Rep. Ken Borton

Maddy summaryHB 5598 is a funding bill that allocates state budget resources to Michigan's Department of Agriculture and Rural Development for the 2026-2027 fiscal year (ending September 30, 2027). It establishes specific funding levels for the department's operations and programs during this period. The bill directly affects the department's ability to carry out its responsibilities, including agricultural support, rural development initiatives, and regulatory functions. As a procedural appropriations act, it does not change policies but provides the necessary financial resources for existing state operations.

Maddy summaryHB 5613 is a funding bill that allocates state budget resources to Michigan's Department of Natural Resources (DNR) for the 2026-2027 fiscal year (ending September 30, 2027). It provides the specific monetary amounts needed for the DNR to operate, manage state parks and natural resources, and carry out its core responsibilities during that period. As an appropriations bill, it does not create new policies or regulations but ensures the DNR has the necessary funding to continue its existing programs. The bill was introduced on February 26, 2026, and referred to the Appropriations Committee for review.

Maddy summaryHB 4932 modifies Michigan's continuing education requirements for pharmacists and pharmacy technicians renewing their licenses. It adds a new requirement that 100% of the continuing education hours must include pain and symptom management content, as specified by the department. The bill also allows all continuing education to be completed online or electronically through department-approved programs. This applies directly to licensed pharmacists and pharmacy technicians seeking license renewal in Michigan, without changing the existing hour requirements (30 hours for pharmacists, 20 hours for technicians).

Maddy summaryHB 4934 amends Michigan's Public Health Code to clarify that relicensing a temporary psychology license (after it lapses) counts as one renewal under existing rules. This specifically affects psychologists who held temporary licenses under Sections 18223(2) or (4) but let their licenses expire. The bill allows these individuals to have their relicensed status treated as a valid renewal, avoiding the need to restart the full temporary license period. It does not change education, experience, or examination requirements for new applicants or standard license renewals.

Maddy summaryHB 5210 allows commercial fishing license holders to list multiple vessels on a single license instead of requiring separate licenses for each boat. Licensees can add or remove vessels anytime by providing written notice to the department. The bill also clarifies rules for transferring licenses when boats are sold, damaged, or lost, including fee adjustments for larger vessels or non-resident transfers. All vessels listed under one license must operate within 50 miles of the originally designated port.

Maddy summaryHB 5219 would allow direct farm-to-consumer sales of raw milk and raw milk products in Michigan by amending the Food Law. It defines "direct farm-to-consumer product" to explicitly include raw milk meeting requirements under the 2001 Manufacturing Milk Law, enabling farmers to sell these products directly to consumers on their property. The bill adds new sections (4102a and 4102b) to establish this sales pathway while maintaining existing pasteurization requirements for other sales. This change directly affects farmers producing raw milk and consumers purchasing it directly from farms, without altering commercial milk sales rules.

Maddy summaryHB 5217 would allow direct farm-to-consumer sales of raw (unpasteurized) milk and milk products by dairy producers who comply with specific safety standards under Michigan's Food Law (2000). It amends existing milk regulations to explicitly permit this sale method, provided producers meet requirements in Section 4102a of the Food Law and adhere to the definition of "direct farm-to-consumer producer" from the Food Law. This change affects small dairy farms selling directly to consumers, not restaurants or grocery stores, and maintains existing pasteurization requirements for all other milk sales. The bill requires compliance with state safety protocols but does not alter pasteurization rules for commercial distribution.

Maddy summaryHB 5535 would allow plumbing inspectors to provide plumbing services without violating state law. Currently, plumbing inspectors (registered under Article 10) are prohibited from engaging in the plumbing business, such as installing pipes or selling materials, due to potential conflicts with their inspection duties. The bill amends Section 1123 of Michigan's Skilled Trades Regulation Act to remove this prohibition, permitting inspectors to work for or own plumbing businesses. This change directly affects local plumbing inspectors who wish to operate in both roles simultaneously.

Maddy summaryHB 5543 increases the annual funding for grade crossing surface improvements from $3 million to $6 million per year by amending Section 10(1)(b) of Michigan's Transportation Fund Act (MCL 247.660). This change directs more state transportation funds toward safety and surface repairs at railroad crossings - locations where roads intersect train tracks - across Michigan. The bill specifically adjusts the allocation within the state trunk line fund, ensuring doubled resources for maintaining these critical infrastructure points. It does not alter other funding mechanisms but directly affects how money is distributed for grade crossing safety upgrades.

Maddy summaryHB 5035 creates a legal remedy for individuals harmed by false claims in assisted reproduction services. It allows patients who gave birth to a child through such services, their spouses at the time, children conceived via the false representation, or gamete donors to sue providers for economic damages, non-financial harm, attorney fees, and punitive damages. The law requires lawsuits to be filed within 3 years of discovering the false representation and specifies that this new cause of action applies alongside existing criminal or civil penalties. The bill directly affects patients, families, and donors involved in assisted reproduction when providers make misleading claims about services or results.