Rep. Jay DeBoyer

Maddy summaryHB 4010 designates Harrison Township in Michigan as "Boat Town USA" to symbolically recognize the community's connection to boating culture. The bill does not create new laws, regulations, or funding; it is a purely ceremonial designation. Passed by the Michigan House of Representatives in May 2025 with 83 votes in favor, the measure formally assigns this title without altering any existing policies or obligations.

Maddy summaryHouse Resolution 117 declares that Michigan Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson and the Department of State are in violation of subpoenas issued by the House Oversight Committee. The resolution holds them in civil contempt of the Michigan House of Representatives for their failure to produce requested documents, specifically election training materials. It directs the House Office of Legal Counsel to initiate legal action to ensure compliance with these subpoenas.

Maddy summaryHB 4234 prohibits the sale or transfer of agricultural assets or land to foreign entities. This bill directly affects foreign entities by preventing them from acquiring agricultural property within the state. It amends existing state law (1846 RS 66) by adding new sections to establish these restrictions on land sales. The legislation aims to regulate the ownership of agricultural resources.

Maddy summaryHB 4494 revises the Michigan penal code concerning redemption game machines. The bill modifies the conditions under which these games are exempt from general gaming prohibitions, allowing for games determined by a combination of skill and chance. It significantly increases the maximum prize value for redemption games, permitting awards up to $500, which can include stored value cards redeemable at retailers. The legislation also introduces new regulations, such as limiting establishments to eight machines that award stored value cards and establishing penalties for tampering with certified game software. These changes primarily affect businesses that offer redemption games and their players.

Maddy summaryHB 4495 proposes to amend Michigan's code of criminal procedure, specifically section 16o of chapter XVII (MCL 777.16o). The bill aims to revise the penal code to allow for redemption games. This change directly affects businesses that operate redemption games and individuals who participate in them by clarifying their legal status under criminal law.

Maddy summaryHB 4118 amends Michigan's Drain Code to require that lands owned by the Department of Natural Resources (DNR) be assessed for drainage project costs based on the benefits they receive, similar to how townships, cities, counties, and state highways are assessed. The bill clarifies that drainage costs must be apportioned among these entities according to specific benefit-based formulas, including DNR lands as a distinct category. It also updates public notice requirements for bidding on drainage projects and reviews of cost allocations to ensure transparency. This change directly affects DNR lands and the entities responsible for funding drainage improvements, including local governments and state transportation authorities.

Maddy summaryHB 4076 prohibits labeling lab-grown meat substitutes as "meat" and requires sellers to use specific terms like "cell-cultured," "lab-grown," or "cultivated" on product labels. It directly affects manufacturers and retailers selling lab-grown meat alternatives, mandating clear labeling that distinguishes these products from traditional meat. The bill amends Michigan's Food Law to require these terms on sealed packages or bulk displays, ensuring consumers can accurately identify the product type. This policy change focuses on transparent labeling without altering existing requirements for traditional meat products.

Maddy summaryHB 4491 revises the application process for Michigan's critical industry program and other economic development initiatives managed by the Michigan Strategic Fund. It requires businesses seeking state funding to complete a form attesting, under penalty of perjury, that their hiring and promotion practices are based solely on merit, defined by objective criteria like experience and education. False attestations carry a $5,000 civil fine and potential perjury charges. Additionally, the bill outlines specific criteria the fund must consider when awarding investments and mandates detailed terms for agreements with businesses, including job creation targets, performance benchmarks, and clawback provisions for non-compliance.

Maddy summaryHB 4489 modifies the rules for expenditures from the Strategic Outreach and Attraction Reserve (SOAR) fund. The bill adds new conditions for recipients of these funds, requiring them to use hiring practices and internal promotion schemes based on employee merit. "Merit" is defined as a reasonable expectation, based on objective criteria like experience and education, that an individual can perform job duties. These changes directly affect businesses and entities receiving SOAR fund expenditures by requiring them to adopt these merit-based employment practices.

Maddy summaryHouse Bill 4490 amends Michigan's Management and Budget Act to prohibit state agencies from awarding contracts to companies that do not use hiring practices based solely on merit. The bill defines "merit" as a reasonable expectation of job performance based on objective criteria such as experience, education, and training. For construction contracts, companies seeking state business must attest under penalty of perjury that they use only merit-based hiring. The state department is then prohibited from awarding these contracts to firms that use other hiring practices or fail to submit the required attestation.