Rep. Alabas Farhat

Maddy summaryThis resolution designates March 21, 2025, as "Abolitionist Day" in Michigan to honor the state's history in the anti-slavery movement. It specifically recognizes Laura Smith Haviland, an Adrian, Michigan abolitionist who aided freedom seekers via the Underground Railroad and was inducted into the National Abolition Hall of Fame. The resolution has no policy or funding impact - it is purely commemorative. It directly affects Michigan residents by establishing an official state observance day. The resolution was introduced and adopted by the Michigan House on March 20, 2025.

Maddy summaryHB 4252 requires drug manufacturers to display the generic name of non-controlled prescription medications on every blister cell of a blister pack, or on the backing if the pack lacks perforated cells. This applies directly to pharmaceutical companies and pharmacies distributing blister-packaged drugs in Michigan. The law aims to improve patient clarity by ensuring the generic drug name is clearly visible at the point of use, reducing confusion between brand and generic products. It amends Michigan's Public Health Code (MCL 333.1101 et seq.) without altering drug safety, cost, or availability.

Maddy summaryThis resolution directs the Clerk of the House to present nine specific bills - passed by both legislative chambers in December 2024 and "enrolled" (formally prepared for the Governor) - to the Governor. It follows a court ruling (February 2025) that confirmed Michigan’s Constitution requires all passed bills to be presented to the Governor within 14 days, rejecting the House’s prior refusal to act. The resolution overrides a previous House attempt (Resolution 41) to delay this process and mandates immediate compliance with the court’s order. It affects the House Clerk, Governor, and the nine bills’ legislative timeline, ensuring they can proceed toward becoming law.

Maddy summaryHB 4032 permanently extends Michigan's participation in the Interstate Medical Licensure Compact by removing a scheduled expiration date (sunset) from the law. This change directly affects physicians in Michigan who use the compact to practice medicine across state lines, as it eliminates the need for periodic legislative renewal. The bill's key provision amends Michigan's Public Health Code to make the compact's terms permanent, ensuring uninterrupted eligibility for physicians seeking multi-state licensure. The compact allows doctors to obtain licenses in multiple participating states more efficiently, reducing administrative barriers for cross-state medical practice.

Maddy summaryHB 4169 creates a Rare Disease Advisory Council within Michigan's Department of Health to advise on research, diagnosis, and treatment of rare diseases. The council, composed of 12-18 members including physicians, patients, caregivers, insurers, researchers, and industry representatives, must identify policy priorities to improve access to care and reduce discrimination for individuals with rare diseases (defined as affecting fewer than 200,000 people in the U.S.). Key duties include researching cost-effective treatments, sharing best practices from other states, and developing a public webpage with rare disease resources by March 2026. The bill establishes a formal advisory body but does not change existing laws or funding.

Maddy summaryHB 4167 amends Michigan's sentencing guidelines to specifically address the illicit use of xylazine, a veterinary drug increasingly misused in illicit drug mixtures. The bill adds xylazine to the list of substances covered under sentencing guidelines (MCL 777.13m), meaning courts must now apply standardized sentencing ranges for convictions involving its unauthorized possession or use. This directly affects individuals convicted of xylazine-related offenses, including those using it alone or combined with other drugs. The change creates a clear, defined sentencing path for this specific offense, moving beyond general drug sentencing rules to address xylazine's growing public health impact. The bill was introduced on March 5, 2025, and referred to the Judiciary Committee.

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 4142 would impose a progressive tax on large digital advertising companies operating in Michigan, with rates ranging from 2.5% to 10% based on their global annual revenue. Companies with over $1 million in annual Michigan digital ad revenue (defined as revenue from banner ads, search ads, and similar services) would be required to file annual tax returns starting in 2026, with quarterly estimated payments for those exceeding the threshold. The tax applies to revenue derived from digital advertising services accessed by Michigan users, calculated using a specific apportionment formula. Collected revenue would fund Michigan's school aid and transportation funds.

Maddy summaryHB 4144 increases Michigan's corporate income tax rate from 6% to 8.5% effective January 1, 2025, affecting corporations operating in the state. It directs a specific portion of the revenue increase - specifically, the amount attributable to the 2.5% rate hike - to the state school aid fund starting with the 2025-2026 fiscal year. The bill also allocates other portions of the tax revenue to housing, community development, and revitalization funds during the 2022-2025 fiscal years. This is a direct policy change altering tax rates and revenue distribution, not a procedural or commemorative measure.

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.