Rep. Ken Borton

Maddy summaryThis bill amends Michigan's property tax laws to clarify how disabled veterans and their surviving spouses qualify for tax exemptions on their homes. It establishes specific criteria for eligibility based on U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs ratings and outlines a streamlined process where exemptions granted after January 1, 2025, remain in effect without needing annual reapplication. The legislation also introduces an audit program to verify eligibility every three years and defines clear rules for prorating tax exemptions when property ownership changes during the year.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires the Michigan National Guard to pay all servicemembers their compensation through direct deposit or electronic transfer starting with their first eligible pay period. The legislation amends existing state wage payment laws to mandate this specific payment method for National Guard members, who must provide the necessary banking information to enable the transfers. While the bill maintains existing protections for other employees regarding payroll debit cards and direct deposit consent, it creates a special provision that applies exclusively to the National Guard without requiring individual opt-in consent from each servicemember. This change ensures consistent electronic payment processing for military compensation while preserving the broader legal framework governing wage payments for other Michigan employees.

Maddy summaryHB 4902 repeals a specific provision (MCL 333.18109) from Michigan's Public Health Code that previously allowed certain counselors to obtain a limited license. This change eliminates an existing pathway for counselors to practice under a restricted license. The bill directly affects counselors who might have qualified for this limited license option under the repealed law. The action removes this specific licensing mechanism from state law without creating new requirements or benefits.

Maddy summaryHB 4903 modifies relicensing requirements for licensed professional counselors and limited licensed counselors in Michigan. It simplifies renewal for those applying more than three years after their license expires by allowing them to either retake a national exam (like the National Counselor Examination) or prove they meet certification standards, instead of requiring additional training. The bill also updates verification processes for out-of-state licenses and maintains existing disclosure statement requirements. These changes directly affect counselors seeking to renew expired licenses, particularly those with significant gaps in practice. The bill does not create new requirements but adjusts existing relicensing pathways for greater flexibility.

Maddy summaryHB 4904 eliminates a requirement for licensed professional counselors and limited licensed counselors in Michigan to submit a "professional disclosure statement" when renewing their licenses. The bill amends Section 18114 of the Public Health Code to remove this requirement and repeals Section 18113, which previously defined the disclosure statement's content. This change directly affects counselors applying for relicensure under the existing rules for renewing licenses within 3 years or more after expiration. The bill simplifies the relicensure process by removing this specific documentation obligation.

Maddy summaryThis bill proposes an amendment to the Michigan state constitution to permanently extend a property tax relief measure for homeowners who sell their primary residences. Currently, selling a home triggers a full reassessment of its value, which often leads to a significant spike in property taxes for the new owner; this change would allow the new owner to keep the lower taxable value established under the existing cap rules. The relief applies only to homes that are continuously owned and used as a principal residence, meaning the tax advantage ends if the property is sold for investment purposes or converted to a non-residential use. By removing the automatic reset of taxable value upon transfer, the bill aims to reduce the financial burden on families moving between primary homes.

Maddy summaryHB 5800 amends Michigan's state school aid law to clarify how districts and intermediate districts must report student enrollment and attendance data to receive funding. The bill establishes strict deadlines for submitting these reports and mandates that state aid payments be immediately withheld from any district or intermediate district that fails to comply, with the withheld funds forfeited if the deadline is not met by the end of the fiscal year. Additionally, the legislation revises the rules for calculating state aid when a school does not meet the minimum instructional day requirements due to inclement weather or other conditions, adjusting the attendance thresholds used to determine funding deductions. These changes directly affect local school districts and intermediate school districts by tightening compliance requirements and modifying the financial penalties associated with missed instructional days.

Maddy summaryThis bill modifies Michigan's school aid act to adjust how state funding is withheld from school districts that fail to meet minimum instructional day requirements due to closures. It specifically creates an exception for districts losing instructional days to conditions beyond their control, allowing them to avoid penalties for those specific days while maintaining a lower attendance threshold of 60% instead of the standard 75% for added calendar days. The legislation also clarifies that hours or days lost during strikes or teacher conferences do not count toward the minimum instructional requirements. By updating these rules, the bill aims to provide flexibility for districts facing unexpected closures while ensuring they still adhere to core accountability standards for student attendance and instruction.

Maddy summaryHB 4044 designates the wood duck (*Aix sponsa*) as Michigan's official state duck. This symbolic bill establishes a state symbol without changing laws, policies, or affecting any specific group or community. It simply adds the wood duck to Michigan's list of official state emblems, following standard procedural naming practices for state symbols.

Maddy summaryThis bill removes the requirement for anglers to pay a fee to use certain fishing devices such as set hook lines, nets, and commercial trolling rigs in Michigan waters. It directly affects individuals and businesses that currently hold licenses for these specific fishing activities. The legislation amends existing sections of the Natural Resources and Environmental Protection Act to eliminate the associated licensing fees while maintaining the requirement for a license itself. This change applies to both residents and nonresidents engaging in these types of fishing methods.