Rep. Carrie Rheingans

Maddy summaryHB 5436 requires health insurers in Michigan to cover hearing aids and related services for qualifying enrollees. It mandates coverage up to $3,000 per hearing aid every 36 months (adjusted annually using the Consumer Price Index starting in 2026), including evaluations, fittings, repairs, and related devices like earmolds. To qualify, an enrollee must be evaluated for hearing loss by an audiologist and medically confirmed as a hearing aid candidate by an otolaryngologist. Insurers may apply existing cost-sharing (like deductibles) but cannot exceed the $3,000 cap per device.

Maddy summaryHB 5439 creates the "Homeless Advocacy Fund" within Michigan's Department of Treasury, funded by money from the state's individual income tax system (specifically Section 435 of the 1967 Income Tax Act). The fund will provide annual support to the Michigan Coalition Against Homelessness for programs, policy improvements, and direct services aimed at ending homelessness. All money in the fund must be used solely for this purpose, with unspent funds rolling over each year instead of expiring. The bill requires companion legislation (HB 5440) to take effect.

Maddy summaryHB 5438 modifies Michigan's Public Health Code to waive fees for vital records (such as birth, marriage, or death certificates) when individuals are fleeing or attempting to flee a dangerous situation, including domestic violence or abuse. This directly affects people escaping immediate threats who need these documents to establish identity, access services, or secure housing. The bill adds a specific provision to MCL 333.2891, requiring state agencies to provide these records at no cost in such circumstances. The change aims to remove financial barriers that might prevent vulnerable individuals from obtaining essential identity documentation.

Maddy summaryHB 5437 amends Michigan's identification card law (MCL 28.292) to add optional features for cardholders. It requires the Secretary of State to provide information about organ donation registries and allow individuals to indicate organ donor status via a heart symbol on their ID card. The bill also permits veterans to add a veteran designation (with verification) and includes space for emergency medical information stickers. The bill does not address fee waivers for domestic violence victims as suggested in its title; the provided text focuses solely on ID card content specifications, not fee changes. The bill is currently in committee.

Maddy summaryHB 5429 is a supplemental appropriations bill that allocates additional state funding for the autism navigator program. It directly affects the program by providing dedicated financial resources to support its operations and services. The bill creates a new appropriation act to fund this specific initiative within the state budget for fiscal year 2026. This is a procedural funding measure, not a policy change, and it remains pending in the Appropriations Committee after its introduction on December 23, 2025.

Maddy summaryHB 5440 would allow Michigan taxpayers to voluntarily contribute $5 or more from their state income tax refund to a new "homeless advocacy fund" starting with the 2026 tax year. The bill amends the tax code to add this specific checkoff option on income tax forms, alongside existing charitable designations like the Children's Trust Fund. Funds designated for this new fund would be distributed directly to homelessness services, with the requirement that the fund must raise at least $50,000 annually to remain on the tax form. This change affects all Michigan taxpayers who file individual income tax returns and choose to allocate a portion of their refund to this new cause.

Maddy summaryHB 4099 amends Michigan's Open Meetings Act to expand when public bodies can hold electronic meetings. It permanently allows agricultural commodity groups (like the Michigan Bean Commission or potato industry commissions), municipal retirement systems, and energy joint agencies to meet electronically under any circumstances - no longer limited to emergencies. The bill requires public bodies to post 18-hour advance notice online with clear participation details, ensure two-way communication during meetings, and publish agendas 2 hours before. It applies to all affected public bodies and ensures transparency for public participation, including accessibility for people with disabilities. This law took effect after being signed by the Governor in December 2025.

Maddy summaryHB 4262 empowers Michigan's attorney general to investigate and enforce violations of the state's Event Online Ticket Sales Act. It directly affects online ticket sellers who misrepresent ticket prices, availability, or fees. Key provisions include imposing civil fines of up to $5,000 per violated ticket, allowing the attorney general to seek court injunctions against ongoing violations, and enabling recovery of fines and restitution. The bill adds enforcement tools to the existing ticket sales law without changing the underlying consumer protections.

Maddy summaryHB 4122 amends Michigan's food code to clarify requirements for cottage food operations, which are small-scale home-based businesses making non-potentially hazardous foods like baked goods and jams. The bill specifically updates definitions in Section 1105 to clarify rules about nonnutritive substances in confectionery products (e.g., candy), ensuring such substances must serve a functional purpose and not deceive consumers. It modifies existing safety standards to specify that nonnutritive objects embedded in candy must not make the product unsafe or misleading. These changes directly affect Michigan cottage food businesses and their compliance with labeling and safety regulations.

Maddy summaryHB 4098 amends Michigan's Tax Tribunal Act to allow property tax dispute hearings to be held electronically via phone or video conference, with consent from all parties and tribunal approval. It directly affects property owners, businesses, and tax assessors involved in tax tribunal cases who previously could only attend in-person hearings. The key change expands existing provisions (Sections 26 and 34) to include virtual hearing options alongside in-person meetings, while maintaining requirements for public notice and open meetings compliance. This update modernizes the process for resolving property tax disputes without altering tax rates or assessment standards.