Rep. Tom Kunse

Maddy summaryThis bill designates a specific stretch of US-131 in Mecosta County as the "Sergeant Matthew Webber Memorial Highway." The change officially names the road segment between 11 Mile Road and Old State Road in honor of Sergeant Matthew Webber. This action updates the Michigan Memorial Highway Act to include this new designation. The bill does not alter traffic rules or funding but serves to recognize the individual through the naming of the roadway.

Maddy summaryThis bill modifies Michigan's pawnbroker regulations by increasing the maximum civil fine for charging excessive interest from an unspecified amount to $5,000. It also updates the criminal penalties for violating the act, allowing courts to impose fines ranging from $250 to $1,000 or imprisonment for up to three months. The legislation directly affects pawnbrokers and their employees by clarifying the consequences for non-compliance with state laws. Additionally, the bill includes a provision that prevents it from taking effect unless a companion bill, HB 5536, is also enacted into law.

Maddy summaryThis bill proposes to increase the maximum monthly interest rate pawnbrokers in Michigan can charge from 3% to 5%, while also raising the minimum interest requirement to 50 cents per loan. It updates the mandatory text printed on loan receipts to reflect this new 5% cap and clarifies that loans exceeding this rate are automatically void. The legislation also maintains the existing fee for storing unencumbered property at $3.00 per month and prohibits charging interest on unpaid balances in advance. This measure directly affects licensed pawnbrokers and consumers who use their services for short-term loans.

Maddy summaryThis bill proposes adding a new section to the Michigan state constitution to formally recognize the right of all citizens to hunt, fish, trap, and harvest wildlife. The amendment states that this right is subject only to regulations designed to promote sound conservation and management, while also declaring public hunting as a preferred method for managing nonthreatened species. It explicitly clarifies that these constitutional changes do not alter existing laws regarding trespass, private property rights, eminent domain, or firearms unrelated to hunting. Ultimately, the bill seeks to enshrine these outdoor activities as a protected heritage right within the state's highest legal document.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends Michigan's income tax law to establish specific definitions for calculating research and development tax credits. It clarifies who qualifies as an "authorized business" for these credits, distinguishing between flow-through entities and general taxpayers based on their increase in qualifying research expenses. The legislation also defines key terms such as "base amount," which is calculated from the average of prior years' research spending, and "research university," which includes public institutions and independent nonprofits. By setting these clear definitions, the bill aims to streamline how businesses and universities claim tax incentives for conducting research within the state.

Maddy summaryThis bill officially designates a specific stretch of M-53 in Macomb County as the "Officer Leroy Imus Memorial Highway" to honor a fallen law enforcement officer. The legislation affects the Michigan State Transportation Department by amending state laws to recognize this new name for the road segment running from 17 Mile Road to Hall Road. Once signed into law, the change immediately updates official records and signage to reflect the memorial title.

Maddy summaryThis bill proposes creating a new fundraising license plate in Michigan specifically for the Michigan 4-H organization. Under the plan, the Secretary of State would work with 4-H to design the plates, and any money raised from their sale would be transferred to the Michigan 4-H Foundation. The legislation includes a condition that it will only take effect if a related bill, HB 5056, is also passed into law.

Maddy summaryThis bill proposes to explicitly state in Michigan election law that individuals who are not U.S. citizens are ineligible to register to vote or participate in any election within the state. The key provision adds a new section to the existing election code to clarify that non-citizens cannot vote in federal, state, or local races. By codifying this restriction, the bill aims to reinforce current legal standards regarding voter eligibility without changing the underlying requirement of citizenship.

Maddy summaryThis bill repeals the section of Michigan's Clean and Renewable Energy Act that previously allowed for expedited permitting of large-scale solar, wind, and energy storage facilities. By removing these specific provisions, the legislation effectively eliminates the special zoning exemptions and streamlined approval processes that were designed to accelerate the development of such projects. The bill does not alter other parts of the energy law, meaning requirements for renewable energy programs, net metering, and utility responsibilities remain unchanged. Its primary impact is to revert the regulatory framework for large-scale renewable infrastructure to the standard permitting procedures that existed before the 2018 amendments.

Maddy summaryHB 5858 seeks to remove a specific provision that would have required local zoning laws to comply with the clean and renewable energy and energy waste reduction act. The bill does not alter the existing text of the zoning enabling act, which currently already includes the clean and renewable energy act among several other state laws that local governments must follow. By deleting this redundant requirement, the legislation aims to streamline the legal framework governing land use without changing the actual rules for zoning or energy projects. The bill is currently in the early stages of the legislative process and has not yet been enacted.