Rep. Joey Andrews

Maddy summaryHouse Bill 4357 amends Michigan's election law concerning township officers. The bill modifies the official start date for the terms of office for these elected officials. Specifically, for township officers elected after December 31, 2024, their terms will commence at 12 noon on December 1 following their election, rather than the current November 20 start date. This change affects township officers and the administrative timing of their transition into office.

Maddy summaryHB 4360 modifies the start dates for terms of office for elected officials in Michigan's home rule villages. For village officers elected after December 31, 2024, their terms will begin at 12 noon on December 1 following their election, overriding any conflicting village charter provisions. The bill also specifies that individuals elected to fill a vacancy cannot take the oath of office until the election results have been certified.

Maddy summaryHouse Bill 4370 proposes a new individual income tax credit for Michigan taxpayers, directly affecting eligible students and their families. Beginning in tax year 2026, taxpayers could claim a credit equal to the sales or use tax paid on textbooks purchased for themselves or their dependents. To qualify, the student must be enrolled in an eligible Michigan institution and meet specific financial aid criteria, such as being a Federal Pell Grant recipient or a professional/graduate student who would have been Pell-eligible based on financial need. Any portion of the credit that exceeds a taxpayer's liability would be refunded.

Maddy summaryHouse Bill 4371, known as the "Safe Youth Sports Act," aims to establish safety standards for youth sports programs in Michigan, directly affecting youth athletes, coaches, and organizations that run these programs. It tasks the Institute for the Study of Youth Sports at Michigan State University, under the oversight of the Department of Health and Human Services, to approve and promote these safety standards and associated training programs. The bill outlines "basic standards" that mandate annual criminal background checks for adults with significant contact with youth, and requires coaches to complete training in CPR, AED, and concussion protocols. Additionally, it details "advanced standards" that include designating a safety manager and further training for coaches on topics like inclusivity, and establishes grant programs to help organizations, especially those serving low-income families, meet these safety requirements.

Maddy summaryHouse Bill 4329, titled the "medical debt act," aims to regulate how medical debt information is handled for Michigan residents. The bill prohibits consumer reporting agencies from including adverse medical debt information in consumer reports, with an exception for large credit transactions exceeding a specified principal amount. It also requires collection agencies to avoid misrepresenting that medical debt will be reported and to include a specific disclosure statement about these reporting limitations in their initial communications. Individuals can bring a civil action to seek remedies for alleged violations of the act.

Maddy summaryHB 4325 proposes to adjust and supplement state appropriations for various state departments and agencies for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2025. A key provision within this bill is to provide specific funding for the purpose of marketing the attorney general's payroll fraud division. The bill also establishes conditions on how these appropriations can be used and spent.

Maddy summaryHouse Bill 4318 increases the penalties for employers who intentionally fail to pay wages and fringe benefits owed to their employees. It establishes a tiered system where the severity of the punishment depends on the total value of the unpaid wages and benefits. For smaller amounts, employers could face misdemeanor charges with fines and imprisonment. However, for larger unpaid amounts or repeat offenses, employers could face felony charges, with significantly higher fines up to three times the unpaid amount and potential imprisonment for up to 20 years. This bill directly affects employers and their employees and will take effect 90 days after enactment.

Maddy summaryHB 4319 proposes to amend Michigan's code of criminal procedure. The bill aims to establish new sentencing guidelines specifically for violations related to the payment of wages and fringe benefits. If enacted, this would provide courts with specific guidance when sentencing individuals or entities found guilty of these types of offenses. The bill is tied to HB 4318'25, indicating it is part of a broader legislative package.

Maddy summaryHB 4320 amends Michigan's Improved Workforce Opportunity Wage Act, which addresses employee hours and wages. The bill primarily affects employees who file claims alleging wage violations and the state agency responsible for investigating these claims. It adds a new provision stating that if an employee requests it, the state director (or their designee) investigating a wage claim must not disclose the employee's identity to the employer, to the extent allowed by law. This aims to protect the anonymity of employees reporting potential wage violations.

Maddy summaryHouse Bill 4321 proposes an amendment to the existing law governing the payment of wages and fringe benefits to employees. This bill introduces a new provision that allows employees to request that their identity be withheld from their employer when filing a complaint about alleged wage or benefit violations. If such a request is made, the Department of Labor is prohibited from disclosing the employee's identity to the employer, to the extent allowed by law. This change directly affects employees who file complaints by offering them potential anonymity, and employers who will receive complaints without knowing the specific employee's identity if requested.