Rep. Matt Koleszar

Maddy summaryHB 5357, the "Age-Appropriate Design Code Act," requires businesses meeting specific thresholds (e.g., $25 million+ annual revenue or handling data of 50,000+ consumers) to design online services, products, or features accessed by known minors (under 18) with privacy and safety as defaults. It prohibits "dark patterns" that manipulate user choices, bans collecting precise geolocation data without consent, and mandates age-appropriate settings for minors. The law applies to businesses operating in Michigan that process personal information of minors, creating civil penalties for violations. It establishes a fund to support enforcement and defines key terms like "known minor" and "business" to clarify compliance requirements.

Maddy summaryThis resolution symbolically recognizes December 13, 2025, as "National Wreaths Across America Day" in Michigan. It does not create new laws or policies but formally honors Michigan's participation in the non-profit Wreaths Across America's annual event, where volunteers place wreaths on veterans' graves. The resolution acknowledges that Michigan will host 96 locations across the state, with approximately 60,000 wreaths laid to honor fallen veterans, active-duty military, and their families. It serves as a ceremonial declaration of the state's support for this existing national observance.

Maddy summaryThis resolution urges the U.S. Department of Education to reject a proposed definition of "professional degree" that would exclude many health care education programs from federal student loan eligibility. It specifically targets programs like physical therapy, occupational therapy, nursing, social work, and physician assistant studies - classified under CIP Code 51 - which would lose access to loans under the current proposal. The bill requests the Department instead adopt a definition based on required practice credentials, not program length or historical classification, to maintain consistent eligibility. This change aims to prevent worsening health care workforce shortages, particularly in rural and underserved communities.

Maddy summaryHB 5347 updates Michigan school immunization reporting rules. It requires public school districts to submit two annual reports (by November 1 and February 1) detailing vaccination status for new K-12 students and grade 7 enrollees, with a focus on deidentified, aggregated data. Districts must maintain 90% compliance for initial enrollments and 95% for annual reports to avoid penalties. Non-compliance triggers a 5% withholding of school funds until standards are met, with full forfeiture if unresolved by year-end. The bill directly affects all public school districts and intermediate districts in Michigan.

Maddy summaryHB 5333 increases penalties for environmental violations related to landfills under Michigan's Natural Resources and Environmental Protection Act. It raises the maximum administrative, civil, and criminal fines for landfill owners or operators from $10,000 to $100,000 per violation (or per day of ongoing violation), and increases the total administrative fine cap for landfill operators from $100,000 to $1,000,000. The bill amends specific sections (5529, 5530, 5531) to implement these higher fines for violations including failure to obtain permits, noncompliance with permits, or other regulatory breaches. These changes directly affect landfill operators by imposing significantly higher financial penalties for violations. The bill does not create new requirements but increases enforcement consequences for existing regulatory breaches.

Maddy summaryHB 5285 prohibits minors under 18 from using or possessing BB guns (defined as pneumatic guns firing BBs/pellets via spring, gas, or air) outside their home property without an adult over 18 present. It directly affects unaccompanied minors who might use such devices in public or non-residential areas. The bill creates penalties for violations, including up to 90 days in jail or a $500 fine, and clarifies that "pneumatic gun" includes common BB/pellet guns. The legislation is pending review by the Government Operations Committee after its introduction on November 13, 2025.

Maddy summaryHB 5250, titled the "Weight Loss Products and Minors Act," prohibits retailers from selling dietary supplements marketed for weight loss or muscle building and over-the-counter diet pills to anyone under 18. It requires physical store sales to verify age using valid ID (like a driver's license), and online sales to confirm age through approved databases before shipping, with delivery requiring ID proof at time of receipt. The bill directly affects retailers selling these products and minors under 18, creating new requirements for age verification in both physical and virtual transactions. It does not change product safety standards but adds civil penalties for violations, including fines up to $1,000 per violation. The bill is pending in Michigan's Health Policy Committee as of its introduction on November 12, 2025.

Maddy summaryHB 5258 establishes a new "Iraq and Afghanistan veteran recognition certificate" for Michigan veterans who served honorably in those conflicts. To qualify, veterans must have been Michigan residents (or former residents) during their service, served during active combat periods in Iraq or Afghanistan, and received an honorable discharge. The certificate can be awarded only once per person, and family members may receive it if the veteran has passed away. This bill updates Michigan’s military recognition program to specifically honor veterans of recent conflicts, building on existing provisions for Vietnam War veterans.

Maddy summaryHB 5261 establishes a mental health support program within Michigan's Veterans Affairs Agency. It requires the agency to partner with the Department of Health and Human Services to conduct statewide outreach on mental health resources for service members, veterans, and their families (Section 322(1)(a)), develop materials to help families recognize mental health changes (Section 322(1)(b)), and collect data under the Protecting Veterans Mental Health Act (Section 322(1)(c)). The bill also creates a dedicated family support program for navigating mental health services (Section 322(2)) and allows digital platforms to connect veterans to resources (Section 322(3)), while protecting individual health records from public disclosure under the Freedom of Information Act (Section 322(4)). The bill is contingent on the passage of companion bill HB 5270.