Rep. Karl Bohnak

Maddy summaryThis bill (HB 4599) amends Michigan's criminal code to address gift card fraud by adding Section 3a to existing statutes (MCL 752.1081-752.1087). It directly affects individuals who commit gift card fraud, such as stealing or selling stolen gift card numbers. The bill creates specific criminal penalties for these offenses but does not provide details on the exact penalties or scope in the given context. The bill passed the House on September 9, 2025, with strong support, and was referred to the Civil Rights, Judiciary, and Public Safety Committee. The context provided does not include the specific provisions or who is affected beyond the general fraud focus.

Maddy summaryHB 4598 expands Michigan's Organized Retail Crime Act to specifically address new tactics used in theft. It adds provisions criminalizing the acquisition, alteration, or use of stolen gift cards (subsections i(i)-(iii)), fraudulent wireless device purchases (subsections h), and manipulating fire exit alarms (subsections g) as organized retail crime. The bill makes these acts felonies punishable by up to 5 years in prison, $5,000 fines, or both, and requires offenders to pay restitution to retailers and forfeit stolen merchandise. This directly affects retailers (through enhanced protections) and individuals committing these expanded theft methods, while clarifying that property representation as stolen is sufficient for prosecution.

Maddy summaryHB 5835 amends Michigan's Social Welfare Act to increase the personal needs allowance for nursing home residents from $150 to $200 per month. This change directly affects low-income individuals living in state-licensed nursing homes who are currently eligible for medical assistance under the program. The bill modifies existing eligibility criteria and adds a new section to ensure that the higher allowance is included in the protected basic maintenance level for these residents. By adjusting the financial threshold for personal spending, the legislation aims to provide nursing home patients with greater access to funds for their daily personal expenses.

Maddy summaryHB 5301 amends Michigan's hunting regulations to allow licensed hunters to use artificial lights for 2 hours before and after official shooting hours while traveling on foot to or from their hunting location. This change directly affects licensed hunters traveling to and from hunting sites, extending the previous 1-hour window. The bill modifies Section 40113 of the Natural Resources and Environmental Protection Act to clarify this specific exception to the general ban on using artificial light to locate game. It does not alter other restrictions, such as prohibitions on using lights between 11 PM and 6 AM from December 1 to October 31.

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 5775 amends Michigan's individual income tax law to create a new tax exemption for post-graduation scholarship grants. This change directly affects individuals who receive these specific scholarship awards, allowing them to exclude that income from their state taxable income. The bill modifies Section 30 of the Income Tax Act by adding a new provision that treats post-graduation scholarship grants similarly to other educational benefits currently exempt from taxation. By removing these grants from taxable income, the legislation reduces the amount of state tax residents must pay on this specific source of funding.

Maddy summaryThis resolution designates April 2026 as Child Abuse Prevention Month for the state of Michigan. It aims to raise public awareness about child safety and encourages residents to learn the signs of abuse and engage in community support. The bill does not create new laws or funding but serves as a symbolic declaration to honor advocates and promote a collective commitment to protecting children.

Maddy summaryHB 5104 amends Michigan's Medical Marihuana Facilities Licensing Act (2016 PA 281) by revising Sections 102 and 402. The bill text provided only includes definitions of terms like "licensee," "affiliate," and "applicant" (e.g., clarifying ownership requirements for applicants), but does not specify the substantive policy changes or new provisions. Without the actual text of the amended sections detailing the "sanctions against former licensees" or the "certain circumstances" referenced in the title, a factual summary of the bill's policy impact cannot be provided from this context. The bill was introduced on October 22, 2025, and referred to the Committee on Regulatory Reform.

Maddy summaryHB 4388, the "Social Media Regulation Act," requires social media companies with at least 5 million global users to verify the age of Michigan residents applying for accounts and obtain explicit parental consent if the applicant is under 18. It directly affects minors in Michigan and major social media platforms, prohibiting account creation without age verification or parental consent for minors. The law excludes non-social media services like email, direct messaging, news sites, e-commerce, and school-specific platforms (e.g., learning management systems) from its requirements. The bill takes effect 180 days after enactment, mandating social media companies to deny applications that fail these verification steps.