Rep. Tom Kuhn

Maddy summaryHB 4061 requires state public employers and contractors (with 10+ employees) to verify the U.S. work authorization of all new hires using the federal E-Verify system or Form I-9. It mandates that contractors cannot bid on state contracts unless they participate in E-Verify, and public employers must verify all new employees' legal presence. Violations result in a one-year ban from state contracts, and false statements on verification forms are punishable as perjury. The law applies to all state and local government contracts involving services performed within Michigan.

Maddy summaryThis bill modifies the Michigan Liquor Control Code to prevent the Liquor Control Commission from using certain past violations to deny, suspend, or revoke liquor licenses. Specifically, it states that if at least two years have passed since a violation occurred, the commission cannot consider it when making licensing decisions. The law defines a "qualified violation" as any breach of the liquor code that is not a criminal offense or a state civil infraction. This change aims to ensure that older, non-criminal mistakes do not permanently bar individuals or businesses from holding liquor licenses.

Maddy summaryThis bill increases the discount that specially designated distributors and on-premises licensees receive on alcoholic liquor from 17% to 23%. It also establishes a new certification program for small distillers that use at least 40% Michigan-grown grain, allowing them to sell their products with a lower required profit margin for the state. The law requires the department of agriculture and rural development to certify these distillers, maintain records of their grain sources, and submit annual reports listing certified entities. Additionally, the bill includes penalties for providing false information during the certification process and mandates that distillers keep accurate accounts of their qualified grain transactions for inspection.

Maddy summaryThis bill modifies Michigan's vehicle code to clarify lane usage rules for drivers on roadways with two or more lanes traveling in the same direction. It requires vehicles to stay in the extreme right-hand lane unless passing, turning left, avoiding streetcars, or responding to construction. The law specifically restricts heavy trucks and trailers from using any lane other than the rightmost one on freeways with three or more lanes, except when making turns or avoiding hazards. Local governments are also prohibited from passing ordinances that contradict these specific lane assignment rules. Violations of these requirements are classified as civil infractions.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires state agencies to ask organizations seeking grants to submit detailed spending plans and undergo annual audits. It also mandates that the state create a free, searchable online database where the public can view information about how state funds are spent, including the recipient's name, amount received, and the purpose of the funding. Additionally, the bill prohibits the state from awarding grants, loans, or other economic assistance to entities that have not operated for at least two years, lack a physical presence or recent service activity in Michigan, or are owned or operated by state government employees or their immediate family members.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires Michigan school districts, intermediate school districts, and public school academies to post a link to a specific transparency dashboard on their public websites by July 1, 2025. Additionally, it mandates that these institutions provide an annual summary of school performance data to every student's parent or legal guardian starting in July 2026. The law also directs the Center for Educational Performance and Information to update its main data website to include information from the transparency dashboard and add a feature that allows users to compare data across public schools in the state.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires all public and nonpublic schools in Michigan to implement a mobile panic alert system starting in the 2025-2026 school year. The system must connect schools directly with law enforcement and first responders to facilitate real-time communication during emergencies like lockdowns or active shooter situations. The state will use competitive bidding to purchase the technology, but schools that already have a compliant system can apply for an exemption. Schools that fail to comply with the new requirements may lose eligibility for certain state school safety grants.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires counties in Michigan with more than one million residents to create and submit a plan to the state department to cut sewage discharge volumes by 50% within five years if they violate their environmental permits. The state department will review these plans within 180 days, and if approved, the counties must finish implementing the reduction measures within two years or risk having their permits denied. Counties that fail to submit a plan or complete the required reductions could face administrative fines of up to $1 million per month, which would be collected by the state attorney general and added to the state's clean water funding.

Maddy summaryHB 5941 amends Michigan's income tax law to clarify how certain gratuities received by tipped employees are treated for tax purposes. The bill specifically addresses the exclusion of these tips from taxable income, ensuring that workers in the service industry are not taxed on amounts that are already exempt under federal rules. By updating the state tax code, the legislation aligns Michigan's treatment of tipped income with existing federal standards. This change directly affects employees who rely on tips as part of their compensation and the employers who report such earnings.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires Michigan school districts and public school academies to create and enforce policies regulating wireless devices for students based on their grade level. For grades K through 5, the policy must ban students from possessing these devices on school property. Students in grades 6 through 8 are prohibited from using devices during instructional time, breaks, lunch, and recess, while high school students in grades 9 through 12 may only use them outside of instructional periods. The law defines "wireless communications devices" broadly to include any electronic gadget capable of texting, voice calls, internet access, or entertainment, and it removes an existing section from the state's revised school code.