Rep. Jason Woolford

Maddy summaryHB 4430 would amend Michigan's Income Tax Act to create a new refundable income tax credit for taxpayers. This credit would be available for each "qualified dependent" claimed by the taxpayer. A qualified dependent must be between 5 and 18 years old, not enrolled in a public school, and demonstrate proficiency in reading and math for their grade level. The credit amount would be equal to the state's "target foundation allowance" for the relevant school year.

Maddy summaryHouse Bill 4443 establishes a new "disabled veteran's homestead specific tax" on properties currently exempt from general property taxes. Beginning January 1, 2026, this tax will apply to homesteads owned by disabled veterans or their surviving spouses. The tax amount is calculated based on what would have been owed in general property taxes, then discounted (reduced) according to the veteran's disability severity rating, potentially reducing the tax to zero for those with the highest disability ratings. Unpaid specific taxes are subject to the same forfeiture and foreclosure processes as delinquent general property taxes.

Maddy summaryHouse Bill 4444 amends Michigan's general property tax act to modify property tax exemptions for homesteads owned by disabled veterans and their surviving spouses. The bill outlines the application process for these exemptions and specifies that those granted on or after January 1, 2025, will remain in effect without requiring reapplication. It also introduces methods for prorating the exemption if the property is not used as a homestead for the entire tax year. Additionally, the bill clarifies that properties exempt under this section will be subject to a specific disabled veteran's homestead tax, which will also be prorated accordingly.

Maddy summaryHouse Resolution No. 77 is a resolution urging Illinois Governor JB Pritzker to resume construction of the Brandon Road Interbasin Project. This project, which involves federal, Illinois, and Michigan funding, is designed to prevent the spread of invasive Asian carp into the Great Lakes. The resolution highlights concerns about the carp's potential impact on the Great Lakes' seven-billion-dollar fishing industry and native species.

Maddy summaryHouse Resolution 88 declares May 6-12, 2025, as National Nurses Week in the state of Michigan. This resolution officially recognizes the contributions of nurses across the state.

Maddy summaryHouse Bill 4027 proposes to amend the Michigan Zoning Enabling Act. The bill would remove a provision that requires local zoning ordinances to be subject to Part 8 of the Clean and Renewable Energy and Energy Waste Reduction Act. This change means that local zoning authorities would no longer be directly bound by this specific part of the state's clean energy law when creating or enforcing their zoning regulations. The bill aims to alter the relationship between local land use planning and state renewable energy mandates.

Maddy summaryHouse Bill 4028 proposes to eliminate specific state-level provisions regarding the zoning and siting of large-scale solar, wind, and energy storage facilities. The bill achieves this by repealing Part 8 of the Clean and Renewable Energy and Energy Waste Reduction Act (2008 PA 295). This action would remove state authority over the certification and regulation of such facilities, effectively returning primary zoning control to local governments. It also amends the title of the existing act to reflect these changes.

Maddy summaryHB 4288 prohibits Michigan state agencies from hiring for unclassified positions based on factors other than objective merit, such as education or work experience. It directly affects state agencies hiring for roles outside the classified civil service (e.g., certain executive branch positions). The bill requires hiring decisions to rely solely on merit-based criteria and imposes civil fines of up to $10,000 per violation, with the attorney general authorized to collect penalties. This legislation creates new requirements for state hiring practices under Michigan law.

Maddy summaryHB 4029 amends Michigan's Natural Resources and Environmental Protection Act to require the Natural Resources Commission to provide 30 days' notice to specific legislative committees before issuing hunting or trapping regulations. It also states that regulations not issued by June 1 will not be valid until the next hunting season. Additionally, the bill mandates the Department of Natural Resources to clearly describe any rule changes - such as affected areas, species, and duration (capped at 5 years) - and publish these in annual guides and local newspapers for three consecutive weeks in each impacted county. These provisions aim to increase transparency for hunters, anglers, and the public regarding regulatory changes.

Maddy summaryThis bill proposes a constitutional amendment requiring Michigan voters to verify U.S. citizenship before registering to vote or casting a ballot. It directly affects new voters registering after December 18, 2026, who must provide proof of citizenship (like a birth certificate) to election officials or have the Secretary of State verify it using federal records. The amendment mandates the Secretary of State to systematically check citizenship status annually, remove unverified non-citizens from voter files within 60 days of notice, and allow provisional ballots only if citizenship is verified within six days after an election. It also requires annual reports on verification results and removals. The bill does not affect current registered voters.