Rep. Jimmie Wilson

Maddy summaryHB 4188 amends Michigan's Vehicle Code to clarify that operating a vehicle "in a careless or negligent manner likely to endanger any person or property, but without wantonness or recklessness" would be classified as a civil infraction. This change directly affects drivers whose behavior meets this specific standard - non-reckless, careless driving - by treating it as a civil matter rather than a criminal offense. The bill modifies Section 626b of the Michigan Vehicle Code (MCL 257.626b) to explicitly exclude cases involving "wantonness or recklessness," which would remain subject to more severe penalties. The amendment is procedural and aims to refine the legal definition of the infraction. The bill was introduced on March 6, 2025, and referred to the Judiciary Committee.

Maddy summaryThis proposed constitutional amendment (HJR F) would remove gender-specific language from two Michigan constitutional provisions. It would repeal Article I, Section 25 - which defined marriage as "the union of one man and one woman" - and amend Article X, Section 1 to make property rights language gender-neutral. If approved, it would eliminate the constitutional ban on same-sex marriage and update outdated references to gender in property law. The amendment would require voter approval at the next general election. (Note: The bill is currently in committee referral, with no further action taken as of March 2025.)

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 summaryThis resolution symbolically designates March 2025 as Athletic Trainer Month in Michigan to recognize the work of licensed athletic trainers. It directly affects over 1,700 athletic trainers in Michigan who provide healthcare services like injury prevention, rehabilitation, and clinical evaluation under physician collaboration. The resolution aims to raise public awareness of the profession's role in healthcare across settings like schools, hospitals, and sports organizations. As a commemorative resolution, it does not create new laws or funding but honors the profession's contributions.

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 4053 creates the "nondisclosure agreement definitions act" by defining a "nondisclosure agreement" as a contract that prohibits a party from disclosing, discussing, describing, or commenting on the agreement or its terms. This bill does not directly prohibit such agreements but establishes definitions for a future law that would address them. It requires the enactment of another bill (HB 4052 or SB 558) to take effect and passed the Michigan House of Representatives on February 25, 2025, with 91 votes in favor.