Rep. Jennifer Wortz

Maddy summaryThis bill grants immunity from nuisance lawsuits to owners and operators of racing facilities and racetracks in Michigan if the facility was built before the plaintiff purchased their property or began construction nearby. It protects these racing venues from legal claims filed by neighbors within a 5-mile radius who acquired their land or started building after the racetrack was established. The law applies to all claims filed after the bill takes effect, regardless of when the alleged nuisance occurred, but does not exempt racetracks from complying with environmental or health and safety regulations.

Maddy summaryHB 5537 prohibits the production, sale, or offering for sale of kratom (including all parts of the Mitragyna speciose plant and synthetic variants like 7-hydroxymitragynine) in Michigan. It directly affects businesses and individuals selling kratom products, imposing misdemeanor penalties that escalate based on severity: up to 90 days in jail and $5,000 fines for first offenses, with harsher penalties for repeat violations or sales to minors. Sales to anyone under 18 carry enhanced penalties, including up to one year in jail and $10,000 fines for first offenses. The law defines "kratom" broadly to cover all plant parts, extracts, and synthetic forms, making these activities illegal under Michigan's penal code.

Maddy summaryHB 5310 amends Michigan's School Aid Act to clarify rules for counting students enrolled in schools outside their home district (nonresident pupils) for funding purposes. It modifies definitions and provisions related to "district of residence" and student membership calculations, specifically addressing when a school district can count nonresident students for funding. The bill directly affects school districts, public school academies, and students attending schools outside their home district without a cooperative education agreement. Key changes include updating how districts account for nonresident pupils in membership counts and ensuring consistent application of funding formulas. These adjustments aim to streamline administrative processes without creating new school choice programs.

Maddy summaryThis bill declares March 2026 as Agriculture Month in Michigan to recognize the state's significant food and agriculture industry. The resolution highlights the sector's economic contributions, including over 805,000 jobs and billions in annual revenue from various crops like cherries, apples, and soybeans. It serves as a commemorative measure with no operational changes, encouraging citizens to celebrate the importance of agriculture to Michigan's economy.

Maddy summaryHB 4949 modifies Michigan law to protect sport shooting ranges from liability related to noise. It exempts ranges that follow "generally accepted operation practices" from civil lawsuits or nuisance claims about noise pollution, even if the range later adds safety upgrades, expands, or updates. The bill also prevents local noise ordinances from applying to these ranges, ensuring they can operate under their original compliance standards. This directly affects range owners and operators by shielding them from noise-related legal challenges and allowing existing ranges to continue operating under pre-existing rules, even if new local ordinances conflict.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends Michigan's Clean Drinking Water Access Act to establish stricter water quality standards for schools and child care centers. It requires these facilities to create drinking water management plans within 15 months that map out water outlets and schedule regular testing and filter replacements. The law mandates filtered bottle-filling stations for every 100 occupants and requires all water fixtures to meet specific lead reduction standards, with schools taking immediate action if lead levels exceed one part per billion.

Maddy summaryThis bill proposes a constitutional amendment to change how members of the Michigan Public Service Commission are elected and set their salaries. It would require three commissioners to be elected for four-year terms and two for two-year terms starting in the 2028 election, with all future terms being four years long. The amendment also establishes that no one can serve more than 12 years total on the commission and creates a State Officers Compensation Commission to determine salaries for the commission members, subject to legislative approval. These changes would affect the structure and compensation of the Public Service Commission, which regulates utilities and other public services in Michigan.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires child care centers in Michigan to create and maintain drinking water management plans that identify all water outlets and filtration systems. It mandates water testing at least every two years and establishes specific protocols for handling lead levels, including immediate actions like shutting off outlets or replacing filters when lead concentrations exceed certain thresholds. The legislation also requires centers to update their water management plans every five years and to notify parents and state agencies if lead levels exceed 5 parts per billion. These requirements directly affect licensed child care organizations and their staff, with oversight provided by the Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs and the Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy.

Maddy summaryThis bill proposes amending the Michigan state constitution to replace the currently appointed Public Service Commission with a nonpartisan, elected commission. The new commission would begin operating on January 1, 2029, and would have the same powers and jurisdiction as the existing body. Members would be nominated by political party conventions and must meet eligibility requirements including U.S. citizenship, state residency, and no financial interest in public utilities. The amendment would be submitted to Michigan voters for approval at the next general election.

Maddy summaryHB 5364 requires Michigan's state board of education to obtain legislative approval - via a concurrent resolution from both the state Senate and House - before revising the state's recommended academic curriculum standards. The bill directly affects school districts, the state board, and legislators by preventing changes to standards without formal legislative consent. Key provisions include prohibiting standards from including "attitudes, beliefs, or value systems" unrelated to academic learning, while maintaining existing requirements for standards covering subjects like history (including genocide education) and assessments focused solely on academic skills. The bill does not alter current standards but changes the process for future updates. It is currently pending in the House Committee on Education and Workforce.