Sen. Jeff Irwin

Maddy summarySB 586 amends Michigan's guardianship law to require courts to document on the record why moving a person under guardianship (a "ward") from their current residence is necessary. It also mandates that guardians consult with the ward before making major decisions affecting them, such as changes to their living situation. The bill specifically updates sections 5306 and 5314 of Michigan's Estates and Protected Individuals Code to clarify these requirements. These changes directly affect guardians, wards under guardianship, and courts overseeing guardianship cases.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a mandatory licensing system for professional guardians and conservators in Michigan, requiring them to be licensed by the state department before they can be appointed by a court. To obtain a license, applicants must meet specific criteria including being at least 21 years old, passing a background check, having no history of fraud or abuse, and successfully completing a national certification exam. The legislation also mandates that employees of licensed guardians and conservators must be licensed to make critical decisions regarding the care of the individuals they serve. Additionally, the bill requires professional guardians to file a bond, maintain a regular visitation schedule, and disclose any outside compensation received for their services. These changes aim to standardize qualifications and oversight for individuals managing the affairs of those under legal incapacity.

Maddy summaryThis bill prohibits limited liability companies in Michigan from spending money to support or oppose candidates, political parties, or ballot measures. It applies to both companies formed in the state and those from other states doing business here, with exceptions for existing contracts and bona fide news reporting. If a company violates this rule, the state can invalidate the spending, order the company to return the funds, or dissolve the company. The legislation also clarifies that a company's lack of legal power to make political donations does not automatically make all its other business actions invalid. This measure is tied to two other bills and will only take effect if all three are passed into law.

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 762 requires Michigan's Public Service Commission to publish annual reports starting July 1, 2027, detailing water and energy usage by data centers. Specifically, it mandates that public water supplies submit each data center's annual water usage by June 1, and the commission must report total energy usage (in gigawatts per year) for each data center. This directly affects data centers (facilities housing centralized data storage and processing equipment) and public water supplies across Michigan. The bill creates no new regulations but establishes a reporting mechanism for transparency on resource consumption.

Maddy summarySenate Bill 78 revises the procedures and eligibility requirements for setting aside, or expunging, certain criminal convictions in Michigan. The bill defines how multiple, contemporaneous offenses can be treated as a single conviction for expungement, with exclusions for specific serious crimes. It also adjusts which types of convictions are ineligible for expungement, creating an exception for first-time operating while intoxicated offenses under certain conditions. Additionally, the bill modifies the required waiting periods for applying to set aside convictions, ranging from 3 to 7 years, and requires applicants to have no pending charges or new convictions during these periods.

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.