Rep. Joe Aragona

Maddy summaryHB 4728 requires professional guardians and conservators to obtain a state license. This bill directly affects individuals and agencies that manage finances or personal care for vulnerable adults (like seniors or people with disabilities) who cannot make decisions for themselves. The key provision adds new licensing requirements through amendments to existing law, establishing standards for these professionals. The bill is currently pending in committee review and has not yet become law.

Maddy summaryHB 4729 updates Michigan's rules for appointing guardians of individuals with developmental disabilities. It requires courts to prioritize licensed professional guardians (under Article 14A of the Occupational Code) when appointing guardians, and prohibits unlicensed employees of such guardians from making medical, financial, or housing decisions for these individuals. The law also mandates that courts consider the individual's preference for a guardian before making an appointment. These changes take effect two years after the bill's passage, aiming to ensure guardianship appointments meet professional standards.

Maddy summaryThis bill prohibits large employers in Michigan from requiring physicians to sign noncompete agreements, aiming to give doctors more freedom in choosing future employment. It defines a large employer as one with annual revenue exceeding $2 billion or its subsidiaries, while still allowing such agreements for smaller companies or for physicians moving to other large employers. The law applies only to noncompete contracts created after the bill is enacted and declares any existing agreements between large employers and physicians that violate this rule as invalid.

Maddy summaryThis bill proposes to allow Michigan residents to receive medical assistance coverage retroactively for up to one month before they apply, with an extension to two months for those eligible under the non-expansion Medicaid population. The changes would take effect on January 1, 2027, and apply to individuals who meet specific citizenship and eligibility requirements defined in the state's social welfare act. By modifying the Social Welfare Act, the legislation aims to provide a grace period for applicants to access healthcare services while their applications are being processed.

Maddy summaryHB 5931 modifies the affidavit submission process for cigar bars and tobacco specialty retail stores in Michigan that are exempt from indoor smoking bans. The bill updates the requirements for these businesses to file annual certifications with the state department, ensuring they continue to meet specific criteria such as income thresholds, physical separation from nonsmoking areas, and age restrictions. Additionally, the legislation clarifies that the department may request verification information but must obtain any necessary photographs itself rather than requiring businesses to provide them. This change aims to streamline administrative procedures while maintaining the existing exemptions for qualifying establishments.

Maddy summaryHB 4119 exempts sales of large aircraft (over 6,000 pounds) and certain parts/materials attached to them from Michigan's sales tax when used by commercial airlines for passenger or cargo transport. It specifically applies to domestic air carriers operating under federal aviation rules, covering both new aircraft purchases and maintenance-related transactions. Key conditions include requiring aircraft to leave Michigan within 15 days of temporary use (e.g., for evaluation or repairs) and ensuring they were not based or registered in Michigan before or after the transaction. This policy change directly affects commercial airlines and aircraft sellers, reducing tax liability on qualifying equipment purchases and maintenance services.

Maddy summaryHB 4120 exempts certain aircraft purchases and maintenance from Michigan's use tax. It applies to domestic air carriers using aircraft over 6,000 pounds for cargo, passenger, or combined transport, and to parts/materials affixed to such aircraft under specific conditions (e.g., aircraft not based in Michigan). The bill also exempts temporary aircraft in Michigan for maintenance or sales if they leave within 15 days, and extends tax exemptions to interstate trucking equipment used across state lines. These changes reduce tax burdens for airlines, aircraft maintenance providers, and interstate trucking companies operating in Michigan.

Maddy summaryThis bill proposes an amendment to the Michigan state constitution to change the rule regarding how long a member of the Independent Citizens Redistricting Commission must wait before running for partisan office. Currently, commissioners are barred from holding partisan elective office for five years, but the amendment would shorten this waiting period to end on December 31 of the year following the next federal census. The change directly affects individuals serving on the commission who wish to run for partisan positions sooner than the current five-year restriction allows. By modifying the eligibility timeline in the state constitution, the bill aims to adjust the balance between maintaining commission independence and allowing commissioners to return to partisan politics.

Maddy summaryThis bill modifies Michigan's school code to strengthen reading instruction by requiring the state education department to approve specific screening assessments and develop a formal literacy coach model. The legislation mandates that literacy coaches support teachers in using evidence-based strategies for decoding and word recognition while explicitly prohibiting them from performing administrative duties or holding regular classroom teaching assignments. Additionally, the bill directs the department to provide technical assistance on Individual Reading Improvement Plans, establish dyslexia expertise by September 2025, and update dyslexia resource guides every five years. These changes directly affect school districts, public school academies, and educators by setting new standards for reading assessment, intervention, and professional support roles.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires Michigan school districts and public academies to adopt elementary reading curricula from a list approved by the state education department. To support this goal, the legislation mandates that the department approve specific reading assessments designed to monitor student progress while minimizing disruptions to instructional time. Additionally, the bill outlines detailed duties for district literacy coaches, ensuring they focus on evidence-based reading instruction and data analysis rather than administrative tasks. These changes aim to help more third-grade students achieve proficient scores on state English language arts assessments through structured curriculum adoption and targeted teacher support.