Rep. Alicia St. Germaine

Maddy summaryHR 20 is a symbolic resolution designating February 2025 as Career and Technical Education (CTE) Month in Michigan. It does not create new programs or change funding but aims to raise public awareness about CTE's role in preparing students for high-demand, high-wage careers like healthcare, engineering, and skilled trades. The resolution acknowledges that over 112,000 Michigan high school students participated in CTE programs during the 2023-2024 school year, with most pursuing postsecondary education or employment. It is directed at state officials and the public to support workforce development awareness.

Maddy summaryHB 4057 amends Michigan's individual income tax code to adjust how certain deductions are calculated for taxpayers. It specifically modifies Section 30 of the Income Tax Act, affecting Michigan residents who claim deductions for retirement benefits (including Michigan National Guard pensions), education trust payments, and other income adjustments. Key provisions clarify that taxpayers can deduct payments made under Michigan's advance tuition payment contracts for higher education, with specific limits ($42,240 single/$84,480 joint) and annual inflation adjustments. The bill does not create a new child care savings account deduction (that appears related to HB 4056), but refines existing education and retirement-related tax rules. This change directly impacts individual taxpayers using these specific deduction categories when filing Michigan state taxes.

Maddy summaryHB 4061 requires state public employers and contractors (with 10+ employees) to verify the U.S. work authorization of all new hires using the federal E-Verify system or Form I-9. It mandates that contractors cannot bid on state contracts unless they participate in E-Verify, and public employers must verify all new employees' legal presence. Violations result in a one-year ban from state contracts, and false statements on verification forms are punishable as perjury. The law applies to all state and local government contracts involving services performed within Michigan.

Maddy summaryHB 4058 exempts specific baby and toddler items from Michigan's sales tax, directly affecting parents and caregivers purchasing these products. The bill adds 15 categories of items to the tax exemption list, including cribs, strollers, safety gates, breast pumps (and their collection/storage supplies), baby bottles, diapers, and clothing. Key provisions define eligible items precisely - such as excluding general bottles from breast pump kits unless sold together - and clarify that exemptions apply to both new and reusable products like diapers. This policy change reduces costs for families buying essential childcare items by removing the sales tax burden.

Maddy summaryHB 4055 creates a new Michigan state tax credit for families with children, effective for tax years beginning January 1, 2025. It allows taxpayers to claim a credit equal to 50% of the federal child tax credit they qualify for on their federal return, applied against their Michigan state income tax. If this credit exceeds the taxpayer's state tax bill, the excess amount is refunded directly to them. The bill directly affects Michigan residents who claim the federal child tax credit and have children, providing a potential cash refund for eligible families.

Maddy summaryHB 4059 exempts specific baby and toddler items from Michigan's use tax, meaning parents won't pay tax when purchasing these products. The bill adds 15 categories to the tax exemption list, including cribs, strollers, safety gates, breast pumps, bottles, diapers, and clothing accessories designed for infants or toddlers. It also defines detailed terms like "breast pump collection supplies" to clarify which products qualify for the exemption. This directly affects parents and caregivers buying essential infant products, making them tax-free at point of sale.

Maddy summaryHB 4056 creates Michigan's Child Care Savings Program, allowing residents to open tax-advantaged savings accounts for child care costs. Account holders can deduct contributions from their state income tax and withdraw funds penalty-free to cover eligible child care expenses for children under 14. To claim deductions, account holders must submit receipts for care costs, account statements, and financial institution forms with their tax returns. The program, effective January 2026, requires documentation but does not obligate financial institutions to track account usage or verify eligibility. It directly affects Michigan parents or guardians paying for child care for qualifying children.

Maddy summaryThis is a symbolic resolution, not a policy bill. It declares February 2025 as "American Heart Month" and February 5, 2025, as "National Wear Red Day" in Michigan. The resolution aims to raise public awareness about heart disease, particularly its impact on women, through educational efforts and community recognition. It does not create new laws, allocate funding, or impose requirements on any group.

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 4031, the "Female Athletics Integrity of Records (FAIR) Act," requires publicly funded individual sports programs in Michigan to categorize awards, rankings, and records based on competitors' biological sex - not the gender category they compete in. It applies specifically to publicly funded sports events with separate male and female competitions where athletes compete individually. The bill mandates that official records must reflect each athlete's biological sex (defined as innate at conception) regardless of which competition they entered. This policy change affects publicly funded athletic programs organizing separate male/female events, ensuring records align with biological sex as the standard for official outcomes.