Rep. Jason Hoskins

Maddy summaryHB 5147 establishes new rules for towing damaged or disabled vehicles in Michigan. It requires towing agencies to provide written disclosures before towing, including costs, storage location, and owner rights (Section 271), and to issue itemized final invoices detailing all charges and vehicle condition (Section 272). Towing companies must maintain records for five years and post disclosure information visibly (Sections 273-274). These rules directly affect towing businesses and vehicle owners, ensuring transparency before towing and during storage. Violations prevent agencies from charging fees or enforcing contracts (Section 271(6)).

Maddy summaryHB 5146 clarifies procedures for handling abandoned vehicles and towing services in Michigan. It defines "abandoned vehicle" more precisely (e.g., vehicles left on public property for 18+ hours with valid plates) and requires police to verify if a vehicle is stolen before towing. The bill mandates that owners receive written notice with details about the vehicle and their right to contest abandonment or towing fees within 20 days, including a $40 bond requirement for hearings. It also creates a public website listing abandoned vehicles for 1 year, affecting vehicle owners, towing agencies, and law enforcement.

Maddy summaryHB 5118 would create a Michigan income tax credit for employers hiring residents from specific federal "targeted groups" (like veterans or long-term unemployed individuals). The credit equals 50% of the federal work opportunity tax credit amount, applied to qualified wages paid to Michigan residents certified by the state unemployment agency as part of these groups. It applies to tax years beginning January 1, 2026, and cannot exceed an employer's total tax liability for that year. The bill directly affects Michigan employers (excluding tax-exempt organizations) who hire eligible employees meeting federal and state certification criteria.

Maddy summaryHB 5119 allows tax-exempt organizations in Michigan (like nonprofits) to claim a state tax credit equal to 50% of the federal Work Opportunity Tax Credit (WOTC) they earn for hiring employees from specific targeted groups. The credit applies to wages paid to employees certified by Michigan’s unemployment agency as members of these groups, starting in tax years beginning January 1, 2026. Employers must claim this credit on their annual tax returns, and it can only offset state income tax withholding - any excess credit isn’t refunded. The bill directly affects tax-exempt employers hiring eligible employees, aligning Michigan’s credit with federal WOTC rules.

Maddy summaryHB 5064 requires Michigan's State Court Administrative Office to create a standardized form summarizing tenant rights under key housing laws (Truth in Renting Act, Housing Law, and Revised Judicature Act) within 90 days. Landlords must attach this form to all new lease agreements and post it in common areas like hallways or laundry rooms. The form must include a clear summary of tenant rights and a list of legal resources for violations, with specific formatting (12-point bold for general rights, 14-point for domestic violence protections). This bill directly affects all residential landlords and tenants in Michigan by mandating accessible, standardized information about tenant protections.

Maddy summaryHB 5071 provides supplemental state funding for programs addressing violence against women, specifically allocating money to support existing grant programs under Michigan's Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) initiatives. This bill directly affects state agencies and local organizations administering these grants, such as domestic violence shelters and legal aid services. The key mechanism is creating a new appropriation within the state budget for fiscal year 2026 to cover costs not previously funded. It does not change eligibility or program rules but ensures continued funding for these services through a dedicated budget line. The bill is currently under review by the Appropriations Committee after its introduction on September 26, 2025.

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 5043 amends Michigan's Marihuana Act to clarify and update definitions related to industrial hemp. It specifically revises Section 3(f) to define "industrial hemp" as cannabis plants or products with a THC concentration of 0.3% or less on a dry-weight basis, and Section 3(i) explicitly states that industrial hemp is excluded from the definition of "marihuana." This change directly affects hemp businesses, regulators, and consumers by ensuring products meeting the 0.3% THC threshold are legally classified as hemp, not marijuana, under state law. The bill makes no new regulatory requirements but aligns existing definitions with current standards.

Maddy summaryHB 5040 creates a state licensing system for businesses processing consumable hemp products, such as edibles, beverages, or infused items containing nonintoxicating cannabinoids (e.g., CBD products that don’t cause intoxication). Businesses must apply for a license by providing detailed operational information, including key personnel details and location specifics, and pay required fees. Licenses are valid for one year with renewal options but may be denied for incomplete applications, business locations in dwellings, unpaid fees, or false statements. The bill repeals an older law (2014 PA 547) and establishes a dedicated fund for hemp-related activities.