Sen. Mary Cavanagh

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.

Maddy summaryThis bill modifies Michigan's existing laws regarding post-conviction DNA testing for individuals convicted of felonies. It allows defendants to petition the court for DNA testing of biological evidence collected during their original investigation, with specific conditions for those convicted before and after January 8, 2001. The legislation outlines the process for requesting testing, including requirements to prove the evidence is available and relevant to the case, and establishes rules for handling the results. If the testing excludes the defendant as the source of the evidence, the court must appoint counsel and hold a hearing to decide if a new trial is warranted. Additionally, the bill ensures that victims receive written notice of these petitions and hearings when the victim's identity is known.

Maddy summaryThis bill modifies Michigan's Credit Union Act to update how credit unions must notify state officials about changes to their names and locations. It requires credit unions to give at least 30 days' written notice before adopting a new assumed name and mandates clear disclosure of both the official and assumed names on all marketing materials and financial documents. Additionally, the legislation clarifies that state directors have the authority to deny or revoke the right to use an assumed name if it is found to be confusing or misleading. These provisions directly affect domestic credit unions operating within the state by standardizing their reporting and branding requirements.

Maddy summaryThis bill modifies the rules for credit unions in Michigan to change how they must notify members about potential mergers. It allows credit unions to merge with each other or with foreign credit unions while ensuring that member votes and board approvals are properly documented and submitted to the state director. The legislation also clarifies the process for converting member shares during a merger and permits the state director to waive the requirement for a member vote in specific cases, such as when a credit union is insolvent.

Maddy summaryThis bill modifies the rules for how Michigan credit unions can change their governing documents, such as bylaws. It allows a credit union's members to vote on whether to let the board of directors make these changes or to keep the power to amend them with themselves. The legislation also requires that any proposal to change these documents be clearly listed in the meeting notice so members are informed. Additionally, most changes to these documents must be reviewed and approved by the state director before they take effect, except for minor logistical updates.

Maddy summaryThis bill allows Michigan credit unions to set their own minimum voting age for members, provided the age is 18 or younger. Currently, the law requires that any member with at least one share has one vote, but this legislation gives credit unions the flexibility to establish a lower voting age in their bylaws. The change directly affects domestic credit unions and their members by permitting these financial institutions to define eligibility for voting on internal matters. It does not alter the requirement that voting must occur at meetings and that members cannot vote by proxy.

Maddy summaryThis bill modifies Michigan's Credit Union Act to clarify the procedures and notice requirements when credit unions must close their offices due to emergencies or special state or national observances. It allows the state director or designated credit union officers to order closures during emergencies and requires these institutions to promptly inform the director and relevant government entities. Additionally, the legislation specifies that days when credit unions are closed under these provisions are treated as legal holidays or emergency conditions rather than banking days, while explicitly stating that employee obligations under state and federal laws remain unchanged.

Maddy summarySenate Bill 909 modifies Michigan's Wrongful Imprisonment Compensation Act to clarify the rules for individuals seeking financial compensation after being wrongly convicted and imprisoned. The bill updates legal definitions for terms like 'new evidence' and 'plaintiff' while establishing specific requirements for filing a compensation claim, such as proving innocence through new evidence or a gubernatorial pardon. It also introduces a process to notify victims of the original crime about compensation applications and outlines how discovery and legal arguments will proceed during these cases.