Rep. Matt Maddock

Maddy summaryThis bill updates Michigan's probate code to clarify how property transfers are treated when a personal representative sells estate assets to themselves or others. It establishes that buyers or lenders who purchase these assets are considered to have paid value without needing to verify if the original distribution was legally proper or if the representative still had authority. Additionally, the bill creates a legal presumption that recorded transfers are made for value, which helps simplify tax assessments, though it does not alter existing rules regarding Michigan estate tax liens. The legislation directly affects personal representatives, estate buyers, lenders, and interested parties involved in property distribution, and it requires two other related bills to pass before it can take effect.

Maddy summaryHB 5878 eliminates the personal property tax in Michigan for all items that do not qualify for an existing specific exemption, effective for taxes levied after December 31, 2026. Owners of such property must annually file a statement with their local tax collector to claim this new exemption, while property that already has a designated exemption cannot be claimed under this new rule. The bill also requires local tax units to send summary data to the state Department of Treasury by April 1 each year to track the revenue impact of these new exemptions. This legislation directly affects business owners and individuals holding personal property by removing a tax burden on eligible assets, provided they complete the necessary filing requirements.

Maddy summaryThis bill repeals Michigan's state real estate transfer tax, which previously applied to the sale of property. It includes a provision to ensure that any resulting loss in state revenue is compensated by transferring funds from the state general fund to the school aid fund. The law will only take effect if a separate companion bill, HB 5880, is also passed.

Maddy summaryThis bill repeals Michigan's 1993 State Education Tax Act, which previously imposed a tax on property owners to fund public schools. The legislation is contingent upon the simultaneous passage of a companion bill (HB 5880) that mandates the state to use general funds to fully replace any revenue lost from eliminating the tax. If enacted, the change would remove the specific tax requirement while ensuring that school funding levels remain unchanged through state appropriation. The law is scheduled to take effect 90 days after it is signed into law.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires school district boards in Michigan to allow homeschooled and nonpublic school students to join extracurricular activities like sports and clubs if they live within the district. To participate, these students must meet the same academic, conduct, and competitive selection standards as public school students without being forced to enroll in public school classes. The law also prohibits schools from denying participation based on capacity limits unless those limits apply equally to all students and are based on objective criteria. Additionally, districts must report annually on how many nonpublic students apply, are approved, or are denied participation, and they face potential fines for violating these rules.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a temporary gas tax holiday in Michigan, setting the motor fuel tax rate to zero cents per gallon starting immediately. The zero rate will remain in effect until either November 1, 2026, or the nationwide average gas price drops below $3.50, whichever happens first. While the holiday is active, the standard tax rates for gasoline and diesel are suspended, and the bill includes specific reporting requirements for suppliers and end users holding fuel inventory.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires the deputy secretary of state to take over as the chief election officer if the current secretary of state runs for another elected office. Under this change, the incumbent secretary would be barred from supervising or administering the election in which they are a candidate, though they would keep other duties like managing election audits. The deputy secretary would assume full supervisory control over local election officials during that specific election cycle.

Maddy summaryHB 5281, the "Third-Party Litigation Funding Transparency Act," regulates third-party funding of civil lawsuits by requiring funding companies to register with the state, disclose all terms to clients, and cap fees at 36% annually. It directly affects litigation funding companies and attorneys who use these services, mandating clear disclosure of costs and prohibiting hidden fees. The bill excludes pro bono nonprofits, health insurers, and traditional loans from its rules, focusing specifically on commercial funding arrangements where funders share in lawsuit proceeds. It establishes civil penalties for violations and gives state officials authority to enforce these requirements.

Maddy summaryThis bill removes the legal requirement for hunters and dealers in Michigan to report the number of deer pelts they possess or trade. While the law currently mandates that individuals holding licenses must submit notarized reports on all other fur-bearing animals and game birds, this legislation specifically exempts deer pelts from those reporting obligations. The change affects both hunters who keep pelts after the season and businesses that buy or sell them, allowing them to exclude deer pelts from their monthly and seasonal filings to the state department.

Maddy summaryThis House resolution urges Michigan Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson to voluntarily release documents and information regarding her past work with the Southern Poverty Law Center (SPLC), specifically concerning the organization's alleged payments to extremist groups. The bill is based on a federal indictment that accuses the SPLC of fraudulently diverting donor money to fund individuals associated with hate groups while claiming to fight them. It highlights Benson's previous roles as an undercover investigator and board member at the SPLC during the period of the alleged misconduct, suggesting she may possess unique knowledge of these operations. The resolution calls for her to publicly address her involvement to ensure transparency and avoid any appearance of impropriety, citing her prior refusal to comply with a separate subpoena as a reason for this request.