Rep. J.R. Roth

Maddy summaryHB 5455 enacts Michigan's participation in the Interstate Medical Licensure Compact, allowing physicians licensed in participating states to more easily obtain licenses in Michigan and other member states. This directly affects physicians seeking to practice across state lines, particularly through telehealth or in rural areas with healthcare shortages. The bill establishes a streamlined "expedited license" process for eligible physicians who meet specific criteria (like holding a full license in another member state and having no disciplinary history), while requiring physicians to follow the licensing rules of the state where the patient is located during care. It does not change Michigan's existing medical practice laws but creates a new pathway for multi-state licensure through a standardized compact process.

Maddy summaryHB 4044 designates the wood duck (*Aix sponsa*) as Michigan's official state duck. This symbolic bill establishes a state symbol without changing laws, policies, or affecting any specific group or community. It simply adds the wood duck to Michigan's list of official state emblems, following standard procedural naming practices for state symbols.

Maddy summaryHB 5537 prohibits the production, sale, or offering for sale of kratom (including all parts of the Mitragyna speciose plant and synthetic variants like 7-hydroxymitragynine) in Michigan. It directly affects businesses and individuals selling kratom products, imposing misdemeanor penalties that escalate based on severity: up to 90 days in jail and $5,000 fines for first offenses, with harsher penalties for repeat violations or sales to minors. Sales to anyone under 18 carry enhanced penalties, including up to one year in jail and $10,000 fines for first offenses. The law defines "kratom" broadly to cover all plant parts, extracts, and synthetic forms, making these activities illegal under Michigan's penal code.

Maddy summaryHB 5234 modifies Michigan's vehicle code to change how law enforcement agencies can use fees collected from salvage vehicle inspections. Specifically, it updates Section 217c of the Michigan Vehicle Code (MCL 257.217c) to expand allowable uses for these fee revenues. The bill directly affects local law enforcement agencies that collect these inspection fees, allowing them to allocate funds toward equipment, training, or other operational needs previously restricted. This is a procedural funding adjustment with no new tax or mandate.

Maddy summaryHB 4388, the "Social Media Regulation Act," requires social media companies with at least 5 million global users to verify the age of Michigan residents applying for accounts and obtain explicit parental consent if the applicant is under 18. It directly affects minors in Michigan and major social media platforms, prohibiting account creation without age verification or parental consent for minors. The law excludes non-social media services like email, direct messaging, news sites, e-commerce, and school-specific platforms (e.g., learning management systems) from its requirements. The bill takes effect 180 days after enactment, mandating social media companies to deny applications that fail these verification steps.

Maddy summaryThis bill modifies the Michigan Consumer Protection Act to clarify which transactions and activities are excluded from its coverage. It maintains existing exemptions for regulated industries like banking, insurance, and motor carriers, while also preserving protections for media publishers who do not knowingly spread false advertisements. The legislation places the burden of proof on businesses claiming exemptions from the act's requirements. These changes ensure that specific industries and media operations remain outside the scope of consumer protection claims unless they violate specific state or federal regulations.

Maddy summaryHB 4582, the "Commercial Premises Liability Act," establishes new rules for property owners regarding injuries to customers (invitees) on their premises. It creates a defense for property owners against liability claims when a hazard is "open and obvious" (e.g., a clearly visible spill), meaning they generally don’t need to warn customers about such conditions. However, owners must take reasonable precautions if an obvious hazard has "special features" making it unavoidable or posing severe risk (like a steep, unmarked step). The bill clarifies it doesn’t override existing laws or change comparative fault rules, focusing solely on defining when property owners must act to prevent injuries.

Maddy summaryHB 5126 creates new sentencing guidelines specifically for theft of cargo offenses in Michigan. It amends Michigan's Code of Criminal Procedure (MCL 777.16r) to establish distinct sentencing parameters for cases involving the theft of cargo, which currently lack specific guidelines. The bill directly affects courts, prosecutors, and defendants in cargo theft cases by providing clearer sentencing standards for these offenses. This is a procedural change to sentencing guidelines, not a new criminal charge or penalty. The bill was introduced on October 23, 2025, and referred to the Judiciary Committee.

Maddy summaryThis bill modifies Michigan's certificate of need requirements for outpatient imaging centers by allowing certain imaging services to proceed with a simple letter of intent instead of a full certificate application. It directly affects healthcare providers seeking to add or expand positron emission tomography, magnetic resonance, or computerized tomography scanners in facilities that are not owned by hospitals and do not charge facility fees. Under the new rules, the state health department must acknowledge approval within 30 days of receiving a letter of intent, after which providers can begin the service without further certification. The legislation aims to streamline the process for independent imaging centers while maintaining oversight through the department's verification step.

Maddy summaryThis bill strengthens penalties for threatening, intimidating, or harassing employees of Michigan's Family Independence Agency, which includes staff from the Department of Health and Human Services and contracted private agencies. It expands criminal liability to cover verbal threats, intimidation, and harassment specifically targeting these workers due to their employment status. The legislation establishes misdemeanor charges for threats, intimidation, or harassment punishable by up to one year in jail or a $1,000 fine, while physical assaults causing injury become felonies with potential sentences of up to two years or a $1,000 fine. More severe assaults resulting in serious impairment of body functions carry felony penalties of up to five years in prison and fines ranging from $1,000 to $5,000. The bill also clarifies definitions for harassment and intimidation while ensuring that convictions under this law do not prevent prosecution under other applicable laws.