Rep. Donni Steele

Maddy summaryHB 4199 allocates $6.7 million from the general fund for public and nonpublic schools to implement mobile panic alert systems, as required by existing law (MCL 380.1308c). The funds are designated as a "work project" for the 2024-2025 fiscal year, with unspent amounts carried forward to 2025-2026. Schools must complete installation of these systems by September 30, 2027. The bill directly affects all schools covered by Michigan's revised school code, providing dedicated funding for emergency alert infrastructure.

Maddy summaryHB 4032 permanently extends Michigan's participation in the Interstate Medical Licensure Compact by removing a scheduled expiration date (sunset) from the law. This change directly affects physicians in Michigan who use the compact to practice medicine across state lines, as it eliminates the need for periodic legislative renewal. The bill's key provision amends Michigan's Public Health Code to make the compact's terms permanent, ensuring uninterrupted eligibility for physicians seeking multi-state licensure. The compact allows doctors to obtain licenses in multiple participating states more efficiently, reducing administrative barriers for cross-state medical practice.

Maddy summaryHR 37 is a symbolic resolution passed by the Michigan House of Representatives to officially recognize March 2025 as Women’s History Month within the state. It does not create new laws or policies but formally declares the month to honor women’s historical contributions to Michigan and the nation. The resolution encourages community participation in events celebrating women’s achievements in fields like science, politics, and education. It directly affects Michigan residents by promoting statewide awareness and reflection on women’s roles in society, without imposing any legal requirements or funding changes.

Maddy summaryThis resolution urges Congress to freeze the Adverse Effect Wage Rate (AEWR) for H-2A agricultural workers at the 2023 level ($15.10/hour) through 2025. It directly affects Michigan farmers who rely on the H-2A program, as the current 2025 AEWR in Michigan is $18.15/hour - a 34% increase since 2019. The resolution seeks to prevent further wage hikes for temporary farm workers, aiming to reduce rising labor costs amid broader farm expense increases. It does not change existing law but calls on Congress to pass legislation implementing this freeze.

Maddy summaryHB 4052 prohibits Michigan legislators and their legislative staff from signing confidentiality agreements related to their official legislative work. Any such agreement entered into after the law takes effect would be void. The bill applies to all agreements made, amended, extended, or renewed on or after the effective date, specifically covering work performed in a legislative capacity. It does not affect personal or non-legislative matters.

Maddy summaryHB 4002 amends Michigan's Earned Sick Time Act to clarify eligibility and usage rules for workers. It expands the definition of "family member" to include domestic partners and specifies that employees must work at least 25 hours weekly (averaged over a benefit year) to qualify for sick time. The bill also defines key terms like "benefit year" (a 12-month period for calculating leave) and clarifies that employers with 50+ employees must provide sick time for health, family, or safety needs. These changes aim to make the law's implementation more consistent while maintaining existing requirements for covered workers.

Maddy summaryThis is a ceremonial resolution, not a policy bill. It declares February 14, 2025, as "Frederick Douglass Day" in Michigan to honor the abolitionist's legacy. The resolution commemorates Douglass' life and contributions, including his birth date adoption and work for civil rights, but has no legal effect or impact on state laws or residents. It serves solely as a symbolic recognition.

Maddy summaryHB 4001 updates Michigan's minimum wage schedule, setting new rates that increase to $12.00 per hour starting February 21, 2025, and reaching $15.00 by 2029. It replaces the previous 2018 law (PA 337) and adds an annual adjustment mechanism: starting in 2019, the wage will rise each January based on Midwest-region inflation data, capped at 3.5% per year. The bill also modifies youth wage rules, allowing employers to pay new workers under 20 a training rate of 75% of the minimum wage for their first 90 days, while prohibiting displacement of existing workers to hire at this lower rate. This directly affects all hourly workers in Michigan covered by state minimum wage laws, including young workers and employers subject to wage requirements.

Maddy summaryHB 4031, the "Female Athletics Integrity of Records (FAIR) Act," requires publicly funded individual sports programs in Michigan to categorize awards, rankings, and records based on competitors' biological sex - not the gender category they compete in. It applies specifically to publicly funded sports events with separate male and female competitions where athletes compete individually. The bill mandates that official records must reflect each athlete's biological sex (defined as innate at conception) regardless of which competition they entered. This policy change affects publicly funded athletic programs organizing separate male/female events, ensuring records align with biological sex as the standard for official outcomes.

Maddy summaryThis resolution declares January 26-February 1, 2025, as Catholic Schools Week in Michigan. It is a symbolic gesture by the Michigan House of Representatives recognizing Catholic schools' role in the state. The resolution cites their educational impact (51,497 students across 214 schools), cost savings to taxpayers ($494 million annually), and community contributions, but does not create new laws or alter funding. As a procedural resolution, it has no binding effect beyond the official recognition.