Rep. Jason Woolford

Maddy summaryHB 5217 would allow direct farm-to-consumer sales of raw (unpasteurized) milk and milk products by dairy producers who comply with specific safety standards under Michigan's Food Law (2000). It amends existing milk regulations to explicitly permit this sale method, provided producers meet requirements in Section 4102a of the Food Law and adhere to the definition of "direct farm-to-consumer producer" from the Food Law. This change affects small dairy farms selling directly to consumers, not restaurants or grocery stores, and maintains existing pasteurization requirements for all other milk sales. The bill requires compliance with state safety protocols but does not alter pasteurization rules for commercial distribution.

Maddy summaryHB 5535 would allow plumbing inspectors to provide plumbing services without violating state law. Currently, plumbing inspectors (registered under Article 10) are prohibited from engaging in the plumbing business, such as installing pipes or selling materials, due to potential conflicts with their inspection duties. The bill amends Section 1123 of Michigan's Skilled Trades Regulation Act to remove this prohibition, permitting inspectors to work for or own plumbing businesses. This change directly affects local plumbing inspectors who wish to operate in both roles simultaneously.

Maddy summaryHB 5317 amends Michigan's law governing county parks and recreation commissions by changing their membership requirements. It allows counties with fewer than 100,000 residents (starting January 1, 2027) to reduce appointed members from seven to four, while still requiring at least one county commissioner on the commission. For counties with populations between 750,000 and 1,000,000, it adds a requirement to appoint a neighborhood representative living near the most frequently used county park. The bill directly affects county governments managing parks and recreation commissions, modifying how these advisory bodies are structured and composed.

Maddy summaryHB 4279 would create a new apprenticeship program for Michigan National Guard members, allowing them to earn industry-recognized certifications while serving. The bill establishes a formal structure for training in high-demand fields like engineering and information technology, directly affecting Guard members seeking to build civilian career skills. Key provisions include requiring the Michigan National Guard to develop partnerships with employers and educational institutions to design the apprenticeships. The legislation is currently pending in committee review and has not yet been enacted.

Maddy summaryHB 5313 modifies Michigan's licensing rules for health professionals by removing certain disciplinary records from public view and adjusting continuing education requirements. It directly affects licensed healthcare workers (like nurses, doctors, and therapists) by changing how past disciplinary actions are handled and what training they must complete. Key provisions include adding new sections (16211a and 16231b) to limit public access to some disciplinary records, updating continuing education standards, and modifying sanctions for violations. The bill focuses on administrative changes to licensing processes without altering core professional standards or creating new funding.

Maddy summaryHouse Bill 4445 proposes to allow individuals to use bait for hunting deer in Michigan during the open deer seasons. It amends the Natural Resources and Environmental Protection Act by introducing a specific definition for "deer or elk baiting," which refers to depositing feed to aid in taking these animals. The bill also eliminates the requirement for the Natural Resources Commission to issue orders regulating general deer and elk feeding, and removes the associated definition from state law. This change would explicitly permit deer baiting for hunting while removing state-level regulation over general deer and elk feeding.

Maddy summaryHB 4855 would amend Michigan law to permit bow hunters to carry a pistol while hunting. This directly affects licensed bow hunters who currently cannot possess a firearm during hunting activities under existing law (MCL 324.43510). The bill changes the prohibition in the 1994 Michigan Penal Code to allow pistol possession specifically for bow hunters during hunting. The amendment would remove the current restriction, enabling bow hunters to carry a pistol for lawful use while hunting.

Maddy summaryHB 4418 updates Michigan's probate law to clarify how patients can designate a healthcare surrogate when they cannot make decisions themselves. It adds a new process for formally naming a surrogate (replacing the previous method) and removes an outdated section from older law. This directly affects patients without existing advance directives and their families by providing a clearer, more modern way to appoint someone to make medical decisions for them.

Maddy summaryHB 4419 adds legal protections to Michigan's health care decision-making framework. It shields health care providers and facilities from liability when following decisions made by a legally designated patient surrogate or advocate, as long as they act in good faith. The bill also protects surrogates and advocates from liability for good-faith health care decisions they make. Providers who intentionally violate these rules face minimum damages of $1,000, while those who falsify or tamper with a patient's health care directive designation face minimum damages of $2,500. This directly affects patients with advance directives, their designated surrogates, and medical providers.

Maddy summaryHB 5154 requires public middle schools (grades 6-8) and high schools (grades 9-12) to accept cash as a payment option for admission fees to interscholastic athletic events. It directly affects school districts and public school academies that charge such fees. The bill amends Michigan’s School Code to mandate that school boards ensure cash is accepted, alongside other payment methods. This change applies only to schools charging admission fees for athletic activities, with no other policy changes specified.