Rep. Ken Borton

Maddy summaryThis bill requires school district boards in Michigan to allow homeschooled and nonpublic school students to join extracurricular activities like sports and clubs if they live within the district. To participate, these students must meet the same academic, conduct, and competitive selection standards as public school students without being forced to enroll in public school classes. The law also prohibits schools from denying participation based on capacity limits unless those limits apply equally to all students and are based on objective criteria. Additionally, districts must report annually on how many nonpublic students apply, are approved, or are denied participation, and they face potential fines for violating these rules.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends Michigan's Clean and Renewable Energy and Energy Waste Reduction Act to update definitions and requirements for renewable energy programs. It directly affects electric and natural gas providers, state agencies, and energy consumers by modifying how clean energy standards are calculated and how costs are recovered from customers. Key changes include redefining clean energy systems to include natural gas plants with carbon capture technology, establishing a wind energy resource zone board, and adjusting rules for customer generation and net metering. The legislation also updates provisions related to energy waste reduction programs and authorizes new residential energy improvement initiatives.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires electric, gas, and steam utilities in Michigan to consider all available energy sources when planning their integrated resource portfolios. It amends existing state laws governing utility rate-setting and planning processes to ensure comprehensive evaluation of different energy options. The legislation also establishes specific timelines for utility rate applications and includes provisions for partial rate relief motions for smaller gas utilities. Additionally, the bill repeals a specific section of the Public Service Commission Act related to stranded costs.

Maddy summaryHB 5281, the "Third-Party Litigation Funding Transparency Act," regulates third-party funding of civil lawsuits by requiring funding companies to register with the state, disclose all terms to clients, and cap fees at 36% annually. It directly affects litigation funding companies and attorneys who use these services, mandating clear disclosure of costs and prohibiting hidden fees. The bill excludes pro bono nonprofits, health insurers, and traditional loans from its rules, focusing specifically on commercial funding arrangements where funders share in lawsuit proceeds. It establishes civil penalties for violations and gives state officials authority to enforce these requirements.

Maddy summaryThis bill removes the legal requirement for hunters and dealers in Michigan to report the number of deer pelts they possess or trade. While the law currently mandates that individuals holding licenses must submit notarized reports on all other fur-bearing animals and game birds, this legislation specifically exempts deer pelts from those reporting obligations. The change affects both hunters who keep pelts after the season and businesses that buy or sell them, allowing them to exclude deer pelts from their monthly and seasonal filings to the state department.

Maddy summaryThis House resolution urges Michigan Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson to voluntarily release documents and information regarding her past work with the Southern Poverty Law Center (SPLC), specifically concerning the organization's alleged payments to extremist groups. The bill is based on a federal indictment that accuses the SPLC of fraudulently diverting donor money to fund individuals associated with hate groups while claiming to fight them. It highlights Benson's previous roles as an undercover investigator and board member at the SPLC during the period of the alleged misconduct, suggesting she may possess unique knowledge of these operations. The resolution calls for her to publicly address her involvement to ensure transparency and avoid any appearance of impropriety, citing her prior refusal to comply with a separate subpoena as a reason for this request.

Maddy summaryHB 5308 requires Michigan watercraft owners to purchase an annual $35 "Great Lakes protection" decal. Revenue from these decals funds invasive species prevention and remediation efforts under Section 80124b. The bill mandates that the state agency discontinue sales if fewer than 2,000 decals are sold by September 2006, then fewer than 500 annually after that. It directly affects recreational boat owners in Michigan who must buy the decal to legally operate watercraft. The decal design is specified but placement rules allow flexibility for law enforcement.

Maddy summaryHB 5901 modifies Michigan's eminent domain laws to require government agencies to make a formal, good-faith written offer for property before starting condemnation proceedings. The bill also clarifies rules for filing court complaints, defines what constitutes a suitable replacement home for displaced residents, and outlines how agencies can request financial records from property owners to determine fair compensation. Additionally, the legislation shifts the burden of proof regarding bad faith offers to the agency and establishes specific penalties if an owner unreasonably withholds necessary financial documents.

Maddy summaryThis bill modifies Michigan's condemnation laws to clarify how courts review whether the government or a private entity needs to take private property. It establishes that public agencies' claims of needing land are generally binding on courts unless fraud, legal error, or abuse of discretion is proven, while private entities must prove public necessity to the court. The legislation also adjusts the burden of proof, requiring agencies to show by a preponderance of evidence that a taking is for public use, or by clear and convincing evidence if the project involves eradicating blight. Additionally, the bill sets a 60-day deadline for courts to decide these necessity challenges and limits the ability to appeal such decisions to the Court of Appeals without special permission.

Maddy summaryHB 5091 amends Michigan's Public Officers Financial Disclosure Act by clarifying key definitions used in financial reporting. It specifically defines terms like "public officer" (including state legislators, the governor, attorney general, and county officials in large counties), "earned income," "gift," and "liabilities" for disclosure purposes. These definitions will directly affect elected state officials and certain county leaders who must file annual financial disclosures. The bill does not change reporting requirements but ensures consistent understanding of terms used in the disclosure forms. It focuses on standardizing terminology rather than creating new obligations.