Rep. Ken Borton

Maddy summaryThis bill modifies Michigan's high school graduation requirements by allowing students to earn mathematics credits through career and technical education programs instead of traditional classroom courses. Specifically, it permits pupils to satisfy the algebra II requirement by completing approved CTE curricula in fields such as engineering, construction, or computer science that cover the same mathematical content. Additionally, the legislation clarifies that students can partially or fully meet the foreign language requirement by completing CTE or visual and performing arts instruction. These changes aim to provide more flexible pathways for students to graduate while maintaining specific academic standards in math and language arts.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires election officials in Michigan to keep electronic poll book flash drives for 22 months after an election before they can be destroyed. The law applies to all flash drives used during primary or general elections and does not change how other election records are handled. This provision ensures that digital voting records are preserved for a specific period following the election.

Maddy summaryThis bill designates April 19 of each year as Patriots' Day in Michigan, aligning the state with other regions that observe this holiday. The legislation recognizes the historical significance of the American Revolutionary War battles at Lexington and Concord while also acknowledging Michigan's role through British settlements and forts like Detroit, Mackinac, and St. Joseph. It creates a new state holiday to commemorate these historical events and traditions, including reenactments and ceremonies honoring colonial militia. The bill does not establish a paid day off but formally recognizes the date for commemorative purposes.

Maddy summaryThis bill proposes amendments to Michigan's Privately Owned Cervidae Producers Marketing Act, which regulates the sale and marketing of deer and elk by private producers. The legislation modifies several sections of the existing law to update definitions and requirements related to cervidae producers. These changes would affect individuals and businesses involved in the private production and marketing of deer and elk in Michigan. The bill aims to clarify terminology and operational standards within the current regulatory framework.

Maddy summaryHB 4922 removes a requirement that school librarians in Michigan public schools must obtain additional certifications beyond a standard teaching certificate. The bill directly affects school librarians, school districts, and public school academies by prohibiting them from mandating extra endorsements or certificates for librarian positions. Key provision: Section 1531k of the Revised School Code explicitly states that no school entity may require such additional credentials. This change simplifies hiring for school libraries while maintaining the baseline teaching certificate requirement. The bill is currently pending second reading after committee review.

Maddy summaryHB 5307 amends Michigan's hunting regulations to modify penalties for failing to report a deer harvest or retain a required confirmation number. The bill targets hunters who do not comply with reporting requirements for deer, which is a specific violation under the Natural Resources and Environmental Protection Act. Key mechanisms include adding or adjusting penalties for this reporting failure, potentially affecting hunters who miss these requirements. The bill does not change penalties for other hunting violations (like taking deer without a permit), which remain detailed in the existing section. (Note: The provided bill text shows existing penalty structures but does not specify the exact amendment language for the reporting requirement change.)

Maddy summaryThis bill proposes changes to Michigan's Public Health Code to establish specific licensure requirements for freestanding abortion clinics. It directly affects healthcare facilities that operate outside of hospitals by mandating they meet new regulatory standards set forth in the added sections. The legislation would require these clinics to obtain a license and comply with updated health and safety provisions outlined in the amended statutes.

Maddy summaryThis bill modifies Michigan's vehicle code to update rules for speed limits and enforcement in school zones. It clarifies definitions for school zones and adjusts the timing of when lower speed limits must be enforced, expanding the window before and after school sessions to 60 minutes instead of 30. The legislation also allows school superintendents to set additional enforcement periods for times like off-campus lunch and field trips, while maintaining a minimum speed limit of 25 mph in these zones. Additionally, it permits the use of digital signs and flashing lights to display school zone speed limits and requires specific signage for year-round schools.

Maddy summaryThis bill modifies Michigan's property tax laws to ensure that farms offering agritourism activities or direct marketing retain their lower agricultural tax classification. It defines agritourism as public events like tours, festivals, and weddings held on the farm, while direct marketing includes selling products directly to consumers at roadside stands or farm stores. The legislation clarifies that engaging in these activities will not cause a property to lose its special tax status, shifting the burden of proof to the state department if a challenge is raised. Additionally, the bill specifies that certain buildings used for these activities, such as on-farm stores or event spaces, count as agricultural outbuildings for tax purposes.

Maddy summaryThis bill modifies Michigan's Administrative Procedures Act to change how state agencies create and review new rules. It requires agencies to submit detailed requests for rule-making electronically to the Office of Regulatory Reinvention, which must approve these requests before agencies can proceed. The bill also updates the process for the Legislative Service Bureau to formally certify proposed rules, including stricter timelines and requirements for correcting errors in rule formatting or impact analyses.