Rep. Joseph Fox

Maddy summaryHB 4052 prohibits Michigan legislators and their legislative staff from signing confidentiality agreements related to their official legislative work. Any such agreement entered into after the law takes effect would be void. The bill applies to all agreements made, amended, extended, or renewed on or after the effective date, specifically covering work performed in a legislative capacity. It does not affect personal or non-legislative matters.

Maddy summaryHB 4117 amends Michigan's Animal Industry Act to require cage-free housing for egg-laying hens and restrict confinement for gestating sows and calves raised for veal. It prohibits keeping hens in cages or confining them in ways that prevent turning around freely or fully extending limbs, mandating cage-free systems with enrichments like perches and nest boxes, and setting minimum floor space based on industry guidelines. The law affects egg producers (especially those with 3,000+ hens) and businesses selling shell eggs in Michigan, with small farms (<3,000 hens) exempt from the egg sales ban. It takes effect for egg-laying hens on January 1, 2029, and for gestating sows on April 1, 2020 (already implemented).

Maddy summaryThis resolution (HR 28) is a symbolic statement by the Michigan House of Representatives condemning the U.S. Supreme Court's 2015 Obergefell v. Hodges decision, which established a constitutional right to same-sex marriage nationwide. It does not change law but formally opposes the ruling and reaffirms Michigan’s constitutional definition of marriage as exclusively between one man and one woman, as stated in Article I, Section 25 of the Michigan Constitution. The resolution was introduced by Rep. Josh Schriver and referred to the Committee on Government Operations on February 25, 2025. As a non-binding resolution, it has no legal effect on marriage laws or the Supreme Court’s ruling.

Maddy summaryHB 4002 amends Michigan's Earned Sick Time Act to clarify eligibility and usage rules for workers. It expands the definition of "family member" to include domestic partners and specifies that employees must work at least 25 hours weekly (averaged over a benefit year) to qualify for sick time. The bill also defines key terms like "benefit year" (a 12-month period for calculating leave) and clarifies that employers with 50+ employees must provide sick time for health, family, or safety needs. These changes aim to make the law's implementation more consistent while maintaining existing requirements for covered workers.

Maddy summaryThis is a ceremonial resolution, not a policy bill. It declares February 14, 2025, as "Frederick Douglass Day" in Michigan to honor the abolitionist's legacy. The resolution commemorates Douglass' life and contributions, including his birth date adoption and work for civil rights, but has no legal effect or impact on state laws or residents. It serves solely as a symbolic recognition.

Maddy summaryHB 4074 requires Michigan conservation officers to wear body-worn cameras during official duties. This applies specifically to conservation officers (not all law enforcement) while performing their conservation-related responsibilities. The bill mandates compliance with Michigan’s existing Law Enforcement Body-Worn Camera Privacy Act (2017 PA 85) for recording and disclosure of footage. The bill was introduced on February 12, 2025, and referred to the Natural Resources and Tourism Committee for further review.

Maddy summaryHB 4083 prohibits the production, sale, or offering for sale of lab-grown meat (defined as meat made from cultured animal cells outside the animal). This bill directly affects companies developing or selling cultivated meat products in Michigan. It amends Michigan's Food Law by adding a specific ban in Section 7129(7), making it illegal to manufacture or sell such products. The law does not change labeling requirements for traditional meat but explicitly blocks lab-grown meat from the market. The bill is currently in committee for review after its introduction on February 12, 2025.

Maddy summaryThis bill proposes amending Michigan's state constitution to require two-thirds approval from each legislative house for certain bills passed after November elections in even-numbered years. It directly affects bills considered during sessions following those elections, raising the threshold from a simple majority to a supermajority. The key provision modifies constitutional language to mandate that such bills cannot become law without two-thirds support in both the House and Senate, while maintaining existing requirements for bill printing, reading, and journaling. This change would apply specifically to bills introduced after the November general election in even-numbered years.

Maddy summaryHR 20 is a symbolic resolution designating February 2025 as Career and Technical Education (CTE) Month in Michigan. It does not create new programs or change funding but aims to raise public awareness about CTE's role in preparing students for high-demand, high-wage careers like healthcare, engineering, and skilled trades. The resolution acknowledges that over 112,000 Michigan high school students participated in CTE programs during the 2023-2024 school year, with most pursuing postsecondary education or employment. It is directed at state officials and the public to support workforce development awareness.

Maddy summaryHB 4061 requires state public employers and contractors (with 10+ employees) to verify the U.S. work authorization of all new hires using the federal E-Verify system or Form I-9. It mandates that contractors cannot bid on state contracts unless they participate in E-Verify, and public employers must verify all new employees' legal presence. Violations result in a one-year ban from state contracts, and false statements on verification forms are punishable as perjury. The law applies to all state and local government contracts involving services performed within Michigan.