Rep. Ron Robinson

Maddy summaryHB 4188 amends Michigan's Vehicle Code to clarify that operating a vehicle "in a careless or negligent manner likely to endanger any person or property, but without wantonness or recklessness" would be classified as a civil infraction. This change directly affects drivers whose behavior meets this specific standard - non-reckless, careless driving - by treating it as a civil matter rather than a criminal offense. The bill modifies Section 626b of the Michigan Vehicle Code (MCL 257.626b) to explicitly exclude cases involving "wantonness or recklessness," which would remain subject to more severe penalties. The amendment is procedural and aims to refine the legal definition of the infraction. The bill was introduced on March 6, 2025, and referred to the Judiciary Committee.

Maddy summaryHB 4190 prohibits physicians in Michigan from performing gender reassignment surgery on minors or prescribing cross-sex hormones or puberty-blocking drugs with the intent of assisting gender transition. The bill directly affects minors under 18 seeking gender-affirming medical care, including hormone therapy or puberty suppression. Exceptions apply only to minors already receiving such treatment before the law's effective date, if the physician documented that stopping treatment would cause harm. The law defines key terms like "gender reassignment surgery" (including genital and non-genital procedures) and "puberty-blocking drugs" to clarify the scope of the prohibition.

Maddy summaryHB 4167 amends Michigan's sentencing guidelines to specifically address the illicit use of xylazine, a veterinary drug increasingly misused in illicit drug mixtures. The bill adds xylazine to the list of substances covered under sentencing guidelines (MCL 777.13m), meaning courts must now apply standardized sentencing ranges for convictions involving its unauthorized possession or use. This directly affects individuals convicted of xylazine-related offenses, including those using it alone or combined with other drugs. The change creates a clear, defined sentencing path for this specific offense, moving beyond general drug sentencing rules to address xylazine's growing public health impact. The bill was introduced on March 5, 2025, and referred to the Judiciary Committee.

Maddy summaryHB 4166 prohibits the non-medical use of xylazine (a sedative sometimes mixed with drugs like fentanyl) in Michigan. It defines "illicit use" as any xylazine use not covered under "licit use," which includes legal veterinary applications, pharmaceutical manufacturing, or approved medical treatments. The bill amends Michigan's Public Health Code to make possessing or using xylazine for non-licensed purposes a felony, with penalties ranging from up to 20 years in prison or fines up to $1 million depending on the amount. This directly affects individuals using xylazine outside approved medical or veterinary contexts, aligning penalties with those for other controlled substances like opioids.

Maddy summaryHB 4056 creates Michigan's Child Care Savings Program, allowing residents to open tax-advantaged savings accounts for child care costs. Account holders can deduct contributions from their state income tax and withdraw funds penalty-free to cover eligible child care expenses for children under 14. To claim deductions, account holders must submit receipts for care costs, account statements, and financial institution forms with their tax returns. The program, effective January 2026, requires documentation but does not obligate financial institutions to track account usage or verify eligibility. It directly affects Michigan parents or guardians paying for child care for qualifying children.

Maddy summaryHB 4051 amends Michigan's individual income tax law to increase the deduction limit for retirement and pension benefits. It establishes a $42,240 annual deduction for single filers and $84,480 for joint filers on retirement income (previously higher limits existed but were not explicitly capped), with these amounts automatically adjusted each year based on the Consumer Price Index. The bill directly affects Michigan taxpayers receiving retirement benefits by allowing them to deduct a larger portion of that income from their taxable income. This change modifies existing tax code provisions to provide a clearer, inflation-adjusted deduction threshold for retirement income.

Maddy summaryThis resolution creates a 15-member Select Committee on Protecting Michigan Employees and Small Businesses, appointed by the House Speaker (9 Republicans, 6 Democrats). The committee's sole purpose is to study and recommend legislation regarding Michigan's minimum wage (including for service workers) and earned sick time policies. It does not change current laws but will review potential future bills on these topics. The resolution was introduced and adopted on January 9, 2025.