Rep. Mike Harris

Maddy summaryThis bill proposes an amendment to the Michigan state constitution to permanently extend a property tax relief measure for homeowners who sell their primary residences. Currently, selling a home triggers a full reassessment of its value, which often leads to a significant spike in property taxes for the new owner; this change would allow the new owner to keep the lower taxable value established under the existing cap rules. The relief applies only to homes that are continuously owned and used as a principal residence, meaning the tax advantage ends if the property is sold for investment purposes or converted to a non-residential use. By removing the automatic reset of taxable value upon transfer, the bill aims to reduce the financial burden on families moving between primary homes.

Maddy summaryThis bill (HB 4599) amends Michigan's criminal code to address gift card fraud by adding Section 3a to existing statutes (MCL 752.1081-752.1087). It directly affects individuals who commit gift card fraud, such as stealing or selling stolen gift card numbers. The bill creates specific criminal penalties for these offenses but does not provide details on the exact penalties or scope in the given context. The bill passed the House on September 9, 2025, with strong support, and was referred to the Civil Rights, Judiciary, and Public Safety Committee. The context provided does not include the specific provisions or who is affected beyond the general fraud focus.

Maddy summaryHB 4598 expands Michigan's Organized Retail Crime Act to specifically address new tactics used in theft. It adds provisions criminalizing the acquisition, alteration, or use of stolen gift cards (subsections i(i)-(iii)), fraudulent wireless device purchases (subsections h), and manipulating fire exit alarms (subsections g) as organized retail crime. The bill makes these acts felonies punishable by up to 5 years in prison, $5,000 fines, or both, and requires offenders to pay restitution to retailers and forfeit stolen merchandise. This directly affects retailers (through enhanced protections) and individuals committing these expanded theft methods, while clarifying that property representation as stolen is sufficient for prosecution.

Maddy summaryHouse Bill 4477 mandates that public school districts and public school academies provide water safety instruction to students. Beginning in the 2026-2027 school year, students will receive age- and grade-appropriate water safety instruction as part of their physical education courses, covering topics such as proper use of flotation devices and awareness of water conditions. The Department of Education is tasked with developing a model water safety program for schools by December 2025. Additionally, the Department of Health and Human Services will create a multilingual informational notice on water safety, which all public and nonpublic schools must distribute annually to parents or legal guardians starting October 2026. The bill also grants civil liability immunity to institutions and individuals involved in developing and distributing this informational notice.

Maddy summaryThis bill designates April 18, 2026, as Champions Day in Michigan to honor the state's historic sports achievements from 1935 and recent successes. The resolution encourages citizens to celebrate the 1935 victories of Joe Louis, the Detroit Tigers, the Detroit Lions, and the Detroit Red Wings, while also acknowledging Olympic gold medalists and the University of Michigan men's basketball team's 2026 national championship. As a commemorative measure, the bill has no legal requirements or funding provisions and serves solely to recognize these athletic milestones.

Maddy summaryThis resolution formally recognizes the United States Men's and Women's National Hockey Teams for their gold medal victories at the 2026 Winter Olympic Games. It highlights the sport's historical significance in American culture and specifically acknowledges Michigan's strong reputation as 'Hockeytown' in the context of these achievements. The measure serves as a commemorative tribute rather than establishing new laws or funding.

Maddy summaryThis bill proposes to increase the penalties for trespassing in Michigan by raising the maximum jail time from 30 days to 90 days and the maximum fine from $250 to $500 for repeat offenders. It directly affects individuals who enter or remain on another person's property without permission after being asked to leave, as well as those who enter or stay on fenced or posted farm land without consent. The legislation maintains existing protections for process servers attempting to serve legal documents and clarifies that a request to leave is not required to be violated on farm property. These changes would apply to anyone previously convicted of a trespassing violation, making subsequent offenses more severe under current law.

Maddy summaryThis resolution designates April 2026 as Child Abuse Prevention Month for the state of Michigan. It aims to raise public awareness about child safety and encourages residents to learn the signs of abuse and engage in community support. The bill does not create new laws or funding but serves as a symbolic declaration to honor advocates and promote a collective commitment to protecting children.

Maddy summaryThis bill removes the requirement for anglers to pay a fee to use certain fishing devices such as set hook lines, nets, and commercial trolling rigs in Michigan waters. It directly affects individuals and businesses that currently hold licenses for these specific fishing activities. The legislation amends existing sections of the Natural Resources and Environmental Protection Act to eliminate the associated licensing fees while maintaining the requirement for a license itself. This change applies to both residents and nonresidents engaging in these types of fishing methods.

Maddy summaryThis bill grants immunity from nuisance lawsuits to owners and operators of racing facilities and racetracks in Michigan if the facility was built before the plaintiff purchased their property or began construction nearby. It protects these racing venues from legal claims filed by neighbors within a 5-mile radius who acquired their land or started building after the racetrack was established. The law applies to all claims filed after the bill takes effect, regardless of when the alleged nuisance occurred, but does not exempt racetracks from complying with environmental or health and safety regulations.