Rep. Joey Andrews

Maddy summaryHB 4620 updates Michigan's real estate transfer tax law to replace gendered terms like "husband or wife" with gender-neutral language such as "spouse" in the exemption for property transfers between spouses. This specifically affects the exemption covering transfers without payment, such as when one spouse gives property to the other to establish or end a shared ownership arrangement. The bill modernizes the legal text to be inclusive but does not change the substance of the tax exemption or who qualifies for it. It is a straightforward language amendment to align with contemporary standards.

Maddy summaryHB 4621 updates Michigan property law to replace gender-specific terms like "husband and wife" with "spouses" in rules about survivorship for property held as a tenancy by the entirety. It ensures that when a married couple owns land under this ownership structure and accepts a mortgage or land contract as part of the purchase price, the surviving spouse automatically inherits the mortgage or contract rights without court involvement. The bill directly affects married couples who jointly own property this way, clarifying that the same rules apply to land contracts as to mortgages. This is a technical language update with no change to existing survivorship procedures, solely modernizing the law's wording. (Bill number: HB 4621; amends MCL 557.81)

Maddy summaryHB 4628 updates Michigan's Revised Judicature Act to replace gendered terms like "husband and wife" with neutral language such as "spouse" or "individual" across multiple sections. It specifically amends provisions in Sections 1410, 2005, 2162, 2807, 3344, 5451, 6023a, and 6131, which govern civil procedures, spousal privileges, property rights, and bankruptcy exemptions. The bill does not change legal rights or procedures but ensures court documents and laws use inclusive language. This affects anyone involved in Michigan civil or family court cases, including plaintiffs, defendants, and legal professionals.

Maddy summaryHB 4641 would remove a prohibition preventing dark sky preserves in Michigan's Upper Peninsula. The bill amends Section 75102 of the Natural Resources and Environmental Protection Act to eliminate subsection (2), which currently bans such preserves in that region. This change would allow local governments and park authorities in the Upper Peninsula to establish dark sky preserves on public lands, aligning with existing designations elsewhere in Michigan. The bill does not create new preserves but removes a barrier to future designations in the Upper Peninsula.

Maddy summaryHB 4630 amends Michigan law to make marriage license provisions gender-neutral by removing the phrase "of the opposite sex" from the existing secrecy provision for marriage licenses. The bill affects individuals seeking to keep their marriage date confidential, ensuring the process applies equally regardless of the applicants' genders. Key provisions update Section 1 of 1897 PA 180 (MCL 551.201) to allow probate judges to issue marriage licenses without publicity for any applicant with a valid reason, without specifying gender. This change aligns the law with current marriage equality standards but does not alter the underlying secrecy process or requirements. The bill's effective date depends on a related constitutional amendment request (HJR F'25) being approved.

Maddy summaryHB 4627 amends Michigan's Campaign Finance Act (MCL 169.261) to replace gendered language with inclusive, gender-neutral terms. Specifically, it changes references like "husband and wife spouses" in Section 61(2) to remove gender specificity, ensuring the law applies equally regardless of marital or gender identity. This technical correction affects how the campaign finance law is written but does not alter funding mechanisms, contribution limits, or eligibility rules for campaign finance participants. The bill solely updates outdated terminology to align with current inclusive standards. As a procedural amendment, it requires no substantive policy change to the state campaign fund system.

Maddy summaryHB 4631 updates Michigan's Public Safety Officers Benefit Act to remove gendered language from key definitions. It changes "husband or wife" to "spouse" in the definition of "surviving spouse" (subsection k) and replaces gendered references like "his or her" with neutral terms throughout the act. This ensures the law applies equally to all public safety officers and their spouses, regardless of gender, without altering benefit amounts or eligibility rules. The bill affects public safety officers (including law enforcement, firefighters, and emergency medical personnel) and their families covered under the benefit act.

Maddy summaryHB 4626 updates Michigan's community property law (MCL 557.253 and 557.254) by replacing gender-specific terms like "husband and wife" with gender-neutral language such as "spouses." This change modernizes the statute's wording without altering the substance of property rights or rules related to community property. The bill applies to all property governed by the law, including existing holdings and future acquisitions, ensuring consistent language for married couples regardless of gender. It is a technical revision to align the legal text with inclusive standards, not a substantive policy change.

Maddy summaryHB 4622 updates Michigan's divorce law to use gender-neutral language by replacing terms like "husband," "wife," and "his" or "her" with "spouse" throughout Sections 1 and 2 of the 1909 divorce statute (MCL 552.101-552.102). It specifically revises provisions about dividing insurance benefits, pensions, retirement assets, and real estate ownership in divorce judgments to apply equally to all spouses. The bill does not change how divorce settlements are calculated or affect legal outcomes - it only modernizes the language to be inclusive. This is a procedural update to the statute, not a substantive policy change.

Maddy summaryThis resolution symbolically declares June 9-15, 2025, as "Dad Week" in Michigan. It recognizes fathers' contributions to families and communities through a state-level acknowledgment, encouraging community events like workshops and celebrations. The resolution does not create new laws, allocate funds, or directly affect any individuals or organizations. It serves as a formal recognition of fathers' roles, aligned with existing community initiatives like those promoted by the Present Pillars Foundation.