Rep. Joe Aragona

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 summaryHB 4001 updates Michigan's minimum wage schedule, setting new rates that increase to $12.00 per hour starting February 21, 2025, and reaching $15.00 by 2029. It replaces the previous 2018 law (PA 337) and adds an annual adjustment mechanism: starting in 2019, the wage will rise each January based on Midwest-region inflation data, capped at 3.5% per year. The bill also modifies youth wage rules, allowing employers to pay new workers under 20 a training rate of 75% of the minimum wage for their first 90 days, while prohibiting displacement of existing workers to hire at this lower rate. This directly affects all hourly workers in Michigan covered by state minimum wage laws, including young workers and employers subject to wage requirements.

Maddy summaryHB 4035 requires counties with populations over 1 million that violate sewage discharge permits to create and implement a plan reducing average sewage overflows by 50% within 5 years. The plan must be submitted within one year of the first violation and approved by the state environmental department within 180 days. Counties failing to submit or complete the plan face monthly fines up to $1 million and potential permit denial for sewage operations. This bill directly affects large urban counties with sewage infrastructure issues, aiming to reduce pollution through enforceable reduction targets.

Maddy summaryThis Michigan House resolution (HR 14) establishes a procedure for publicly disclosing details about "enhancement grants" (legislatively directed spending items) before they can be included in budget bills. It requires sponsors to make specific information publicly available online by April 1 each year (May 1 for 2025), including the sponsor’s name, recipient details, project purpose, funding amount, and verification for nonprofit recipients. The resolution also prohibits for-profit entities from receiving such grants and mandates a 14-day public posting period before a bill’s final vote. This rule implements transparency requirements under Rule 52 of the House’s Standing Rules.

Maddy summaryHB 4006 amends Michigan's zoning law to prevent local governments from banning weddings or similar events in barns or farm facilities located in agricultural zones. It directly affects farmers and rural property owners who host commercial events, allowing them to use agricultural land for this purpose without zoning restrictions. The bill permits reasonable regulations like noise limits, traffic management, or operating hours but prohibits outright bans on the event use. This change would apply to existing zoning ordinances under Michigan's zoning enabling act (MCL 125.3101-125.3702). The bill is currently in committee review after its January 2025 introduction.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a new Office of Tribal Legislative Liaison within Michigan's Legislative Council to strengthen government-to-government relationships between the state legislature and federally recognized tribes. The office will be led by a liaison appointed by the council from a list provided by the United Tribes of Michigan, who will be supported by at least two policy advisors. Key duties include visiting each tribe annually, advising lawmakers on how proposed legislation impacts tribal communities, and providing mandatory training for legislators on tribal history and consultation processes. Additionally, the office must submit an annual public report detailing tribal concerns raised during the legislative process to the governor and legislative leaders.

Maddy summaryThis bill updates Michigan's sentencing guidelines to include specific penalties for crimes involving the abuse of companion animals. It assigns 25 points to a criminal score when an animal is subjected to sadistic, torturous, or brutally excessive conduct intended to cause fear or anxiety, while similar acts against humans carry a higher 50-point penalty. The legislation defines "sadism" as actions that inflict extreme or prolonged pain or humiliation for the offender's gratification. These changes apply only if the bill is passed alongside two related companion bills, HB 5588 and HB 5592.

Maddy summaryHB 5590 amends Michigan's sentencing guidelines to include specific provisions for crimes committed against animals. This change directly affects judges and prosecutors by providing updated rules for determining sentences in cases involving animal cruelty. The bill revises existing legal statutes to ensure that penalties for harming animals are clearly defined within the state's criminal code. By linking this measure to a companion bill, the legislation aims to standardize how such offenses are handled in the judicial system.

Maddy summaryThis bill proposes changes to Michigan's sentencing guidelines specifically for crimes committed against animals. It amends an existing section of the state's criminal procedure code to update how judges determine penalties in these cases. The legislation does not create new crimes but instead modifies the rules used to calculate sentences when animal abuse or neglect is charged.

Maddy summaryThis bill proposes changes to Michigan's sentencing guidelines specifically for crimes committed against animals. It directly affects judges and prosecutors who determine punishments for animal cruelty cases by updating the rules they must follow. The legislation revises the existing legal framework to ensure consistent and updated sentencing standards for these offenses. As a procedural amendment, it does not create new crimes but rather adjusts how penalties are calculated and applied under current law.