Rep. Jennifer Wortz

Maddy summaryHB 4257 defines key terms related to waste management, specifically for anaerobic digestion byproducts (digestate) and their "beneficial use" in agriculture or construction. It creates five distinct categories of beneficial use (e.g., soil application at agronomic rates, road base, or construction fill) with specific environmental safeguards like runoff prevention and groundwater protection. The bill directly affects waste management facilities, farmers, and construction entities handling digestate or ash by clarifying legal standards for its use. These definitions ensure consistent application under existing environmental rules, requiring materials to meet soil-nutrient balance and pollution prevention criteria.

Maddy summaryHB 4265 modifies reporting and compliance rules for facilities using anaerobic digesters, which process organic waste (like food scraps or manure) to create biogas. It updates existing requirements under Michigan's Solid Waste Act (specifically sections 11506 and 11568) to clarify what data these facilities must report to regulators. The bill directly affects waste processing facilities operating anaerobic digesters, requiring them to follow updated reporting standards. This change streamlines regulatory oversight without altering the core function of these systems.

Maddy summaryHB 4434 repeals outdated sections of Michigan's 1927 criminal procedure code that permitted one-person grand juries. This removes archaic provisions (specifically sections 3, 4, 5, 6, 6a, and 6b of Chapter VII) from the law, eliminating historical rules about grand jury composition. The bill directly affects the legal framework governing grand jury procedures in Michigan by removing these obsolete provisions. It does not create new requirements or impact current court operations, as these rules were no longer in use.

Maddy summaryHB 4246 enacts Michigan's participation in the Nurse Licensure Compact, allowing nurses licensed in Michigan to practice in other participating states without obtaining separate licenses. The compact establishes mutual recognition of nursing licenses across states, facilitating easier interstate practice for registered and licensed practical nurses. It includes mechanisms for sharing information about nurse licensure and disciplinary actions to maintain public safety and consistent practice standards. This bill directly affects nurses seeking to work across state lines and the Michigan Board of Nursing, which will implement the compact's requirements.

Maddy summaryHR 131 is a ceremonial resolution introduced by Rep. Bruck and adopted on June 12, 2025, to honor the 250th anniversary of the U.S. Army's founding on June 14, 2025 (marking the 1775 establishment of the Continental Army). It recognizes the Army's historical role in the Revolutionary War, its mission, and its current status as a key military force. The resolution has no legal effect or policy changes - it is purely symbolic, expressing congressional admiration without impacting any laws, funding, or specific groups.

Maddy summaryHB 4597 amends Michigan's Vehicle Code to allow local governments (counties, townships, cities, and villages) to set or change speed limits on local highways without requiring a traffic engineering study. Instead, local authorities must first obtain written approval from the chief law enforcement officer (or county sheriff if none exists) and hold a public hearing with at least 14 days' notice. Speed limits established under this bill must be in 5 mph increments and consider factors like public safety, community input, road features, and environmental concerns. This change streamlines local speed limit adjustments while maintaining oversight through law enforcement approval and public engagement.

Maddy summaryHB 4592 would create a new tax deduction for Michigan taxpayers aged 17 or younger, allowing them to subtract their earned income (such as wages from a part-time job) from their taxable income. This directly affects minor workers in Michigan who earn income through employment. The bill amends Michigan's tax code to add this deduction under existing provisions for other types of income, reducing the amount of income subject to state income tax. The change would lower tax bills for qualifying young workers but does not alter other tax rules or create new government programs. (Note: This bill is currently in committee and has not been enacted.)

Maddy summaryThis bill amends Michigan's Natural Resources and Environmental Protection Act to clarify that fur harvester license holders may hunt coyotes year-round. It directly affects licensed hunters who hold a fur harvester's license, removing ambiguity about year-round coyote hunting eligibility. The key change updates Section 43531(4) to explicitly permit year-round coyote hunting under the existing license framework, without altering fees or other license requirements.

Maddy summaryThis bill proposes a constitutional amendment to Michigan's budget rules (Article IX, Section 28), directly affecting how the state sets annual spending limits. It replaces current spending caps with a new formula tying budget growth to inflation, population changes, and voter-approved revenue increases. Any state revenue exceeding this calculated limit must be refunded to taxpayers via law. The amendment modifies how the legislature calculates yearly spending authority, requiring excess funds to flow back to citizens rather than remaining in the state budget.

Maddy summaryHB 4469 amends Michigan's Elliott-Larsen Civil Rights Act to allow K-12 public and private schools subject to Title IX (federal education law) to base athletic participation eligibility on a student's biological sex as listed on their original birth certificate. This specifically exempts schools from the state's anti-discrimination law when determining sports team placement for students in grades K-12. The provision directly affects K-12 educational institutions, enabling them to use birth certificate sex as the criterion for athletic eligibility rather than other factors. The bill creates a clear policy change by overriding the general anti-discrimination protections in the civil rights law for this specific athletic context.