Rep. Joe Aragona

Maddy summaryHB 4104 updates Michigan's occupational therapy licensing rules to join a multi-state licensure compact. This would allow occupational therapists licensed in Michigan to practice in other participating states without obtaining separate licenses. The bill modifies existing law to align with the compact's standards and adds new sections for implementation. It directly affects occupational therapists seeking to work across state lines within the compact.

Maddy summaryHB 4063 prohibits former governors, lieutenant governors, and heads of major state departments from accepting payment or reimbursement for lobbying if their activities exceed the threshold requiring lobbyist registration. This 2-year restriction applies to officials whose terms begin on or after January 1, 2025. Violating the ban carries penalties of up to 90 days in jail or a $1,000 fine. The bill targets high-level former officials to limit potential conflicts of interest after leaving public office.

Maddy summaryHB 4750 requires Michigan's foster care department to use or save existing benefits (such as Medicaid or education funds) for children in foster care when it serves their best interests, directly affecting all children in the state's foster care system. The bill amends Michigan's foster care law to mandate this approach, ensuring benefits are prioritized for the child's well-being rather than other uses. Key provisions include adding a new section (8f) to the existing law, directing the department to make decisions based on each child's specific needs. This policy change clarifies how resources must be managed without specifying new funding or programs.

Maddy summaryHB 4350 amends Michigan's Natural Resources and Environmental Protection Act to allow individuals to feed wild birds and other wildlife under specific conditions. This bill permits such feeding if it occurs within 300 feet of a residence and the total amount of feed does not exceed two gallons. It clarifies that this allowance does not apply to activities like baiting for hunting, normal agricultural practices, or feeding conducted in a way that excludes deer and elk. This aims to create limited exceptions for recreational or preventative feeding of wildlife by residents.

Maddy summaryHB 4824 updates Michigan's legal definition of "brand" within liquor regulations. This change directly affects liquor producers and sellers who market products under specific brand names, clarifying how brands are recognized under state law. The bill modifies Section 105 of the 1998 Liquor Code (MCL 436.1105) and adds a new Section 604 to establish clearer rules for brand identification. These changes aim to streamline compliance for businesses without altering existing licensing or sales requirements.

Maddy summaryThis bill updates Michigan's civil procedure laws to clarify how much of a person's wages can be taken by creditors through garnishment. It specifically protects certain types of income from being garnished, including public assistance benefits, unemployment compensation, disability payments, and both federal and state earned income tax credits. Additionally, the legislation sets new limits on how much of a weekly paycheck can be seized, capping the amount at 20% of earnings up to a specific threshold and 30% of earnings above that threshold. These changes directly affect individuals whose wages are subject to garnishment and the creditors seeking to collect debts from them.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends Michigan's environmental laws to strengthen regulations on the recycling and disposal of single-use and rechargeable batteries. It establishes a new "battery stewardship" program that will require producers to manage the end-of-life disposal of covered batteries starting in 2028, ensuring they are handled through approved programs rather than general waste. The legislation also sets a sales ban on certain covered batteries beginning in 2028, allowing only those from manufacturers with approved stewardship plans to be sold. Additionally, the bill updates existing definitions and penalties for improper battery disposal while creating a formal process for producers to submit and have their disposal plans reviewed by the state department.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends Michigan's Natural Resources and Environmental Protection Act to establish a formal framework for the recycling and end-of-life management of single-use and rechargeable batteries. It creates new legal definitions for key terms such as "covered battery," "producer," and "stewardship organization" to clarify which products and companies are subject to the new regulations. The legislation outlines requirements for producers to participate in battery recycling programs that meet specific collection and recycling efficiency goals. Additionally, it defines the roles and responsibilities of battery recyclers and collection sites to ensure proper handling of batteries sold or distributed in the state.

Maddy summaryHB 5974 amends Michigan's Medical Records Access Act to clarify the definitions of key terms such as "authorized representative," "guardian," and "minor" within the context of health care. The bill specifically addresses the rights of minors to access their own medical records when they have received care without parental consent, ensuring they retain exclusive rights to those specific records. Additionally, the legislation updates the rules for how patients and their authorized representatives can request and obtain copies of medical records from health care providers and facilities. By refining these definitions and procedures, the bill aims to streamline the process for individuals seeking access to their health information while maintaining existing protections for patient privacy.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends the State Housing Development Authority Act to expand the powers of Michigan's State Housing Development Authority. The key changes allow the authority to charge fees for its loans and publications, save usable housing from demolition by funding rehabilitation costs, and make mortgage loans to subsequent property buyers even if they do not meet standard income limits. These provisions directly affect the authority's operations and the people seeking affordable housing assistance in the state.