Rep. Jennifer Wortz

Maddy summaryHB 4235 prohibits public employees and officials in Michigan from using or accessing certain applications on government-issued devices, specifically those linked to foreign governments or entities from designated "countries of concern" (like China, Russia, or Iran). It requires public employers (state agencies, schools, local governments) to block these apps on all government networks, restrict them on devices, and maintain remote wipe capabilities to remove them. The law bans downloading or accessing prohibited apps on work devices, with exceptions only for law enforcement officers conducting public safety investigations. This directly affects all state and local government workers using official devices for job-related tasks.

Maddy summaryHB 4430 would amend Michigan's Income Tax Act to create a new refundable income tax credit for taxpayers. This credit would be available for each "qualified dependent" claimed by the taxpayer. A qualified dependent must be between 5 and 18 years old, not enrolled in a public school, and demonstrate proficiency in reading and math for their grade level. The credit amount would be equal to the state's "target foundation allowance" for the relevant school year.

Maddy summaryHouse Resolution 97 is a commemorative resolution that formally honors Michigan's veterans. It expresses the enduring gratitude and utmost respect of the House of Representatives for their service to the state and nation.

Maddy summaryHouse Bill 4027 proposes to amend the Michigan Zoning Enabling Act. The bill would remove a provision that requires local zoning ordinances to be subject to Part 8 of the Clean and Renewable Energy and Energy Waste Reduction Act. This change means that local zoning authorities would no longer be directly bound by this specific part of the state's clean energy law when creating or enforcing their zoning regulations. The bill aims to alter the relationship between local land use planning and state renewable energy mandates.

Maddy summaryHouse Bill 4028 proposes to eliminate specific state-level provisions regarding the zoning and siting of large-scale solar, wind, and energy storage facilities. The bill achieves this by repealing Part 8 of the Clean and Renewable Energy and Energy Waste Reduction Act (2008 PA 295). This action would remove state authority over the certification and regulation of such facilities, effectively returning primary zoning control to local governments. It also amends the title of the existing act to reflect these changes.

Maddy summaryHB 4288 prohibits Michigan state agencies from hiring for unclassified positions based on factors other than objective merit, such as education or work experience. It directly affects state agencies hiring for roles outside the classified civil service (e.g., certain executive branch positions). The bill requires hiring decisions to rely solely on merit-based criteria and imposes civil fines of up to $10,000 per violation, with the attorney general authorized to collect penalties. This legislation creates new requirements for state hiring practices under Michigan law.

Maddy summaryThis bill proposes a constitutional amendment requiring Michigan voters to verify U.S. citizenship before registering to vote or casting a ballot. It directly affects new voters registering after December 18, 2026, who must provide proof of citizenship (like a birth certificate) to election officials or have the Secretary of State verify it using federal records. The amendment mandates the Secretary of State to systematically check citizenship status annually, remove unverified non-citizens from voter files within 60 days of notice, and allow provisional ballots only if citizenship is verified within six days after an election. It also requires annual reports on verification results and removals. The bill does not affect current registered voters.

Maddy summaryHouse Bill 4245 amends the state's Food Law to change licensure requirements for certain maple syrup and honey producers. The bill exempts both the retail outlet and the processing facility of these producers from needing a license under the act. This exemption applies to producers whose annual gross sales of honey or maple syrup are $15,001.00 or less. However, products sold under this exemption must still carry labels similar to those required for cottage food products.

Maddy summaryHouse Resolution 30 is a resolution urging the United States Congress to enact legislation that would remove the gray wolf from the endangered species list. This action would transfer the authority for managing gray wolf populations from the federal government back to individual states.

Maddy summaryHouse Bill 4368 amends Michigan's Public Health Code regarding the reporting of infant deaths. It expands existing provisions to include the death of an infant who was born alive after an attempted abortion and then surrendered to an emergency service provider or a newborn safety device under the safe delivery of newborns law. For such cases, the bill mandates that the deceased infant be listed as "Baby Doe" and prohibits reporting any information that would directly identify the infant or their parents, such as names or addresses. It also reinforces the timelines for funeral directors and physicians to certify and file death records.