Rep. Joe Aragona

Maddy summaryThis bill amends Michigan's Natural Resources and Environmental Protection Act to streamline the permitting process for wetland development and clarify the roles of state and local governments. It requires the state department to post pending applications and public notices online while establishing a 60-day timeline for holding public hearings after receiving a complete permit application. The legislation also grants local units of government the authority to adopt their own wetland ordinances, provided they follow specific rules regarding wetland definitions and permit requirements. Additionally, the bill sets a 90-day deadline for local governments to review applications in areas with local ordinances, after which the application is automatically approved if no decision is made. Finally, it introduces a process allowing permit holders to request changes without restarting the entire application process, limiting the department's ability to add unrelated requirements.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends Michigan's Natural Resources and Environmental Protection Act to establish a refund system for permit applicants if the state department fails to approve or deny their applications within the statutory deadline. Under the new provisions, the department must pay applicants 15% of the application fee or the first periodic charge if processing delays occur, except in specific cases where the application is automatically treated as approved. The legislation also clarifies rules for extending processing times, requires written decisions based on specific evidence and scientific principles, and mandates that the department notify legislative committees if it repeatedly misses processing deadlines. Additionally, the bill ensures that applicants facing delays due to departmental inaction cannot be discriminated against and must have their applications processed in the correct sequence.

Maddy summaryThis bill modifies the Michigan Natural Resources and Environmental Protection Act to establish specific time limits for state agencies to review and approve various environmental permits. It directly affects businesses and individuals applying for permits related to activities such as oil and gas drilling, mining, waste disposal, water use, and construction. The legislation defines a "processing period" with varying deadlines - ranging from 20 to 150 days depending on the permit type - and requires agencies to declare an application administratively complete within 30 days of receipt. By setting these clear timelines, the bill aims to create a more predictable and efficient approval process for environmental permits issued by the Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy.

Maddy summaryThis bill directs the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services to expand managed care options for Medicaid recipients, giving them a choice among contracted health plans while ensuring access to primary care and preventive services. It requires new enrollees to schedule an initial appointment with a primary care provider within 60 days and mandates that the department track plan compliance with this requirement. The legislation also establishes financial incentives for providers and enrollees to encourage the use of high-value services, promote generic prescriptions, and detect fraud, while allowing telemedicine from out-of-state providers. Additionally, the bill outlines a performance bonus system for health plans based on specific health equity and outcome targets, and sets rules for automatically moving individuals out of skilled nursing facilities after 45 days of care.

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 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, 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.

Maddy summaryHB 5518 amends Michigan's liquor control code to clarify that airport licensees (with approval from the airport's governing body) may sell alcohol 24 hours a day, removing the current 2 a.m. to 7 a.m. sales restriction that applies to most other licensees. This change directly affects airports and their licensed vendors, allowing continuous alcohol sales within airport premises. The bill does not alter general alcohol sales rules for other locations or the Sunday sales restrictions handled under separate sections. It maintains existing requirements for airport licensees to obtain governing body approval but updates the specific time allowance in Section 1114.

Maddy summaryHB 5145 changes documentation requirements for Michigan's public assistance programs, including food assistance. It replaces self-attestation with verifiable documents for applicants to prove identity (e.g., driver's license, birth certificate), income (e.g., pay stub, tax return), and Michigan residency (e.g., utility bill, lease). The bill requires applicants to upload these documents via the MI Bridges online portal before eligibility is determined. It also mandates that the department use alternative verification methods if documents are missing, rather than automatically denying benefits. This bill directly affects individuals applying for or renewing public assistance benefits in Michigan.

Maddy summaryHB 4727 requires courts in Michigan to appoint only licensed professional guardians or conservators for individuals under legal protection (wards, developmentally disabled, or incapacitated persons). It mandates that these professionals must hold a license under Michigan's occupational code, and prohibits unlicensed employees from making medical, financial, or housing decisions for the individuals they serve. The bill also requires transparency by requiring professionals to disclose outside compensation from sources other than the ward's estate and to maintain visitation schedules for wards. These changes take effect two years after the bill's passage.