Rep. Laurie Pohutsky

Maddy summaryHB 6002 amends Michigan's occupational code to update how real estate brokers and their agents must present themselves in advertisements. The bill clarifies that licensed brokers and their associates can advertise properties they personally own using their own names, provided they explicitly state their professional license status. It also requires that all real estate listings include the estimated annual property taxes based on the most recent state assessment. Additionally, the law mandates that brokers advertising under an assumed name must notify the licensing department within 30 days of adopting that name.

Maddy summaryThis bill modifies Michigan's property tax law to expand exemptions for homeowners who cannot pay taxes due to poverty. To qualify, individuals must own and live in their primary residence, file an annual claim with required income documentation, and meet specific financial thresholds based on federal poverty guidelines or fixed income limits like Social Security. Local officials will determine eligibility using clear income and asset criteria, granting either full or partial tax reductions depending on the applicant's situation. The legislation also allows certain residents with fixed incomes to keep their exemption for up to three years without reapplying, provided their financial status remains unchanged.

Maddy summaryThis bill updates Michigan's property tax laws to ensure homeowners are not penalized with higher taxes for spending money on normal home repairs and maintenance. It specifically lists common improvements, such as painting, roof repairs, and replacing heating systems, that should be excluded from property value calculations until the home is sold. Additionally, the bill requires assessors to ignore certain costs included in a home's purchase price, such as financing fees and survey expenses, when calculating property taxes. These changes aim to provide clarity and fairness for residential property owners and agricultural landowners by standardizing how specific expenditures are treated during assessments.

Maddy summaryThis bill modifies how Michigan calculates property tax increases under the Headlee Amendment for taxes levied after 2026. It clarifies that increases in taxable value resulting from a transfer of ownership must be included when determining the millage reduction fraction, which limits how much a local government's tax rate can rise. The change directly affects property owners and local tax authorities by altering the formula used to compute allowable tax rate increases. This amendment ensures that property value jumps due to sales are factored into the state's property tax cap calculations.

Maddy summaryThis bill directs Michigan local tax authorities to offer free, easy-to-access online tools that help prospective home buyers estimate their future property taxes. The law requires these websites to display contact details for the local assessor's office and explain how residents can appeal their property assessments, including current timelines for the process. While the bill encourages rather than mandates these services, it aims to make financial information more transparent for individuals purchasing homes in the state. The changes would take effect 180 days after the bill is officially signed into law.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a new annual surcharge on high-value second homes in Michigan that are not the owner's primary residence and have a true cash value of at least $1 million. The surcharge rates range from 2% to 5% depending on the property's value, with the Department of Treasury responsible for collecting and administering the fees. All money collected from the surcharge will be placed in a special fund to reimburse schools and local governments for revenue lost due to recent property tax exemptions and other tax credits.

Maddy summaryThis House resolution urges President Trump, the IRS, and other parties to cancel a settlement agreement that established the "Anti-Weaponization Fund." The bill directly addresses the use of taxpayer money to fund individuals convicted of crimes related to the January 6 Capitol attack, including those linked to extremist groups. It calls for the rescission of the agreement, arguing that public funds should not support those who engaged in political violence or attempted to overturn election results. The resolution is a formal statement of opposition rather than a law that immediately changes policy.

Maddy summaryHB 4696 amends Michigan's Guardianship Assistance Act (MCL 722.872) to expand the definition of "relative" for eligibility purposes. The bill adds that a "relative" may include individuals not related within the fifth degree by blood or marriage if they have a strong emotional connection to the child or the child's parent (especially for infants), as determined by the Department of Health and Human Services or the child's tribe for Indian children. This change directly affects foster youth and potential guardians seeking guardianship assistance payments by broadening who qualifies as a "relative" under the law. The amendment is tied to companion bill HB 4697 and would take effect only if both bills pass.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends Michigan's Guardianship Assistance Act to clarify eligibility for state-funded guardianship payments. It specifies that relatives or licensed foster parents caring for a child for at least six months may qualify, requiring background checks and fingerprinting for all adults in the home. The bill distinguishes between federal IV-E funding (for children meeting specific federal criteria) and state funding for other eligible children. It also ensures siblings placed together in a relative guardianship can each receive payments if they meet the criteria. The policy directly affects guardians caring for children in relative or foster care arrangements.

Maddy summaryHB 5981 requires automobile insurers in Michigan to file premium rates that achieve specific percentage reductions for personal protection insurance coverage by July 1, 2020, and maintain those reductions through 2028. The bill mandates that the state insurance director review and disapprove any filings that fail to meet these reduction targets, which vary based on the policy's coverage limits. Additionally, insurers must pass on savings from medical treatment costs incurred in accidents before July 2, 2021, and cannot issue or renew policies without director approval of their rates.