Rep. Jason Hoskins

Maddy summaryHB 5120 eliminates fees for serving documents in personal protection order (PPO) cases. It amends Michigan's civil procedure law to prohibit charging fees for serving process under the Extreme Risk Protection Order Act or for any order issued in a PPO case, including petitions, orders, and related documents. This directly affects PPO petitioners (who no longer pay service fees) and process servers (who cannot charge for these specific services). The bill also clarifies that law enforcement may charge a $50 flat fee from a dedicated fund for multiple PPO-related documents served at once, but not per document. The change aims to remove financial barriers for individuals seeking protection orders.

Maddy summaryHB 5121 eliminates the cost for serving personal protection orders (PPOs) in Michigan. It directly affects individuals seeking PPOs to protect against harassment, stalking, or sexual assault by removing the requirement that petitioners pay for service of the order on the respondent. The bill amends Michigan’s court procedures to eliminate this fee, making it easier for petitioners - especially those with limited resources - to obtain and enforce PPOs without upfront costs. This change applies to all PPOs filed under the specified sections of Michigan law, streamlining the process for victims.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a new legal cause of action in Michigan allowing individuals to sue anyone who deprives them of rights protected by the U.S. Constitution while acting under the authority of the law. It establishes that victims of such civil rights violations can seek redress in court, while also defining specific rules for when judges can be held personally liable and limiting the types of relief available against them. The legislation sets a two-year time limit for filing these lawsuits and permits courts to award reasonable attorney fees to successful plaintiffs, though it preserves existing defenses like sovereign immunity and qualified immunity.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a new Office of American Freedmen Affairs within the Michigan Department of Civil Rights to support descendants of individuals emancipated from slavery. The office would be led by a five-year director appointed by the governor and tasked with researching disparities, advising state leaders on policies, and improving access to resources for this community. Key duties include developing economic opportunities, assisting with genealogy and historical research, and submitting annual reports on the social and economic conditions of American Freedmen in the state.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates the American Freedmen reparations commission within the Michigan Department of Treasury to study and propose reparations for individuals with ancestors who were enslaved and denied rights due to the Dred Scott decision. The commission will consist of nine members appointed by the governor, legislative leaders, and grassroots organizations, tasked with gathering historical evidence of slavery and discrimination in the state. Its primary duties include analyzing the lasting effects of slavery, recommending data collection methods to track disparities, and submitting a report with findings and recommendations to the legislature within 18 months. The legislation defines reparations broadly to include monetary payments, programs to close the racial wealth gap, and the creation of educational institutions similar to land-grant colleges.

Maddy summaryThis Michigan bill requires state agencies and local governments to collect specific demographic data from individuals they already survey. Starting in 2027, these entities must break down responses for Black, African, and Caribbean populations into three categories: descendants of enslaved Americans, those without enslaved ancestors, and those with unknown or unreported status. The law defines these groups based on ancestry and direct immigration from Africa or the Caribbean, excluding anyone with a history of U.S. enslavement from the African and Caribbean labels. By mandating these subcategories, the legislation aims to provide more granular data on racial heritage within government records.

Maddy summaryHB 4026 exempts firearm safety devices from Michigan's sales and use tax through December 31, 2024, directly affecting gun owners purchasing these devices. The bill defines "firearm safety devices" as trigger locks, secure storage containers (like gun safes or lockboxes requiring keys/combinations), but excludes display cases. Retail sellers must provide written notices to buyers and post visible signage at points of sale explaining the tax exemption. This is a temporary measure with a sunset date, not a permanent policy change.

Maddy summaryHB 4025 extends Michigan's sales tax exemption for firearm safety devices until December 31, 2024. It defines "firearm safety devices" as equipment (like gun safes, lockboxes, or trigger locks) designed to prevent unauthorized access or operation of firearms, but excludes display cabinets. Retail sellers must provide written notices to purchasers and post conspicuous signage at points of sale about the tax exemption. The bill also requires the state to annually compensate the school aid fund for any revenue lost due to this exemption.

Maddy summaryThis bill, known as the Energy Pricing Protection Act, prohibits businesses in Michigan from charging excessively high prices for gasoline, propane, and home heating oil during market disruptions such as severe weather or supply shortages. It defines an excessive price increase as one exceeding 20% unless the seller can prove the hike is due to higher costs or a prior discount, and it applies to these goods for 30 days after the disruption ends. To enforce these rules, the state attorney general can investigate violations, seize assets to prevent their removal, and file class-action lawsuits to recover damages for affected consumers. The legislation also outlines specific procedures for legal demands and limits the time frame for filing such actions to four years.

Maddy summaryThis bill prohibits hotels, bed and breakfasts, short-term rentals, and other lodging providers from raising prices by more than 20% during or shortly after a declared state of emergency unless they can prove the increase is due to higher costs or pre-existing contracts. It defines an emergency to include natural disasters, fires, floods, and public health threats, and sets a specific rule for what counts as an "excessively increased price" based on rates charged in the 30 days before the emergency. To enforce these rules, the act allows prosecutors to issue written demands for documents and testimony, and it grants the attorney general the power to file class-action lawsuits on behalf of affected consumers to recover damages or seek other relief.