Rep. Kathy Schmaltz

Maddy summaryHB 5283 designates the Honor and Remember flag as Michigan's official symbol for honoring fallen U.S. military members who died in service. The bill requires all state properties (including the capitol and government buildings) and local government sites to display this flag wherever the U.S. flag is shown. It mandates specific display days, such as Memorial Day, Veterans Day, and days of half-staff for fallen service members, as ordered by the governor. The bill does not create new funding or alter existing military benefits - it solely establishes a symbolic recognition protocol for state and local government properties.

Maddy summaryThis bill modifies Michigan's school code to strengthen reading instruction by requiring the state education department to approve specific screening assessments and develop a formal literacy coach model. The legislation mandates that literacy coaches support teachers in using evidence-based strategies for decoding and word recognition while explicitly prohibiting them from performing administrative duties or holding regular classroom teaching assignments. Additionally, the bill directs the department to provide technical assistance on Individual Reading Improvement Plans, establish dyslexia expertise by September 2025, and update dyslexia resource guides every five years. These changes directly affect school districts, public school academies, and educators by setting new standards for reading assessment, intervention, and professional support roles.

Maddy summaryHB 5934 amends Michigan's construction code to set strict deadlines for building permit decisions, requiring agencies to approve, deny, or partially grant applications within 10 business days, or 15 days for unusually complex projects. If an agency misses these deadlines, the bill treats the delay as an automatic denial, allowing the applicant to immediately appeal to a board of appeals. Additionally, the legislation mandates that if the state department fails to make a permit decision within the required timeframe, it must reimburse the applicant for the permit fees they paid.

Maddy summaryThis bill modifies Michigan's vehicle code to update rules for speed limits and enforcement in school zones. It clarifies definitions for school zones and adjusts the timing of when lower speed limits must be enforced, expanding the window before and after school sessions to 60 minutes instead of 30. The legislation also allows school superintendents to set additional enforcement periods for times like off-campus lunch and field trips, while maintaining a minimum speed limit of 25 mph in these zones. Additionally, it permits the use of digital signs and flashing lights to display school zone speed limits and requires specific signage for year-round schools.

Maddy summaryHB 5214 creates a new tax credit for Michigan family caregivers, allowing eligible taxpayers to claim up to $2,000 (30% of qualified expenses, whichever is less) against their state income tax for care provided to qualifying family members. It directly affects Michigan residents who provide unpaid care for family members living at home (not in facilities) with specific health needs, such as inability to perform two or more daily activities or requiring supervision due to cognitive impairment. Qualified expenses include respite care, assistive devices, home modifications, and transportation, but exclude general household maintenance. To claim the credit, caregivers must document expenses, provide family member details, and meet income limits ($50,000 single / $100,000 joint). The credit applies to tax years beginning January 1, 2026.

Maddy summaryThis bill modifies Michigan's Administrative Procedures Act to change how state agencies create and review new rules. It requires agencies to submit detailed requests for rule-making electronically to the Office of Regulatory Reinvention, which must approve these requests before agencies can proceed. The bill also updates the process for the Legislative Service Bureau to formally certify proposed rules, including stricter timelines and requirements for correcting errors in rule formatting or impact analyses.

Maddy summaryThis bill modifies Michigan's Administrative Procedures Act to clarify how courts should review administrative rules. It establishes that publishing a rule in the official register creates a legal presumption that the rule was properly adopted and filed, and it requires courts to take judicial notice of rules that have become effective. Additionally, the bill instructs judges to exercise independent judgment when determining if an agency acted within its legal authority, specifically prohibiting deference to an agency's interpretation of ambiguous laws. These changes directly affect state agencies that create regulations and the courts that adjudicate challenges to those regulations.

Maddy summaryHB 5818 amends Michigan's Administrative Procedures Act to update definitions and establish a new Joint Committee on Regulatory Oversight and Administrative Review. The bill clarifies terms like 'agency' and 'major rule' while creating a formal process for the new committee to review proposed rules and issue objections. It also modifies requirements for how agencies publish rules, handle contested cases, and manage public comment periods.

Maddy summaryHB 5574 prohibits approaching within 25 feet of a first responder who is lawfully performing their duties after being verbally warned not to approach, if the person intends to interfere, threaten, or harass them. It directly affects individuals who target first responders (like police, firefighters, or EMTs) during emergency operations. Violations are misdemeanors punishable by up to 60 days in jail or $500 fines, but become felonies causing injury (up to 2 years) or death (up to 15 years), with fines up to $7,500. The law focuses on preventing direct obstruction or harm during critical incidents, not general public behavior.

Maddy summaryHB 5576 amends Michigan's sentencing guidelines to specifically address crimes targeting first responders. It adds intimidation or harassment of individuals based on their actual or perceived employment as a first responder (like police, firefighters, or EMTs) to the list of offenses that warrant enhanced sentencing. The bill changes Section 16t of the Michigan Code of Criminal Procedure (MCL 777.16t) to require courts to consider this factor when determining sentences for such crimes. This directly affects individuals convicted of threatening or harassing first responders, ensuring their actions are treated with greater severity under sentencing rules.