Rep. Ken Borton

Maddy summaryThis bill grants immunity from nuisance lawsuits to owners and operators of racing facilities and racetracks in Michigan if the facility was built before the plaintiff purchased their property or began construction nearby. It protects these racing venues from legal claims filed by neighbors within a 5-mile radius who acquired their land or started building after the racetrack was established. The law applies to all claims filed after the bill takes effect, regardless of when the alleged nuisance occurred, but does not exempt racetracks from complying with environmental or health and safety regulations.

Maddy summaryHB 5537 prohibits the production, sale, or offering for sale of kratom (including all parts of the Mitragyna speciose plant and synthetic variants like 7-hydroxymitragynine) in Michigan. It directly affects businesses and individuals selling kratom products, imposing misdemeanor penalties that escalate based on severity: up to 90 days in jail and $5,000 fines for first offenses, with harsher penalties for repeat violations or sales to minors. Sales to anyone under 18 carry enhanced penalties, including up to one year in jail and $10,000 fines for first offenses. The law defines "kratom" broadly to cover all plant parts, extracts, and synthetic forms, making these activities illegal under Michigan's penal code.

Maddy summaryHB 5234 modifies Michigan's vehicle code to change how law enforcement agencies can use fees collected from salvage vehicle inspections. Specifically, it updates Section 217c of the Michigan Vehicle Code (MCL 257.217c) to expand allowable uses for these fee revenues. The bill directly affects local law enforcement agencies that collect these inspection fees, allowing them to allocate funds toward equipment, training, or other operational needs previously restricted. This is a procedural funding adjustment with no new tax or mandate.

Maddy summaryHB 5106 amends Michigan's cannabis law to clarify when the cannabis regulatory agency can immediately suspend a business license without a hearing. It specifically allows summary suspensions if a licensee: cannot trace marihuana's source, obtained marihuana illegally, obstructs an investigation, or fails to provide required records. This directly affects licensed cannabis businesses operating in Michigan. The change ensures the agency can quickly address urgent risks to public health or safety, such as untraceable products or safety violations, by taking emergency action. The bill does not alter licensing requirements or create new business allowances.

Maddy summaryThis bill declares March 2026 as Agriculture Month in Michigan to recognize the state's significant food and agriculture industry. The resolution highlights the sector's economic contributions, including over 805,000 jobs and billions in annual revenue from various crops like cherries, apples, and soybeans. It serves as a commemorative measure with no operational changes, encouraging citizens to celebrate the importance of agriculture to Michigan's economy.

Maddy summaryHB 5430 changes how long people can live at campgrounds without being considered permanent residents. It defines campground residents as "temporary" if the campground is within 50 miles of a local government meeting specific housing or emergency conditions, such as a declared state of emergency, a documented housing shortage in a master plan, worker shortages in key industries (like healthcare or construction), or census data showing tight rental markets (e.g., vacancy rates below 5% or high rent costs). This applies to campgrounds in qualifying areas and affects both residents (who may face different regulations) and campground operators (who must follow the new residency classification rules). The bill directly targets communities with housing challenges by adjusting campground residency rules through these five defined triggers.

Maddy summaryHB 4931 amends Michigan's Open Meetings Act to allow certain public bodies to hold remote meetings via video or phone under expanded circumstances. It specifically permits licensing boards (like those for healthcare, trades, or occupational professions) to meet remotely for any reason requiring accommodation of absent members - no longer limited to emergencies - after December 31, 2021. The bill requires 2-way communication during remote meetings, clear public notice (including how to participate electronically), and prohibits remote voting on rule processing matters by licensing board members. This change directly affects licensing boards managing professional credentials, while maintaining transparency requirements for public access.

Maddy summaryHB 4908 allows cosmetology apprentices to perform shampoo services (preparing for shampoo, shampooing, or blow-drying) in licensed establishments without a full cosmetology license. To qualify, apprentices must complete 350 hours of training in a cosmetology curriculum and be enrolled in an apprenticeship program run by a licensed establishment owner. The bill requires establishments to verify apprentices' eligibility with a school letter on file, maintain records for 3 years, and have a licensed cosmetologist present during services. It does not permit apprentices to perform other cosmetology services beyond shampooing.

Maddy summaryHB 4954 expands Michigan's survivor tuition grant program to include children and surviving spouses of medical examiners and medical examiner investigators who die in the line of duty. Currently, the program covers families of police officers and firefighters killed on duty; this bill adds medical examiners and their investigators to the eligible categories. The grant would cover tuition costs at Michigan's public colleges and universities for qualifying students meeting residency and academic requirements. The bill amends the existing "Police Officer's, Fire Fighter's, and Medical Examiner's Survivor Tuition Grant Act" to include these new recipients.

Maddy summaryThis bill modifies Michigan's certificate of need requirements for outpatient imaging centers by allowing certain imaging services to proceed with a simple letter of intent instead of a full certificate application. It directly affects healthcare providers seeking to add or expand positron emission tomography, magnetic resonance, or computerized tomography scanners in facilities that are not owned by hospitals and do not charge facility fees. Under the new rules, the state health department must acknowledge approval within 30 days of receiving a letter of intent, after which providers can begin the service without further certification. The legislation aims to streamline the process for independent imaging centers while maintaining oversight through the department's verification step.