Rep. Tom Kunse

Maddy summaryHB 4646 clarifies that "companion animal" (as defined in Michigan's penal code) is explicitly included in sentencing guidelines for animal-related crimes. The bill amends Michigan's code of criminal procedure to formally define this term within sentencing context, ensuring courts use the existing definition from MCL 750.50b. This change directly affects judges, prosecutors, and defense attorneys handling cases involving cruelty to companion animals. It does not create new penalties or alter sentencing ranges - only standardizes terminology for consistency in court proceedings.

Maddy summaryHB 4650 amends Michigan's sentencing guidelines (MCL 777.39) specifically for crimes against animals. It revises the existing sentencing structure for animal cruelty offenses, affecting judges who impose sentences and defendants convicted of such crimes. The bill updates the legal framework used to determine appropriate penalties under current law. This is a procedural change to the sentencing guidelines, not a new criminal offense. The summary focuses solely on the policy adjustment to sentencing standards for animal-related crimes.

Maddy summaryHB 4645 revises Michigan's sentencing guidelines for crimes against animals by amending MCL 777.37 in the Code of Criminal Procedure. This bill directly affects individuals convicted of animal-related offenses by altering the sentencing structure applied to such cases. The key provision changes the specific sentencing guidelines referenced in the law, ensuring animal crime penalties are addressed under updated standards. The bill does not create new crimes but modifies how existing animal cruelty offenses are sentenced.

Maddy summaryHB 4648 amends Michigan's sentencing guidelines to specifically address crimes against animals by revising Section 33 of the 1927 Code of Criminal Procedure (MCL 777.33). The bill directly affects judges, prosecutors, and individuals convicted of animal cruelty offenses by establishing clearer sentencing parameters for these crimes. Key provisions would revise existing guidelines to create dedicated sentencing ranges for animal-related offenses, moving beyond general criminal sentencing categories. This change aims to provide more consistent legal consequences for harming animals while using plain language to describe the policy adjustment.

Maddy summaryHB 4257 defines key terms related to waste management, specifically for anaerobic digestion byproducts (digestate) and their "beneficial use" in agriculture or construction. It creates five distinct categories of beneficial use (e.g., soil application at agronomic rates, road base, or construction fill) with specific environmental safeguards like runoff prevention and groundwater protection. The bill directly affects waste management facilities, farmers, and construction entities handling digestate or ash by clarifying legal standards for its use. These definitions ensure consistent application under existing environmental rules, requiring materials to meet soil-nutrient balance and pollution prevention criteria.

Maddy summaryHB 4265 modifies reporting and compliance rules for facilities using anaerobic digesters, which process organic waste (like food scraps or manure) to create biogas. It updates existing requirements under Michigan's Solid Waste Act (specifically sections 11506 and 11568) to clarify what data these facilities must report to regulators. The bill directly affects waste processing facilities operating anaerobic digesters, requiring them to follow updated reporting standards. This change streamlines regulatory oversight without altering the core function of these systems.

Maddy summaryHB 4434 repeals outdated sections of Michigan's 1927 criminal procedure code that permitted one-person grand juries. This removes archaic provisions (specifically sections 3, 4, 5, 6, 6a, and 6b of Chapter VII) from the law, eliminating historical rules about grand jury composition. The bill directly affects the legal framework governing grand jury procedures in Michigan by removing these obsolete provisions. It does not create new requirements or impact current court operations, as these rules were no longer in use.

Maddy summaryHB 4592 would create a new tax deduction for Michigan taxpayers aged 17 or younger, allowing them to subtract their earned income (such as wages from a part-time job) from their taxable income. This directly affects minor workers in Michigan who earn income through employment. The bill amends Michigan's tax code to add this deduction under existing provisions for other types of income, reducing the amount of income subject to state income tax. The change would lower tax bills for qualifying young workers but does not alter other tax rules or create new government programs. (Note: This bill is currently in committee and has not been enacted.)

Maddy summaryThis bill amends Michigan's Natural Resources and Environmental Protection Act to clarify that fur harvester license holders may hunt coyotes year-round. It directly affects licensed hunters who hold a fur harvester's license, removing ambiguity about year-round coyote hunting eligibility. The key change updates Section 43531(4) to explicitly permit year-round coyote hunting under the existing license framework, without altering fees or other license requirements.

Maddy summaryThis resolution declares June 1-7, 2025, as CPR and AED Awareness Week in Michigan. It encourages public awareness about CPR training and the availability of automated external defibrillators (AEDs) in community spaces to support life-saving efforts during cardiac emergencies. The resolution cites Michigan's high rate of sudden cardiac deaths among young people and emphasizes that prompt CPR and AED use in the first minutes of an arrest can improve survival outcomes.