Rep. Jason Woolford

Maddy summaryHB 5234 modifies Michigan's vehicle code to change how law enforcement agencies can use fees collected from salvage vehicle inspections. Specifically, it updates Section 217c of the Michigan Vehicle Code (MCL 257.217c) to expand allowable uses for these fee revenues. The bill directly affects local law enforcement agencies that collect these inspection fees, allowing them to allocate funds toward equipment, training, or other operational needs previously restricted. This is a procedural funding adjustment with no new tax or mandate.

Maddy summaryHB 4429, the "Digital Age Assurance Act," requires device makers, operating systems, and app stores to verify user age and restrict access to mature content (sexually explicit material defined under federal law) for minors. It mandates that companies block mature content for users under 18, obtain parental consent for users under 16 before app downloads, and provide parental control tools for managing minors' online activity. Online services must also block mature content when they know a user is under 18 and display disclaimers for non-mature content. The Attorney General enforces the law, allowing 45 days to fix violations before imposing civil penalties up to $10,000 per violation.

Maddy summaryHB 4513 creates a new tax deduction for income earned from bitcoin mining under Michigan's existing "bitcoin program." It directly affects bitcoin miners operating within Michigan's designated program by allowing them to deduct this income when calculating their state individual income tax. The bill amends specific sections of Michigan's tax code (sections 30, 623, and 815) to add this deduction, making it a concrete policy change for eligible miners. This deduction is separate from other standard tax adjustments detailed in the bill.

Maddy summaryHB 4512 establishes a program allowing bitcoin mining companies to partner with Michigan to plug abandoned oil and gas wells. Companies bid to temporarily use residual oil or gas from these wells to power bitcoin mining operations, with the state covering costs through its existing orphan well fund. Bidders must submit detailed plans including startup costs, mining projections, and repayment schedules. This directly affects the state's well remediation fund and bitcoin mining businesses seeking to utilize abandoned well resources.

Maddy summaryThis bill modifies the Michigan Consumer Protection Act to clarify which transactions and activities are excluded from its coverage. It maintains existing exemptions for regulated industries like banking, insurance, and motor carriers, while also preserving protections for media publishers who do not knowingly spread false advertisements. The legislation places the burden of proof on businesses claiming exemptions from the act's requirements. These changes ensure that specific industries and media operations remain outside the scope of consumer protection claims unless they violate specific state or federal regulations.

Maddy summaryHB 4954 expands Michigan's survivor tuition grant program to include children and surviving spouses of medical examiners and medical examiner investigators who die in the line of duty. Currently, the program covers families of police officers and firefighters killed on duty; this bill adds medical examiners and their investigators to the eligible categories. The grant would cover tuition costs at Michigan's public colleges and universities for qualifying students meeting residency and academic requirements. The bill amends the existing "Police Officer's, Fire Fighter's, and Medical Examiner's Survivor Tuition Grant Act" to include these new recipients.

Maddy summaryHB 4949 modifies Michigan law to protect sport shooting ranges from liability related to noise. It exempts ranges that follow "generally accepted operation practices" from civil lawsuits or nuisance claims about noise pollution, even if the range later adds safety upgrades, expands, or updates. The bill also prevents local noise ordinances from applying to these ranges, ensuring they can operate under their original compliance standards. This directly affects range owners and operators by shielding them from noise-related legal challenges and allowing existing ranges to continue operating under pre-existing rules, even if new local ordinances conflict.

Maddy summaryHB 5126 creates new sentencing guidelines specifically for theft of cargo offenses in Michigan. It amends Michigan's Code of Criminal Procedure (MCL 777.16r) to establish distinct sentencing parameters for cases involving the theft of cargo, which currently lack specific guidelines. The bill directly affects courts, prosecutors, and defendants in cargo theft cases by providing clearer sentencing standards for these offenses. This is a procedural change to sentencing guidelines, not a new criminal charge or penalty. The bill was introduced on October 23, 2025, and referred to the Judiciary Committee.

Maddy summaryThis bill would allow Michigan farms to discharge certain types of wastewater, such as cooling or wash water from processing farm products, without needing a permit under specific conditions. The key requirements include limiting annual discharge to 100,000 gallons, prohibiting hazardous waste and surface water discharge, and ensuring the water is stored properly and applied to vegetated land at least 100 feet from property boundaries and 75 feet from water wells. Farms must also rotate discharge locations based on soil conditions and maintain records of each discharge, while the bill explicitly excludes discharges containing sanitary sewage unless applied through a permitted subsurface system.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends Michigan's environmental protection laws to establish a permitting structure for the discharge of wash water from oceangoing vessels in state waters. It requires vessel operators to obtain permits from the Department of Environmental Quality and mandates that vessels comply with federal aquatic nuisance rules regarding ballast water management to prevent the spread of invasive species. The legislation sets specific timelines for permit applications, outlines conditions for permit revocation or modification, and clarifies fee structures for vessel permits. The bill also includes provisions for administrative hearings if permit holders contest departmental orders and establishes that state standards may be more protective than federal rules if adopted through a Great Lakes compact.