Rep. Greg Markkanen

Maddy summaryHB 5093 increases Michigan's resident combination hunting and fishing license fee from $75 to $78 and nonresident combination license fee from $265 to $268. It modifies the mentored hunting license program to make it free for individuals with developmental disabilities while maintaining specific access requirements. The bill updates several licensing fee structures in the Natural Resources and Environmental Protection Act, affecting all hunters and anglers purchasing licenses in Michigan. It also requires the department to report on fee adequacy for the mentored hunting program every four years. These changes directly impact license buyers, particularly those accessing the mentored hunting program or purchasing combination licenses.

Maddy summaryThis bill designates a specific section of M-553 in Marquette County as the "Jack Rantanen Memorial Highway" to honor an individual. The legislation directly affects the Michigan Department of Transportation and local residents by officially naming the road segment from Division Street in Marquette to County Road 480 in Sands Township. The key provision amends the Michigan Memorial Highway Act to add a new section establishing this permanent memorial designation. This change is primarily symbolic and does not alter traffic rules, funding, or road maintenance responsibilities.

Maddy summaryThis bill would allow Michigan farms to discharge certain types of wastewater, such as cooling or wash water from processing farm products, without needing a permit under specific conditions. The key requirements include limiting annual discharge to 100,000 gallons, prohibiting hazardous waste and surface water discharge, and ensuring the water is stored properly and applied to vegetated land at least 100 feet from property boundaries and 75 feet from water wells. Farms must also rotate discharge locations based on soil conditions and maintain records of each discharge, while the bill explicitly excludes discharges containing sanitary sewage unless applied through a permitted subsurface system.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends Michigan's environmental protection laws to establish a permitting structure for the discharge of wash water from oceangoing vessels in state waters. It requires vessel operators to obtain permits from the Department of Environmental Quality and mandates that vessels comply with federal aquatic nuisance rules regarding ballast water management to prevent the spread of invasive species. The legislation sets specific timelines for permit applications, outlines conditions for permit revocation or modification, and clarifies fee structures for vessel permits. The bill also includes provisions for administrative hearings if permit holders contest departmental orders and establishes that state standards may be more protective than federal rules if adopted through a Great Lakes compact.

Maddy summaryHB 5450 amends Michigan's Food Law to prohibit local governments (counties, cities, villages, or townships) from charging fees, taxes, or assessments for the operation of mobile food establishments, such as food trucks. This directly affects food truck operators by eliminating an additional cost imposed by local jurisdictions. The bill achieves this by modifying Section 3113 of the Food Law to explicitly ban such fees, while still requiring compliance with state-mandated fire inspections and licensing under existing regulations.

Maddy summaryHB 5364 requires Michigan's state board of education to obtain legislative approval - via a concurrent resolution from both the state Senate and House - before revising the state's recommended academic curriculum standards. The bill directly affects school districts, the state board, and legislators by preventing changes to standards without formal legislative consent. Key provisions include prohibiting standards from including "attitudes, beliefs, or value systems" unrelated to academic learning, while maintaining existing requirements for standards covering subjects like history (including genocide education) and assessments focused solely on academic skills. The bill does not alter current standards but changes the process for future updates. It is currently pending in the House Committee on Education and Workforce.

Maddy summaryThis resolution commemorates Patrick Kane of the Detroit Red Wings for becoming the all-time leading scorer among United States-born players in National Hockey League history. It recognizes his achievement of surpassing Mike Modano's record of 1,374 career points and acknowledges his numerous awards and contributions to the sport. The bill formally honors Kane's legacy and congratulates him on this milestone while noting his residence in Michigan and his philanthropic work.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a new corporate income tax credit for Michigan employers who train apprentices and employ students in career and technical education programs. Starting in 2026, eligible businesses can receive tax credits covering up to 50% of certain training expenses or $2,000 per apprentice or student, with small businesses under 50 employees receiving an additional 10% bonus credit. The credit applies to qualified expenses such as wages, benefits, and classroom instruction costs, and any unused portion can be refunded to the taxpayer. Additionally, the bill requires the state Department of Labor to annually report on program participation, employment outcomes, and the fiscal impact of the credits to legislative committees.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires the Michigan Department of Natural Resources to notify local officials and neighboring property owners before clear-cutting more than 5 acres of forest for non-forestry purposes. The department must provide written notice detailing the site location, intended use, and clear-cutting costs at least 10 business days before proceeding, unless an emergency exists. Additionally, the bill mandates public notice on the department's website and in a local newspaper, allowing at least 5 days for public comment, followed by a written summary of responses posted online. These provisions apply specifically to state forest lands and aim to increase transparency and community involvement in deforestation projects.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends Michigan's ethics law to allow certain local government employees and officers to hold additional public positions without violating conflict-of-interest rules. It specifically permits county officials and township employees to serve on boards of various development authorities, including tax increment finance and downtown development boards, as well as housing commissions and land banks. The legislation also clarifies that officials in smaller communities (under 40,000 population) can serve as emergency medical personnel or public safety officers without conflict, and allows school board members to volunteer as extracurricular coaches under specific conditions. These changes aim to provide more flexibility for local government workers to contribute to community development and public safety initiatives while maintaining ethical standards.