Rep. Matt Koleszar

Maddy summaryHB 4166 prohibits the non-medical use of xylazine (a sedative sometimes mixed with drugs like fentanyl) in Michigan. It defines "illicit use" as any xylazine use not covered under "licit use," which includes legal veterinary applications, pharmaceutical manufacturing, or approved medical treatments. The bill amends Michigan's Public Health Code to make possessing or using xylazine for non-licensed purposes a felony, with penalties ranging from up to 20 years in prison or fines up to $1 million depending on the amount. This directly affects individuals using xylazine outside approved medical or veterinary contexts, aligning penalties with those for other controlled substances like opioids.

Maddy summaryHB 4131 updates Michigan's animal care laws by clarifying definitions and requirements for dog shelter and tethering. It directly affects dog owners, breeders, pet shops, and animal shelters by specifying that dog shelters must include properly insulated doghouses with dry bedding (like straw or cedar shavings) during freezing temperatures, excluding items like blankets, cardboard, or crawl spaces. The bill also requires tethers for dogs to be at least three times the dog's length (nose-to-tail) unless used for grooming, training, transport, or hunting. These changes aim to ensure dogs have adequate protection from weather and prevent harmful tethering practices. The bill is currently in committee after its February 2025 introduction.

Maddy summaryHB 4132 amends Michigan's personal protection order law to explicitly include animal-related abuse as a prohibited act in domestic violence cases. The bill adds new language (subsection 1(k)) making it illegal for a respondent to injure, kill, threaten, or remove an animal in which the petitioner has ownership interest, or to retain an animal taken from the petitioner. This directly affects domestic violence victims who rely on pets for emotional support, expanding court orders to protect both people and their companion animals. The provision specifies it does not override lawful animal use (e.g., hunting under state law) and aligns with existing protections for victims.

Maddy summaryHB 4130 amends Section 2 of Michigan's Animal Welfare Fund Act (MCL 287.992) by updating the definition of "State animal anticruelty laws" to explicitly include specific sections of the Michigan Penal Code (MCL 750.49-750.70, 750.70a, and MCL 750.50(8) and (12)). This technical update ensures the fund act correctly references existing animal cruelty laws without creating new policies or funding. The bill affects how the Animal Welfare Fund Act applies to enforcement of current animal protection laws. It is a procedural clarification, not a substantive policy change.

Maddy summaryHB 4110 requires home sellers in Michigan to include the current yearly property tax amount - based on the property's most recent assessed value - in the seller disclosure statement. This change directly affects residential property sellers and buyers by providing more accurate, up-to-date tax information during transactions. The bill amends Section 7 of the 1993 Seller Disclosure Act (MCL 565.957) to mandate this update, replacing outdated disclosure requirements. The key mechanism is updating the standard disclosure form to reflect annual taxes tied to the property’s current valuation, ensuring buyers receive precise financial data.

Maddy summaryThis bill proposes amending Michigan's state constitution to require two-thirds approval from each legislative house for certain bills passed after November elections in even-numbered years. It directly affects bills considered during sessions following those elections, raising the threshold from a simple majority to a supermajority. The key provision modifies constitutional language to mandate that such bills cannot become law without two-thirds support in both the House and Senate, while maintaining existing requirements for bill printing, reading, and journaling. This change would apply specifically to bills introduced after the November general election in even-numbered years.

Maddy summaryHR 20 is a symbolic resolution designating February 2025 as Career and Technical Education (CTE) Month in Michigan. It does not create new programs or change funding but aims to raise public awareness about CTE's role in preparing students for high-demand, high-wage careers like healthcare, engineering, and skilled trades. The resolution acknowledges that over 112,000 Michigan high school students participated in CTE programs during the 2023-2024 school year, with most pursuing postsecondary education or employment. It is directed at state officials and the public to support workforce development awareness.

Maddy summaryHB 4040 bans most noncompete agreements between employers and workers in Michigan, directly affecting employees, contractors, interns, and volunteers. It prohibits employers from entering into, obtaining, enforcing, or even claiming that noncompete agreements apply to workers, except for two specific cases: (1) business owners selling their business, or (2) high-earning workers (over 200% of the federal poverty line for a family of three) with agreements limited to one year. The bill voids illegal agreements and allows workers to sue for damages, including lost wages and legal costs, if employers try to enforce prohibited terms. It specifically preserves agreements protecting trade secrets or restricting solicitation for qualifying high-earning workers.

Maddy summaryThis is a ceremonial resolution (HR 13) introduced by Michigan Representative Jasper Martus and adopted on January 29, 2025. It honors the legacy of former President Jimmy Carter, recognizing his life, presidency, post-presidential humanitarian work through the Carter Center, and receipt of the Nobel Peace Prize. The resolution expresses the Michigan House of Representatives' tribute to Carter's "spirit of humanitarianism" and commitment to "peaceful solutions" and "compassion in governance." It directs that copies be sent to the Carter family as a symbol of Michigan's esteem for his contributions.

Maddy summaryThis resolution condemns President Trump's January 20, 2025, pardons of individuals convicted for crimes related to the January 6, 2021, Capitol attack, including 26 people from Michigan. It is a symbolic statement (not a law) expressing disapproval of pardoning those involved in the violent insurrection that injured officers and caused significant damage. The resolution was introduced by Rep. Matt Koleszar and sent to the President and Michigan congressional delegation for acknowledgment. It does not alter legal outcomes or impose new requirements.