Rep. Mai Xiong

Maddy summaryHB 4167 amends Michigan's sentencing guidelines to specifically address the illicit use of xylazine, a veterinary drug increasingly misused in illicit drug mixtures. The bill adds xylazine to the list of substances covered under sentencing guidelines (MCL 777.13m), meaning courts must now apply standardized sentencing ranges for convictions involving its unauthorized possession or use. This directly affects individuals convicted of xylazine-related offenses, including those using it alone or combined with other drugs. The change creates a clear, defined sentencing path for this specific offense, moving beyond general drug sentencing rules to address xylazine's growing public health impact. The bill was introduced on March 5, 2025, and referred to the Judiciary Committee.

Maddy summaryHR 36 is a non-binding resolution introduced by 18 House members urging the federal government to create a national strategy to address the bird flu outbreak. It highlights the outbreak's impacts - including over 150 million affected poultry, 1,000 dairy herds impacted, and 68 human cases - as justification for this request. The resolution does not create new programs or funding but formally calls on federal agencies to prioritize developing a coordinated response. It directly addresses the federal government, not specific communities or industries, though the outbreak affects agriculture and public health nationwide.

Maddy summaryHB 4166 prohibits the non-medical use of xylazine (a sedative sometimes mixed with drugs like fentanyl) in Michigan. It defines "illicit use" as any xylazine use not covered under "licit use," which includes legal veterinary applications, pharmaceutical manufacturing, or approved medical treatments. The bill amends Michigan's Public Health Code to make possessing or using xylazine for non-licensed purposes a felony, with penalties ranging from up to 20 years in prison or fines up to $1 million depending on the amount. This directly affects individuals using xylazine outside approved medical or veterinary contexts, aligning penalties with those for other controlled substances like opioids.

Maddy summaryThis resolution (HR 33) calls on the U.S. Congress to restore funding from the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) to research universities. It directly affects research institutions that rely on USAID for critical projects in agriculture, food security, public health, and global development. The resolution states that a recent funding freeze has disrupted programs like the Feed the Future Lab, threatening research progress and international partnerships. As a non-binding resolution, it urges Congress to act but does not change funding policies itself.

Maddy summaryThis House Resolution (HR 34) urges the federal government to consider the economic impacts of tariffs on trade with Canada and Mexico. It directly affects Michigan businesses, particularly in agriculture (where Canada is the top export market), manufacturing, and auto production, which rely on stable North American supply chains. The resolution reaffirms support for the U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA) and highlights Michigan’s $3 billion annual agricultural exports and $55 billion in annual trade with Ontario. As a non-binding resolution, it does not create new laws but formally advocates for fair trade negotiations to protect Michigan’s economy.

Maddy summaryThis resolution declares February 2025 as Black History Month in Michigan, formally recognizing the month-long observance of African American contributions to history and culture. It does not create new laws or allocate state resources; instead, it serves as a symbolic declaration by the Michigan House of Representatives to honor Black achievements and reflect on racial justice. The resolution cites historical context, including Dr. Carter G. Woodson's origins of Black History Month and President Ford's 1976 recognition. It encourages statewide awareness of African American milestones and the ongoing pursuit of equality, aligning with longstanding national observances.

Maddy summaryThis resolution symbolically declares February 2025 as "2-1-1 Month" in Michigan to raise public awareness of the 2-1-1 helpline. It recognizes the service as a free, 24/7 resource connecting residents to community support like housing, food, and disaster assistance - used over 406,000 times in FY2024. The resolution has no binding effect and solely aims to acknowledge the helpline’s role in supporting Michiganders.

Maddy summaryHB 4068 modifies Michigan's death reporting law for newborns surrendered through designated safety devices (like hospital safe-haven locations). If a newborn born alive after an attempted abortion is surrendered under Michigan's Safe Delivery of Newborns Law (MCL 712.1-712.20) and later dies, funeral directors must report the death as "Baby Doe" with no identifying details - such as parent names, addresses, or the informant's information. This change ensures anonymity for parents who use the surrender option while maintaining standard death reporting procedures. The bill applies specifically to infants surrendered through the safety device process, not to general infant deaths.

Maddy summaryHB 4067 modifies Michigan's "safe delivery of newborns law" to allow parents to surrender newborns (defined as children under 72 hours old) to designated safety devices - like secure boxes in hospitals or fire stations - without revealing their identity. Parents receive written information about their 28-day window to reclaim the baby and must be informed that adoption proceedings will follow if they don’t act. The bill removes mandatory child protection reporting requirements for these surrenders and provides legal immunity to hospitals, fire departments, and police stations that follow the process, except for gross negligence. It directly affects parents seeking to safely relinquish newborns, healthcare facilities, and child placing agencies handling the surrenders.

Maddy summaryHB 4069 amends Michigan's penal code to clarify that surrendering a newborn under 72 hours old to a hospital, fire department, or police station (as defined by the "safe delivery of newborns law") serves as a legal defense against abandonment charges. It directly affects parents or caregivers who choose this option for newborns, ensuring they cannot face criminal prosecution solely for this action. The bill explicitly states that criminal investigations must not be initiated based only on a newborn being surrendered through these designated channels. It updates Section 135 of the penal code to align with existing protections under Michigan's newborn safety law, without changing the underlying policy.