Rep. Denise Mentzer

Maddy summaryThis resolution declares July 2025 as Cleft and Craniofacial Awareness Month in Michigan to raise public awareness about birth defects affecting the lip and mouth (cleft lip/palate). It does not create new laws, funding, or services but aims to highlight the needs of individuals and families affected by these conditions. The resolution cites that orofacial clefts impact 1-2 in 1,000 newborns and can cause feeding, speech, and health challenges requiring medical care. It was introduced and adopted by the Michigan House on July 24, 2025.

Maddy summaryHB 4742 amends Michigan's environmental permit process to address projects in communities disproportionately affected by pollution (environmentally overburdened communities). It adds a new section (Subpart 2) requiring state agencies to consider community impacts when denying permits or imposing additional conditions for such projects. The bill also repeals the Environmental Permit Review Commission, which previously reviewed permit decisions. This directly affects developers seeking permits in these communities and state agencies responsible for environmental permitting under the Natural Resources and Environmental Protection Act.

Maddy summaryHB 4731 amends Michigan's Fireworks Safety Act to allow local governments to regulate when and where residents can use consumer fireworks on specific holidays (like New Year's Eve, Memorial Day weekend, July 4, and Labor Day weekend), while prohibiting them from banning fireworks sales. It requires retailers to provide clear notices about permitted usage times and local rules with each purchase. The bill also permits local ordinances governing temporary structures (like tents) used for fireworks sales, but does not allow bans on retail sales or transportation. This directly affects local governments, retailers, and residents by clarifying permissible usage windows and retailer responsibilities.

Maddy summaryHB 4741 modifies Michigan's property tax law by ending certain programs that reduced delinquent tax payments or prevented foreclosure. It adds a $175 fee for properties forfeited to county treasurers due to unpaid taxes (after 12+ months delinquent), changes interest calculations for residential properties under foreclosure avoidance agreements, and updates redemption rules. Homeowners with delinquent taxes, particularly those in residential properties covered by existing tax foreclosure avoidance agreements, will be directly affected by these changes. The bill sunsets specific programs that previously offered payment reductions, requiring property owners to pay full delinquent amounts plus fees to avoid losing their homes.

Maddy summaryHB 4390 expands Michigan's vehicle code to allow testing of oral fluid (such as saliva) for controlled substances, alongside blood, breath, or urine, when determining impairment. It directly affects commercial drivers who refuse chemical tests for controlled substances or alcohol while operating commercial vehicles. The bill adds a new definition of "other bodily fluid" to include oral fluid and creates a process for "preliminary oral fluid analysis" conducted by certified experts at the scene. This change updates existing suspension rules for commercial drivers who refuse testing, ensuring consistent enforcement for controlled substances alongside alcohol. The policy change specifically targets commercial motor vehicle operators who decline chemical tests for drugs or alcohol.

Maddy summaryHB 4391 expands Michigan's vehicle code to allow law enforcement to test for intoxication using other bodily fluids beyond blood or breath, such as urine or saliva. It directly affects drivers suspected of operating a vehicle while impaired, updating sections 625a, 625c, and 625g of the 1949 Michigan Vehicle Code (MCL 257.625a et seq.). The bill amends existing testing methods to include these additional fluids, providing more flexibility for officers during DUI investigations. The bill passed the Michigan House on July 17, 2025, with immediate effect.

Maddy summaryHB 4710 increases Michigan's standard marriage license fee from $20 to $50. It requires counties to allocate $15 of each fee paid by applicants to fund circuit court family counseling services, specifically for domestic violence and child abuse support. Nonresident applicants must pay an additional $25 fee, which goes to the county general fund. The bill ensures these funds are used for established counseling services or returned to the county if services aren't available, with fee waivers available for undue hardship cases.

Maddy summaryHB 4712 creates a new program through which the Michigan Department of Military and Veterans Affairs will reimburse eligible Michigan National Guard members for premiums paid toward Tricare Reserve Select or Tricare Dental coverage. The program allows the department to award grants to qualifying members who apply using a department-provided form, covering premiums for these specific health plans. It directly affects Guard members who are not on active duty and lack other employer or private health insurance. The bill establishes the framework for administering these reimbursements but does not specify funding amounts or application deadlines.

Maddy summaryHB 4263 prohibits sellers from using automated programs to bypass purchase limits during online ticket sales for concerts, sports events, and other public entertainment events requiring admission fees. It bans circumventing security systems that enforce ticket limits, electronic queues, or fraud checks, targeting practices like bot-driven bulk purchases. The law directly affects ticket sellers (who must implement these security measures) and buyers attempting to use automated tools to bypass restrictions. This creates new requirements for online ticket sales to ensure fair access to event tickets.

Maddy summaryHB 4426 amends Michigan's Motor Carrier Safety Act (MCL 480.12d) to set a minimum age of 21 for drivers transporting hazardous materials requiring placards under federal rules. It maintains the existing 18-year-old minimum for most commercial driving but specifically raises the age requirement for hazardous materials transport. The bill does not change medical waiver or grandfathered driver provisions. This change directly affects commercial drivers operating in Michigan who transport hazardous materials requiring placards.