Rep. Donni Steele

Maddy summaryThis bill regulates private residence vertical lifts in Michigan by updating state elevator laws to include specific safety standards for these devices. It requires that any private residence vertical lift be certified as safe by a nationally recognized testing laboratory using specific American Society of Mechanical Engineers standards. The legislation also clarifies that these lifts do not need a traditional hoistway, pit, or machine room if they are installed according to manufacturer specifications and meet performance-based safety requirements. This change directly affects homeowners and contractors who install or maintain vertical lifts in private residences.

Maddy summaryThis bill updates the Natural Resources and Environmental Protection Act to clarify firearm transport rules for individuals in areas frequented by wild animals. It maintains the requirement that hunters generally need a license to carry firearms in wildlife areas but explicitly allows licensed concealed pistol carriers and those with specific legal exemptions to transport loaded pistols. The bill also clarifies that these transport provisions do not authorize individuals to hunt wild animals without proper hunting licenses.

Maddy summaryHB 5615 is a funding bill that sets aside state money for Michigan's transportation department to cover expenses during the 2026-2027 fiscal year. It directly affects the state transportation department by authorizing specific budget allocations for its operations. As an appropriations bill, it does not create new policies or change laws, but rather provides the financial framework for existing transportation programs and projects. The bill is currently pending in the Appropriations Committee after being introduced on February 26, 2026.

Maddy summaryHB 5635 amends Michigan's School Code (MCL 380.1177) to prevent schools or health departments from requiring stricter exemption documentation than state law allows for student immunizations. It directly affects students entering school for the first time or in grade 7, and their families seeking exemptions based on religious beliefs or other objections. The bill ensures schools can only accept the three standard exemption options: a physician's statement, a parent's religious exemption, or a statement showing the child is in process of compliance. It does not change existing immunization requirements but prohibits additional barriers to claiming exemptions beyond those specified in state law.

Maddy summaryHB 5634 prevents Michigan's health department from creating stricter rules or requiring additional paperwork for school immunization exemptions. It preserves only two existing exemption types: medical (certified by a physician) and religious/philosophical (via a parent's written statement). The bill explicitly blocks the department from mandating new exemption forms or imposing extra requirements beyond these two categories. This directly affects schools, parents seeking exemptions, and the health department's regulatory authority. The legislation maintains the current exemption framework without expanding or altering it.

Maddy summaryHR 252 is a ceremonial resolution introduced by Rep. Donni Steele to symbolically declare March 2026 as Women’s History Month in Michigan. It does not create new laws, allocate funds, or change existing policies - it simply encourages Michiganders to honor women’s historical achievements and ongoing contributions through reflection and celebration. The resolution cites women’s roles in shaping communities, breaking barriers in various fields, and advancing equality, aligning with the national observance established in 1987. As a non-binding declaration, it directly affects all Michigan residents by providing a formal state-level recognition of Women’s History Month.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes rules for selecting commissioners to represent the state at a proposed Article V Convention under the U.S. Constitution. It sets specific qualifications for commissioners (e.g., U.S. citizenship for 5+ years, state residency for 5+ years, no recent federal lobbying or employment) and requires a process where legislative leaders nominate commissioners and alternates, followed by a majority vote in both chambers to commission them. The resolution also details procedures for handling vacancies, removing commissioners, and providing instructions to delegates. These rules directly affect state legislators who must vote on commissioner selections and potential commissioners who must meet the outlined criteria.

Maddy summaryHB 5151 prohibits Michigan commissioners at an Article V constitutional amendment convention from exceeding their assigned authority, such as voting beyond legislative instructions. It also makes it a felony (up to 5 years in prison) to bribe, threaten, intimidate, or obstruct any commissioner - whether from Michigan or another state - while they perform official duties. The bill defines "commission" as the legislative resolution setting commissioners' scope of authority and requires commissioners to strictly follow these instructions. This law directly affects Michigan’s state representatives at such conventions and anyone attempting to influence their actions, with penalties applying to violations before any vote or action occurs.

Maddy summaryHB 5543 increases the annual funding for grade crossing surface improvements from $3 million to $6 million per year by amending Section 10(1)(b) of Michigan's Transportation Fund Act (MCL 247.660). This change directs more state transportation funds toward safety and surface repairs at railroad crossings - locations where roads intersect train tracks - across Michigan. The bill specifically adjusts the allocation within the state trunk line fund, ensuring doubled resources for maintaining these critical infrastructure points. It does not alter other funding mechanisms but directly affects how money is distributed for grade crossing safety upgrades.

Maddy summaryHB 5519 lowers Michigan's individual income tax rate to 3.9% for tax years beginning January 1, 2026, replacing the current 4.25% rate. This change applies to all Michigan residents who pay state income tax on their earnings. The bill amends Section 51 of the Income Tax Act to implement this rate reduction, which follows a temporary 4.25% rate period through 2025. This policy directly reduces the tax burden for individual taxpayers starting in 2026.