Rep. Carrie Rheingans

Maddy summaryHB 4973 requires electric utilities in Michigan to automatically provide bill credits to customers experiencing power outages during a billing cycle. Residential customers receive credits ranging from $5 per hour for short outages up to $25 per hour for outages lasting 72+ hours, while nonresidential credits use a formula based on the customer's average hourly energy use. Credits apply to the next bill and carry forward if they exceed the current bill amount. The credits adjust every five years using the Consumer Price Index to account for inflation, as specified in the bill's Section 9g.

Maddy summaryHB 4978 amends Michigan's Public Utilities Act to change the process for utilities seeking rate increases. It requires electric utilities serving over 1 million customers to coordinate with the Public Service Commission (PSC) before filing rate cases to avoid overlapping filings, and the PSC may order a 21-day spacing between such filings. Gas utilities serving fewer than 1 million customers can now request partial, immediate rate relief, with the PSC required to decide within 180 days. If the PSC doesn't issue a final order within 180 days for a rate case, the utility may implement the proposed rate increase but must refund overpayments if the final order is lower.

Maddy summaryHB 4977 requires Michigan electric utilities to include standardized outage information on customer bills, directly affecting residential and business electricity users. The bill mandates disclosure of three specific metrics per billing cycle: the number of service interruptions lasting over 5 minutes, total interruption duration, and the number of momentary interruptions (under 5 minutes). Utilities must also annually report outage causes affecting over 1,000 customers, tree trimming efforts, grid reliability projects, and worst-performing circuits to the public service commission. Violations can result in fines up to $1,000 per incident, with customer reports or meter data used as evidence.

Maddy summaryHB 4976 prohibits electric utilities in Michigan from seeking to recover revenue they were required to pay as service outage credits to customers. This directly affects electric utilities serving Michigan residents and businesses, as it prevents them from later reclaiming refunds paid for power outages. The key provision states that once an electric utility issues outage credits (refunds for service interruptions), it cannot attempt to get that money back through future rate adjustments. This ensures customers who received outage credits retain the full benefit without utilities offsetting those payments against future bills.

Maddy summaryHB 4975 requires Michigan electric utilities to automatically provide residential customers with $100 credits on their bills if they experienced 4 or more power outages lasting over an hour in the past year, or $200 credits for more than 4 outages. The bill mandates these credits be applied without customer action, directly benefiting households with frequent service disruptions. Credits will adjust every five years based on inflation using the Detroit-area Consumer Price Index, with changes announced by June 1 each adjustment year. This policy change aims to compensate for unreliable service through automatic billing adjustments under Michigan's utility regulations.

Maddy summaryHB 4205 amends Section 1111 of Michigan's Liquor Control Code (MCL 289.1111) regarding the definition of "qualified premises" for liquor licenses. The bill aims to update eligibility criteria for locations seeking liquor licenses, which would directly affect businesses (like restaurants or retail stores) applying for or renewing such permits. The specific changes to the "qualified premises" definition are not detailed in the provided context, as the bill only references the amended statute. Without further description of the proposed definition changes, a complete policy summary cannot be provided. This is a substantive bill, not procedural, but the core mechanism remains unspecified in the available information.

Maddy summaryHB 4204 would amend Michigan law to allow breweries to permit dogs inside their establishments at the brewery's discretion, provided certain conditions are met. The bill directly affects breweries and their patrons by changing existing liquor license rules (MCL 289.6101) regarding animal access. Key provisions require breweries to set their own policies for dog entry while complying with unspecified conditions outlined in the bill. This is a procedural change to licensing rules, not a broad policy shift, and does not alter other animal or public access regulations.

Maddy summaryThis resolution declares September 19, 2025, as POW/MIA Recognition Day in Michigan. It commemorates Michigan's service members missing in action or held as prisoners of war since World War II, honoring their sacrifice and the state's commitment to finding and repatriating them. The resolution does not create new laws or obligations but serves as a ceremonial observance.

Maddy summaryHB 4349 allows Michigan cities to contract with private companies for the maintenance or improvement of private roads within their boundaries. This change directly affects cities seeking to partner with outside contractors for road work on privately owned streets, removing a prior restriction. The bill amends the Municipal Home Rule Act (MCL 117.1-117.38) by adding Section 5l, granting cities this new authority. The legislation passed unanimously in the House with immediate effect on September 17, 2025.

Maddy summaryHR 173 is a resolution passed by the Michigan House of Representatives to condemn all forms of political violence and reaffirm the body's commitment to civility, safety, and peaceful democratic engagement. It does not create new laws or policies but serves as a formal statement expressing the House's stance against violence targeting public officials and citizens. The resolution cites recent incidents of political violence across the U.S., including attacks on elected leaders and events like the 2025 assassination of activist Charlie Kirk. It will be transmitted to the President, Michigan Governor, and congressional leaders as a non-binding expression of the House's values.