Rep. Parker Fairbairn

Maddy summaryThis bill updates the Natural Resources and Environmental Protection Act to clarify firearm transport rules for individuals in areas frequented by wild animals. It maintains the requirement that hunters generally need a license to carry firearms in wildlife areas but explicitly allows licensed concealed pistol carriers and those with specific legal exemptions to transport loaded pistols. The bill also clarifies that these transport provisions do not authorize individuals to hunt wild animals without proper hunting licenses.

Maddy summaryThis bill updates legal references in Michigan's Corrections Code to align with current criminal statutes, specifically modernizing citations for various firearm-related offenses. It directly affects prisoners convicted of crimes listed in the bill, such as those involving illegal possession or use of firearms, by clarifying the legal sections they are subject to under parole eligibility rules. The bill does not change parole eligibility requirements themselves but ensures the referenced criminal codes are correctly cited in the corrections law. It includes a provision that requires another related bill to pass first before this update takes effect.

Maddy summaryHB 5219 would allow direct farm-to-consumer sales of raw milk and raw milk products in Michigan by amending the Food Law. It defines "direct farm-to-consumer product" to explicitly include raw milk meeting requirements under the 2001 Manufacturing Milk Law, enabling farmers to sell these products directly to consumers on their property. The bill adds new sections (4102a and 4102b) to establish this sales pathway while maintaining existing pasteurization requirements for other sales. This change directly affects farmers producing raw milk and consumers purchasing it directly from farms, without altering commercial milk sales rules.

Maddy summaryHB 5217 would allow direct farm-to-consumer sales of raw (unpasteurized) milk and milk products by dairy producers who comply with specific safety standards under Michigan's Food Law (2000). It amends existing milk regulations to explicitly permit this sale method, provided producers meet requirements in Section 4102a of the Food Law and adhere to the definition of "direct farm-to-consumer producer" from the Food Law. This change affects small dairy farms selling directly to consumers, not restaurants or grocery stores, and maintains existing pasteurization requirements for all other milk sales. The bill requires compliance with state safety protocols but does not alter pasteurization rules for commercial distribution.

Maddy summaryHB 5535 would allow plumbing inspectors to provide plumbing services without violating state law. Currently, plumbing inspectors (registered under Article 10) are prohibited from engaging in the plumbing business, such as installing pipes or selling materials, due to potential conflicts with their inspection duties. The bill amends Section 1123 of Michigan's Skilled Trades Regulation Act to remove this prohibition, permitting inspectors to work for or own plumbing businesses. This change directly affects local plumbing inspectors who wish to operate in both roles simultaneously.

Maddy summaryHB 4981 amends Michigan's Public Health Code to update the terminology from "limited licensed counselor" to "limited licensed professional counselor" in multiple sections governing mental health licensing and client privileges. The bill directly affects counselors holding a limited license, ensuring consistent terminology in legal references to their practice and the associated client privilege protections. This technical correction standardizes language across the code without changing existing practice requirements or scope of services for these professionals. The change aligns with current regulatory terminology used in the state's licensing framework for mental health counselors.

Maddy summaryHouse Bill 4445 proposes to allow individuals to use bait for hunting deer in Michigan during the open deer seasons. It amends the Natural Resources and Environmental Protection Act by introducing a specific definition for "deer or elk baiting," which refers to depositing feed to aid in taking these animals. The bill also eliminates the requirement for the Natural Resources Commission to issue orders regulating general deer and elk feeding, and removes the associated definition from state law. This change would explicitly permit deer baiting for hunting while removing state-level regulation over general deer and elk feeding.

Maddy summaryHB 4855 would amend Michigan law to permit bow hunters to carry a pistol while hunting. This directly affects licensed bow hunters who currently cannot possess a firearm during hunting activities under existing law (MCL 324.43510). The bill changes the prohibition in the 1994 Michigan Penal Code to allow pistol possession specifically for bow hunters during hunting. The amendment would remove the current restriction, enabling bow hunters to carry a pistol for lawful use while hunting.

Maddy summaryHB 5489 would allow 17-year-olds to apply for medical first responder and emergency medical technician (EMT) licenses in Michigan, provided their application includes parental or guardian consent. It maintains an 18-year-old minimum for higher-level roles like paramedics, emergency medical services instructors, or EMT specialists. The bill amends Michigan's Public Health Code to establish these age requirements for EMS licensure, directly affecting young individuals seeking entry into emergency medical careers. This change requires the concurrent passage of HB 5488 to take effect.

Maddy summaryHB 5490 removes the existing list of prohibited nonnative species from Michigan's Natural Resources and Environmental Protection Act. The bill amends Section 41301 to eliminate specific prohibitions on species like giant salvinia, Asian longhorned beetles, and Eurasian ruffe, which previously required DNR oversight. This change directly affects individuals and businesses that previously had to comply with restrictions on these species. The key mechanism is deleting the defined prohibitions, reducing regulatory authority for the Department of Natural Resources regarding these specific nonnative species.