Sen. Mallory McMorrow

Maddy summaryThis bill updates the timeline for filing legal claims related to groundwater contamination and environmental cleanup costs under Michigan's Natural Resources and Environmental Protection Act. It establishes specific deadlines for lawsuits seeking response costs or natural resource damages, generally requiring claims to be filed within six years of starting cleanup work or three years after cleanup finishes. The legislation also sets a fixed cutoff date of July 1, 1994, for claims involving incidents that occurred before that time, while clarifying that this rule applies retroactively to ensure consistency with the original law.

Maddy summaryThis bill modifies Michigan's existing laws on governmental immunity to clarify when state agencies and their employees can be held liable for criminal sexual conduct. It establishes that officials and volunteers are generally protected from lawsuits for injuries or property damage caused while performing their duties, unless their actions involve gross negligence or specific exceptions like providing medical care. The legislation defines "gross negligence" as reckless behavior showing a substantial lack of concern for safety and creates specific rules for immunity regarding judges, legislators, and tactical operations. By adding a new section to the state tort liability act, the bill aims to provide clearer legal standards for holding public servants accountable in cases involving sexual misconduct while maintaining protections for routine government functions.

Maddy summarySenate Bill 607 amends Michigan's Administrative Procedures Act to clarify what counts as a formal "rule" by explicitly excluding cleanup criteria and target detection limits set by the Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy. This change ensures that specific environmental standards used to determine when a site is clean enough for reuse are not subject to the same rulemaking procedures as other agency regulations. The bill directly affects the state environmental agency by removing these technical environmental thresholds from the definition of a rule, while leaving the rest of the act's definitions largely unchanged.

Maddy summarySB 1188 modifies the statute of limitations for civil lawsuits involving criminal sexual conduct in Michigan, extending the time a victim has to file a claim for damages. Under the bill, victims have 10 years from the date of the incident to bring an action, regardless of whether criminal charges were filed or resulted in a conviction. This change applies to conduct prohibited under specific sections of the Michigan Penal Code and removes previous requirements for a prior criminal adjudication. The legislation directly affects survivors of sexual assault by providing a longer window to seek civil compensation for injuries sustained.

Maddy summarySB 1189 amends Michigan law to change the time limits for filing claims against the state government. It requires individuals to file these claims within three years of the incident occurring, with specific exceptions for wrongful imprisonment compensation and other designated cases. The bill also grants the state attorney general the authority to act as a legal representative for the estates of deceased individuals or guardians for minors and other disabled persons in these matters. This legislation is designed to clarify procedural rules for suing the state and relies on the simultaneous passage of two other related bills to take effect.

Maddy summaryThis bill updates Michigan's Public Health Code to strengthen the regulation of onsite wastewater treatment systems, such as septic tanks, for properties not connected to public sewer lines. It establishes new definitions for various waste treatment methods and grants the Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy, along with local health departments, the authority to inspect, evaluate, and enforce compliance with these systems. The legislation also clarifies that connecting to a public sewer system is a public interest goal and outlines specific enforcement tools, including violation notices and warrant procedures, to ensure these systems do not threaten public health or water quality.

Maddy summarySB 1086 adds a new section to Michigan's firearm laws that creates a specific list of individuals who are exempt from the state's prohibition on selling firearms. This exemption applies to retired law enforcement officers, corrections officers, and parole or probation officers who retired in good standing. The bill defines these specific groups in detail and expands the existing legal framework to allow them to sell firearms without a standard license.

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 summarySB 1190 amends Michigan's criminal procedure code to update the time limits for filing indictments against individuals accused of various crimes. The bill establishes specific deadlines for serious offenses like murder and certain sexual conduct violations, while introducing special rules for cases involving DNA evidence from unidentified suspects. For crimes such as kidnapping and identity theft, the law allows prosecutors to file charges at any time if the suspect remains unknown, but sets a final deadline once the individual is identified. Additionally, the legislation extends the filing window for crimes committed against minors and adjusts time limits for offenses affecting real property. These changes aim to ensure that victims have adequate time to seek justice while maintaining clear procedural standards for the legal system.

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.