Rep. Jason Woolford

Maddy summaryHB 5407 expands property tax exemptions for surviving spouses of disabled veterans in Michigan. It modifies existing law to include surviving spouses who receive dependency and indemnity compensation from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (under 38 USC 1310-1318), in addition to those already covered. The exemption applies to homestead property owned by the surviving spouse without requiring reapplication after 2025, continuing as long as they don’t remarry. This directly affects eligible surviving spouses of veterans who died while receiving VA disability benefits.

Maddy summaryThis bill updates Michigan laws to clarify how golf carts can be used on public roads in smaller communities with populations under 30,000. It allows local governments to permit golf cart operation while setting specific rules, such as requiring drivers to be at least 16 years old, obey traffic signals, and limit speeds to 15 mph. The legislation also establishes a process for counties to block golf cart use in townships due to safety or environmental concerns and outlines conditions under which golf carts may be allowed on certain state highways.

Maddy summaryHB 5823 updates Michigan's mental health code to allow video monitoring in psychiatric hospitals for safety and security purposes, provided specific rules are followed. The bill permits recording in common areas like hallways and activity rooms only after a facility creates written policies on access, retention, and notification to patients and visitors. It also clarifies rules for taking fingerprints, photographs, and audio recordings, requiring consent from the patient, their guardian, or parent before using these methods for services or research. Additionally, the law mandates that video footage cannot be used for treatment purposes and must be kept separate from clinical records, while archived recordings are generally limited to 30 days unless an investigation is underway.

Maddy summaryThis bill designates April 18, 2026, as Champions Day in Michigan to honor the state's historic sports achievements from 1935 and recent successes. The resolution encourages citizens to celebrate the 1935 victories of Joe Louis, the Detroit Tigers, the Detroit Lions, and the Detroit Red Wings, while also acknowledging Olympic gold medalists and the University of Michigan men's basketball team's 2026 national championship. As a commemorative measure, the bill has no legal requirements or funding provisions and serves solely to recognize these athletic milestones.

Maddy summaryThis resolution formally recognizes the United States Men's and Women's National Hockey Teams for their gold medal victories at the 2026 Winter Olympic Games. It highlights the sport's historical significance in American culture and specifically acknowledges Michigan's strong reputation as 'Hockeytown' in the context of these achievements. The measure serves as a commemorative tribute rather than establishing new laws or funding.

Maddy summaryThis bill modifies Michigan's sales tax rules for online marketplace facilitators, requiring them to collect and remit sales tax on all taxable sales made through their platforms regardless of whether the individual sellers have a physical presence in the state. It establishes that marketplace facilitators are responsible for auditing only their own facilitated sales unless sellers fail to provide necessary information, while also protecting facilitators from liability when sellers provide incorrect data or pay the tax directly. The legislation creates a special provision for delivery network companies, allowing them to deduct or exclude from their tax liability the sales tax they paid to marketplace sellers for qualified delivery services, such as those performed by couriers using personal vehicles or walking for distances under 75 miles.

Maddy summaryHB 4765 establishes automatic voter registration for Michigan residents when they apply for or update a driver's license, state ID card, or change their address, provided they submit U.S. citizenship documentation. It directly affects individuals applying for these state services who meet voting eligibility requirements. The bill requires the Secretary of State to add these applicants to the voter registry unless they return a preaddressed form declining registration. Applicants without citizenship proof may still register if they affirm U.S. citizenship and provide documentation during the application process. The law does not change voting ID requirements at polling places but modifies voter registration procedures through state ID applications.

Maddy summaryHB 4720 prohibits Michigan jurisdictions from using electronic voting systems containing parts or equipment from foreign entities listed by the FCC under federal law, effective January 1, 2026. This directly affects election officials and voting equipment vendors who must ensure their systems comply with this ban. The bill amends existing requirements to maintain paper ballots, accessibility standards, audit trails, and other voting system safeguards under Michigan's election law (MCL 168.795). It does not change current voting procedures but adds a new security-related restriction on equipment sourcing.

Maddy summaryThis bill grants immunity from nuisance lawsuits to owners and operators of racing facilities and racetracks in Michigan if the facility was built before the plaintiff purchased their property or began construction nearby. It protects these racing venues from legal claims filed by neighbors within a 5-mile radius who acquired their land or started building after the racetrack was established. The law applies to all claims filed after the bill takes effect, regardless of when the alleged nuisance occurred, but does not exempt racetracks from complying with environmental or health and safety regulations.

Maddy summaryHB 5537 prohibits the production, sale, or offering for sale of kratom (including all parts of the Mitragyna speciose plant and synthetic variants like 7-hydroxymitragynine) in Michigan. It directly affects businesses and individuals selling kratom products, imposing misdemeanor penalties that escalate based on severity: up to 90 days in jail and $5,000 fines for first offenses, with harsher penalties for repeat violations or sales to minors. Sales to anyone under 18 carry enhanced penalties, including up to one year in jail and $10,000 fines for first offenses. The law defines "kratom" broadly to cover all plant parts, extracts, and synthetic forms, making these activities illegal under Michigan's penal code.