Rep. Joe Aragona

Maddy summaryHB 4312 amends Michigan's sales tax distribution by directing 8.62% of the 4% general sales tax revenue to the Revenue Sharing Trust Fund starting October 1, 2025, with funds distributed to cities, villages, townships, and counties. It maintains existing allocations for aviation fuel tax (35% to the state aeronautics fund, 65% to qualified airport funds) and sets a minimum $9 million annual deposit from computer software sales tax into the Michigan Health Initiative Fund. The bill also clarifies adjustments for school aid fund revenue losses due to specific tax exemptions. These changes directly affect local governments, airports, and health programs through revised tax revenue streams.

Maddy summaryHB 4311 creates a new Revenue Sharing Trust Fund to distribute state funds to local governments starting October 1, 2025. The fund will receive general sales tax deposits, donations, and investment earnings, with money remaining in the fund annually instead of lapsing to the general budget. It allocates $299 million to cities, villages, and townships, and $261 million to counties, using formulas based on property values and population to determine each community's share. This replaces previous eligibility requirements for these payments under 2023 PA 119.

Maddy summaryHB 4116 increases the maximum allowable monthly interest rate for pawn loans in Michigan from 3% to 5%, directly affecting pawnbrokers (who may now charge up to 5% per month) and borrowers (who face higher potential costs). The bill amends the warning notice required on pawn contracts to reflect the new 5% rate limit, stating that loans exceeding this rate are void and borrowers can reclaim their items. It also maintains the $3 monthly storage fee for unencumbered items and prohibits charging interest in advance or compounding. The law updates existing regulations without changing other provisions like the minimum 50-cent interest requirement.

Maddy summaryHB 4286 requires Michigan public schools to update health education curriculum standards by the 2026-2027 school year. It mandates specific content about human development, including an overview of pregnancy biology, fetal development inside the uterus, a 3-minute high-definition ultrasound video of early fetal organ development, and a computer-generated animation showing fertilization through birth. The bill directly affects Michigan public schools and the state Department of Education, which must revise curriculum standards to include these requirements. This is a concrete policy change to the health education curriculum, not a procedural or commemorative measure.

Maddy summaryHB 4300 would create a system for appointing volunteer advocates in Michigan animal cruelty and welfare cases. Courts may appoint trained lawyers or law students (from a State Bar-approved list) to represent the animal's interests, monitor cases, review records, and make recommendations - not to the defendant but to the court. The advocates, who serve without pay (earning pro bono credit or academic credit instead), must complete State Bar-approved training. This bill directly affects animals in criminal cases under Michigan’s penal code, adding a new procedural step to ensure their welfare is considered in court proceedings.

Maddy summaryThis resolution designates March 21, 2025, as Rosie the Riveter Day in Michigan to honor women who worked in factories during World War II, particularly in Michigan's Willow Run and Detroit facilities. It does not create new laws or obligations but encourages residents, schools, businesses, and organizations to observe the day through educational activities and community events. The bill specifically recognizes these women's contributions to wartime production and their role in advancing workplace equality. It is a symbolic gesture with no direct regulatory impact on individuals or entities.

Maddy summaryHB 4021 modifies Michigan's eviction process by allowing district court magistrates to conduct both pretrial hearings and trials in eviction cases, expanding their authority beyond current limits. It sets specific timeframes: summons must be served 10 days before trial for most evictions (30 days for certain cases under Section 5726), and trials must occur within 7 days of the defendant's appearance unless parties stipulate otherwise. The bill requires magistrates to verbally inform parties of their rights at pretrial hearings as outlined in Michigan court rules. This directly affects tenants and landlords involved in eviction proceedings by changing who handles the case (magistrates instead of only judges) and accelerating the timeline for resolution.

Maddy summaryHB 4199 allocates $6.7 million from the general fund for public and nonpublic schools to implement mobile panic alert systems, as required by existing law (MCL 380.1308c). The funds are designated as a "work project" for the 2024-2025 fiscal year, with unspent amounts carried forward to 2025-2026. Schools must complete installation of these systems by September 30, 2027. The bill directly affects all schools covered by Michigan's revised school code, providing dedicated funding for emergency alert infrastructure.

Maddy summaryHB 4191 requires hunters who bait deer during hunting season to purchase a $20 deer baiting license in addition to a valid hunting license. This applies specifically to those engaging in "deer or elk baiting" (depositing feed to attract deer for hunting), excluding agricultural practices, normal logging, or feeding wildlife that excludes deer. Revenue from the license must fund research and surveillance of chronic wasting disease and other wildlife diseases in deer and elk. The bill amends Michigan’s Natural Resources Act to establish this licensing requirement and funding mechanism.

Maddy summaryHB 4032 permanently extends Michigan's participation in the Interstate Medical Licensure Compact by removing a scheduled expiration date (sunset) from the law. This change directly affects physicians in Michigan who use the compact to practice medicine across state lines, as it eliminates the need for periodic legislative renewal. The bill's key provision amends Michigan's Public Health Code to make the compact's terms permanent, ensuring uninterrupted eligibility for physicians seeking multi-state licensure. The compact allows doctors to obtain licenses in multiple participating states more efficiently, reducing administrative barriers for cross-state medical practice.