Sen. Mallory McMorrow

Maddy summarySB 1086 amends the Michigan Nonprofit Corporation Act to clarify and expand the legal powers of nonprofit organizations regarding financial activities and governance. The bill specifically adds a new section to detail the authority of nonprofits to make contracts, incur liabilities, and provide guarantees for related entities, such as corporations they own or control. By updating existing statutes and inserting new provisions, the legislation aims to remove previous ambiguities about how nonprofits can manage their assets and support affiliated businesses. This change directly affects nonprofit corporations across the state by formalizing their ability to engage in complex financial arrangements necessary for their operations.

Maddy summaryThis proposed constitutional amendment would prohibit businesses formed in Michigan and foreign companies authorized to do business here from spending money to support or oppose candidates, political parties, or ballot measures. The rule applies to corporations, nonprofits, and limited liability companies, but it allows exceptions for existing financial contracts and independent news reporting or editorials. If a business violates these restrictions, the state attorney general could sue to invalidate the spending, force the company to return the funds, or dissolve the entity. The measure would also allow the state to revoke the operating authority of any foreign company that breaks the spending ban.

Maddy summaryThis bill prohibits Michigan business corporations from using their funds to support or oppose candidates, political parties, committees, or ballot measures. It applies to both companies formed within the state and foreign corporations doing business in Michigan, declaring any such spending illegal and subject to penalties like disgorgement of funds or corporate dissolution. The law includes specific exceptions for existing contracts signed before the bill takes effect and for bona fide news stories published by independent media outlets. Additionally, it grants the Attorney General or the administrator the authority to sue to stop violations or force companies to return illegally spent money.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends the Michigan Natural Resources and Environmental Protection Act to update and clarify definitions related to dam safety and inland lakes. It directly affects dam owners, operators, and the state department responsible for regulating these structures by refining terms such as "dam," "failure," and "high hazard potential dam." The legislation adds new sections to the statute to establish clearer standards for what constitutes a dam, how it is classified based on potential risk, and the specific requirements for emergency action plans. By modifying existing legal language, the bill aims to improve consistency in how dam safety regulations are applied and understood.

Maddy summarySB 1075 amends Michigan's food law to allow licensed retail food establishments to sell shell eggs through a consignment arrangement, provided the eggs come from producers with fewer than 3,000 hens and are sold directly to the store. Under this new provision, the eggs must be kept separate from other inventory, labeled with the specific farm name and contact details, and sold only in clean containers that do not feature third-party brand names. The bill also clarifies that these consignment eggs cannot be sold online or by mail order and must be packaged with a label stating they were not inspected by the state department. This legislation primarily affects small-scale egg producers and licensed grocery stores or markets that wish to offer farm-fresh eggs without going through a traditional distributor.

Maddy summarySB 702, the "Medical Debt Protection Act," limits how medical debt can be collected in Michigan. It prohibits interest or late fees for 90 days after a bill is due and caps annual interest at 3%. The bill bans wage garnishment, foreclosure, and other aggressive collection tactics for patients eligible for financial assistance under a healthcare facility’s policy. It also restricts selling medical debt to third parties without strict safeguards, requiring debt buyers to follow specific rules and return debt if a patient qualifies for financial help. The law directly affects patients with medical debt, large healthcare facilities, and medical debt collectors.

Maddy summaryThis bill is a memorial resolution honoring the life and public service of R. Robert Geake, a former Michigan legislator who served in both the House of Representatives and the Senate. The text details his extensive career, including his legislative work on committees focused on education, mental health, and children's welfare, as well as his later roles as an investigator and chair of the Office of the Children's Ombudsman and the Legislative Retirement System Board. The resolution formally expresses the Legislature's tribute to his dedication and instructs that copies of the document be sent to his family.

Maddy summaryThis bill, known as the Energy Pricing Protection Act, prohibits businesses from charging excessively high prices for gasoline, propane, and home heating oil during market disruptions. It defines a market disruption as events like natural disasters, strikes, or emergencies and sets a 20% price increase threshold as the limit for what is considered unjustified, unless sellers can prove higher costs or prior discounts caused the rise. The law applies to anyone selling these essential energy products but excludes utilities regulated by state or federal commissions. Enforcement is handled by state and local prosecutors, who can issue written demands for documents and testimony and file court actions against violators, with investigative details kept confidential until a formal charge is made.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates the Hotel and Lodging Pricing Protection Act to stop businesses from raising room rates by more than 20% during a declared state of emergency unless they can prove the increase is due to higher costs or pre-existing contracts. The law applies to hotels, bed and breakfasts, campgrounds, and short-term rentals like Airbnb, but excludes large resort-managed units. It allows prosecutors to investigate violations by issuing legal demands for documents and testimony, with courts empowered to enforce compliance if the investigation is deemed proper.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes the Commodities and Emergency Services and Supplies Pricing Protection Act to stop businesses from raising prices unfairly during a declared state of emergency. It specifically targets sales of building materials, food, emergency supplies, medical items, and general goods, defining an illegal price hike as an increase of more than 20% compared to pre-emergency rates unless the seller can prove higher costs. The law prohibits charging or offering these items at excessively high prices and grants prosecutors the power to investigate violations by demanding documents and testimony from suspected violators.