Rep. Jason Woolford

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a new corporate income tax credit for Michigan employers who train apprentices and employ students in career and technical education programs. Starting in 2026, eligible businesses can receive tax credits covering up to 50% of certain training expenses or $2,000 per apprentice or student, with small businesses under 50 employees receiving an additional 10% bonus credit. The credit applies to qualified expenses such as wages, benefits, and classroom instruction costs, and any unused portion can be refunded to the taxpayer. Additionally, the bill requires the state Department of Labor to annually report on program participation, employment outcomes, and the fiscal impact of the credits to legislative committees.

Maddy summaryHB 4347 modifies how funds from horse racing operations are allocated to the Michigan Agriculture and Equine Industry Development Fund. It changes specific sections of the 1995 horse racing law to adjust the reallocation process, directly affecting horse racing operations that contribute to the fund. The bill’s key provision is altering the mechanism for directing these funds toward supporting Michigan’s agricultural and equine industries, without specifying new funding levels or programs. This is a procedural change to existing fund allocation rules, not a new program.

Maddy summaryHB 4346 redirects revenue from Michigan's lawful internet gaming programs to the Michigan Agriculture Equine Industry Development Fund and removes the existing spending limit on these funds. This bill directly affects the state's horse and agricultural industries by providing them with potentially increased funding for development initiatives. The key provision changes a 2019 law (MCL 432.315) to allow all allocated gaming revenue - previously subject to a cap - to flow into the equine fund without restriction. The bill is currently pending in the House Rules Committee after being reported with a substitute amendment.

Maddy summaryHB 5635 amends Michigan's School Code (MCL 380.1177) to prevent schools or health departments from requiring stricter exemption documentation than state law allows for student immunizations. It directly affects students entering school for the first time or in grade 7, and their families seeking exemptions based on religious beliefs or other objections. The bill ensures schools can only accept the three standard exemption options: a physician's statement, a parent's religious exemption, or a statement showing the child is in process of compliance. It does not change existing immunization requirements but prohibits additional barriers to claiming exemptions beyond those specified in state law.

Maddy summaryHB 5597 allows building owners or their agents to hire third-party inspection companies to perform required building inspections instead of relying solely on government agency inspections. Third-party inspectors must be registered under Michigan's skilled trades regulations, and their reports must include compliance status, necessary corrections, conflicts of interest, and the inspector's credentials. The enforcing agency may issue a certificate of occupancy based on a satisfactory third-party report, which must be submitted to both the owner and the agency. This change directly affects building owners, third-party inspection companies, and local building enforcement agencies.

Maddy summaryHB 5634 prevents Michigan's health department from creating stricter rules or requiring additional paperwork for school immunization exemptions. It preserves only two existing exemption types: medical (certified by a physician) and religious/philosophical (via a parent's written statement). The bill explicitly blocks the department from mandating new exemption forms or imposing extra requirements beyond these two categories. This directly affects schools, parents seeking exemptions, and the health department's regulatory authority. The legislation maintains the current exemption framework without expanding or altering it.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes rules for selecting commissioners to represent the state at a proposed Article V Convention under the U.S. Constitution. It sets specific qualifications for commissioners (e.g., U.S. citizenship for 5+ years, state residency for 5+ years, no recent federal lobbying or employment) and requires a process where legislative leaders nominate commissioners and alternates, followed by a majority vote in both chambers to commission them. The resolution also details procedures for handling vacancies, removing commissioners, and providing instructions to delegates. These rules directly affect state legislators who must vote on commissioner selections and potential commissioners who must meet the outlined criteria.

Maddy summaryHB 5151 prohibits Michigan commissioners at an Article V constitutional amendment convention from exceeding their assigned authority, such as voting beyond legislative instructions. It also makes it a felony (up to 5 years in prison) to bribe, threaten, intimidate, or obstruct any commissioner - whether from Michigan or another state - while they perform official duties. The bill defines "commission" as the legislative resolution setting commissioners' scope of authority and requires commissioners to strictly follow these instructions. This law directly affects Michigan’s state representatives at such conventions and anyone attempting to influence their actions, with penalties applying to violations before any vote or action occurs.

Maddy summaryHB 5210 allows commercial fishing license holders to list multiple vessels on a single license instead of requiring separate licenses for each boat. Licensees can add or remove vessels anytime by providing written notice to the department. The bill also clarifies rules for transferring licenses when boats are sold, damaged, or lost, including fee adjustments for larger vessels or non-resident transfers. All vessels listed under one license must operate within 50 miles of the originally designated port.

Maddy summaryHB 5219 would allow direct farm-to-consumer sales of raw milk and raw milk products in Michigan by amending the Food Law. It defines "direct farm-to-consumer product" to explicitly include raw milk meeting requirements under the 2001 Manufacturing Milk Law, enabling farmers to sell these products directly to consumers on their property. The bill adds new sections (4102a and 4102b) to establish this sales pathway while maintaining existing pasteurization requirements for other sales. This change directly affects farmers producing raw milk and consumers purchasing it directly from farms, without altering commercial milk sales rules.