Rep. Ken Borton

Maddy summaryHB 5092 modifies Michigan's breeding license requirements for large carnivores, requiring businesses to maintain a valid federal animal exhibition license (Class C) in good standing for five years. It applies specifically to organizations that display large carnivores to the public for education or exhibition purposes, not to general pet owners or breeders. The bill prohibits direct public contact with these animals and restricts sales only to other qualified licensees meeting the same requirements. These changes took immediate effect upon the Governor's approval on November 18, 2025.

Maddy summaryThis is a ceremonial resolution (not a law), declaring November 15, 2025, as "Hunting Heritage Day" in Michigan. It recognizes hunting's cultural significance, economic impact (supporting 135,000 jobs and contributing $8.9 billion annually), and role in wildlife management and community programs like Hunters Feeding Michigan. The resolution does not create new laws or affect regulations; it solely serves to honor hunting traditions and its contributions to Michigan. It was introduced and adopted by the Michigan House of Representatives.

Maddy summaryHB 5245, titled the "State Officers Public Trust Guarantee Act," prohibits state officers (appointed by the governor or executive officials) from accepting employment with entities they contracted with during their tenure for at least two years after leaving office. It specifically bans employment with any person (including corporations or government entities) they issued contracts to via request for proposals or payments for services. Violations carry misdemeanor penalties of up to 90 days in jail or a $1,000 fine. The law takes effect January 1, 2026, aiming to prevent conflicts of interest by restricting post-employment opportunities with past business partners.

Maddy summaryHB 5240 prohibits Michigan credit unions from denying, restricting, or canceling financial services to agriculture producers based on their greenhouse gas emissions, fertilizer use, or machinery type. It specifically targets credit unions that have made environmental, social, and governance (ESG) commitments, presuming such restrictions violate the law unless the credit union proves the decision was based solely on ordinary business reasons unrelated to ESG goals. Violations carry a civil fine of up to $10,000 per incident. The bill directly affects domestic credit unions and agriculture producers (defined as farm owners/operators under Michigan law), covering services like loans, deposits, and other financial products.

Maddy summaryHB 5241 prohibits Michigan state departments and agencies from entering contracts with businesses that boycott certain entities. Starting October 1, 2017, contracts for state building projects require a representation that the business is not boycotting "strategic partners" (as defined in the law). A new provision, effective January 1, 2026, extends this to ban contracts with businesses boycotting entities in conventional energy, mining, agriculture, timber, or firearms industries. The law directly affects state contractors by requiring written assurances they are not engaging in these boycotts.

Maddy summaryHB 5238 prohibits banks in Michigan from denying, restricting, or canceling financial services to agriculture producers based on their greenhouse gas emissions, fertilizer use, or machinery type. It specifically targets banks with environmental, social, and governance (ESG) commitments - like public statements or participation in green initiatives - by creating a presumption that such actions violate the law. Banks can rebut this presumption with clear evidence that the decision was based solely on ordinary business reasons unrelated to ESG goals. Violations could result in civil fines up to $10,000 per incident, covering services like loans, deposits, and financing. The bill directly affects Michigan farmers operating under the Right to Farm Act and aims to prevent financial discrimination tied to environmental practices.

Maddy summaryHB 5239 prohibits savings banks in Michigan from denying, restricting, or canceling financial services to agriculture producers based on their greenhouse gas emissions, fossil fuel fertilizer use, or fossil fuel-powered machinery. It directly affects savings banks (which must stop such restrictions) and agriculture producers (who gain protection from service denials tied to environmental factors). The bill creates a presumption of violation if a bank with an environmental/social commitment denies services, but allows banks to rebut this with evidence showing the decision was based solely on ordinary business reasons unrelated to environmental goals. Violations carry a civil fine of up to $10,000.

Maddy summaryHB 5237 prohibits Michigan public employee retirement systems from investing in environmental, social, and governance (ESG) funds unless those investments offer comparable financial returns to other options. The bill amends Section 13 of the Public Employee Retirement System Investment Act to require investment fiduciaries to consider *only* financial factors (like risk and return) when making decisions, explicitly excluding non-financial social, political, or ideological objectives. This directly affects retirement systems managing funds for state employees, including teachers and public workers, by restricting their ability to prioritize ESG criteria in investment choices. The key provision clarifies that ESG considerations cannot be used as a primary factor unless they demonstrably align with financial performance goals.

Maddy summaryThis resolution declares November 12-18, 2025, as "Community Foundation Week" in Michigan. It formally recognizes the work of Michigan’s 60+ community foundations, which support local communities through partnerships, crisis response, and addressing issues like poverty and disaster recovery. The resolution does not create new laws or funding but serves as a ceremonial acknowledgment of these organizations' role in strengthening communities across urban, suburban, and rural areas. It was introduced by multiple state representatives and adopted by the House on November 12, 2025.

Maddy summaryHB 4421 amends Michigan's Natural Resources and Environmental Protection Act to require Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (DEGLE) agents to obtain a warrant or the property owner's consent before entering private property for enforcement activities. It explicitly states that the "open fields doctrine" (which typically allows warrantless searches in open areas) does not apply to DEGLE searches. This change directly affects DEGLE enforcement officers and property owners/occupants by imposing standard warrant requirements for all searches on private land. The policy shift ensures DEGLE must follow similar procedural rules as law enforcement when conducting inspections or investigations on private property.