Rep. Tom Kunse

Maddy summaryHB 5249 creates a new "adaptive care license" for ambulance operations currently licensed only for basic life support (BLS). It allows these operations to gradually upgrade to provide limited advanced life support (ALS) or advanced life support (ALS) services, provided they demonstrate staffing and equipment readiness for higher care levels by January 1, 2025. The license requires annual documentation of progress toward this upgrade, including training and equipment plans, and must be renewed annually alongside the operation's regular license. This applies specifically to ambulance services owned or contracted by local governments that previously provided only BLS for emergency response.

Maddy summaryThis bill updates Michigan's civil procedure laws to clarify how much of a person's wages can be taken by creditors through garnishment. It specifically protects certain types of income from being garnished, including public assistance benefits, unemployment compensation, disability payments, and both federal and state earned income tax credits. Additionally, the legislation sets new limits on how much of a weekly paycheck can be seized, capping the amount at 20% of earnings up to a specific threshold and 30% of earnings above that threshold. These changes directly affect individuals whose wages are subject to garnishment and the creditors seeking to collect debts from them.

Maddy summaryThis bill modifies Michigan's construction code to classify buildings housing virtual learning centers as business occupancies rather than educational occupancies. A virtual learning center is defined as an organization that provides educational support, counseling, and administrative services for high school students taking online courses without offering routine in-person instruction. The change directly affects the regulatory category used to classify facilities that support distance learning, ensuring they are treated differently from traditional schools under the state building code.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires the Michigan Department of Education to create a new accountability rating system specifically for public schools designated as alternative education campuses by January 1, 2028. These schools include strict discipline academies, dropout recovery programs, adult education sites, and previously approved alternative education campuses. The new ratings, which must be reported separately from regular schools, will prioritize student growth and graduation rates over standard proficiency scores to better reflect the unique needs of these populations. Additionally, the legislation mandates that intervention plans for struggling alternative schools align with the specific goals and evidence-based methods appropriate for their students.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends Michigan's environmental laws to strengthen regulations on the recycling and disposal of single-use and rechargeable batteries. It establishes a new "battery stewardship" program that will require producers to manage the end-of-life disposal of covered batteries starting in 2028, ensuring they are handled through approved programs rather than general waste. The legislation also sets a sales ban on certain covered batteries beginning in 2028, allowing only those from manufacturers with approved stewardship plans to be sold. Additionally, the bill updates existing definitions and penalties for improper battery disposal while creating a formal process for producers to submit and have their disposal plans reviewed by the state department.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends Michigan's Natural Resources and Environmental Protection Act to establish a formal framework for the recycling and end-of-life management of single-use and rechargeable batteries. It creates new legal definitions for key terms such as "covered battery," "producer," and "stewardship organization" to clarify which products and companies are subject to the new regulations. The legislation outlines requirements for producers to participate in battery recycling programs that meet specific collection and recycling efficiency goals. Additionally, it defines the roles and responsibilities of battery recyclers and collection sites to ensure proper handling of batteries sold or distributed in the state.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends Michigan's Natural Resources and Environmental Protection Act to eliminate registration and tonnage fees for composting products. It directly affects manufacturers and distributors of specialty fertilizers, soil conditioners, and composted agricultural products by removing specific fee requirements that previously applied to these items. The key provision removes the $0.35 per ton fee for agricultural use fertilizers and the $0.05 per cubic yard fee for agricultural use composted products that make nutrient claims, while maintaining existing registration and water quality protection fees for other fertilizer and soil conditioner products. The bill also clarifies that small packages of 10 pounds or less remain exempt from inspection fees and establishes that out-of-state registrants must maintain a Michigan registered office or pay audit costs.

Maddy summaryThis bill modifies Michigan's Youth Employment Standards Act to update how work permits are issued and managed for minors under 18. It clarifies the documentation required to prove a minor's age, expands acceptable proof options to include school records and other documents, and establishes clearer procedures for when permits can be suspended or revoked due to poor school attendance or legal violations. The legislation also sets specific limits on how many hours minors can work during school weeks and non-school weeks, while removing certain older requirements that are no longer in effect. These changes aim to balance the need for youth employment with protections for minors' education and well-being.

Maddy summaryHB 4515 requires Michigan's Bridge Card (used for food assistance benefits) to include a recipient's digital photo and signature printed directly on the card. This change affects all recipients of the Michigan Bridge Card, which distributes food assistance benefits like SNAP. The bill amends state law to add this requirement, ensuring cards display both a photo and signature for identification purposes. The legislation passed the House on September 17, 2025, with immediate effect.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes the State Employment Contract Regulation Act to limit severance pay for employees and officers in Michigan's executive and legislative branches. It generally prohibits contracts that offer more than 12 weeks of wages in severance, ban non-disclosure agreements that prevent reporting illegal activities, and require contracts to be fully disclosed to the public. Exceptions allowing higher severance or restricted contracts are permitted only if legal counsel determines they are necessary to protect public funds from litigation risks, provided such agreements include legal releases of claims. Additionally, the law mandates that any contract offering six weeks or more of severance be posted online within 28 days, while contracts for elected officials must be shared with legislative leaders within three days.