Rep. Joseph Fox

Maddy summaryThis bill amends Michigan's 2001 Manufacturing Milk Law to explicitly permit the sale of raw milk and raw milk products under the existing regulatory framework. It directly affects dairy producers and sellers who currently cannot legally sell these items under the law's current restrictions. The key change adds new Section 70a and revises Sections 111 and 136 to allow such sales while maintaining the law's overall structure. The bill updates the legal language to align with current market practices without creating new safety standards or requirements.

Maddy summaryHR 232 is a symbolic resolution (not a law) declaring January 2026 as Human Trafficking Awareness Month in Michigan. It directly encourages all Michiganders to participate in awareness, prevention, and anti-trafficking efforts. The resolution includes three key provisions: (1) formally designating the month, (2) urging public engagement, and (3) directing copies to state agencies like the Michigan State Police and Human Trafficking Commission. It does not create new funding, programs, or legal requirements, but aims to amplify existing anti-trafficking work. The resolution references Michigan’s 2023 data showing 779 trafficking signals reported to the National Hotline.

Maddy summaryHB 4774 amends Michigan's procurement rules for state contracts involving architects, engineers, and land surveyors. It requires state agencies to use a competitive, qualifications-based selection process - evaluating firms on expertise, experience, and past performance - rather than lowest-cost bidding for these services. The bill mandates publishing project details, ranking qualified firms, and negotiating contracts with the top-ranked firm, with limited waivers allowed for emergencies or projects under $250,000. This directly affects state agencies and qualified professional firms when procuring these services for public projects.

Maddy summaryHB 4486 prohibits Michigan municipalities from banning natural gas use or the installation of natural gas infrastructure, directly affecting cities, towns, counties, and townships. The bill makes any local ordinance, resolution, or policy that restricts natural gas use or infrastructure void and unenforceable starting from its effective date. It specifically targets bans on residential, commercial, or industrial natural gas applications and related infrastructure like pipelines. This legislation ensures that local governments cannot block natural gas services or new installations within their jurisdictions.

Maddy summaryHB 4285 requires Michigan schools to offer firearm safety instruction for students in grades 6-12 by September 2025. The state must create a model program (based on existing hunter safety standards) covering safe handling, cleaning, firearm types, and hunting practices, taught by certified instructors - **without bringing firearms into school buildings**. Schools may offer this as an optional extracurricular class or integrate it into existing courses, and students or parents may opt out without penalty. Completing the program counts toward the hunter safety certification needed for a hunting license. The bill directly affects all Michigan public schools and students in grades 6-12.

Maddy summaryHB 5406 would prohibit Michigan health insurers from covering organ transplants if the procedure occurs in China or another country designated by the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services as engaging in forced organ harvesting, or if the organ originated from such a country. It applies to all health insurance policies issued or renewed in Michigan and requires the health department director to designate which countries fall under this prohibition. The bill defines "forced organ harvesting" as organ removal through coercion, abduction, deception, or abuse of power. This policy change would directly affect patients seeking transplants involving organs from designated countries and insurers offering coverage for such procedures.

Maddy summaryHB 5377 would allow property owners without children attending Michigan public schools to qualify for a property tax exemption on certain school millages under the Revised School Code. It directly affects homeowners who do not have children enrolled in public schools within the state. The bill amends specific sections of the school code (380.1211, 380.1212, and 380.1364) to establish this new exemption category. This change modifies existing tax eligibility rules but does not alter current tax rates or funding formulas.

Maddy summaryHB 5379 creates a property tax exemption for homeowners without children attending Michigan public schools or receiving publicly funded educational services. Starting December 31, 2026, these property owners will be exempt from the portion of library millages (tax rates) levied by districts that include school districts, specifically the part exceeding 2 mills. This change applies to taxes under the District Library Establishment Act and aligns with existing exemptions in the General Property Tax Act. The bill affects residential property owners who do not have school-age children enrolled in Michigan public education.

Maddy summaryHB 5376 would create a property tax exemption for Michigan homeowners without children enrolled in public schools or publicly funded educational services (K-12) in the state. Starting in 2027, eligible property owners would receive a phased reduction in school-related property taxes: 40% in 2027, increasing to 100% by 2031. To qualify, owners must provide proof (like a withdrawal letter or affidavit) that no dependents used public education, and the exemption excludes properties owned through private entities where the actual owner has school-aged children. The bill specifically targets school millages (taxes funding schools), not general property taxes, and requires local assessors to verify eligibility using state education data.

Maddy summaryHB 5378 would create a new property tax exemption from the state education tax for homeowners who have no children attending public schools in Michigan. Specifically, starting December 31, 2026, property owners without dependents enrolled in Michigan public schools (full- or part-time) would qualify for this exemption. The bill amends Michigan's State Education Tax Act to add this provision, which is contingent on three related bills (HB 5376, HB 5377, and HB 5379) also becoming law. The exemption applies to property tax levied under the State Education Tax Act, directly affecting homeowners without school-aged children in public schools.