Sen. Ed McBroom

Maddy summarySenate Bill 1041 proposes to repeal a 1913 law that regulated telephone lines and companies in Michigan. This bill would remove the legal framework that designated telephone services as common carriers and assigned regulatory duties to the Public Service Commission. The legislation includes a condition that it only becomes effective if a separate, related bill is also passed into law.

Maddy summarySB 1040 proposes changes to Michigan's existing laws regarding home sales and telephone solicitations. The bill updates the official title of the statute and modifies specific sections that outline the rights and duties of parties involved in these transactions. Additionally, it repeals several older sections that previously regulated telephone solicitations. This legislation directly affects consumers and businesses engaged in home solicitation sales and phone marketing within the state.

Maddy summarySB 1039 updates Michigan's consumer protection laws to strengthen rules against deceptive telephone solicitations and other unfair trade practices. The bill amends existing statutes to explicitly define and prohibit specific misleading behaviors, such as falsely claiming products are new, exaggerating price reductions, or misrepresenting a consumer's need for repairs. It also introduces stricter requirements for environmental claims, ensuring that labels like "recycled" or "degradable" are backed by evidence, and adds new protections for vulnerable consumers who may be unable to understand agreements due to disability or illiteracy. By clarifying these definitions and adding new prohibited acts, the legislation aims to provide clearer guidance to businesses and better safeguards for consumers engaging in various transactions.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes the Telephone Solicitation Act in Michigan to regulate how businesses and organizations make phone calls for sales, charity contributions, employment offers, or prize promotions. It defines specific terms such as "vulnerable individuals" (those 75 or older or with disabilities) and "vulnerable telephone numbers" like emergency lines and hospitals to protect these groups from unwanted contact. The law prohibits calling these protected numbers and requires clear, written consent from residents before using automated dialers, recorded messages, or prerecorded voicemails for solicitation purposes. Additionally, the act clarifies that calls to existing customers are generally allowed unless the customer has explicitly requested to stop receiving them, while also defining lead generation and low-income workers within the new framework.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends Michigan vehicle code sections to establish a specific registration program for historic vehicles and clarifies the rules for personalized license plates. Owners of historic vehicles can now apply for a special "historical vehicle - Michigan" plate, which requires a lower fee than personalized plates and allows the registration to be transferred to another historic vehicle. To qualify, owners must certify that the vehicle is used solely for historic purposes and provide proof that it has been inspected and is safe for highway operation. The bill also sets the expiration date for these historic vehicle registrations at ten years from the date of issuance. Additionally, the legislation updates the fee structure for personalized plates and clarifies how the associated service fees are allocated to state transportation funds.

Maddy summaryThis bill increases death and disability benefits for Michigan public safety officers who are injured or killed while performing their duties. Starting October 1, 2024, the state will pay $50,000 to the officer's surviving spouse or dependents, or to their estate if no family members exist, whereas claims paid before that date will receive $25,000. The additional payment is intended to be given on top of any other benefits the family may already receive. The law applies retroactively to any benefit applications that were pending on or after the October 1, 2024 effective date.

Maddy summaryThis bill is a memorial resolution honoring Nancy C. Cassis, a former Michigan legislator who served in both the House of Representatives and the Senate. It recognizes her career as a public servant and details her legislative achievements, including her work on tax policy and her receipt of various awards. The resolution formally expresses the legislature's condolences to her family and requests that copies of the document be sent to them as a tribute.

Maddy summaryThis bill modifies the Michigan Corrections Code to clarify how parole eligibility is calculated for inmates serving consecutive sentences and those subject to disciplinary time. It establishes specific rules for when the parole board gains jurisdiction over prisoners, ensuring that time served is computed based on the total minimum terms of all sentences rather than just the current one. Additionally, the legislation outlines the conditions under which life sentences may become eligible for parole, specifying required years served and interview schedules for the parole board to review these cases.

Maddy summarySB 706 modifies Michigan's vehicle code to remove unpaid driver responsibility fees from the centralized computerized driving records maintained by the secretary of state. This change affects drivers who have accumulated these fees, ensuring that such financial obligations no longer appear on their official driving history alongside traffic violations and accidents. The bill achieves this by amending specific sections of the state law that previously required these fees to be listed in the central file. Consequently, the removal of this information aims to provide a more accurate reflection of a driver's actual traffic behavior rather than their financial compliance with state fees.

Maddy summaryThis bill updates Michigan's Motor Bus Transportation Act to clarify how identification must be displayed on commercial buses. It requires that a motor carrier's legal name and primary telephone number be visible on both sides of the vehicle in high-contrast colors readable from at least 50 feet away. The law also mandates that these markings comply with federal vehicle identification standards, while explicitly exempting school buses from the requirement to display a phone number.