Sen. Dayna Polehanki

Maddy summarySB 908 designates Lunar New Year as an official holiday in Michigan. The bill defines the holiday based on the Chinese calendar and recognizes it as a celebration for residents of Chinese, Korean, Taiwanese, Vietnamese, and other East or Southeast Asian origins. This legislative action adds Lunar New Year to the state's list of recognized holidays without changing existing holiday schedules or requiring paid time off for employees.

Maddy summaryThis Senate resolution urges the United States and Taiwan to sign additional trade agreements and an agreement to avoid double taxation. It also calls for Taiwan's inclusion in the Indo-Pacific Economic Framework for Prosperity. Additionally, the bill asks Michigan businesses to refer to the region as "Taiwan," citing the Taiwan Relations Act as legal justification. The measure is based on the significant economic ties between the two entities, including trade in goods, services, and agricultural products.

Maddy summaryThis bill proposes designating April 13 and April 14 as official state holidays known as Vaisakhi or Baisakhi. These dates are recognized as significant holy days for both Sikh and Hindu communities. If passed, the legislation would require state government offices and schools to close on these two days each year. The measure directly impacts state employees, public school students, and any individuals observing these religious holidays.

Maddy summarySenate Bill 905 proposes to officially designate Diwali, also known as Deepavali or the Festival of Lights, as a state holiday in Michigan. This legislation would recognize the new moon day on the eighth lunar month of the Indic calendar as a day of observance for Hindus and Jains. The bill does not create a paid day off for state employees but formally acknowledges the cultural significance of the holiday within the state.

Maddy summarySenate Resolution 109 designates April 2026 as Community College Month to honor Michigan's 31 community and tribal colleges. This resolution does not change any laws or policies but serves as a formal recognition of the role these institutions play in education and workforce development. A copy of the resolution will be sent to each community college to highlight their contributions to the state.

Maddy summarySenate Resolution 107 officially designates April 11-17, 2026, as Black Maternal Health Week within the state legislature. This commemorative resolution highlights the critical disparities in maternal health outcomes for Black women and supports awareness efforts led by the Black Mamas Matter Alliance. The measure does not alter laws or funding but serves to recognize the theme 'Rooted in Justice & Joy' and draw attention to the urgent need for improved maternal healthcare.

Maddy summaryThis Senate Resolution designates April 2026 as Autism Acceptance Month to raise awareness about autism spectrum disorder. The bill directly affects the legislative body by formally acknowledging the unique strengths and challenges of individuals with autism and their families. It calls on the community to promote inclusion and support early intervention services without changing any laws or policies.

Maddy summarySenate Bill 297 aims to protect registered professional nurses by ensuring their refusal to work beyond their predetermined schedule is not grounds for administrative action. It also establishes penalties for hospitals that violate rules related to mandatory overtime for nurses, as referenced in section 21526. Hospitals found in violation could face an administrative fine of $1,000 for each instance, along with other potential sanctions. This bill amends the Public Health Code to implement these provisions, directly affecting nurses and hospitals.

Maddy summarySenate Bill 296 prohibits hospitals from requiring registered professional nurses to work beyond their regularly scheduled, on-call, or voluntarily agreed-upon hours. It mandates that nurses working 12 or more consecutive hours receive 8 consecutive hours of off-duty time immediately afterward. Exceptions to this prohibition include declared states of emergency, mass casualty incidents, certain patient-care procedures, and situations where an oncoming nurse is unexpectedly absent. The bill also protects nurses from retaliation if they refuse work assignments that exceed these limits and requires hospitals to post notices informing nurses of these provisions.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires electric utilities in Michigan to establish worker transition programs that provide training, job placement assistance, and fair wages when restructuring or transferring ownership of facilities. It mandates that acquiring entities in utility sales offer employment to existing workers for at least 30 months before hiring outside replacements and must maintain current wage rates and benefits during that period. The legislation also directs the Public Service Commission to set service quality and reliability standards for utilities, including prohibiting extra fees for credit card payments and requiring at least one free payment option for residential customers. Utilities must annually report on their compliance with these standards, and the commission will review performance data to ensure proper system operation and maintenance.