to state and county treasurers. Because the bill is tied to another piece of legislation, it will only become effective if that companion bill is also passed into law.