Rep. Jennifer Conlin

Maddy summaryHB 5063 creates a state income tax credit for Michigan taxpayers who foster animals in their homes. Eligible taxpayers can claim a $50 credit per animal fostered for at least 7 days during the tax year, with an additional $50 for each extra 30 days per animal (capped at 5 animals yearly). To qualify, taxpayers must provide verification from a qualified nonprofit animal rescue, shelter, or registered animal control facility. The credit amount will adjust annually based on the U.S. Consumer Price Index starting in 2027, but any unused portion cannot be refunded if it exceeds the taxpayer’s total tax bill.

Maddy summaryHB 5072 allocates supplemental state funds specifically for testing sexual assault kits in Michigan for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2026. It directly affects state law enforcement agencies and crime laboratories responsible for processing these kits by providing dedicated budget resources. The bill creates a new appropriation within the state budget to cover testing costs, ensuring these kits can be processed without relying on existing funding streams. This is a funding measure, not a policy change to how kits are collected or handled.

Maddy summaryHB 5070 is a supplemental appropriations bill that allocates additional state funds for Michigan's prenatal and infant support program. It directly affects the program by providing dedicated funding for services supporting pregnant individuals and infants. The bill creates a formal funding mechanism (an appropriation act) to ensure these funds are available for the 2026 fiscal year. As a procedural budget measure, it does not change program eligibility or service rules but secures financial resources for existing support services.

Maddy summaryHB 5047 requires utility providers (including municipal, cooperative, and private electric/gas companies) to automatically enroll eligible customers in winter protection programs. Specifically, it mandates automatic enrollment of senior citizens (65+ or 62+ as of October 2023) starting November 1, 2025, and households with children under 16 starting September 1, 2025. Providers must identify eligible customers using methods like phone calls, mail, or bill inserts, and provide detailed program information via bill inserts 2 months before enrollment. Annual reports on enrollment numbers must be submitted to providers’ governing bodies by April 28 each year, beginning in 2026. The bill amends Michigan’s public utilities code (MCL 460.9o, 460.10t, and adds 460.9x) to implement these requirements.

Maddy summaryHB 4985 amends Michigan's landlord-tenant laws to establish clear "good cause" grounds for terminating a tenancy, directly affecting landlords and tenants across the state. The bill requires landlords to follow specific procedures when a tenant dies, including notifying the public administrator and attempting to contact an authorized person before reentering the property after 10 days. It also defines unlawful interference by landlords, such as changing locks without providing keys or cutting essential utilities like heat or electricity, which could lead to tenant legal claims. These changes aim to balance tenant protections with clearer eviction rules for landlords.

Maddy summaryHB 4983 modifies Michigan's eviction timeline by extending the waiting period before a landlord can remove a tenant after a court judgment. It increases the standard waiting period from 10 to 14 days for most evictions, and adds a longer 90-day or 6-month waiting period (depending on payment progress) when evicting tenants who failed to pay for a home purchase contract. The bill also clarifies that tenants can stop eviction by paying the owed amount plus costs within the waiting period. This directly affects tenants facing eviction and landlords seeking possession under the Revised Judicature Act.

Maddy summaryHB 4982 amends Michigan's landlord-tenant law (MCL 554.134) by increasing the notice period landlords must provide to tenants for nonpayment of rent from 7 days to 14 days. This change directly affects tenants who miss rent payments and landlords seeking to terminate leases for that reason. The bill modifies Section 34(2), requiring written notice that gives tenants 14 days to pay overdue rent before eviction proceedings can begin. Other termination notice periods (e.g., for lease violations or holdover) remain unchanged. The bill was introduced in September 2025 and referred to the Regulatory Reform Committee.

Maddy summaryHB 4986 updates tenant protection rules for housing projects managed by city, village, township, or county commissions. It specifically adds "using a unit for any unlawful purpose" (like drug activity) as a valid reason for landlords to end tenancies, aligning with existing court procedures for quick evictions under Michigan law. This directly affects tenants in publicly funded housing programs operated by local governments. The bill clarifies that landlords can only terminate leases for specific, documented reasons like lease violations or unsafe conditions, not arbitrarily. It requires another related bill (HB 4985) to pass first before taking effect.

Maddy summaryHB 4987 requires Michigan landlords to address tenant-reported repair issues within specific timeframes: 24 hours for urgent hazards like lack of heat, water, or bedbugs; 72 hours for appliance failures; and 10 days for other problems. Tenants must provide written notice via email, delivery, or approved electronic methods to trigger these deadlines. Landlords can extend timelines only if tenants interfere with repairs or unforeseen circumstances prevent timely action. This bill directly affects residential tenants and landlords in Michigan lease agreements, strengthening tenant rights to habitable housing under state law.

Maddy summaryHB 4984 changes how eviction court records are handled in Michigan. For most eviction cases, court records remain private until a judge rules in favor of the landlord, then become public for two years before automatically returning to private status. However, if the eviction was based on serious issues like drug activity, health hazards, violence, or illegal entry, records stay public for three years. The bill also strictly limits sharing private records - allowing access only for research or journalism with court approval, while protecting tenant names and personal details. This directly affects tenants by increasing privacy around eviction history, particularly for non-serious cases.