Rep. Steve Carra

Maddy summaryHB 5175 requires that for new highway construction or full bridge reconstruction starting January 2026, contractors must provide a 10-year maintenance contract covering design, building, operation, and upkeep of the project. This applies to state and local road agencies, making contractors responsible for repairs (like potholes or snow removal) for a decade or until the first major preventative maintenance, whichever comes later. The bill specifies that contractors aren’t liable for disaster damage (e.g., floods or storms), and annual payments must remain at least 10% of peak annual payments. It directly affects road construction projects, contractors, and taxpayers by shifting long-term maintenance responsibility to private entities.

Maddy summaryHB 5176 requires contractors to provide a 10-year warranty for all state road construction and repair projects. This means contractors must fix any defects in the work for a full decade after completion, shifting long-term maintenance responsibility from the state to the contractors. The bill amends Michigan’s 1951 Highway Act (MCL 247.661 et seq.) to add this warranty requirement to Section 11. It directly affects state contractors who build or repair public roads, potentially reducing future taxpayer costs for road repairs.

Maddy summaryHR 195 is a resolution opposing Michigan's proposed Health Education Standards Framework. It urges the Michigan Department of Education to redraft the standards or the Michigan State Board of Education to reject them, specifically requesting the exclusion of content related to gender identity, gender expression, and sexual orientation from health education standards. The resolution cites parental rights and existing law requiring local control and opt-out provisions for sex education as justification. It directly targets state education officials, not students or schools, and serves as a non-binding request for policy revision.

Maddy summaryHB 5160 modifies Michigan's rules for personalized vehicle registration plates. It updates fee structures for obtaining (a $8 initial fee plus $2/month for additional months) and renewing (a $15 fee) personalized plates, and clarifies that duplicate plates cost an extra $5. The bill affects Michigan vehicle owners who request personalized plates for eligible vehicles like passenger cars, trucks, or motorcycles. It also specifies how fees fund transportation programs and sets rules for plate expiration and duplicate requests.

Maddy summaryHB 4642 amends Michigan's campaign finance law to require the secretary of state to refer violations involving themselves, their immediate family, or a connected campaign to the attorney general for resolution. This change ensures that cases where the secretary of state is a party are handled by an independent office, avoiding potential conflicts of interest. The bill does not alter the secretary of state's authority over other campaign finance matters. It specifically clarifies the process for referring such cases to the attorney general under the existing law.

Maddy summaryHB 5128, the "Specie Legal Tender Act," would make gold and silver coins issued by the U.S. government (or other gold/silver coins legally recognized under specific court rulings or federal law) legal tender in Michigan. It grants individuals the right to keep, use, and acquire these coins without interference, while prohibiting state entities from seizing them, enforcing laws that restrict their use, or favoring one form of payment over another. The bill explicitly states that central bank digital currency (like digital dollars) would not be considered legal tender under this act. This directly affects all Michigan residents and businesses by establishing legal protections for physical precious metal coins in transactions. The bill is currently in committee referral after its introduction on October 23, 2025.

Maddy summaryHB 5133, the "Central Bank Digital Currency Prevention Act," prohibits Michigan state and local government entities from accepting central bank digital currency (CBDC) as legal tender for taxes, fees, or services. It also bans government advocacy for CBDC testing or adoption by the U.S. government. The bill allows individuals harmed by violations to sue for triple damages in civil court. It directly affects state/local government operations and financial transactions within Michigan.

Maddy summaryHouse Bill 5131 proposes an amendment to the state's individual income tax act. It aims to create a new deduction for taxpayers. This deduction would allow individuals to subtract capital gains derived from the sale or exchange of investment coins and bullion when calculating their state taxable income. This change would reduce the amount of income subject to state tax for those who realize such gains.

Maddy summaryHB 5132, the "Use of Convertible Virtual Currency Protection Act," prohibits Michigan government entities from restricting how individuals or businesses use digital money (like Bitcoin) for personal purchases, as collateral, or via self-managed digital wallets. It specifically bans taxes or reporting requirements for transactions under $200 using digital money. The bill also allows people harmed by violations to sue for triple their actual damages. This directly affects residents and businesses using digital currency in Michigan, ensuring their transactions remain tax-free and unregulated for small amounts.

Maddy summaryHB 5129 updates Michigan's sales tax law to exempt purchases of investment coins and bullion from tax. It expands the definition of "bullion" to include gold, silver, or platinum films/leafs (50%+ metal content) used as currency (but not legal tender) starting January 1, 2026, while maintaining the 90% purity standard for other bullion. This directly affects buyers of these specific precious metal products, including new film-based items, by removing sales tax. The bill requires passage of companion bill HB 5130 to take effect.