Rep. Greg Markkanen

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 summaryThis bill prohibits local governments in Michigan, such as cities and counties, from creating or enforcing taxes and regulations based on carbon emissions, energy consumption, or vehicle miles traveled. It defines these restricted measures broadly to include fees on greenhouse gases, specific fuel types, and mandatory emissions trading programs. If passed, any existing local rules violating these restrictions would become invalid, and local entities would be barred from using public funds to defend such policies in court. The legislation also allows individuals to sue to stop the implementation of these prohibited local measures and grants them the right to recover legal fees if they win the case.

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 summaryHouse Bill 4477 mandates that public school districts and public school academies provide water safety instruction to students. Beginning in the 2026-2027 school year, students will receive age- and grade-appropriate water safety instruction as part of their physical education courses, covering topics such as proper use of flotation devices and awareness of water conditions. The Department of Education is tasked with developing a model water safety program for schools by December 2025. Additionally, the Department of Health and Human Services will create a multilingual informational notice on water safety, which all public and nonpublic schools must distribute annually to parents or legal guardians starting October 2026. The bill also grants civil liability immunity to institutions and individuals involved in developing and distributing this informational notice.

Maddy summaryHB 4816 creates a new individual income tax credit for Michigan residents who invest in certain Michigan businesses. It directly affects Michigan taxpayers who make qualifying investments in eligible local companies. The bill adds a specific provision to Michigan's tax code allowing these investors to claim a credit against their state income tax. This credit aims to incentivize personal investment in Michigan-based businesses through a direct tax benefit.

Maddy summaryThis bill removes the requirement for anglers to pay a fee to use certain fishing devices such as set hook lines, nets, and commercial trolling rigs in Michigan waters. It directly affects individuals and businesses that currently hold licenses for these specific fishing activities. The legislation amends existing sections of the Natural Resources and Environmental Protection Act to eliminate the associated licensing fees while maintaining the requirement for a license itself. This change applies to both residents and nonresidents engaging in these types of fishing methods.

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 summaryThis bill amends Michigan's Clean and Renewable Energy and Energy Waste Reduction Act to update the legal definitions of renewable energy resources and systems. It expands the definition of renewable energy resources to include specific biomass sources like sustainably managed wood and certain waste-derived materials, while explicitly excluding natural gas, petroleum, and nuclear power. The legislation also clarifies which facilities qualify as renewable energy systems, such as landfill gas recovery plants and methane digesters, while excluding new hydroelectric dams and incinerators from the definition. These changes aim to provide clearer guidance for compliance with the state's renewable energy standards and credit programs.