Rep. Reggie Miller

Maddy summaryHB 5408 requires veterinarians to disclose specific information to animal owners before prescribing or dispensing medication. This includes the drug name, usage instructions, storage details (if available), common side effects, and relevant manufacturer warnings. Veterinarians must provide this either orally or in writing and document the disclosure method in the animal’s medical record. The requirement does not apply if the manufacturer hasn’t provided side effect information for the specific animal species. This bill directly affects veterinarians and animal owners in Michigan by standardizing medication disclosure practices.

Maddy summaryHB 5421 amends Michigan's unemployment benefits law to create a new exception allowing victims of stalking to qualify for benefits if they leave employment due to stalking. Currently, an exception exists for domestic violence victims under Section 29(a)(iv), but this bill replaces "domestic violence" with "stalking" in that provision. The change means individuals who leave jobs to escape stalking would no longer be disqualified from benefits, directly affecting stalking victims who might otherwise lose unemployment eligibility. This policy update modifies the disqualification rule without altering other existing provisions.

Maddy summaryHB 5420 requires Michigan hospitals to include tests for specific substances in drug screens when diagnosing a drug overdose. It mandates that hospitals report anonymous test results to the Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS), with results kept confidential and exempt from public disclosure. The MDHHS will define the list of "qualified substances" through rules (to be created within 180 days) and use the data to track trends and risk factors. This bill directly affects hospitals conducting overdose-related drug screens and the MDHHS, which will manage the reporting system and annual review of substances.

Maddy summaryHB 5389 modifies how Michigan manages state funds for specific projects (called "work projects"). It requires that such projects must have a clear purpose, specific plan, estimated cost, and completion date to qualify. The bill also changes the timeframe for unused funds to expire (48 months after the fiscal year ends) and gives the director authority to propose lapsing project accounts, but requires both legislative committees to disapprove such proposals within 30 days. Additionally, it mandates annual reports to committees detailing all active work project accounts, their balances, and any funds that lapsed.

Maddy summaryHB 5390 modifies Michigan's budget law to clarify rules for "work project" appropriations, which are funds designated for specific, time-bound projects. It requires all work projects to meet four criteria: a specific purpose, a clear plan, an estimated cost, and a completion date. The bill strengthens legislative oversight by allowing appropriations committees to disapprove the director's decisions to lapse funds or designate new work projects, requiring a two-thirds vote and committee hearings within 30 days. This affects state agencies managing project funds and legislative committees responsible for budget review.

Maddy summaryHB 5394 requires Michigan's unemployment insurance agency to automatically waive repayment of benefits improperly paid due to the agency's own administrative or clerical errors, rather than requiring claimants to seek a waiver through a separate process. This applies specifically when overpayments result from the agency's mistakes (e.g., data entry errors), excluding cases involving fraud, identity theft, or intentional misrepresentation by claimants. The bill ensures claimants affected by such agency errors do not face repayment demands or interest, streamlining relief for those who received benefits due to the state's administrative errors. It does not change eligibility rules or apply to overpayments caused by claimant error or fraud.

Maddy summaryHB 5393 amends Michigan's unemployment benefits law to change how overpaid benefits are recovered. It requires the unemployment agency to issue a repayment demand within 3 years of a final determination about overpayment, and prohibits recovery actions after that deadline (except for suspected identity fraud). The bill creates specific waiver conditions where repayment may be forgiven, including cases of agency errors, low household income (below 150% of federal poverty guidelines), or unintentional wage reporting mistakes by employers. This directly affects unemployed Michiganders who received incorrect benefits, ensuring they aren't required to repay overpayments after the 3-year window unless fraud is involved.

Maddy summaryHB 5391 changes Michigan's unemployment benefits recovery rules by limiting the time the state can seek repayment of improperly paid benefits. It prohibits the unemployment agency from recovering benefits more than one year after the claimant receives the payment, affecting most unemployed Michiganders who received benefits by mistake. Exceptions include cases involving suspected identity fraud (where recovery may still be pursued) or intentional fraud (where no time limit applies). The bill also maintains existing hardship waiver options for repayment if recovery would be unfair due to financial hardship or administrative errors.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends Michigan's property recording rules to standardize formatting and privacy requirements for deeds, mortgages, and other property transfers recorded with county registers of deeds. Key changes include requiring documents to be printed on 20-pound white paper in 10-point font with clear addresses, obscuring the first five digits of Social Security numbers after specified dates, and mandating legible signatures with printed names beneath them. These rules apply to anyone submitting property documents for recording, ensuring consistent formatting and reducing privacy risks. The bill focuses on procedural clarity rather than substantive policy changes to property transactions.

Maddy summaryHB 5365, the "SFR Tax and Economics Act," imposes a surtax on large investors (entities owning 50+ single-family homes) for acquiring, selling, or holding properties. It requires certified entities (like community land trusts or MSHDA-approved groups) to implement 15-year affordability covenants limiting rent/sale prices to 30-80% of local median income. The bill affects large real estate investors and entities receiving state benefits related to single-family homes, mandating reporting and compliance. Proceeds from surtaxes fund affordable housing initiatives, while exemptions apply to qualifying "mission buyers" like public housing agencies.