Rep. Brad Paquette

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 4338, the "Local Government Sanctuary Policy Prohibition Act," prohibits Michigan cities, townships, and their agencies from creating or enforcing policies that prevent local officials from sharing immigration status information with federal authorities. It requires local governments to comply with the law within 60 days and allows residents or the state attorney general to sue if a local policy violates it. If a court finds a violation, it can order the policy repealed, issue an injunction against enforcement, and award damages and attorney fees to the winning party. The law directly affects all local government entities and their employees who interact with federal immigration officials.

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 summaryHB 4339, the "County Law Enforcement Protection Act," prohibits counties from enacting or enforcing any local law, ordinance, policy, or rule that restricts peace officers or local officials from communicating with federal authorities about an individual’s immigration status in Michigan. It directly affects county governments, local law enforcement, and residents by requiring counties to eliminate existing restrictive policies within 60 days and preventing new violations. The bill establishes legal remedies, allowing residents or the attorney general to sue counties that violate it, with courts able to order policy changes, issue injunctions, and award damages or attorney fees. It does not alter immigration enforcement but ensures local officials can cooperate with federal immigration authorities without county restrictions.

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.

Maddy summaryHouse Bill 4330 aims to modify Michigan's State School Aid Act. This bill would allow parents of nonpublic or home-schooled students in grades K-12 to enroll their children in a public school for a core subject without requiring them to enroll in all other core subjects. It amends section 166b of the act, which outlines conditions for part-time public

Maddy summaryHouse Bill 4333 proposes to amend Michigan's Code of Criminal Procedure, specifically section 13k of chapter XVII (MCL 777.13k). The bill aims to establish or modify sentencing guidelines for individuals convicted of offenses related to conducting pathogen enhancement engineering or research. These guidelines would provide a framework for judges to determine appropriate penalties for such crimes. It directly affects individuals involved in this type of research and the state's judicial system by standardizing sentencing procedures for these specific offenses.

Maddy summaryHouse Bill 4332 prohibits individuals and governmental entities in Michigan from conducting "pathogen enhancement engineering or research," defined as altering pathogens to enhance their harmfulness or spread. Violations of this prohibition would be considered a felony, punishable by up to five years in prison, a $100,000 fine, or both. The bill also establishes a $50,000 reward for individuals whose reports lead to the discovery of such prohibited activities. Additionally, the department would be required to notify employees of biological research facilities about this reward and provide educational materials.

Maddy summaryHB 4336 amends Michigan's penal code to create new state crimes related to individuals who are not authorized to be in the United States. The bill establishes felony and misdemeanor offenses for knowingly bringing, transporting, harboring, or encouraging such persons to enter or remain in the U.S. It also creates a felony offense for knowingly hiring ten or more undocumented individuals for employment within a 12-month period. Penalties include fines and imprisonment, with higher penalties for offenses involving commercial gain, serious injury, or death. An exception is provided for religious organizations bringing in volunteer ministers or missionaries.