Rep. Parker Fairbairn

Maddy summaryThis Michigan bill imposes a two-year moratorium on former state legislators accepting employment with entities that receive grants from the utility consumer participation board. The measure directly affects former members of the state senate and house of representatives, restricting their job opportunities in the energy sector for a set period after they leave office. Violating this prohibition is classified as a misdemeanor, punishable by up to 90 days in prison, a fine of up to $1,000, or both penalties.

Maddy summaryHB 6247 establishes a comprehensive regulatory framework in Michigan for the geologic storage of carbon dioxide, requiring operators to obtain permits from the Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy that align with federal standards. The bill authorizes the leasing of state-owned lands and pore space for these projects, while permitting specific surface activities on commercial forestland and wilderness areas under strict conditions to protect natural resources. It creates a unitization process to manage shared subsurface interests among multiple property owners and mandates long-term monitoring of storage sites for at least 50 years after injection ceases. Upon successful completion and verification of site safety, the state assumes ownership and liability for the stored carbon dioxide, releasing the original operator from future regulatory responsibilities.

Maddy summaryMichigan House Bill 6249 establishes that ownership of subsurface pore space, which can be used for storing carbon dioxide or other substances, is vested in the owner of the surface land unless it has been previously separated. The bill allows this pore space to be sold, leased, or otherwise transferred independently from the surface estate, provided that any such separation clearly describes the specific geological formation, depth, and scope of surface use rights involved. It clarifies that selling mineral rights does not automatically transfer pore space ownership, which must be explicitly stated in the agreement. This legislation takes effect only if two related companion bills are also enacted into law.

Maddy summaryMichigan House Bill 6248 updates the definitions in the state's crude oil and petroleum act to explicitly include carbon dioxide substances used for storage or enhanced recovery operations. The bill clarifies that individuals and companies do not have an inherent right to transport, store, or deal in these substances via pipelines without authorization from the Michigan Public Service Commission. It also specifies that this regulatory framework does not apply to rights that existed before 1929 or to carbon sequestration wells operating under separate environmental laws. This legislation is tied to two other bills and will only take effect if all three are enacted into law by the current legislature.

Maddy summaryHB 5356 amends Michigan's Vehicle Code to update requirements for dealers transferring vehicle titles. It modifies multiple existing sections (including 217, 233, 234, 248, and 250) and adds a new section 9b governing dealer title transfers. The bill directly affects vehicle dealers and buyers by changing how title transfers must be processed. It focuses on procedural updates to the existing title transfer framework without introducing new fees or eligibility rules. The bill is currently in committee referral after its introduction on December 11, 2025.

Maddy summaryHB 5570 would allow single exit stairways in small multi-family buildings (up to 4 floors above ground or 3 floors with an occupiable roof) under strict safety conditions. It applies to buildings with no more than 4 units per floor and 4,000 square feet per floor. Required safety features include fire alarms, smoke detectors in common areas (like hallways and laundry rooms), and sprinklers meeting NFPA standards. This change would affect housing developers building qualifying new or renovated apartment buildings.

Maddy summaryHB 5571 allows single interior exit stairways in multi-family apartment buildings with 4-6 levels (or 3-5 levels with an occupiable roof), directly affecting developers and builders of such structures. The bill requires buildings to have no more than 4 units per level, limit floor area to 4,000 sq ft per level, and ensure exit access travel is ≤125 feet from any point. Key safety provisions include mandatory smoke detectors in common areas (like hallways and laundry rooms), manual fire alarms, automatic smoke detection systems, and sprinklers meeting NFPA standards. It also mandates that the building’s fire department must be accredited by the Commission on Fire Accreditation International and hold a Class 1-2 public protection rating. The bill is contingent on HB 5570 passing into law.

Maddy summaryHB 4189 names a specific bridge on South Grand Avenue over I-96 in Fowlerville as the "LCpl Michael W. Hanks Memorial Bridge" to commemorate a fallen Marine. The bill requires the state transportation department and Livingston County road commission to install signs at both approaches of the bridge designating its new name. This is a purely commemorative measure with no policy changes or financial impact, directly affecting the bridge location and signage in Fowlerville. It amends Michigan's Memorial Highway Act to add this designation without altering transportation policies or funding.

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 5249 creates a new "adaptive care license" for ambulance operations currently licensed only for basic life support (BLS). It allows these operations to gradually upgrade to provide limited advanced life support (ALS) or advanced life support (ALS) services, provided they demonstrate staffing and equipment readiness for higher care levels by January 1, 2025. The license requires annual documentation of progress toward this upgrade, including training and equipment plans, and must be renewed annually alongside the operation's regular license. This applies specifically to ambulance services owned or contracted by local governments that previously provided only BLS for emergency response.