Rep. Jason Woolford

Maddy summaryThis is a ceremonial resolution, not a law with policy changes. It declares October 2025 as "Pastor Appreciation Month" in Michigan to recognize pastors' contributions to their congregations and communities. The resolution expresses support for pastors' work through "wise counsel" and spiritual leadership, based on religious references in the text. It has no legal effect or direct impact on any specific group beyond symbolic recognition.

Maddy summaryHB 5075 requires individuals alleging accessibility violations under Michigan's Persons with Disabilities Civil Rights Act to provide written notice to facility owners or managers before filing a lawsuit. The notice must detail specific violations and give the owner 15 business days to respond, either by committing to fix issues within 120 days, challenging the claim, or proving prior corrections. This applies to violations of accessibility laws covering public accommodations, buildings, and transportation. The bill aims to give owners a chance to resolve issues before litigation, while still allowing lawsuits if owners fail to respond or comply within the specified timeframe. It directly affects disabled individuals seeking enforcement and facility owners subject to accessibility laws.

Maddy summaryHB 4107 requires Michigan schools to include specific health education content for students in grades 7-12. It mandates instruction in cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR), automated external defibrillator (AED) use, and first aid response kits (including tourniquets and bleeding control supplies) as part of the health curriculum. Schools may use trained personnel like Red Cross instructors, EMTs, or properly trained teachers to deliver this instruction, with hands-on practice encouraged but not required for all students. The bill exempts 100% online schools from requiring hands-on CPR practice.

Maddy summaryHB 4160 prevents Michigan state agencies from creating rules stricter than federal standards, unless they prove a "clear and convincing need" for stricter rules. It directly affects all state agencies that create regulations, requiring them to justify any rule exceeding federal benchmarks. The bill mandates that agencies must either cite specific state law authorizing stricter rules or provide detailed justification for exceptional circumstances. This applies whether federal rules exist or not, though it excludes special education rules from this restriction. The law aims to align state regulations with federal standards unless compelling state-specific reasons exist.

Maddy summaryHB 4522 modifies Michigan's vehicle code to require heavy trucks (over 10,000 pounds gross weight) to drive in any lane on freeways with three or more lanes for travel in the same direction, rather than restricting them to the rightmost lanes. This directly affects commercial truck drivers and fleet operators on Michigan freeways. The law specifies exceptions allowing trucks to use the right lane only for left turns, safety reasons, or construction-related lane closures. It also prohibits local governments from creating conflicting lane-use ordinances for these situations.

Maddy summaryHB 5061 requires bars and restaurants serving alcohol to provide mandatory server training to all employees within 60 days of hire. The training covers identifying intoxication signs, responsible ID verification, handling over-service, and legal consequences of violations - specifically addressing how to prevent sales to visibly intoxicated patrons or minors. It creates a "responsible vendor" designation for licensees that complete the training and maintain a clean record, with supervisors trained on every shift during service hours. This bill directly affects all licensed establishments serving alcohol in Michigan, aiming to reduce prohibited sales through standardized education. The title's reference to "bouncers" appears incorrect; the bill focuses on server training, not positional asphyxiation prevention.

Maddy summaryHB 5048 creates special vehicle registration plates in Michigan for specific military service groups. It allows eligible veterans, survivors, and family members to apply for plates featuring unique identifiers: "EX-POW" for prisoners of war or spouses, "WWI" for World War I/Cold War veterans (defined as 1945-1991), "Pearl Harbor survivor," "Purple Heart" with medal vignette, "Gold Star Family" (for families of fallen service members), and "Blue Star Family" (for families of currently serving members). Applicants must provide proof of eligibility to the Secretary of State, with no application or renewal fees required. These plates are displayed on vehicles and expire annually, with standard registration taxes applying except for the "EX-POW" plate for one vehicle per household.

Maddy summaryHB 5030 would require Michigan auto insurers to offer policyholders the option of adding deductibles to their personal protection insurance (PIP) benefits, which cover medical costs and lost wages after accidents. Insurers must provide deductibles in $1,000 increments (up to the average annual benefit amount for similar accidents in Michigan) and reduce premiums proportionally. This applies only to benefits paid to the policyholder, their spouse, or household relatives. The bill does not change existing PIP coverage but gives consumers a choice to lower premiums in exchange for paying more out-of-pocket for covered medical and injury expenses.

Maddy summaryThis resolution symbolically declares September 22-26, 2025, as Farm Safety and Health Week in Michigan. It recognizes the state's agricultural workforce (including approximately 44,000 farms) and aligns with the national observance focused on safety practices like equipment handling, rural roadway safety, and youth protection on farms. As a ceremonial resolution, it does not create new laws or directly affect any individuals or entities. The declaration serves to honor agricultural workers and promote safety awareness during peak farming season.

Maddy summaryHB 4970 establishes a letter grading system (A-F) for all Michigan public schools starting in the 2026-2027 school year. It requires the state to assign grades based on five specific metrics: student proficiency in math and English language arts, student growth in those subjects, progress for English language learners, high school graduation rates, and how schools compare to others serving similar student populations. The grades will be updated annually using existing state assessments and growth models, without changing current testing requirements. This policy directly affects every public school in Michigan by making annual performance data publicly available through standardized letter grades.