Rep. Pauline Wendzel

Maddy summaryHR 40 is a non-binding resolution urging the Michigan High School Athletic Association (MHSAA) to update its eligibility rules for female athletes to comply with Executive Order 14201. The resolution states that MHSAA’s current rules, which allow biological males to compete in women’s sports, conflict with the federal executive order prioritizing female-only competition. It argues this noncompliance risks jeopardizing federal funding for Michigan school districts and compromises the safety and fairness of women’s athletic competitions. The resolution was adopted by the Michigan House with 66 yeas, 43 nays, and 1 excused vote on March 12, 2025.

Maddy summaryHR 37 is a symbolic resolution passed by the Michigan House of Representatives to officially recognize March 2025 as Women’s History Month within the state. It does not create new laws or policies but formally declares the month to honor women’s historical contributions to Michigan and the nation. The resolution encourages community participation in events celebrating women’s achievements in fields like science, politics, and education. It directly affects Michigan residents by promoting statewide awareness and reflection on women’s roles in society, without imposing any legal requirements or funding changes.

Maddy summaryHB 4002 amends Michigan's Earned Sick Time Act to clarify eligibility and usage rules for workers. It expands the definition of "family member" to include domestic partners and specifies that employees must work at least 25 hours weekly (averaged over a benefit year) to qualify for sick time. The bill also defines key terms like "benefit year" (a 12-month period for calculating leave) and clarifies that employers with 50+ employees must provide sick time for health, family, or safety needs. These changes aim to make the law's implementation more consistent while maintaining existing requirements for covered workers.

Maddy summaryHB 4001 updates Michigan's minimum wage schedule, setting new rates that increase to $12.00 per hour starting February 21, 2025, and reaching $15.00 by 2029. It replaces the previous 2018 law (PA 337) and adds an annual adjustment mechanism: starting in 2019, the wage will rise each January based on Midwest-region inflation data, capped at 3.5% per year. The bill also modifies youth wage rules, allowing employers to pay new workers under 20 a training rate of 75% of the minimum wage for their first 90 days, while prohibiting displacement of existing workers to hire at this lower rate. This directly affects all hourly workers in Michigan covered by state minimum wage laws, including young workers and employers subject to wage requirements.

Maddy summaryHB 4031, the "Female Athletics Integrity of Records (FAIR) Act," requires publicly funded individual sports programs in Michigan to categorize awards, rankings, and records based on competitors' biological sex - not the gender category they compete in. It applies specifically to publicly funded sports events with separate male and female competitions where athletes compete individually. The bill mandates that official records must reflect each athlete's biological sex (defined as innate at conception) regardless of which competition they entered. This policy change affects publicly funded athletic programs organizing separate male/female events, ensuring records align with biological sex as the standard for official outcomes.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a $2,500 annual tax credit for Michigan volunteer firefighters and emergency medical services (EMS) personnel who meet specific service requirements. To qualify, volunteers must serve at least 120 hours annually (averaging 10+ hours monthly) with an organized fire department or life support agency, receive only expense reimbursements or customary benefits, and provide a signed verification from their agency head. The credit reduces tax owed for eligible volunteers and can be refunded if it exceeds their tax liability. It applies to tax years beginning January 1, 2025, and directly affects unpaid volunteer first responders meeting the defined service criteria.

Maddy summaryThis bill modifies Michigan's vehicle code to clarify lane usage rules for drivers on roadways with two or more lanes traveling in the same direction. It requires vehicles to stay in the extreme right-hand lane unless passing, turning left, avoiding streetcars, or responding to construction. The law specifically restricts heavy trucks and trailers from using any lane other than the rightmost one on freeways with three or more lanes, except when making turns or avoiding hazards. Local governments are also prohibited from passing ordinances that contradict these specific lane assignment rules. Violations of these requirements are classified as civil infractions.

Maddy summaryHB 4753 amends Michigan's corporate income tax law to create a new tax credit for companies conducting research and development on advanced small modular reactors. Starting in the 2024 tax year, eligible businesses can claim a credit equal to 15% of their qualified R&D expenses incurred within the state, provided those expenses relate to designing, developing, or improving these specific nuclear reactor technologies. If the credit amount is larger than the company's tax bill for that year, the unused portion can be carried forward for up to 15 years to reduce future tax liabilities. This provision directly affects corporations operating in Michigan that are investing in the development and deployment of advanced small modular reactor technology.

Maddy summaryThis House resolution urges the President to reinstate the Migrant Protection Protocols, commonly known as the Remain in Mexico program, which was previously used to process migrants from Mexico. The bill asks the administration to return asylum seekers who do not meet immediate entry requirements to Mexico while their immigration cases are processed in U.S. courts. Supporters argue that this policy helps reduce the number of people crossing the southern border and eases the burden on immigration authorities. The resolution does not change any laws directly but serves as a formal request to the executive branch to restore a policy that ended in 2022.

Maddy summaryThis resolution officially designates June 2024 as Dairy Month in Michigan to honor the state's dairy industry and its economic and nutritional contributions. The measure highlights the sector's role in providing jobs, producing milk, and supporting public health through nutritious food products. By adopting this declaration, the legislative body aims to raise awareness about the importance of dairy in a balanced diet without proposing any changes to existing laws or regulations.