Rep. Kathy Schmaltz

Maddy summaryHB 4201 amends Michigan's income tax law to exempt certain retirement benefits from state taxation. It specifically adds a deduction for retirement or pension benefits received from Michigan's public retirement systems (like state employee pensions) or federal public retirement systems. This directly affects Michigan residents who receive these types of public-sector retirement benefits by reducing their taxable income. The change modifies Section 30 of Michigan's Income Tax Act (MCL 206.30) to exclude these benefits from taxable income calculations.

Maddy summaryHB 4259 amends the Student Safety Act by updating key definitions to clarify the law's scope. It specifies that "school" includes all public, private, denominational, and parochial schools serving kindergarten through 12th grade, and "school property" covers buildings, fields, and school buses. The bill also defines the "hotline" as a statewide system for reporting safety concerns via phone, text, or online. These changes ensure consistent application of the Student Safety Act for all schools and safety reports. The bill requires concurrent passage of HB 4258 to take effect.

Maddy summaryHB 4222 requires Michigan public school districts, intermediate school districts, public school academies, and nonpublic schools to develop and update emergency operations plans every three years (starting July 1, 2026) in collaboration with local law enforcement. These plans must address specific safety scenarios like violence, fire, intruders, weather emergencies, mental health training, building security, and crisis response protocols. Schools must adopt plans with public input and notify the state education department within 30 days of adoption or updates, with all plan details kept confidential under state law. The department will track compliance and notify non-compliant schools, ensuring consistent safety planning across all school buildings.

Maddy summaryHB 4076 prohibits labeling lab-grown meat substitutes as "meat" and requires sellers to use specific terms like "cell-cultured," "lab-grown," or "cultivated" on product labels. It directly affects manufacturers and retailers selling lab-grown meat alternatives, mandating clear labeling that distinguishes these products from traditional meat. The bill amends Michigan's Food Law to require these terms on sealed packages or bulk displays, ensuring consumers can accurately identify the product type. This policy change focuses on transparent labeling without altering existing requirements for traditional meat products.

Maddy summaryHouse Resolution 104 declares May 14, 2025, as Rail Day in the state of Michigan. This resolution recognizes the role of freight and passenger rail systems in the state's economy and infrastructure.

Maddy summaryHouse Resolution 107 commemorates the 50th anniversary of the end of the Vietnam War. It formally declares May 15, 2025, as Vietnam Veterans’ Heritage Day in the state of Michigan.

Maddy summaryHB 4227 requires every intermediate school district in Michigan to hire at least one emergency and safety manager and one mental health coordinator. The emergency manager coordinates with state and local agencies to prevent safety incidents, conduct risk assessments, and handle safety concerns across schools. The mental health coordinator manages state funding for student mental health services, integrates community resources, and oversees programs like Medicaid billing and behavioral health support. These roles aim to strengthen safety planning and mental health access for all public and nonpublic schools within each district's boundaries.

Maddy summaryHouse Bill 4475 proposes to amend the Elliott-Larsen Civil Rights Act to prohibit discrimination based on an individual's vaccination status or whether they possess an "immunity passport." It would prevent state or local governmental entities, private universities, and community colleges from denying services, goods, educational opportunities, healthcare, or employment for these reasons. Employers would also be prohibited from discriminating against individuals in hiring, termination, or terms of employment due to vaccination status. The bill includes specific exceptions, such as for certain child care organizations, federal contractors, and regulated entities whose funding depends on compliance with federal health regulations. Additionally, it allows vaccination requirements for employees in roles with direct exposure to infectious materials or in public health/medical settings where vaccinations are necessary for their duties.

Maddy summaryHouse Bill 4485 proposes to amend the law concerning county employee retirement benefits. The bill aims to allow retired county employees to be re-employed specifically within a county sheriff's office. Under this proposed change, individuals returning to work in a sheriff's office would be able to do so without forfeiting their existing retirement allowance. The specific details of the amendment are not provided in the truncated bill text.

Maddy summaryHouse Bill 4155 requires the Department to publish a list of recommended curriculum companies and assessment companies for use by K-12 public schools. By April 1, 2026, and annually thereafter, the Department must make these lists available to school districts, intermediate school districts, and public school academies. Recommended curriculum companies must offer programs aligning with state academic standards, provide evidence of effectiveness, and include provisions for accessibility and professional development. Similarly, recommended assessment companies must provide various assessments meeting state and federal requirements. It is important to note that schools are not mandated to use any of the companies or curricula on these recommended lists.