Rep. Erin Byrnes

Maddy summaryHB 5063 creates a state income tax credit for Michigan taxpayers who foster animals in their homes. Eligible taxpayers can claim a $50 credit per animal fostered for at least 7 days during the tax year, with an additional $50 for each extra 30 days per animal (capped at 5 animals yearly). To qualify, taxpayers must provide verification from a qualified nonprofit animal rescue, shelter, or registered animal control facility. The credit amount will adjust annually based on the U.S. Consumer Price Index starting in 2027, but any unused portion cannot be refunded if it exceeds the taxpayer’s total tax bill.

Maddy summaryHB 5072 allocates supplemental state funds specifically for testing sexual assault kits in Michigan for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2026. It directly affects state law enforcement agencies and crime laboratories responsible for processing these kits by providing dedicated budget resources. The bill creates a new appropriation within the state budget to cover testing costs, ensuring these kits can be processed without relying on existing funding streams. This is a funding measure, not a policy change to how kits are collected or handled.

Maddy summaryHB 5070 is a supplemental appropriations bill that allocates additional state funds for Michigan's prenatal and infant support program. It directly affects the program by providing dedicated funding for services supporting pregnant individuals and infants. The bill creates a formal funding mechanism (an appropriation act) to ensure these funds are available for the 2026 fiscal year. As a procedural budget measure, it does not change program eligibility or service rules but secures financial resources for existing support services.

Maddy summaryHB 4107 requires Michigan schools to include specific health education content for students in grades 7-12. It mandates instruction in cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR), automated external defibrillator (AED) use, and first aid response kits (including tourniquets and bleeding control supplies) as part of the health curriculum. Schools may use trained personnel like Red Cross instructors, EMTs, or properly trained teachers to deliver this instruction, with hands-on practice encouraged but not required for all students. The bill exempts 100% online schools from requiring hands-on CPR practice.

Maddy summaryHB 4522 modifies Michigan's vehicle code to require heavy trucks (over 10,000 pounds gross weight) to drive in any lane on freeways with three or more lanes for travel in the same direction, rather than restricting them to the rightmost lanes. This directly affects commercial truck drivers and fleet operators on Michigan freeways. The law specifies exceptions allowing trucks to use the right lane only for left turns, safety reasons, or construction-related lane closures. It also prohibits local governments from creating conflicting lane-use ordinances for these situations.

Maddy summaryHB 5047 requires utility providers (including municipal, cooperative, and private electric/gas companies) to automatically enroll eligible customers in winter protection programs. Specifically, it mandates automatic enrollment of senior citizens (65+ or 62+ as of October 2023) starting November 1, 2025, and households with children under 16 starting September 1, 2025. Providers must identify eligible customers using methods like phone calls, mail, or bill inserts, and provide detailed program information via bill inserts 2 months before enrollment. Annual reports on enrollment numbers must be submitted to providers’ governing bodies by April 28 each year, beginning in 2026. The bill amends Michigan’s public utilities code (MCL 460.9o, 460.10t, and adds 460.9x) to implement these requirements.

Maddy summaryThis resolution declares September 15-October 15, 2025, as Hispanic Heritage Month in Michigan. It is a symbolic state recognition, not a policy change, affirming the observance of Hispanic and Latino American contributions to Michigan and the nation. The resolution does not create new laws, allocate funding, or affect specific groups; it simply aligns Michigan with the existing national observance established by federal law in 1988. The declaration enables state agencies and communities to organize events celebrating Hispanic heritage during that period.

Maddy summaryHB 4998 amends Michigan's Strategic Fund Act to require detailed annual reporting on state economic development funding. It mandates that the fund publicly disclose specific data for all recipients - including jobs created (including salaries), project types, financial assistance amounts, and repayment details - via its website and to lawmakers. The bill also requires immediate public reporting of bankruptcies involving recipients of large incentives ($500,000+), along with expanded reporting on tourism promotions, business development campaigns, and community revitalization projects. These provisions aim to increase transparency and accountability for how state funds are used to support nonprofits and businesses.

Maddy summaryHB 4999 creates the Michigan Nonprofit Development Fund (ND Fund) within the state treasury to support nonprofit organizations. The fund receives state appropriations and other assets, which the treasurer invests, with earnings credited back to the fund. Money in the fund can be used for grants to statewide nonprofit organizations, interest-free micro bridge loans, or administrative costs (up to 10% of annual funding), with excess funds over $5 million annually transferred to the general fund. This bill directly affects qualifying nonprofits receiving grants or loans, providing a dedicated funding mechanism for their services.

Maddy summaryHB 4974 requires electric utilities in Michigan to reimburse certain individuals and local governments for costs incurred during power outages. It directly affects renters (whose landlords pay utilities) and local governments, providing $50 for outages lasting 4-24 hours (or actual food/lodging costs, whichever is higher) and $200 for outages over 24 hours. Local governments can also claim reimbursement for emergency services, warming/cooling centers, backup power, or other outage-related costs. Utilities must pay approved amounts within 30 days after the Michigan Public Service Commission reviews cost claims submitted within 90 days of the outage. This is an additional remedy beyond existing legal options.