Sen. Dayna Polehanki

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a new nonprofit corporation to operate Michigan's state-based health insurance exchange, which will serve as a marketplace for consumers and small businesses to purchase qualified health plans. The legislation creates a 12-member board to govern the exchange, with members appointed from the insurance industry, consumer advocates, and public officials to oversee its operations. Key provisions include setting up rules for conflict of interest, defining roles for state agencies, and enabling a system for direct enrollment assistance to help consumers navigate the marketplace.

Maddy summarySB 328 requires auto insurers in Michigan to reduce premiums by 10% for new policies or the first renewal after the law takes effect. This applies to all policies issued or renewed under the specified conditions, directly affecting policyholders and insurers. The bill explicitly prohibits insurers from lowering coverage options to offset this premium reduction. It mandates concrete changes to insurance pricing without altering policy terms or coverage requirements.

Maddy summarySB 771 regulates septic and other onsite wastewater systems to protect public health and water quality. It requires property owners with such systems to connect to public sewer lines when an "available public sanitary sewer system" is within 200 feet, unless an approved alternative system (like composting toilets) is used. Local health departments will enforce new rules under "part 128," including inspections and evaluations for non-compliant systems. The bill directly affects homeowners with septic systems, local health departments, and the Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy, aiming to prevent health hazards and water pollution from poorly maintained systems.

Maddy summarySB 451 prohibits consumer reporting agencies in Michigan from including medical debt in credit reports, protecting residents from negative credit impacts due to unpaid medical bills. The law requires collection agencies to disclose this restriction in writing to consumers and forbids them from claiming medical debt will appear on credit reports unless the debt relates to a mortgage exceeding the federal conforming loan limit ($766,550 for 2024). It directly affects consumers who receive medical care but have unpaid bills, as their credit scores will no longer be harmed by such debt. The law also provides legal remedies, including damages and attorney fees, for violations.

Maddy summarySB 450 amends Michigan law to require public hospital boards to follow the Hospital Financial Assistance Act when setting patient payment policies for non-charity care. It directly affects county public hospitals by making their financial assistance policies subject to existing state standards under the Hospital Financial Assistance Act. The bill updates Section 17 of the 1913 Public Act 350 to clarify that hospital trustees' authority over patient fees is governed by this act, ensuring consistent financial assistance rules across public hospitals.

Maddy summarySB 449 requires Michigan hospitals to create and implement financial assistance programs for uninsured patients and those with high medical debt relative to income. Specifically, hospitals must offer up to 100% discounts for patients earning at or below 350% of federal poverty guidelines, base eligibility on objective income metrics, and publish program details clearly on bills, statements, and websites in plain language. Hospitals must also report annual data on program usage and debt relief to the state health department by 2027, with violations subject to $10,000 civil fines. The law directly affects uninsured patients and hospital financial operations, aiming to reduce barriers to care for low-income individuals.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires local governments in Michigan to notify the Secretary of State within 20 days of making specific changes to election rules, such as altering how winners are determined or switching between district-based and at-large voting systems. It also mandates that localities inform the state at least 20 days before removing voters from registration lists and within five business days of requests to inspect voting equipment or ballot data. To ensure transparency, the Secretary of State must post these notifications on the state website in an accessible format and publicly list any local government that fails to comply with these reporting deadlines. These provisions are set to take effect on January 1, 2028, after a consultation period with county clerks, municipal clerks, and voting rights advocates.

Maddy summarySenate Bill 961 creates a new State Voting Rights Act in Michigan to protect the voting rights of racial, color, and language minority groups. The bill prohibits local governments and officials from implementing election rules or practices that create disparities in voter participation or impair the ability of minority groups to elect candidates of their choice. Key provisions include establishing definitions for voting methods and protected classes, requiring a court-appointed monitor under certain circumstances, and creating a fund to support enforcement efforts.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes the Michigan Voting and Elections Database and Institute, a new entity designed to collect, archive, and make election data publicly available at no cost. The institute will be created through an agreement between the Secretary of State and public research universities, with the university selecting the director and assuming responsibility for most operating costs. Key provisions include the centralization of precinct-level election results, voter registration lists, polling place locations, and demographic estimates, which must be maintained for at least 12 years before permanent archival. The institute will also offer research opportunities, training classes, and technical assistance to local governments and the public while implementing rigorous cybersecurity standards for the data it holds.

Maddy summarySenate Bill 963 creates the Language Assistance for Elections Act to require Michigan local governments to provide election materials in languages other than English for residents with limited English proficiency. The law mandates that counties, cities, and townships must offer translated ballots, voting instructions, and signage if their population includes a specific number of voters who share a single non-English language. The Secretary of State will publish a list of affected jurisdictions and languages annually, while also providing certified translations and electronic voting systems to ensure accuracy. Local governments will be reimbursed for additional costs associated with implementing these translation and testing requirements.