Rep. Greg Markkanen

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 summaryHB 5522 amends Michigan's Public Health Code to update delegation rules for physician assistants (PAs). It clarifies that supervising physicians may delegate specific medical tasks to PAs under certain conditions, including direct physical supervision during procedures. The bill specifies that PAs can perform surgical tasks only when a licensed physician is present, and outlines requirements for health facilities to authorize such delegation. These changes directly affect PAs, physicians, and healthcare facilities by defining clearer boundaries for PA scope of practice under supervision.

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 4361 requires Michigan electric utilities to establish worker transition programs for employees during restructuring events, such as ownership transfers of divisions or facilities. It mandates that new owners must first hire existing non-supervisory workers and maintain their wages and benefits for at least 30 months, with dispute resolution mechanisms for workplace concerns. The bill also directs the Public Service Commission to set service quality and reliability standards for utilities, including outage response and maintenance, and to review annual reports from utilities on compliance. These changes directly affect electric utility workers, employers, and the Public Service Commission.

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.

Maddy summaryHB 5487 adjusts funding for the Michigan Technological University's H-STEM Engineering and Health Technology Complex (Phase I). It decreases the state's capital outlay appropriation by $1.5 million, reducing the total project cost to $51.59 million (state share: $29.70 million; university share: $21.89 million; minimal state general fund: $200). The bill directly affects Michigan Technological University and the state budget by modifying existing construction funding authorized in prior legislation. It specifies how the adjusted funds must be spent for this specific campus complex project.

Maddy summaryHB 5488 lowers the minimum age requirement for licensure as a medical first responder or emergency medical technician (EMT) in Michigan from 18 to 17 years old. It amends Section 20950 of the Public Health Code (MCL 333.20950), specifically changing the age requirement in subsection (2)(a) from "18 years of age or older" to allow 17-year-olds to apply. The bill does not alter other licensing requirements, such as education programs, passing exams administered by the National Registry of Emergency Medical Technicians, or military service pathways. This change directly affects 17-year-olds seeking these emergency medical services roles who previously could not obtain licensure until age 18.

Maddy summaryHB 4980 amends Michigan's concealed pistol licensing law to allow applicants to file their license applications with *any* county clerk in the state where they reside, rather than requiring filing only in their county of residence. This change directly affects Michigan residents seeking concealed carry permits, simplifying the initial application process. The bill modifies Section 5b of the state's firearms licensing act (MCL 28.425b) to remove the residency county restriction, while maintaining all other requirements like fingerprinting, background checks, fees ($100), and training documentation. It does not alter eligibility criteria, fees, or processing timelines - only the location where applications must be submitted. The bill is pending in the Judiciary Committee as introduced on September 18, 2025.

Maddy summaryHB 5459 clarifies how utility companies collect the 2% additional sales tax on residential electricity, gas, and heating fuels in Michigan. It directly affects utility companies serving residential customers, requiring them to calculate the tax based on specific rules depending on their customer size. Companies with 100,000+ Michigan customers must prorate the tax starting from May 1, 1994, based on days after April 30, 1994. Smaller companies (under 100,000 customers) can either use this proration method or apply the tax starting with the first bill after April 30, 1994. The bill amends existing tax collection rules to provide clear, practical guidelines for utilities.