Rep. Donni Steele

Maddy summaryHB 4145 designates a specific 1-mile segment of US-127 in Jackson County (between mile markers 39 and 40) as the "2nd Lt. Roosevelt Stiger Memorial Highway." This procedural bill amends Michigan's Memorial Highway Act to add this designation, honoring 2nd Lieutenant Roosevelt Stiger, a military veteran. The highway segment itself is the direct subject of the naming change, with no new policies or funding mechanisms involved. The bill passed unanimously in the Michigan House on May 20, 2025.

Maddy summaryHB 4010 designates Harrison Township in Michigan as "Boat Town USA" to symbolically recognize the community's connection to boating culture. The bill does not create new laws, regulations, or funding; it is a purely ceremonial designation. Passed by the Michigan House of Representatives in May 2025 with 83 votes in favor, the measure formally assigns this title without altering any existing policies or obligations.

Maddy summaryHB 4225 requires public schools serving grades 6-12 to include a 24/7 suicide prevention hotline number and contact information for Michigan's OK2SAY program (a confidential student safety reporting system) on student identification cards starting July 1, 2026. Nonpublic schools serving the same grades are encouraged to do the same. The bill amends Michigan's "Save our Students Act" to mandate this inclusion, ensuring students have immediate access to mental health resources and safety reporting tools. It applies to all public school districts, public school academies, and intermediate school districts, with liability protections for schools that comply.

Maddy summaryHB 4118 amends Michigan's Drain Code to require that lands owned by the Department of Natural Resources (DNR) be assessed for drainage project costs based on the benefits they receive, similar to how townships, cities, counties, and state highways are assessed. The bill clarifies that drainage costs must be apportioned among these entities according to specific benefit-based formulas, including DNR lands as a distinct category. It also updates public notice requirements for bidding on drainage projects and reviews of cost allocations to ensure transparency. This change directly affects DNR lands and the entities responsible for funding drainage improvements, including local governments and state transportation authorities.

Maddy summaryHouse Bill 4155 requires the Department to publish a list of recommended curriculum companies and assessment companies for use by K-12 public schools. By April 1, 2026, and annually thereafter, the Department must make these lists available to school districts, intermediate school districts, and public school academies. Recommended curriculum companies must offer programs aligning with state academic standards, provide evidence of effectiveness, and include provisions for accessibility and professional development. Similarly, recommended assessment companies must provide various assessments meeting state and federal requirements. It is important to note that schools are not mandated to use any of the companies or curricula on these recommended lists.

Maddy summaryHouse Bill 4148 revises the process for political parties to nominate candidates for the State Board of Education in Michigan. It divides the state into four specific districts. Beginning in 2026, political parties will be required to nominate candidates for the State Board of Education who are residents of designated districts, following a rotating 8-year schedule. This changes the current system where candidates are nominated at large without district-specific residency requirements.

Maddy summaryHB 4152 requires Michigan teacher preparation programs (and alternative teaching programs) to include specific training content starting September 30, 2027, to gain or maintain state approval. The bill mandates instruction on dyslexia characteristics, consequences, instructional adjustments, and multi-tiered support systems (MTSS), with additional evidence-based reading methods required for programs preparing teachers in reading, language arts, or special education. Programs focused on math or science must develop curricula in consultation with subject-matter experts. These requirements apply directly to institutions training future educators, with waivers possible for non-relevant programs under specific conditions.

Maddy summaryThis constitutional amendment proposes changing Michigan's education governance structure. It would shift the appointment of the state superintendent of public instruction from the state board of education to the governor (with Senate consent) starting January 1, 2027. Additionally, it requires state board of education members to be elected by district rather than at-large beginning in 2027. The superintendent would chair the board without voting rights, and the governor would serve as an ex-officio board member without a vote. This directly affects the governor, superintendent position, and state board of education members.

Maddy summaryHB 4416 amends Michigan's revised school code to establish new guidelines for unenrolling students. The bill prohibits public and nonpublic schools from unenrolling a student solely because another school requested their records. Instead, schools must receive written confirmation of a student's enrollment from their new school before officially unenrolling them. This confirmation must include specific details like the student's name, date of birth, grade level, the new school's information, and a signature from an authorized official.

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.