Rep. Joseph Fox

Maddy summaryThis bill requires public and nonpublic schools in Michigan to adopt and implement a standardized plan for response terminology starting in the 2026-2027 school year. The law mandates that school boards and directors use consistent language when communicating about safety incidents to ensure clarity across the education system. However, the bill does not take effect unless it is passed together with a companion bill, HB 4096.

Maddy summaryThis bill designates a specific stretch of Interstate 94 in Wayne County as the "Corporal Mohamed Said Memorial Highway." The designated section runs between Oakwood Boulevard and Outer Drive W. By adding this new section to the Michigan Memorial Highway Act, the legislation officially names the road in honor of Corporal Mohamed Said.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a new Office of Tribal Legislative Liaison within Michigan's Legislative Council to strengthen government-to-government relationships between the state legislature and federally recognized tribes. The office will be led by a liaison appointed by the council from a list provided by the United Tribes of Michigan, who will be supported by at least two policy advisors. Key duties include visiting each tribe annually, advising lawmakers on how proposed legislation impacts tribal communities, and providing mandatory training for legislators on tribal history and consultation processes. Additionally, the office must submit an annual public report detailing tribal concerns raised during the legislative process to the governor and legislative leaders.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires the Michigan State Police to create a standardized set of response terms and a color-coding system for schools by July 1, 2026. The new rules will guide how public and nonpublic schools, along with local law enforcement, communicate during specific incidents occurring on school property. By establishing a uniform language and visual code, the legislation aims to improve coordination between schools and police when handling emergencies.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes an interstate licensure compact for occupational therapists and occupational therapy assistants in Michigan, allowing them to practice in other member states without obtaining separate licenses. The legislation creates a system where a therapist licensed in their home state can receive a "compact privilege" to work in remote states, provided the patient is located in that remote state during the encounter. Key provisions include the mutual recognition of licenses, the sharing of disciplinary and investigative information between states, and specific accommodations for military families relocating. The law also aims to improve public access to therapy services by facilitating the use of telehealth technology and ensuring consistent regulatory standards across participating jurisdictions.

Maddy summaryThis bill updates Michigan's public health code to allow occupational therapists and occupational therapy assistants to practice under a national licensure compact. The key provision authorizes individuals who hold a compact privilege from other states to engage in practice within Michigan as if they were fully licensed under state law. By incorporating this compact, the legislation aims to facilitate easier mobility for these healthcare professionals across state lines while maintaining the same professional standards and obligations. The changes apply directly to occupational therapy practitioners and the facilities that employ them, ensuring that out-of-state compact members are recognized and regulated consistently with local licensees.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends Michigan's zoning enabling act to require local zoning ordinances to comply with several state laws, including the digital asset act, while explicitly preventing counties and townships from regulating oil and gas drilling operations. It also establishes a legal framework for mining valuable natural resources, allowing extraction unless it would cause very serious consequences, and shifts the initial burden of proof to anyone challenging a zoning decision regarding such resources. Additionally, the legislation protects renewable energy projects that received special land use approval after January 1, 2021, by classifying them as prior nonconforming uses that cannot be revoked or modified if substantial construction or specific expenditures have occurred. Local governments retain the ability to regulate operational details like noise, dust, and traffic, provided these rules reasonably accommodate customary mining activities.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes the Digital Asset Act to regulate the use of cryptocurrencies and digital assets in Michigan while protecting specific rights for individuals and businesses. It prohibits local governments from taxing digital assets used for payment, restricting how people store their assets in wallets, or interfering with home and industrial digital asset mining operations. The legislation also bans state and local entities from accepting central bank digital currency as legal payment and prevents them from requiring it for taxes or services. Additionally, the bill limits noise complaints related to mining activities to general sound pollution rules and offers a legal remedy of treble damages for violations.

Maddy summaryThis bill modifies Michigan's civil procedure laws to allow courts to award legal costs and fees to the prevailing party in lawsuits involving the state, provided the state's position was not substantially justifiable. It defines "costs and fees" to include reasonable expenses for expert witnesses, studies, and attorney fees, while setting a standard cap of $75 per hour for legal services unless special circumstances justify a higher rate. The legislation also establishes specific eligibility criteria, excluding wealthy individuals and large organizations from receiving these awards, and requires the state to demonstrate that its actions caused the plaintiff to incur the expenses. Additionally, the bill outlines conditions under which a court may deny an award if the state's legal stance was frivolous or if the plaintiff engaged in conduct that unnecessarily prolonged the legal process.