Rep. Kelly Breen

Maddy summaryHB 4020 creates a temporary commission to update African-American history curriculum for Michigan K-12 schools. The commission, appointed by the governor and including university representatives, NAACP, and museum staff, must review current standards within 365 days and recommend age-appropriate instruction covering Reconstruction, the Civil Rights Era, and African-American contributions to U.S. development. Starting in the 2026-2027 school year, Michigan school districts must provide this instruction, and state assessments will include related questions. The bill mandates curriculum updates to the state board within two years of the commission's recommendations. This directly affects all public K-12 schools in Michigan and their required social studies curriculum.

Maddy summaryHB 4015, the "Cash for Tolls Act," requires state and local governments to accept cash payments for tolls on public infrastructure like bridges, highways, and tunnels they own or operate. It mandates that cash must be accepted as a payment option and prohibits requiring electronic payments (like credit cards) instead. The bill applies only to tolls on publicly managed infrastructure, excluding privately owned toll roads. This change directly affects drivers who pay tolls with cash and public toll operators who must adjust their payment systems. The bill is currently in committee after being introduced on January 14, 2025.

Maddy summaryHB 4016 designates May of each year as "Huntington's Disease Awareness Month" in Michigan. This symbolic resolution aims to raise public and medical awareness about Huntington's disease, which affects thousands of Michiganders and has no cure. It does not create new funding, regulations, or policy changes - it simply aligns Michigan with national recognition efforts for this progressive neurological condition. The bill was introduced in January 2025 and referred to committee for further review.

Maddy summaryHB 4006 amends Michigan's zoning law to prevent local governments from banning weddings or similar events in barns or farm facilities located in agricultural zones. It directly affects farmers and rural property owners who host commercial events, allowing them to use agricultural land for this purpose without zoning restrictions. The bill permits reasonable regulations like noise limits, traffic management, or operating hours but prohibits outright bans on the event use. This change would apply to existing zoning ordinances under Michigan's zoning enabling act (MCL 125.3101-125.3702). The bill is currently in committee review after its January 2025 introduction.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends Michigan's sales tax law to change how a specific portion of sales tax revenue is distributed to the public safety and violence prevention fund. Starting in October 2023, the state will deposit 1.5% of the collections from the standard 4% sales tax into this new fund on a monthly basis. The legislation also outlines existing rules for distributing other sales tax revenues to schools, transportation projects, aviation, and health initiatives. By specifying these allocation percentages and timelines, the bill ensures that designated funds are collected and transferred to their intended programs without altering the overall tax rate.

Maddy summaryThis law updates the rules for who can serve on Michigan's state and county election canvassing boards. To be eligible, members must be registered voters who have taken an official oath of office and have never been convicted of specific election-related crimes. The bill defines these crimes to include various offenses such as perjury, voter intimidation, and certain felonies. Additionally, county board members cannot hold another elected public office while serving on the board. These changes take effect on April 2, 2025.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires the state to create a program that offers extra reimbursement to public ground emergency medical transportation providers serving Medicaid recipients. To qualify, providers must be owned or operated by a government entity, such as a city, county, or fire authority, and be enrolled as Medicaid providers. The additional payments are calculated based on federal funding rules and are capped so that total reimbursement does not exceed the actual cost of the services provided. Participation in this supplemental reimbursement program is voluntary for eligible providers.

Maddy summaryThis bill modifies Michigan's revenue bond act to clarify how public improvements, such as utilities or transportation systems, must handle costs for services they provide. It mandates that these entities charge public corporations and other users for services rendered, ensuring costs are covered by current funds or taxes rather than being subsidized. The law includes specific exceptions allowing hospitals to offer free or reduced care to indigent patients and permitting free services to land bank fast track authorities. By requiring these charges, the legislation aims to ensure that public infrastructure projects are financially self-sustaining and properly accounted for.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires public and nonpublic schools in Michigan to adopt and implement a standardized plan for response terminology starting in the 2026-2027 school year. The law mandates that school boards and directors use consistent language when communicating about safety incidents to ensure clarity across the education system. However, the bill does not take effect unless it is passed together with a companion bill, HB 4096.

Maddy summaryThis bill adds a new crime to Michigan law that makes it a felony to threaten someone with releasing or creating sexually explicit images in order to force them to do something against their will. The law specifically targets individuals who use these threats to obtain sexual videos or other items of value, with penalties ranging from up to five years in prison for a first offense to up to twenty years for a third or subsequent offense. The punishment increases to a maximum of twenty-five years if the victim is a minor or vulnerable adult, or if the threat causes serious physical or mental harm or death. The legislation also clarifies what counts as sexually explicit material and defines vulnerable adults, while allowing courts to order behavioral health counseling for minors who commit this offense.