Rep. Ken Borton

Maddy summaryHB 5803 amends Michigan's child care licensing law to update the definitions of various facilities and staff members, such as clarifying who counts as a "child care staff member" or what constitutes a "children's camp." The bill directly affects child care centers, group homes, and other organizations that provide care for minors by refining the rules used to classify them under state regulations. By revising these specific terms in the statute, the legislation aims to ensure that licensing standards apply consistently to different types of care settings. This change does not alter existing licensing requirements but rather clarifies the language used to describe the entities and individuals covered by the law.

Maddy summaryThis Michigan bill updates high school graduation requirements by allowing students to earn math credits through approved career and technical education programs in trades like welding, construction, and engineering. It adds a new section to the state school code that recognizes formal CTE programs as equivalent to traditional math courses when they cover the same content as state assessments. The legislation also clarifies how personal finance courses can count toward multiple subject requirements, including math, arts, and foreign language credits. These changes directly affect public school districts and academies in Michigan by providing more flexibility in how students meet graduation standards while maintaining core academic expectations.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires K-5 teachers and literacy support staff in Michigan to complete specific professional training focused on reading and literacy instruction by the 2029-2030 school year. The legislation designates a single state-approved provider to deliver the training, which must cover evidence-based reading methods, assessment strategies, and a multitiered system of supports for addressing learning difficulties. School districts must report annual compliance data to the state department, which will publish public reports on implementation progress and recommend funding adjustments as needed. The training includes mandatory components on phonics, vocabulary, comprehension, and data-driven decision-making, with phased implementation beginning in the 2026-2027 school year.

Maddy summaryHB 4064 prohibits Michigan state senators and representatives from receiving extra pay (beyond their regular salary) for directly communicating with government officials to influence legislative or administrative decisions. It specifically bans compensation for lobbying activities involving officials in Michigan's executive or legislative branches, or similar officials in other state or local governments. Violating this rule is a misdemeanor punishable by up to 90 days in jail, a $1,000 fine, or both. The bill amends Michigan's ethics law (MCL 4.411-4.431) and takes effect January 1, 2026.

Maddy summaryHB 4517 amends Michigan's Child Abduction Broadcast Act to update its title and expand how radio and TV stations can share missing child information. It specifically allows stations to broadcast alerts via social media (beyond traditional radio/TV) when sharing details from the Michigan Department of State Police under the Amber Alert system. The bill also maintains legal immunity for stations that accurately broadcast this information. This directly affects broadcasters, law enforcement, and the public by broadening the channels for urgent child safety alerts.

Maddy summaryHB 4518 modifies Michigan's Amber Alert Act to require law enforcement agencies to submit missing child alert reports to the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children within 24 hours of activating an alert. This change directly affects Michigan police departments and state agencies that use the Amber Alert system. The bill updates existing law by replacing prior reporting timelines with a specific 24-hour deadline for submissions. This policy adjustment aims to expedite information sharing during missing child cases.

Maddy summaryHB 4350 amends Michigan's Natural Resources and Environmental Protection Act to allow individuals to feed wild birds and other wildlife under specific conditions. This bill permits such feeding if it occurs within 300 feet of a residence and the total amount of feed does not exceed two gallons. It clarifies that this allowance does not apply to activities like baiting for hunting, normal agricultural practices, or feeding conducted in a way that excludes deer and elk. This aims to create limited exceptions for recreational or preventative feeding of wildlife by residents.

Maddy summaryHB 4187 modifies Michigan's corporate income tax law by adjusting how the tax base is calculated and clarifying revenue distribution. It requires corporations to add back certain taxes and expenses previously deducted for federal purposes (like state taxes or related-party royalties) and eliminates deductions for oil/gas and mineral-related income and expenses. For the 2021-2022 fiscal year, the bill directs $800 million of corporate tax revenue to the Michigan taxpayer rebate fund, while other years’ revenue flows to the general fund. This directly affects corporations operating in Michigan and the state’s budget allocation process.

Maddy summaryHB 4805 increases the percentage of Michigan's Children's Trust Fund available for disbursement to child welfare programs. It changes the disbursement rate from 4.25% (2015-2017) to up to 5% starting in 2018 (if the fund's 12-quarter average reaches $23.5 million), and then to up to 8% beginning in fiscal year 2025. The bill uses a rolling average of the fund's value (including investment gains or losses) to determine annual disbursement amounts. This directly affects state funding for child abuse prevention and related services under the Child Abuse and Neglect Prevention Act.

Maddy summaryHB 4808 amends Michigan's Open Meetings Act to allow specific public bodies to hold remote meetings via video or phone under new conditions, expanding beyond emergency situations. It directly affects agricultural commodity groups (like beef or potato commissions), municipal retirement boards, energy joint agencies, and the Children's Trust Michigan state board. Key provisions require two-way communication during remote meetings, 18-hour advance notice with clear participation details, and agenda posting 2 hours before meetings. The bill maintains transparency requirements while permitting remote participation for these designated groups without restricting physical meeting options.