Rep. Sharon MacDonell

Maddy summaryThis Michigan bill establishes the Data Center Water Regulation Act, which requires new and existing data centers to either use a closed-loop cooling system that recirculates water or source all water exclusively from municipal systems. Facilities that currently rely on groundwater or surface water must immediately stop operations once the law takes effect, while those violating the rules face civil fines of up to $1 million per day. The legislation also grants the Michigan Public Service Commission the authority to create specific rules for implementation and mandates that collected fines be deposited into the state's general fund.

Maddy summaryThis bill directs the Michigan Public Service Commission to create a specific rate structure for data centers that requires a 15-year contract with the utility provider. Under the new rules, data centers would face a minimum monthly charge based on 60% of their contracted power demand, regardless of how much electricity they actually use, and must pay a penalty fee if they break their contract early. The legislation also mandates that data centers provide collateral equal to 24 months of billing charges and ensures they cover all costs associated with generating, transmitting, or distributing their power without passing those expenses to other customers. This proposal applies only to facilities in Michigan designed to store and process data and is part of a larger package of related bills that must all pass together to take effect.

Maddy summaryThis House resolution urges the Trump Administration to stop using Naval Station Guantánamo Bay for detaining migrants, including any future surges from Cuba. It calls for the immediate suspension of the migrant detention program and the permanent closure of the facility, citing concerns over past abuses, legal challenges regarding due process, and the high financial cost of the operation. Additionally, the bill asks the federal government to lift economic sanctions and a fuel blockade against Cuba that the text claims have worsened the island's humanitarian crisis and driven mass emigration. Finally, it requests that the administration abandon any plans for military action against Cuba to prevent further instability and suffering.

Maddy summaryHB 4864 updates Michigan's definition of "elevated blood lead level" (EBL) for children under 6 years old. It lowers the threshold from 20 micrograms per deciliter (ug/dL) to 10 ug/dL for case management purposes, aligning with current CDC guidelines. This change directly affects young children in Michigan who undergo blood lead testing, ensuring earlier identification of lead exposure. The bill modifies the Public Health Code's existing definition without creating new programs or funding.

Maddy summaryHB 4727 requires courts in Michigan to appoint only licensed professional guardians or conservators for individuals under legal protection (wards, developmentally disabled, or incapacitated persons). It mandates that these professionals must hold a license under Michigan's occupational code, and prohibits unlicensed employees from making medical, financial, or housing decisions for the individuals they serve. The bill also requires transparency by requiring professionals to disclose outside compensation from sources other than the ward's estate and to maintain visitation schedules for wards. These changes take effect two years after the bill's passage.

Maddy summaryHB 4728 requires professional guardians and conservators to obtain a state license. This bill directly affects individuals and agencies that manage finances or personal care for vulnerable adults (like seniors or people with disabilities) who cannot make decisions for themselves. The key provision adds new licensing requirements through amendments to existing law, establishing standards for these professionals. The bill is currently pending in committee review and has not yet become law.

Maddy summaryHB 4729 updates Michigan's rules for appointing guardians of individuals with developmental disabilities. It requires courts to prioritize licensed professional guardians (under Article 14A of the Occupational Code) when appointing guardians, and prohibits unlicensed employees of such guardians from making medical, financial, or housing decisions for these individuals. The law also mandates that courts consider the individual's preference for a guardian before making an appointment. These changes take effect two years after the bill's passage, aiming to ensure guardianship appointments meet professional standards.

Maddy summaryHouse Bill 5254 proposes to modify the maximum interest rate allowed for medical debt. It seeks to achieve this by amending Section 3 of the Michigan Consumer Protection Act. While the bill aims to impact consumers with medical debt and the entities that collect it, the provided text primarily details existing definitions of unfair trade practices within the act and does not include the specific language for the proposed interest rate modification.

Maddy summaryHB 5255, the "Medical Debt Protection Act," limits how medical debt can be collected in Michigan, directly affecting patients with medical debt and large healthcare providers (with $20 million+ annual revenue) or medical debt buyers. It prohibits charging interest or late fees for 90 days after a bill is due and caps annual interest at 3% on medical debt. The bill bans aggressive collection tactics like wage garnishment for patients qualifying for financial assistance under a healthcare facility's policy, and requires medical debt buyers to follow strict rules, including not using prohibited collection actions and returning debt if a patient qualifies for financial aid.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires the state treasurer to create a monthly report tracking whether the federal government owes Michigan money due to ignored court orders and calculating any future payments Michigan must make to the federal government. The report will detail specific financial items such as federal taxes owed by state employers, debt offsets, and grant repayments, and it must be prepared in consultation with the state budget director. Additionally, the bill mandates that the state treasurer withhold federal payments if the amounts owed by the federal government exceed the amounts Michigan is required to pay. This legislation is currently tied to a companion bill, meaning it will not take effect unless both are passed by the legislature.