Rep. Sharon MacDonell

Maddy summaryHB 5526 requires Michigan electric utilities to create worker transition programs during ownership changes, including skills training, job placement, and guarantees of comparable wages/benefits for at least 30 months after a sale. It mandates that acquiring entities must first offer jobs to existing non-supervisory workers before hiring externally and establish dispute resolution for workplace issues. The bill also sets new service quality standards for utilities, covering outages, maintenance, and billing, requiring annual reports on compliance and performance. These changes directly affect electric utilities, their workers, and customers by protecting jobs during ownership transitions and ensuring reliable service.

Maddy summaryHB 5528 amends Michigan's 1968 riot law (MCL 752.541 and 752.542) to clarify the definitions of riot and incitement to riot. It specifies that a riot occurs when five or more people acting together cause public terror through violent conduct, and incitement to riot involves urging others to commit unlawful violence, property destruction, or interfere with law enforcement officers. The bill explicitly states that peaceful protests - protected under the First Amendment and Michigan's constitution - are not violations of these provisions. This affects individuals participating in public gatherings or protests by defining clear legal boundaries between protected activity and unlawful conduct.

Maddy summaryHB 5503 prohibits Michigan electric utilities from charging residential customers fees for paying bills using credit cards, debit cards, cash, checks, electronic transfers, or money orders. The bill directly affects residential utility customers by banning these specific transaction fees. Key provisions require utilities to eliminate these fees for all payment methods listed in the bill, ensuring no additional cost for standard payment options. This policy change applies to all electric utilities operating in Michigan under the amended section 10p of the Public Utilities Act.

Maddy summaryHB 5513 requires Michigan's insurance department to create a standardized application process for health insurers to verify healthcare providers' qualifications (credentialing). This directly affects health insurers operating in Michigan and the healthcare providers seeking to be listed on insurance provider networks. The bill establishes a uniform application form under Section 3406uu of the Insurance Code and clarifies that insurers aren't required to violate nationally recognized credentialing standards. The bill is tied to the enactment of related legislation (HB 5512) to take effect.

Maddy summaryHB 5512 sets clear timelines for health insurers to process applications from healthcare providers seeking to join their provider networks. Insurers must acknowledge receipt within 7 days, notify providers of incomplete applications within 30 days (giving them 30 days to fix issues), and complete the credentialing process within 60 days total. If approved, insurers must reimburse providers for covered services starting from when the completed application was received. This directly affects doctors, clinics, and other healthcare providers applying to be in insurer networks, ensuring faster access to network participation.

Maddy summaryHB 5509 prohibits employers in Michigan from requiring employees to sign agreements that block disclosure of violations (or suspected violations) of the Elliott-Larsen Civil Rights Act. It specifically bans such agreements unless employers provide written notice of the prohibition, give employees at least 5 business days to consult an attorney, and ensure the agreement explicitly releases the employee’s civil rights claim. The bill amends the Elliott-Larsen Act (MCL 37.2101-37.2804) by adding Section 202b, making non-compliant agreements void. This directly affects Michigan employees covered by the Elliott-Larsen Act, ensuring they can report workplace discrimination without being silenced by restrictive contracts.

Maddy summaryThis resolution symbolically declares February 2026 as American Heart Month and February 6, 2026, as National Wear Red Day within Michigan. It aims to raise public awareness about heart disease - particularly its disproportionate impact on women, including Black and Hispanic women - and encourages actions like learning heart health risk factors. The resolution does not create new laws or obligations; it is a non-binding declaration to support existing awareness efforts like the American Heart Association's "Go Red for Women" campaign. It directly affects Michigan residents through state recognition of these national observances.

Maddy summaryThis resolution (HR 241) urges the U.S. Congress to impeach and remove Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem. It cites specific incidents under her leadership, including the deaths of two Americans during ICE operations (Renee Good and Alex Pretti) and allegations of constitutional rights violations, such as unlawful detentions, denial of due process, and unsafe detention conditions. The resolution also claims Noem defied court orders and obstructed congressional oversight. As a non-binding resolution, it does not change policy but formally calls for impeachment proceedings. It was introduced by 17 House members and referred to the Government Operations Committee.

Maddy summaryHB 5493 regulates how state and local law enforcement agencies use automatic license plate reader (ALPR) systems. It prohibits most ALPR use except for specific purposes like checking for stolen vehicles, outstanding warrants, uninsured vehicles, or active criminal investigations. The bill requires agencies to delete captured plate data within 14 days (unless used as evidence or for ongoing investigations), adopt public policies on ALPR use, and submit quarterly usage reports. It directly affects police departments and other government entities that operate ALPR systems, limiting their data collection and retention practices.