Rep. Jason Woolford

Maddy summaryHB 5406 would prohibit Michigan health insurers from covering organ transplants if the procedure occurs in China or another country designated by the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services as engaging in forced organ harvesting, or if the organ originated from such a country. It applies to all health insurance policies issued or renewed in Michigan and requires the health department director to designate which countries fall under this prohibition. The bill defines "forced organ harvesting" as organ removal through coercion, abduction, deception, or abuse of power. This policy change would directly affect patients seeking transplants involving organs from designated countries and insurers offering coverage for such procedures.

Maddy summaryHB 5206 creates a new "limited cosmetologist license" under Michigan's cosmetology law, allowing individuals to perform specific services like natural hair cultivation, manicuring, or skin care without needing a full cosmetologist license. This change streamlines licensing for professionals who specialize in these areas, eliminating the need for separate licenses (e.g., for manicuring or esthetics) while requiring them to limit their practice to the licensed services. The bill updates definitions to clarify terms like "natural hair cultivation" (techniques such as braiding or twisting without chemicals) and ensures license holders cannot perform unlicensed services like electrology. It directly affects cosmetology practitioners seeking to offer these focused services more efficiently.

Maddy summaryHB 5375 prohibits charging interest on unpaid restitution of overpaid unemployment benefits when the overpayment resulted from specific errors, such as agency mistakes, employer errors, or system issues - not the claimant's fault. It requires the unemployment agency to waive existing interest charges and refund payments made for those errors, with refunds due within 180 days of the law's effective date. The bill also stops interest from accruing during pending appeals and applies retroactively to overpayments from February 2020 through December 2026. This directly affects claimants who received overpayments due to errors beyond their control.

Maddy summaryHB 5377 would allow property owners without children attending Michigan public schools to qualify for a property tax exemption on certain school millages under the Revised School Code. It directly affects homeowners who do not have children enrolled in public schools within the state. The bill amends specific sections of the school code (380.1211, 380.1212, and 380.1364) to establish this new exemption category. This change modifies existing tax eligibility rules but does not alter current tax rates or funding formulas.

Maddy summaryHB 5379 creates a property tax exemption for homeowners without children attending Michigan public schools or receiving publicly funded educational services. Starting December 31, 2026, these property owners will be exempt from the portion of library millages (tax rates) levied by districts that include school districts, specifically the part exceeding 2 mills. This change applies to taxes under the District Library Establishment Act and aligns with existing exemptions in the General Property Tax Act. The bill affects residential property owners who do not have school-age children enrolled in Michigan public education.

Maddy summaryHB 5376 would create a property tax exemption for Michigan homeowners without children enrolled in public schools or publicly funded educational services (K-12) in the state. Starting in 2027, eligible property owners would receive a phased reduction in school-related property taxes: 40% in 2027, increasing to 100% by 2031. To qualify, owners must provide proof (like a withdrawal letter or affidavit) that no dependents used public education, and the exemption excludes properties owned through private entities where the actual owner has school-aged children. The bill specifically targets school millages (taxes funding schools), not general property taxes, and requires local assessors to verify eligibility using state education data.

Maddy summaryHB 5378 would create a new property tax exemption from the state education tax for homeowners who have no children attending public schools in Michigan. Specifically, starting December 31, 2026, property owners without dependents enrolled in Michigan public schools (full- or part-time) would qualify for this exemption. The bill amends Michigan's State Education Tax Act to add this provision, which is contingent on three related bills (HB 5376, HB 5377, and HB 5379) also becoming law. The exemption applies to property tax levied under the State Education Tax Act, directly affecting homeowners without school-aged children in public schools.

Maddy summaryHB 5341 modifies Michigan's weapon carrying laws by changing penalties for first-time violations of concealed pistol licensing rules. It specifies that individuals who carry a concealed pistol without a current license (but with an expired license under 1 year old and eligibility for a new license) will now face only a $330 civil fine instead of potential felony charges. The bill directly affects people who carry concealed weapons without a valid permit but meet these specific criteria. It does not change the requirement for a license or the underlying prohibition on concealed carry without one. The key change is replacing criminal penalties with a civil fine for this narrow category of first-time violations.

Maddy summaryHB 4822 requires the Natural Resources Commission to live stream all its meetings publicly online. This bill amends Michigan's natural resources law (MCL 324.501) to mandate real-time video streaming of Commission sessions. The change directly affects the Commission's operations and ensures public access to its proceedings without requiring physical attendance. The bill is currently pending in committee review after being referred for second reading.