Rep. Greg Markkanen

Maddy summaryHB 5401 extends the deadline for granting new exemptions under Michigan's Attainable Housing Facilities Act from December 31, 2027, to December 31, 2037. This directly affects developers and property owners seeking new exemptions for affordable housing projects under the Act. Existing exemptions granted before the new deadline will continue until their certificate expires, ensuring no disruption to ongoing projects. The bill amends Section 16 of the 2022 Attainable Housing Facilities Act (MCL 207.916) to update the sunset provision.

Maddy summaryHB 5375 prohibits charging interest on unpaid restitution of overpaid unemployment benefits when the overpayment resulted from specific errors, such as agency mistakes, employer errors, or system issues - not the claimant's fault. It requires the unemployment agency to waive existing interest charges and refund payments made for those errors, with refunds due within 180 days of the law's effective date. The bill also stops interest from accruing during pending appeals and applies retroactively to overpayments from February 2020 through December 2026. This directly affects claimants who received overpayments due to errors beyond their control.

Maddy summaryHB 5363 requires Michigan public schools to notify parents in advance if their child’s class covers topics like gender identity, sexual orientation, or relationships, and allows parents to opt their child out without penalty. It mandates that schools form parent-led advisory boards (with at least half non-school-employed parents) to review curriculum and report on program goals. The bill also requires public hearings before changing sex education materials and emphasizes abstinence as a primary method for preventing pregnancy and STDs. This directly affects public school students, parents/guardians, and school districts in Michigan.

Maddy summaryHouse Bill 4013 modifies the Recreational Trespass Act, primarily by changing the requirements for posting "no trespassing" signs on private property. For non-farm property, the bill specifies that signs must be placed at intervals of not more than 250 feet along the boundary, replacing the previous standard of being observable at any point of entry. It also clarifies that consent from the owner is always required to enter farm property or connected wooded areas for recreational activities or trapping, regardless of whether the property is fenced or posted. These changes affect property owners and individuals engaging in recreational activities or trapping on private land.

Maddy summaryHB 4470 amends Michigan's penal code to designate specific portions of the Mackinac Bridge (those not open to or intended for public use) as a "key facility" under existing law. This means unauthorized entry onto these bridge sections - when enclosed by barriers like water and properly posted with signage - would become a felony punishable by up to 4 years in prison or a $2,500 fine. The bill adds the Mackinac Bridge to a list of protected critical infrastructure, including power plants, water facilities, and chemical plants, all requiring physical barriers and visible signage to enforce entry restrictions. It does not change current penalties or posting requirements but extends them specifically to the Mackinac Bridge's restricted areas.

Maddy summaryHB 4822 requires the Natural Resources Commission to live stream all its meetings publicly online. This bill amends Michigan's natural resources law (MCL 324.501) to mandate real-time video streaming of Commission sessions. The change directly affects the Commission's operations and ensures public access to its proceedings without requiring physical attendance. The bill is currently pending in committee review after being referred for second reading.

Maddy summaryHB 5201 requires healthcare professionals performing abortions in Michigan to submit detailed, anonymized reports to the state health department within 7 days. The reports must include specific data points like patient age, gestation period, reason for the abortion (e.g., health risks, rape, economic factors), facility details, and medical method, but exclude all personal identifiers. Strict confidentiality rules prohibit disclosing any information that could identify individuals or facilities, with reports destroyed after 5 years and only aggregated statistical data published annually. This policy applies directly to abortion providers and the state health department, focusing solely on data collection for public health monitoring, not individual records or enforcement.

Maddy summaryHB 5202 requires healthcare professionals to submit written reports to Michigan's Department of Health for any patient experiencing a physical complication or death directly linked to an abortion. The reports must be anonymized (removing patient identifiers), aggregated into the state's annual abortion statistics, and destroyed after five years. The bill mandates the department to create a standardized reporting form for urgent care facilities and emergency departments, which must be distributed and posted online. This bill, tied to companion legislation HB 5201, focuses solely on data collection requirements without changing abortion access or medical standards.

Maddy summaryHB 5304 requires applicants for dredging permits under Michigan's environmental law to either use dredged material for beach nourishment (if suitable) or pay a $25 per cubic yard fee. The fee funds a new Beach Nourishment Fund administered by the Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy. This applies to projects under Parts 301, 303, and 325 of Michigan's Natural Resources and Environmental Protection Act. The bill amends sections 30106b, 30311b, and 32515a and adds sections 1306 (fee requirements) and 33709 (fund creation).