Rep. Donavan McKinney

Maddy summaryThis resolution urges President Trump and Congress to restore Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits for Michigan's 1.4 million recipients who would lose November payments due to a federal funding lapse. It highlights SNAP's critical role in supporting low-income families, including 43% with children, 36% with older adults, and 51% with disabled individuals. The resolution requests immediate action to ensure benefits continue for November and throughout the funding gap, emphasizing the risk of worsened food insecurity. As a non-binding resolution, it does not change policy but formally expresses concern about the impact on vulnerable Michiganders.

Maddy summaryHB 5148 prohibits local governments and towing companies from exchanging payments or fees to secure contracts for towing services. It bans local units from requiring tow companies to pay fees for responding to incidents (like accidents or disabled vehicles) and prevents tow companies from offering payments to governments to gain business. This directly affects local governments entering contracts with towing services and the towing companies themselves. The bill focuses on preventing conflicts of interest in towing contracts, not on altering traffic fine amounts (which are addressed in other sections of the vehicle code).

Maddy summaryHB 5149 prohibits motor vehicle repair facilities in Michigan from charging storage fees while a vehicle is under repair or during billing disputes. It requires facilities to provide customers with a written, itemized estimate before work begins, including all fees and charges, and bans exceeding that estimate without the customer’s written or oral consent. The bill specifically targets hidden storage fees (Section 7e(f)) and strengthens existing estimate requirements (Section 32), applying directly to repair shops and their customers. This policy change aims to prevent surprise charges and increase transparency in vehicle repair billing.

Maddy summaryHB 5140 expands local governments' authority to impose hotel and short-term rental taxes. It allows cities in counties with 600,000-775,000 residents to levy up to 3% on accommodations (previously capped at 2%), while counties under 600,000 residents can tax up to 8% but require voter approval for rates above 5%. The bill directly affects hotels, vacation rentals, and online booking platforms that collect these taxes. Local governments must follow specific voter approval processes and administration rules under the amended law.

Maddy summaryHB 5138 clarifies that Michigan's Department of Treasury will administer and collect certain local taxes when cities or counties enter agreements with the state. It updates procedures for city income tax collection (under the City Income Tax Act) and county accommodation taxes (like hotel taxes under the Essential Services Tax Act). The bill transfers administrative responsibilities from previous entities to the Treasury Department, ensuring consistent collection processes for these taxes. This affects local governments that choose to contract with the state for tax administration, without changing tax rates or who pays them.

Maddy summaryHB 5147 establishes new rules for towing damaged or disabled vehicles in Michigan. It requires towing agencies to provide written disclosures before towing, including costs, storage location, and owner rights (Section 271), and to issue itemized final invoices detailing all charges and vehicle condition (Section 272). Towing companies must maintain records for five years and post disclosure information visibly (Sections 273-274). These rules directly affect towing businesses and vehicle owners, ensuring transparency before towing and during storage. Violations prevent agencies from charging fees or enforcing contracts (Section 271(6)).

Maddy summaryHB 5141 amends Section 2 of Michigan's 1939 Labor Relations Act (MCL 423.2) by removing specific exclusions from the definition of "employee." This change would extend labor protections to workers previously excluded, including domestic workers, agricultural laborers, and certain supervisors. The bill directly affects these workers by ensuring they fall under the act's coverage for organizing, collective bargaining, and dispute resolution. It makes a concrete policy change to the legal definition without altering other provisions of the law.

Maddy summaryHB 5146 clarifies procedures for handling abandoned vehicles and towing services in Michigan. It defines "abandoned vehicle" more precisely (e.g., vehicles left on public property for 18+ hours with valid plates) and requires police to verify if a vehicle is stolen before towing. The bill mandates that owners receive written notice with details about the vehicle and their right to contest abandonment or towing fees within 20 days, including a $40 bond requirement for hearings. It also creates a public website listing abandoned vehicles for 1 year, affecting vehicle owners, towing agencies, and law enforcement.

Maddy summaryHB 5134 bans the use of physical and digital billboards to advertise marijuana products in Michigan. The bill amends the Marihuana Regulation and Taxation Act to prohibit such advertising by licensed marijuana businesses, including retailers, processors, and growers. It directly affects all entities operating under the state's cannabis regulatory agency by restricting a specific advertising method. The change applies to all licensed marijuana establishments and aligns with existing restrictions on cannabis advertising.

Maddy summaryHB 5135 prohibits medical marijuana businesses from using billboards - including digital billboards - to advertise their products or services in Michigan. The bill amends the Medical Marihuana Facilities Licensing Act to add a specific ban on billboard advertising, directly affecting licensed dispensaries, growers, and processors that previously used this advertising method. This prohibition applies to all billboards as defined by state law (including digital displays under the Highway Advertising Act of 1972). The change does not restrict other advertising methods, such as online or print media, and aligns with existing rules limiting marijuana promotion near schools or parks.