Rep. Regina Weiss

Maddy summaryHB 4264, the "Job Applicant Credit Privacy Act," bans most employers in Michigan from using an applicant's credit history to make hiring decisions or asking about it during the recruitment process. It directly affects all job seekers and employers, except for specific roles in banking (state/nationally chartered banks, savings institutions, credit unions), licensed financial services, or casinos. The bill also prohibits employers from retaliating against applicants who oppose violations or participate in investigations, and bans any requirement for applicants to waive their rights under this law. Violators face civil lawsuits allowing for damages, injunctions, or attorney fees.

Maddy summaryHB 4251, the "District Library Freedom to Read Act," requires Michigan district libraries to establish clear policies for selecting and removing materials from their collections. It prohibits libraries from removing books or media based on protected characteristics (like race, religion, or viewpoint) or the material's subject matter, except if a court deems it obscene. The bill mandates that libraries adopt compliant policies within 90 days, including procedures for residents to request reconsideration (with requirements like verifying they’ve read the material) and restrictions on how often the same material can be challenged. Violations can be addressed through legal action by the attorney general or residents. This directly affects public district libraries under Michigan law, excluding school or special libraries.

Maddy summaryThis resolution directs the Clerk of the House to present nine specific bills - passed by both legislative chambers in December 2024 and "enrolled" (formally prepared for the Governor) - to the Governor. It follows a court ruling (February 2025) that confirmed Michigan’s Constitution requires all passed bills to be presented to the Governor within 14 days, rejecting the House’s prior refusal to act. The resolution overrides a previous House attempt (Resolution 41) to delay this process and mandates immediate compliance with the court’s order. It affects the House Clerk, Governor, and the nine bills’ legislative timeline, ensuring they can proceed toward becoming law.

Maddy summaryHB 4231 redirects $75 million annually from Michigan's 4% general sales tax (starting fiscal year 2025) into the Public Safety and Violence Prevention Fund. It also specifies that aviation fuel tax revenue must be split 35% to the state aeronautics fund and 65% to qualified airport funds. Additionally, computer software sales tax revenue must fund Michigan's health initiatives at $9-12 million yearly. These changes directly affect state budget allocations, airport operators, and public safety programs without altering tax rates or creating new taxes.

Maddy summaryThis is a symbolic House resolution (not a law) introduced in Michigan. It formally supports the U.S. Supreme Court's *Obergefell v. Hodges* ruling, which established same-sex marriage as a constitutional right. The resolution reaffirms that marriage should be defined by constitutional principles like equality and due process, not by historical or religious definitions. It specifically references Michigan's state constitution (Article I, Section 25) as conflicting with the *Obergefell* decision. The resolution has no legal effect and does not change any existing laws or policies.

Maddy summaryHB 4194 removes the requirement for non-U.S. citizens to prove legal presence in Michigan to obtain a state identification card. This change directly affects non-citizen residents who currently need to submit immigration documents to apply for a state ID. The bill amends Michigan law to eliminate this verification step, allowing eligible non-citizens to access state IDs without proving immigration status. The policy change applies only to state ID cards, not driver's licenses or other documents.

Maddy summaryHB 4196 amends Michigan's Enhanced Driver License and ID Card Act (MCL 28.305) to update how personal information is handled for applicants. It specifies that facial images and signatures collected for these IDs may only be shared with law enforcement agencies, other states (as required by federal law), or with an individual's written consent, while prohibiting disclosure of Social Security numbers on the card itself. The bill also clarifies retention rules for facial images (1 year unless fraud is suspected) and strengthens privacy protections by restricting disclosure of sensitive documents. This directly affects Michigan residents applying for enhanced driver licenses or official state ID cards, ensuring their biometric data and personal information are used only under defined, limited circumstances.

Maddy summaryHB 4175 modifies Michigan's high school diploma requirements by adding specific course credits students must complete. It requires all students graduating after 2023 to complete a half-credit personal finance course (fulfilling part of math, arts, or language requirements), while maintaining existing requirements for 4 math credits (including algebra I, geometry, and algebra II), 3 social science credits (including U.S. history and geography), 1 health/PE credit, and 1 arts credit. The bill also mandates two credits in a language other than English (including American Sign Language) for all students by graduation, with schools encouraged to offer language courses in early grades. These changes directly affect Michigan high school students and school districts responsible for implementing diploma standards.

Maddy summaryHB 4168 prohibits employers from using tips that exceed the minimum wage difference to cover other wage payments. It directly affects tipped workers (such as restaurant servers) and their employers by ensuring tips only count toward meeting minimum wage requirements up to specific percentages (starting at 38% in 2025 and rising to 50% by 2031). The bill requires written notice about tip distribution, mandates record-keeping for three years, and clarifies that tips remain the employee’s property regardless of wage calculations. Employers cannot offset wages for shifts with low tips using excess tips from other shifts.

Maddy summaryThis proposed constitutional amendment (HJR F) would remove gender-specific language from two Michigan constitutional provisions. It would repeal Article I, Section 25 - which defined marriage as "the union of one man and one woman" - and amend Article X, Section 1 to make property rights language gender-neutral. If approved, it would eliminate the constitutional ban on same-sex marriage and update outdated references to gender in property law. The amendment would require voter approval at the next general election. (Note: The bill is currently in committee referral, with no further action taken as of March 2025.)