Sen. Mary Cavanagh

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a new Michigan-Ireland trade commission within the Michigan Economic Development Corporation to strengthen economic ties between the two regions. The commission will be composed of seven members appointed by the governor, including representatives from higher education, the chamber of commerce, Irish-American communities, and legislators who have expertise in Irish affairs or trade relations. Its primary duties include advancing bilateral trade and investment, promoting business and academic exchanges, and encouraging mutual infrastructure support, while operating under state laws regarding open meetings and public records. The commission will be funded through a dedicated state treasury account that accepts donations, grants, and bequests to cover its administrative costs and operational needs. Members serve two-year terms without compensation but may receive reimbursement for necessary expenses, and the group must submit annual reports to the governor and legislature by February 1st.

Maddy summarySB 863 updates Michigan's sentencing laws to incorporate productivity credits for prisoners, allowing time earned through work programs to reduce their sentences. The bill amends the Code of Criminal Procedure to ensure that credits previously established by other legislation are formally recognized when calculating release dates for inmates. This change directly affects incarcerated individuals who have participated in prison work or educational programs, potentially shortening the time they must serve before becoming eligible for parole. By aligning the statute with existing credit systems, the measure aims to provide a clearer legal framework for sentence reductions based on inmate productivity.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates new vehicle registration plates in Michigan to raise money for prostate cancer awareness. The Secretary of State will design and sell these special plates in partnership with the P.C.U.P.S. Foundation, with all proceeds going into a dedicated state treasury fund. The fund's earnings must stay within the account, and the state treasurer will distribute the money to the foundation every quarter. The law takes effect 90 days after it is signed into legislation.

Maddy summaryThis bill restricts how Michigan public school academies can purchase or lease real estate from specific entities to prevent conflicts of interest. It prohibits these academies from buying or renting property from educational management organizations, their affiliated real estate holding companies, or any person connected to those companies. Additionally, the bill requires that all real estate transactions be approved by the academy's board of directors based on an independent appraisal to ensure market value and must be reviewed by the academy's authorizing body. If the authorizing body suspects a violation of these rules, it must notify the state superintendent of public instruction and the state board of education.

Maddy summaryThis bill adds a new section to Michigan's election law that imposes civil fines on individuals who knowingly make false statements about election details, voter eligibility, or voting penalties. The law specifically targets misinformation intended to stop people from voting and sets a maximum penalty of $1,000 for each violation. It also holds employers of election workers accountable with fines up to $10,000 unless they can prove they were unaware of the worker's intent to spread misinformation. Local governments are given a legal presumption that they did not know about such violations before they occurred.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires health insurance companies in Michigan to cover specific cancer drugs, including genetic therapies and immunotherapies like CAR-T cell therapy, even when used for purposes not originally approved by the FDA. Coverage is mandated for any FDA-approved drug used in cancer treatment if a physician orders it based on current medical evidence, the drug is part of a standard cancer regimen, and the patient provides informed consent for the off-label use. The law ensures that insurers must pay for the medication and its reasonable administration costs under these conditions, regardless of whether the specific cancer being treated matches the drug's initial FDA approval. This change directly affects patients seeking advanced cancer treatments and the insurance providers that must now include these therapies in their policies.

Maddy summaryThis bill directs the state of Michigan to coordinate efforts to conserve, restore, and connect 30% of the state's land and water areas by the year 2030. To achieve this goal, the state department must create six regional conservation plans by December 2025, covering all parts of the Lower and Upper Peninsulas. The development of these plans requires public input from a wide range of stakeholders, including local governments, private landowners, tribal nations, and environmental organizations. Additionally, the legislation defines key terms such as biological diversity, ecosystem services, and environmental justice to guide these conservation efforts.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates the Hotel and Lodging Pricing Protection Act to prevent businesses from raising room rates by more than 10% during a declared state of emergency unless they can prove the increase is due to higher costs or regular scheduled adjustments. It applies to hotels, bed and breakfasts, campgrounds, and similar accommodations located in areas affected by emergencies such as natural disasters, fires, or public health threats. The law gives state and local prosecutors the authority to investigate violations through written demands for documents and testimony, with penalties for non-compliance.

Maddy summaryThis bill updates Michigan's bankruptcy exemption laws to increase the dollar limits on property that individuals can protect from creditors when filing for bankruptcy. The changes directly affect debtors by raising the value caps on essential items such as a home, vehicles, tools for work, and retirement accounts, while also adding new protections for household pets and computers. Specific adjustments include increasing the homestead exemption to $125,000 or $200,000 for seniors and disabled individuals, and raising the limit on motor vehicles to $15,000. Additionally, the legislation expands protections for retirement funds and clarifies rules regarding contributions made shortly before filing.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes the Commodities and Emergency Services and Supplies Pricing Protection Act to prevent businesses from raising prices on essential items during a declared state of emergency. It directly affects retailers and service providers by prohibiting them from charging more than 10% above pre-emergency prices for goods like food, building materials, medical supplies, and emergency kits unless they can prove the increase was due to higher costs. The law also grants state and local prosecutors the authority to investigate violations by issuing written demands for documents and testimony, with legal penalties available for non-compliance.