Rep. Jason Woolford

Maddy summaryHB 4076 prohibits labeling lab-grown meat substitutes as "meat" and requires sellers to use specific terms like "cell-cultured," "lab-grown," or "cultivated" on product labels. It directly affects manufacturers and retailers selling lab-grown meat alternatives, mandating clear labeling that distinguishes these products from traditional meat. The bill amends Michigan's Food Law to require these terms on sealed packages or bulk displays, ensuring consumers can accurately identify the product type. This policy change focuses on transparent labeling without altering existing requirements for traditional meat products.

Maddy summaryHB 4491 revises the application process for Michigan's critical industry program and other economic development initiatives managed by the Michigan Strategic Fund. It requires businesses seeking state funding to complete a form attesting, under penalty of perjury, that their hiring and promotion practices are based solely on merit, defined by objective criteria like experience and education. False attestations carry a $5,000 civil fine and potential perjury charges. Additionally, the bill outlines specific criteria the fund must consider when awarding investments and mandates detailed terms for agreements with businesses, including job creation targets, performance benchmarks, and clawback provisions for non-compliance.

Maddy summaryHB 4489 modifies the rules for expenditures from the Strategic Outreach and Attraction Reserve (SOAR) fund. The bill adds new conditions for recipients of these funds, requiring them to use hiring practices and internal promotion schemes based on employee merit. "Merit" is defined as a reasonable expectation, based on objective criteria like experience and education, that an individual can perform job duties. These changes directly affect businesses and entities receiving SOAR fund expenditures by requiring them to adopt these merit-based employment practices.

Maddy summaryHouse Bill 4490 amends Michigan's Management and Budget Act to prohibit state agencies from awarding contracts to companies that do not use hiring practices based solely on merit. The bill defines "merit" as a reasonable expectation of job performance based on objective criteria such as experience, education, and training. For construction contracts, companies seeking state business must attest under penalty of perjury that they use only merit-based hiring. The state department is then prohibited from awarding these contracts to firms that use other hiring practices or fail to submit the required attestation.

Maddy summaryHB 4227 requires every intermediate school district in Michigan to hire at least one emergency and safety manager and one mental health coordinator. The emergency manager coordinates with state and local agencies to prevent safety incidents, conduct risk assessments, and handle safety concerns across schools. The mental health coordinator manages state funding for student mental health services, integrates community resources, and oversees programs like Medicaid billing and behavioral health support. These roles aim to strengthen safety planning and mental health access for all public and nonpublic schools within each district's boundaries.

Maddy summaryHouse Bill 4472 proposes to create the "Developing Effective Policies on Orderly Removal and Transportation (DEPORT) task force" in Michigan. This 15-member task force, appointed by the Speaker of the House, would include state legislators, various law enforcement officers, and local elected officials. Its primary duty is to recommend policies to the legislature that facilitate the deportation of illegal immigrants. The task force would also suggest policies for training local law enforcement on interacting with illegal immigrants and for encouraging cooperation with federal agencies to identify illegal immigrants within the criminal justice system. The task force is temporary, required to submit preliminary and final reports within one year, and then abolished.

Maddy summaryHouse Bill 4475 proposes to amend the Elliott-Larsen Civil Rights Act to prohibit discrimination based on an individual's vaccination status or whether they possess an "immunity passport." It would prevent state or local governmental entities, private universities, and community colleges from denying services, goods, educational opportunities, healthcare, or employment for these reasons. Employers would also be prohibited from discriminating against individuals in hiring, termination, or terms of employment due to vaccination status. The bill includes specific exceptions, such as for certain child care organizations, federal contractors, and regulated entities whose funding depends on compliance with federal health regulations. Additionally, it allows vaccination requirements for employees in roles with direct exposure to infectious materials or in public health/medical settings where vaccinations are necessary for their duties.

Maddy summaryHouse Bill 4474 proposes to amend the Michigan Vehicle Code to prohibit the Secretary of State from issuing Real ID-compliant operator's and chauffeur's licenses. This means that individuals in Michigan would no longer be able to obtain driver's licenses that meet federal Real ID identification standards. The bill directly affects Michigan drivers seeking new or renewed licenses and the Secretary of State's process for issuing these documents.

Maddy summaryHouse Bill 4473 proposes to amend existing Michigan law regarding official state personal identification cards. The bill specifically prohibits the Secretary of State from issuing state personal identification cards that comply with Title II of the federal Real ID Act of 2005. This means that official state personal identification cards issued in Michigan would not meet federal Real ID standards. This change directly affects Michigan residents who apply for or hold state identification cards.

Maddy summaryHB 4235 prohibits public employees and officials in Michigan from using or accessing certain applications on government-issued devices, specifically those linked to foreign governments or entities from designated "countries of concern" (like China, Russia, or Iran). It requires public employers (state agencies, schools, local governments) to block these apps on all government networks, restrict them on devices, and maintain remote wipe capabilities to remove them. The law bans downloading or accessing prohibited apps on work devices, with exceptions only for law enforcement officers conducting public safety investigations. This directly affects all state and local government workers using official devices for job-related tasks.