Sen. Joe Bellino

Maddy summarySB 538 designates the eastern wild turkey (Meleagris gallopavo silvestris) as Michigan's official game bird. This ceremonial bill creates no new regulations or funding, solely changing a symbolic state designation. It directly affects Michigan residents by formally recognizing the eastern wild turkey as a state symbol, replacing no existing designation. The bill requires no implementation mechanisms and takes effect 90 days after enactment.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends Michigan's Mobile Home Commission Act to require park owners to notify residents and the state department before selling a mobile home park, giving residents 60 days to organize a purchase. If residents form a homeowners' association within that window, they can request the sale details and submit a formal offer, which the owner must then negotiate in good faith. The legislation also establishes a civil penalty of up to $250,000 for owners who fail to follow these notification and negotiation steps, while excluding sales resulting from bank foreclosures from these requirements.

Maddy summarySB 939 amends the State Housing Development Authority Act to clarify and expand the powers of the State Housing Development Authority in Michigan. The bill grants the authority the ability to conduct housing studies, manage loans and mortgages, set construction standards for mobile homes, and acquire or dispose of real property to support housing initiatives. Additionally, it allows the authority to use accumulated fees and interest income for corporate purposes and to encourage community organizations in housing projects. This legislation directly affects the State Housing Development Authority and its capacity to administer housing programs and financial assistance across the state.

Maddy summarySB 934 updates Michigan's Mobile Home Commission Act to modernize regulations for manufactured housing, mobile home parks, and dealers. The bill clarifies definitions for terms like 'mobile home,' 'infraction,' and 'material deficiency' to distinguish between minor violations and those threatening health or safety. It also establishes new sections to guide local government roles and streamline licensing processes by specifying when an application is considered complete. These changes aim to provide clearer standards for the licensure, operation, and management of mobile home facilities across the state.

Maddy summaryThis bill updates Michigan laws regarding mobile home park tenancies by clarifying the specific reasons, known as 'just cause,' under which a landlord can legally evict a tenant. It directly affects tenants in mobile home parks and park operators by defining valid grounds for eviction, such as lease violations, nonpayment of rent after three occurrences in a year, property damage, or public safety issues. The legislation also introduces a new requirement for an in-person conference between the tenant and park operator within 20 days of an eviction demand, while ensuring tenants must continue paying rent until the legal process concludes. Additionally, the bill mandates that eviction judgments explicitly inform tenants of their right to sell their mobile home on the site within 15 days of losing their lease.

Maddy summarySB 935 amends the Mobile Home Commission Act to update how mobile home parks are regulated in Michigan. The bill requires the state department to conduct annual inspections of these parks and share results with local governments and lenders if problems are found. It also clarifies rules for granting variances to construction standards, sets limits on reinspection fees, and defines the training requirements for mobile home installers. Additionally, the legislation reinforces prohibitions against unfair practices, such as charging exit fees or forcing residents to buy homes as a condition of renting a space.

Maddy summarySB 957 amends Michigan state law to increase the population threshold for certain public transportation grants from 100,000 to 200,000 residents. This change directly affects transit agencies operating in urbanized areas that currently fall between these two population figures, allowing them to become eligible for funding previously reserved for larger cities. Under the new provisions, agencies in these mid-sized urban areas will receive grants covering up to 50% of their eligible operating expenses, matching the rate given to larger cities, while smaller rural and urban agencies retain their higher 60% funding rate. The bill also maintains existing requirements for preferential fares for seniors and people with disabilities and ensures that no agency receives less funding than it did in the 1997 fiscal year.

Maddy summarySenate Bill 952 establishes the Michigan Special Education Accountability Act to strengthen protections for students with disabilities facing school discipline. The bill requires school boards and officials to consider specific factors, such as a student's age and disciplinary history, before suspending or expelling any pupil. For suspensions lasting more than 10 days or expulsions involving students with disabilities, the bill mandates that schools complete a functional behavioral assessment, implement a behavior intervention plan, and obtain legal guidance to ensure the action does not violate the student's rights. Additionally, the bill requires districts to annually report all suspensions and expulsions of students with disabilities to the state department.

Maddy summaryThis bill allows insurance premium finance companies in Michigan to charge fees for processing payments made via credit cards, debit cards, or other electronic methods. The law permits these companies to pass along the actual third-party costs incurred for handling such transactions, provided they notify customers of the fee before the transaction and offer a free alternative payment option like check or cash. Additionally, the bill clarifies rules for delinquency and cancellation charges, limiting fees on personal or low-value policies to $5.00 while allowing higher charges for commercial contracts. These changes aim to enable finance companies to cover their operational expenses for electronic payments without restricting their ability to collect other legally permitted interest and fees.

Maddy summaryThis Senate resolution designates April 29, 2026, as "End Jew-Hatred Day" to formally recognize the Jewish community in Michigan. The measure directly affects the state legislature by adopting a symbolic declaration rather than enacting new laws or regulations. Key provisions include a statement condemning antisemitism and a call for unity among lawmakers to address discrimination against Jewish people. The resolution cites recent hate crimes and a specific synagogue attack as context for the observance. Ultimately, the bill serves as a commemorative gesture without altering existing legal frameworks or policies.