Rep. Matt Koleszar

Maddy summaryHB 5194 is a supplemental appropriations bill for Michigan's fiscal year 2026, providing additional state funding to various departments and agencies. It specifically allocates funds for food pantries, ensuring state resources support organizations distributing food assistance. The bill creates a new budget allocation to supplement existing funds, with conditions on how the money can be spent. This directly affects state agencies managing food assistance programs and community food pantries serving residents in need.

Maddy summaryThis resolution urges the Trump administration and USDA to use existing emergency funds to continue SNAP food assistance benefits for 42 million Americans who would lose them on November 1 if the federal government remains shut down. It directly affects low-income households, including 1.4 million Michiganders, who rely on SNAP to afford food and other essentials. The bill cites prior government practice and GAO confirmation that contingency funds can legally cover SNAP benefits during shutdowns, as was done for the WIC program. The resolution formally requests this action to prevent a disruption in critical food support.

Maddy summaryThis resolution urges President Trump and Congress to restore Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits for Michigan's 1.4 million recipients who would lose November payments due to a federal funding lapse. It highlights SNAP's critical role in supporting low-income families, including 43% with children, 36% with older adults, and 51% with disabled individuals. The resolution requests immediate action to ensure benefits continue for November and throughout the funding gap, emphasizing the risk of worsened food insecurity. As a non-binding resolution, it does not change policy but formally expresses concern about the impact on vulnerable Michiganders.

Maddy summaryHB 4254 prohibits public bodies (like state agencies, universities, or local governments) from using dogs in research or training activities that cause pain or distress. It specifically bans methods that would cause death, injury, fear, trauma, or invasive procedures (such as surgery), with exceptions for veterinary training with owner consent and routine procedures like spaying/neutering. The bill establishes civil fines of $1,000-$5,000 per dog per violation for noncompliance, enforced by county prosecutors or the attorney general. Named "Queenie's Law," it amends Michigan's Public Health Code to add these protections for dogs used in experimental purposes.

Maddy summaryThis resolution ceremonially recognizes physical therapy professionals in Michigan by designating October 2025 as Physical Therapy Month. It encourages all Michigan residents to learn about physical therapy benefits, express gratitude to practitioners, and explore how the field supports community health. The bill has no binding policy changes or funding provisions - its purpose is purely symbolic recognition of the profession's role in healthcare. It directly affects Michigan residents and physical therapy practitioners by highlighting their contributions during a designated month.

Maddy summaryHB 5088 limits annual state funding for Michigan community colleges and higher education to $1.324 billion from the state school aid fund, starting in fiscal year 2026. This directly affects community colleges and public universities that receive state funding through the school aid program. The bill creates a hard cap on these appropriations, requiring that any amount exceeding the limit be covered by general fund money instead of the school aid fund. This policy change explicitly restricts how state education funds can be allocated, with no additional policy effects described in the bill text.

Maddy summaryHB 5004 amends Michigan's unemployment benefits law to clarify the requirements for workers who leave jobs due to medical reasons. To qualify for benefits, an employee must obtain a medical professional's statement confirming that continuing work would harm their health and must have made good-faith attempts to secure alternative work or a leave of absence with their employer. Without these steps, the employee is presumed to have left work voluntarily without good cause, disqualifying them from benefits. This change directly affects Michigan workers seeking unemployment benefits after a medical leave, ensuring eligibility aligns with documented medical necessity and employer cooperation efforts.

Maddy summaryThis bill modifies Michigan's unemployment benefits formula to increase payments for workers with dependents. It changes the weekly benefit rate calculation starting January 1, 2025, setting a new $12.66 per dependent amount (up to 5 dependents) with a $446 maximum weekly benefit - higher than the current $362 cap. The change directly affects unemployed Michigan residents who claim benefits and have dependents, as their weekly payments will increase based on these updated formulas. The bill does not alter eligibility rules or dependency definitions, only the monetary amounts used in the calculation.

Maddy summaryHB 5008 amends Michigan's unemployment benefits law (MCL 421.62) to decrease the maximum percentage of wages that can be garnished for repayment of improperly collected benefits, from 50% to 20%. It directly affects unemployed workers who overreceived benefits, requiring them to repay the excess but limiting wage deductions. The bill also adds new hardship waiver criteria, allowing full repayment relief if a claimant’s household income is at or below 150% of the federal poverty level, or if overpayment resulted from agency errors. It maintains a 3-year deadline for the unemployment agency to seek repayment, except in cases of identity fraud or intentional fraud.

Maddy summaryHB 5000 increases Michigan's unemployment benefit payments for workers with dependents. It amends the calculation method to use 5.1% of the highest-earning quarter's wages (up from 4.1%) plus higher per-dependent amounts. For claims filed after January 1, 2025, the weekly rate rises to $12.66 per dependent (max $446); after 2026, it increases to $19.33 per dependent (max $530). This directly affects unemployed Michigan residents claiming benefits who have dependents, raising their weekly payments through 2028 and beyond.