Rep. Doug Wozniak

Maddy summaryThis bill modifies Michigan's Youth Employment Standards Act to update how work permits are issued and managed for minors under 18. It clarifies the documentation required to prove a minor's age, expands acceptable proof options to include school records and other documents, and establishes clearer procedures for when permits can be suspended or revoked due to poor school attendance or legal violations. The legislation also sets specific limits on how many hours minors can work during school weeks and non-school weeks, while removing certain older requirements that are no longer in effect. These changes aim to balance the need for youth employment with protections for minors' education and well-being.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends Michigan's Natural Resources and Environmental Protection Act to exempt the construction and maintenance of certain residential ponds from state permitting requirements. It directly affects homeowners and property owners who wish to build small, noncommercial ponds on residential or agricultural land. The key provision allows for the excavation or construction of ponds under one acre in surface area, provided they are used for residential purposes and meet specific conditions outlined in the legislation. This change removes the need for a permit for these specific residential pond projects, simplifying the process for property owners while maintaining oversight for larger or commercial water structures.

Maddy summaryHB 5502 amends Michigan's wetland regulation law (MCL 324.30305) to clarify which activities in wetlands do not require state permits. It specifically allows farming, ranching, and agricultural drainage activities without permits, but only if they are part of an "established ongoing operation" (not new conversion of wetlands to farmland). The bill also adds detailed rules for minor drainage, farm roads, and utility line installation (e.g., directional drilling must keep lines at least 4 feet below soil). These changes directly affect farmers, landowners, and developers working in wetlands across Michigan.

Maddy summaryHB 4408 revises Michigan's "Powers of appointment act of 1967," primarily affecting how trustees manage irrevocable trusts. It allows a trustee with discretionary power to distribute assets from an existing irrevocable trust to transfer those assets into a newly created second trust. This "decanting" is permitted only if specific conditions are met, such as ensuring beneficiaries remain largely the same and protecting certain financial interests like marital or charitable deductions. Additionally, the bill clarifies when the time period for future interests in a trust begins when a power of appointment is exercised.

Maddy summaryHB 4523 updates Michigan's trust law by clarifying which trust terms must follow state requirements, regardless of the trust document. It specifies that trust agreements cannot override court powers to modify trusts, spendthrift clauses, duration limits for animal care trusts, or beneficiary rights protections. This affects trustees managing trusts, beneficiaries (including charitable organizations and animal care enforcers), and entities like the Attorney General overseeing charitable trusts. The bill ensures core legal safeguards remain enforceable even if trust documents attempt to bypass them.

Maddy summaryHB 6072 requires hospital boards in Michigan to follow the existing Hospital Financial Assistance Act when deciding how to provide financial help to patients. This change ensures that the rules for determining who qualifies for charity care and setting fees are consistent with state standards rather than being set solely by individual hospital boards. The bill only becomes active if a companion bill, HB 6071, is also passed into law. It directly affects public hospital trustees and the patients they serve by standardizing assistance policies.

Maddy summaryThis bill extends the state of energy emergency in Michigan by an additional 77 days, effective July 1, 2026. The measure allows the sale of E15 fuel in several counties where current regulations previously restricted it to lower vapor pressure gasoline. By suspending these fuel requirements, the extension aims to increase fuel supply options and help manage rising gas prices for consumers and businesses. The resolution requires approval from both the House and Senate before being sent to the Governor.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes the Hospital Financial Assistance Act, which requires hospitals in Michigan to create and enforce financial aid programs for patients by January 1, 2027. The law mandates that these programs use federal poverty guidelines to determine eligibility, offering up to a full discount on medical bills for uninsured individuals earning at or below 350% of the poverty line. Hospitals must also publish clear information about these programs on their websites and in billing statements, and they are required to submit annual reports detailing the number of applications and the amount of debt forgiven or collected. To ensure compliance, the state Department of Health and Human Services will oversee the process, investigate complaints, and impose civil fines of up to $10,000 on hospitals that fail to follow the new rules.

Maddy summaryThis bill prohibits law enforcement officers and state agency employees in Michigan from using the "open fields doctrine" during searches. The open fields doctrine is a legal rule that currently allows police to search open areas without a warrant, but this legislation would remove that exception for state-level searches. As a result, any search conducted by these officials in open fields would require a warrant or another valid legal justification. The law directly affects state departments, boards, and commissions, as well as the officers and agents who work for them.

Maddy summaryThis bill, known as the Medical Debt Act, prohibits consumer reporting agencies from including medical debt in credit reports and bars creditors from reporting such debts to these agencies. It also prevents lenders from using unpaid medical bills as a negative factor when making credit decisions, with the exception of large mortgage loans exceeding federal limits. Additionally, the law restricts collection agencies from falsely claiming that medical debt will be reported on a consumer's credit file. These measures aim to protect individuals from having their medical financial obligations negatively impact their creditworthiness and future borrowing opportunities.