Rep. Alabas Farhat

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes supervision requirements for individuals holding temporary licenses as emergency medical technicians, emergency medical technician specialists, or paramedics in Michigan. Under the new rules, these temporary license holders must practice only under the direct supervision of a similarly licensed professional who holds a permanent license rather than a temporary one. The legislation applies to all temporary license holders in these health occupations and does not alter the licensing standards for permanent practitioners. The act takes effect immediately upon approval and is tied to the passage of a companion bill, HB 4613.

Maddy summaryHB 5733 establishes a new tolling enforcement program that allows the Michigan Secretary of State to work with operators of toll bridges and tunnels to collect unpaid tolls. Under this program, the Secretary of State will negotiate agreements to identify vehicle owners who have failed to pay tolls and will send them official notices. The bill also creates a formal process for these individuals to dispute unpaid toll claims and sets strict rules for how data is shared and used between the state and toll operators. Additionally, the legislation requires the Secretary of State to refuse vehicle registration or title transfers if there is an outstanding unpaid toll associated with the vehicle.

Maddy summaryThis bill, known as the Homeowners' Energy Policy Act, makes it illegal for homeowners' associations in Michigan to ban owners from installing, maintaining, or operating specific energy-saving upgrades like solar panels, heat pumps, and rain barrels. It also prevents local governments from forcing homeowners to get HOA approval for these improvements, though local rules can still impose other reasonable limits. To ensure compliance, the law requires every homeowners' association to adopt a written solar energy policy statement within one year of the bill taking effect.

Maddy summaryThis bill updates Michigan's sentencing guidelines to specifically address the use of computers or similar technology to program key codes for automobile theft. It directly affects prosecutors and judges by adding this specific method of vehicle theft to the list of crimes used to calculate sentencing severity. The legislation requires that this new offense be treated alongside other burglary-related felonies when determining potential prison terms. Additionally, the bill includes a condition that it will not take effect unless a companion bill, HB 5182, is also passed into law.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends Michigan's penal code to specifically address the use of technology for automobile theft. It makes it a felony punishable by up to five years in prison for anyone who possesses tools or electronic devices designed to unlock or start a vehicle with the intent to steal it. The law further increases the penalty to up to ten years if the offender is part of a criminal organization targeting multiple vehicles. Additionally, the legislation clarifies that previously issued keys or cards belonging to the lawful owner are not considered prohibited tools under this statute.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a special registration plate for Michigan vehicles owned by current or former members of the United States Merchant Marine. To qualify, applicants must provide proof of holding a past or present Merchant Mariner license or credential issued by the U.S. Coast Guard. The legislation allows these plates to be issued without a service fee and includes provisions for disabled owners to receive the standard disability tab. Additionally, the bill establishes that using these plates on an unqualified vehicle or by an ineligible person is a misdemeanor offense.

Maddy summaryThis bill allows Michigan cities with specific population thresholds to create administrative hearings bureaus to handle violations related to blight, such as property maintenance issues, illegal dumping, and zoning problems. These local bureaus can issue violation notices, accept admissions of guilt, and impose civil fines up to $10,000, with the operating costs covered by the city itself. The law includes protections for landlords by requiring them to receive correction notices and a chance to fix issues before facing penalties during inspections, unless there is an immediate safety emergency. Additionally, the new bureaus are limited to civil matters and cannot impose jail time or handle criminal offenses.

Maddy summaryThis bill modifies the Michigan Motor Vehicle Sales Finance Act to update definitions and regulations regarding retail installment sales of motor vehicles. It directly affects sellers, buyers, and financial institutions involved in financing car purchases by clarifying terms such as "cash price," "down payment," and "collateral security." The key provision redefines what constitutes a "motor vehicle" to explicitly include recreational vehicles with their own motive power while excluding certain equipment like tractors and road machinery. Additionally, the bill adjusts the legal description of various contract types, including loans and leases, to ensure they align with current market practices. These changes aim to provide clearer guidelines for enforcing payment obligations under vehicle installment contracts.

Maddy summaryThis bill proposes creating a new fundraising license plate in Michigan specifically for the Michigan 4-H organization. Under the plan, the Secretary of State would work with 4-H to design the plates, and any money raised from their sale would be transferred to the Michigan 4-H Foundation. The legislation includes a condition that it will only take effect if a related bill, HB 5056, is also passed into law.

Maddy summaryThis bill updates Michigan's law regarding how much money insurance companies must set aside from fire and storm damage claims for residential homes. It increases the maximum amount of withheld funds that local governments can hold in escrow to ensure repairs are made, raising the cap from $12,000 to $24,000 starting July 1, 2024. The legislation also clarifies the notification process, requiring insurers to inform homeowners, lenders, and local officials about these withheld funds and the option for municipalities to secure the money for public safety repairs.