Sen. Dayna Polehanki

Maddy summaryThis bill updates Michigan's unemployment insurance system by increasing the maximum weekly benefit amount and adjusting how payments are calculated for dependents starting in 2025. It directly affects unemployed individuals who file for benefits, raising the weekly payment cap to $446 in 2025, $530 in 2026, and $614 in 2027. The legislation also changes the calculation method for dependents, increasing the additional weekly allowance per dependent from $6 to $12.66 in 2025, with further increases planned for subsequent years. These changes are designed to provide higher financial support to eligible claimers while maintaining specific rules for verifying dependent status and preventing fraud.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends Michigan's penal code to explicitly prohibit the manufacture, sale, and possession of bump stocks. A bump stock is defined as a device that allows a semiautomatic firearm to fire multiple rounds with a single trigger pull by using the weapon's recoil energy to reset the trigger automatically. Violating this new prohibition would result in a felony charge punishable by up to five years in prison, a fine of up to $2,500, or both. The law includes exceptions for licensed federal manufacturers and certain self-defense spray devices, but it strictly targets the specific mechanism of the bump stock device.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a Strategic Advisory Board to create and update a ten-year economic development plan for Michigan, covering rural, suburban, and urban areas. The plan must include specific goals such as promoting natural resource industries, ensuring affordable housing, protecting the environment, and improving education and infrastructure. Additionally, the bill requires the Michigan Economic Development Corporation to update this strategic plan annually by September 30.

Maddy summaryThis bill modifies Michigan's environmental laws to clarify how the state handles the cleanup of contaminated sites, specifically allowing for more flexibility when full restoration to drinking water standards is not technically possible. It requires that cleanup efforts generally meet safety standards and stop the spread of pollution, but it permits the Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy to approve alternative solutions if achieving strict standards is impractical, too costly, or would cause more harm than good. The legislation also introduces specific conditions under which a site can be closed without meeting certain chemical limits, such as when natural processes will reduce contamination over time or when strict cleanup would have negative environmental impacts. These changes directly affect property owners, developers, and environmental agencies by defining the rules and exceptions they must follow when remediating hazardous waste sites.

Maddy summaryThis bill updates Michigan's environmental cleanup laws by clarifying definitions for terms like agricultural property and hazardous substance background levels. It requires property owners to conduct specific environmental assessments before buying or occupying land and establishes new standards for determining when soil contamination is safe for residential use. The legislation also adds new sections to the Natural Resources and Environmental Protection Act while repealing an outdated provision. These changes aim to streamline the process for cleaning up contaminated sites and provide clearer guidelines for developers and landowners.

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 creates a new fundraising license plate for vehicles to support animal welfare efforts in Michigan. The plate design will be developed jointly by the Secretary of State and the Michigan Pet Alliance, with all proceeds going into a dedicated state fund. This fund will be managed by the state treasurer and distributed quarterly to the Michigan Pet Alliance to help address pet overpopulation and provide care for homeless or abused animals.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires Michigan public school districts to publish detailed financial information on their websites to improve transparency and allow the public to track how school funds are used. Under the new rules, districts must post their annual budgets, expense charts broken down by category such as salaries and instruction, and links to collective bargaining agreements and audit reports. The legislation also mandates that districts disclose specific details regarding high-paid employees, credit card usage, out-of-state travel, and spending on lobbying services. Additionally, the bill clarifies that up to 20% of certain state aid funds can be used for debt service or capital projects and permits districts to contract with third parties for noninstructional services.

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 creates a new Strategic Advisory Board within the Michigan Strategic Fund to help develop and update strategic and operational plans for economic development. The board will consist of numerous voting members representing various state departments, business organizations, regional alliances, and universities, along with nonvoting experts in economics and site selection. Appointed by the governor, these members will work together to create a comprehensive plan that guides the fund's activities. The legislation establishes the board's composition, appointment procedures, term lengths, and the authority to remove members for cause.