Rep. Erin Byrnes

Maddy summaryHB 5276 extends eligibility for Michigan's Vietnam veteran era bonus to veterans who received the National Defense Service Medal between September 1, 1973, and May 7, 1975. It adds Section 6a to the existing law, creating a new eligibility path for veterans meeting the service period requirements and medal award criteria. The bill also extends the application deadline for these veterans to May 7, 2028, instead of the original 1980 cutoff. This change directly affects Michigan veterans who served during the Vietnam era and were awarded the specified medal during the extended timeframe.

Maddy summaryHB 5272 proposes to create a new property tax credit for disabled veterans and surviving spouses (widows/widowers) of disabled veterans who rent or lease a home in Michigan. It amends Michigan’s income tax law to add this credit and specifically exclude it from the state’s income tax cap. This would directly benefit qualifying renters who are disabled veterans or surviving spouses, providing them with a tax reduction they currently cannot access under existing rules. The bill does not change other tax credits or the overall tax structure.

Maddy summaryThis resolution urges the federal government not to extend two Department of Energy emergency orders (202-25-3 and 202-25-7) that are preventing the planned closure of Michigan's J.H. Campbell Power Plant. The orders, issued to address an alleged energy emergency, conflict with MISO's approval for the plant's suspension by 2028 and have already cost Consumers Energy ratepayers $29 million in 38 days. The resolution highlights that continuing operations imposes financial burdens, worsens air/water pollution (releasing millions of pounds of pollutants annually), and causes estimated $389-879 million in annual health impacts. It directly affects Michigan ratepayers, public health, and environmental quality in the plant's local area.

Maddy summaryThis resolution urges Congress to use existing legal authority to restrict U.S. arms sales to Israel and directs the State Department to reinstate visitor visas for Gaza residents, particularly for children requiring urgent medical care. It cites concerns about humanitarian conditions in Gaza, including famine and blocked medical access, as justification for these actions. The resolution references the Genocide Convention and recent events, such as the suspension of medical visas in August 2025. As a non-binding resolution, it does not alter law but calls for specific congressional and executive actions.

Maddy summaryThis resolution declares November 2025 as Adoption Month in Michigan to recognize adoptive families and the children they welcome. It is a symbolic gesture with no legal effect or funding changes, acknowledging the work of adoptive parents and the experiences of adopted children. The resolution cites adoption statistics from Michigan (including 1,610 foster care adoptions in 2023) but does not alter any laws or programs. It serves solely to honor adoption as part of Michigan's community values.

Maddy summaryThis House resolution (HR 221) urges the federal government to halt efforts to expedite denaturalization - stripping citizenship - through civil court cases. It criticizes a June 2025 DOJ memo directing attorneys to prioritize such cases, noting these civil proceedings lack constitutional rights like a jury trial or appointed attorney, and could target naturalized citizens without criminal charges. The resolution emphasizes that 70% of Americans oppose revoking citizenship and that Michigan’s 400,000+ naturalized citizens contribute significantly to the economy and workforce. It calls for the federal government to reverse this policy to protect due process rights and prevent misuse against naturalized citizens.

Maddy summaryHB 5247 amends Michigan's Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) to exclude individuals serving prison sentences from the definition of "person" eligible to request public records. Specifically, it revises Section 2(g) to clarify that "person" does not include anyone incarcerated in state or local correctional facilities. This change directly affects people currently in prison, removing their right to access public records through FOIA requests. The bill maintains that all other residents retain full FOIA access rights, with no other policy changes to the act's core provisions.

Maddy summaryHB 5266 creates Michigan's Office of Veteran Homelessness within the Department of Military and Veterans Affairs to coordinate support for homeless veterans. The office will identify, align, and connect veterans to existing state, federal, and local resources and programs addressing homelessness, including mental health, substance use, and housing services. It establishes a $1 million Veteran Homelessness Fund for the office's operations and requires annual reports detailing the scope of veteran homelessness, resource gaps, and recommendations for improvement. The bill directly affects homeless veterans in Michigan by streamlining access to services and improving coordination across government programs.

Maddy summaryHCR 3 is a Michigan legislative resolution urging Congress to amend two federal laws (38 U.S.C. § 5304 and 10 U.S.C. § 12316) that currently prevent National Guard and reserve members from receiving both active duty pay and VA disability compensation simultaneously. Under current law, veterans must choose between these two payments, forcing them to waive disability benefits to maintain reserve pay or vice versa. If enacted, the amendment would allow service members to receive both payments concurrently, supporting veterans with service-connected disabilities who serve part-time in the reserves or National Guard. This resolution is a recommendation to Congress, not a law, and does not change existing policy.

Maddy summaryHB 5216 requires Michigan correctional facilities to provide prisoners with a medical information release form, an emergency contact form, and explanatory materials upon intake. Prisoners must designate specific individuals to receive their medical information during critical emergencies (defined as hospitalization needs) and provide accurate contact details, with the responsibility to update this information if changes occur. During a critical medical emergency, the department must notify one designated emergency contact and may arrange hospital visits for approved family or clergy if medically appropriate. This bill directly affects prisoners in Michigan correctional facilities and their designated contacts, creating a formal process for sharing medical information during emergencies.