Rep. Curt VanderWall

Maddy summaryHJR G is a proposed constitutional amendment (not a law) that seeks to remove three education governance bodies from Michigan's state constitution. It would eliminate the state board of education, the superintendent of public instruction, and the state board for public community/junior colleges by amending Article VIII, Sections 3 and 7. If approved by voters, these positions and boards would be abolished, shifting oversight of public education away from state-level governance. This is a procedural constitutional change requiring voter approval at the next general election.

Maddy summaryHB 4060 amends Michigan's school code to update rules for funding area career and technical education (CTE) programs through local property taxes. It sets specific millage limits: new programs can levy up to 1 mill, while existing programs can increase to 1.5 times their 1993 rate (with elector approval only for new increases). The bill requires school districts to audit and publicly post CTE fund usage online, mandates repayment if funds are misused, and defines allowable CTE program expenses to include inter-district contracts. These changes directly affect intermediate school districts operating CTE programs and ensure tax dollars are used solely for designated career education purposes.

Maddy summaryHR 40 is a non-binding resolution urging the Michigan High School Athletic Association (MHSAA) to update its eligibility rules for female athletes to comply with Executive Order 14201. The resolution states that MHSAA’s current rules, which allow biological males to compete in women’s sports, conflict with the federal executive order prioritizing female-only competition. It argues this noncompliance risks jeopardizing federal funding for Michigan school districts and compromises the safety and fairness of women’s athletic competitions. The resolution was adopted by the Michigan House with 66 yeas, 43 nays, and 1 excused vote on March 12, 2025.

Maddy summaryHB 4191 requires hunters who bait deer during hunting season to purchase a $20 deer baiting license in addition to a valid hunting license. This applies specifically to those engaging in "deer or elk baiting" (depositing feed to attract deer for hunting), excluding agricultural practices, normal logging, or feeding wildlife that excludes deer. Revenue from the license must fund research and surveillance of chronic wasting disease and other wildlife diseases in deer and elk. The bill amends Michigan’s Natural Resources Act to establish this licensing requirement and funding mechanism.

Maddy summaryHB 4176 amends Michigan's Natural Resources and Environmental Protection Act (MCL 324.73102) to allow property owners to use purple paint marks as a legal alternative to posted signs for marking "no trespassing" areas. Specifically, it requires purple paint marks to be vertical lines 8 inches long, placed 3-5 feet high on trees or posts, spaced no more than 100 feet apart, and visible from all approaches. This change directly affects property owners who can now use this method to legally prohibit recreational activities or trapping on their land without physical signs. The bill does not alter existing exceptions for farm property, fishing, or retrieving lost dogs, and it requires companion bill HB 4177 to also pass for full implementation.

Maddy summaryHB 4177 amends Michigan's Natural Resources and Environmental Protection Act to strengthen rules about purple paint marks used to indicate no-trespassing areas for recreation. It prohibits removing, defacing, or destroying existing purple paint marks (Sec. 73104) and bans placing new marks on others' property without written permission from the owner, lessee, or agent (Sec. 73105). The bill directly affects property owners, recreational users (like hunters or anglers), and land managers who use these marks to restrict access. It creates a clear legal requirement for written authorization before marking private property, ensuring property rights are respected during recreational activities.

Maddy summaryHB 4188 amends Michigan's Vehicle Code to clarify that operating a vehicle "in a careless or negligent manner likely to endanger any person or property, but without wantonness or recklessness" would be classified as a civil infraction. This change directly affects drivers whose behavior meets this specific standard - non-reckless, careless driving - by treating it as a civil matter rather than a criminal offense. The bill modifies Section 626b of the Michigan Vehicle Code (MCL 257.626b) to explicitly exclude cases involving "wantonness or recklessness," which would remain subject to more severe penalties. The amendment is procedural and aims to refine the legal definition of the infraction. The bill was introduced on March 6, 2025, and referred to the Judiciary Committee.

Maddy summaryHB 4167 amends Michigan's sentencing guidelines to specifically address the illicit use of xylazine, a veterinary drug increasingly misused in illicit drug mixtures. The bill adds xylazine to the list of substances covered under sentencing guidelines (MCL 777.13m), meaning courts must now apply standardized sentencing ranges for convictions involving its unauthorized possession or use. This directly affects individuals convicted of xylazine-related offenses, including those using it alone or combined with other drugs. The change creates a clear, defined sentencing path for this specific offense, moving beyond general drug sentencing rules to address xylazine's growing public health impact. The bill was introduced on March 5, 2025, and referred to the Judiciary Committee.

Maddy summaryHB 4166 prohibits the non-medical use of xylazine (a sedative sometimes mixed with drugs like fentanyl) in Michigan. It defines "illicit use" as any xylazine use not covered under "licit use," which includes legal veterinary applications, pharmaceutical manufacturing, or approved medical treatments. The bill amends Michigan's Public Health Code to make possessing or using xylazine for non-licensed purposes a felony, with penalties ranging from up to 20 years in prison or fines up to $1 million depending on the amount. This directly affects individuals using xylazine outside approved medical or veterinary contexts, aligning penalties with those for other controlled substances like opioids.

Maddy summaryThis resolution urges Congress to freeze the Adverse Effect Wage Rate (AEWR) for H-2A agricultural workers at the 2023 level ($15.10/hour) through 2025. It directly affects Michigan farmers who rely on the H-2A program, as the current 2025 AEWR in Michigan is $18.15/hour - a 34% increase since 2019. The resolution seeks to prevent further wage hikes for temporary farm workers, aiming to reduce rising labor costs amid broader farm expense increases. It does not change existing law but calls on Congress to pass legislation implementing this freeze.