Maddy summaryHB 5074 changes renewal rules for temporary licenses held by mental health professionals (like marriage and family therapists and counselors) who are gaining supervised experience toward full licensure. It replaces the previous 6-year maximum renewal limit with a 3-year cycle, allowing up to three renewals (for a total of 12 years). The bill also adds a new provision (18111a) that lets licensees request a temporary pause ("toll") of their license cycle for up to 1 year due to hardships like health issues or family crises, with a maximum of three such requests per license cycle. This directly affects individuals working under supervision to meet full licensure requirements, providing flexibility for personal challenges while maintaining oversight.
Sponsored bills
Maddy summaryHB 5281, the "Third-Party Litigation Funding Transparency Act," regulates third-party funding of civil lawsuits by requiring funding companies to register with the state, disclose all terms to clients, and cap fees at 36% annually. It directly affects litigation funding companies and attorneys who use these services, mandating clear disclosure of costs and prohibiting hidden fees. The bill excludes pro bono nonprofits, health insurers, and traditional loans from its rules, focusing specifically on commercial funding arrangements where funders share in lawsuit proceeds. It establishes civil penalties for violations and gives state officials authority to enforce these requirements.
Maddy summaryThis bill removes the legal requirement for hunters and dealers in Michigan to report the number of deer pelts they possess or trade. While the law currently mandates that individuals holding licenses must submit notarized reports on all other fur-bearing animals and game birds, this legislation specifically exempts deer pelts from those reporting obligations. The change affects both hunters who keep pelts after the season and businesses that buy or sell them, allowing them to exclude deer pelts from their monthly and seasonal filings to the state department.
Maddy summaryThis House resolution urges Michigan Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson to voluntarily release documents and information regarding her past work with the Southern Poverty Law Center (SPLC), specifically concerning the organization's alleged payments to extremist groups. The bill is based on a federal indictment that accuses the SPLC of fraudulently diverting donor money to fund individuals associated with hate groups while claiming to fight them. It highlights Benson's previous roles as an undercover investigator and board member at the SPLC during the period of the alleged misconduct, suggesting she may possess unique knowledge of these operations. The resolution calls for her to publicly address her involvement to ensure transparency and avoid any appearance of impropriety, citing her prior refusal to comply with a separate subpoena as a reason for this request.
Maddy summaryHB 5515 amends Michigan's penal code to clarify the definition of a "dangerous weapon" under Section 227. It specifically includes double-edged nonfolding stabbing instruments longer than 5 inches, such as daggers, dirks, and stilettos, in the list of prohibited weapons. This change directly affects individuals carrying these weapons outside their home, business, or personal property without a valid license. The bill does not create new restrictions but refines the legal definition governing when such items are considered illegal to carry.
Maddy summaryHB 5308 requires Michigan watercraft owners to purchase an annual $35 "Great Lakes protection" decal. Revenue from these decals funds invasive species prevention and remediation efforts under Section 80124b. The bill mandates that the state agency discontinue sales if fewer than 2,000 decals are sold by September 2006, then fewer than 500 annually after that. It directly affects recreational boat owners in Michigan who must buy the decal to legally operate watercraft. The decal design is specified but placement rules allow flexibility for law enforcement.
Maddy summaryHB 4708 updates Michigan's law for marinas and boatyards to clarify how they enforce liens on stored watercraft (like boats and trailers) when owners don't pay for services. It requires facility owners to send written notice to the property owner and the secretary of state after 60 days of non-payment (or 180 days if other liens exist), and to advertise the sale in a local newspaper for two weeks. Sale proceeds must cover the facility owner's costs first, then the lien, then other liens in order, with any surplus returned to the property owner. The bill also allows other lienholders to pay to stop the sale and provides steps for resolving disputes about lien priority.
Maddy summaryHB 5499 amends Michigan's Administrative Procedures Act to allow individuals denied state agency permits to sue for monetary damages and attorney fees after exhausting all administrative remedies. The bill specifically adds this right to section 101(2), creating a direct legal path for people who face permit denials. It does not change the requirement to first pursue all internal agency appeals before seeking court review. This change directly affects residents and businesses seeking permits from state agencies who believe their denial was unjust. The bill provides a concrete legal remedy for permit denials, focusing on financial compensation rather than reversing the agency's decision.
Maddy summaryHB 4733 amends Michigan's fishing regulations to clarify possession limits for processed fish. It allows recreational anglers to carry up to two additional days' worth of fish that are canned, smoked, dried, or frozen (processed) outside their home, while permitting unlimited processed fish at home. The bill does not change daily limits for fresh fish or affect how fish are taken. It specifically states that processed fish on a boat count toward the two-day limit outside the home. This directly affects Michigan anglers who process and transport fish.
Maddy summaryThis bill amends Michigan's property tax laws to clarify how disabled veterans and their surviving spouses qualify for tax exemptions on their homes. It establishes specific criteria for eligibility based on U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs ratings and outlines a streamlined process where exemptions granted after January 1, 2025, remain in effect without needing annual reapplication. The legislation also introduces an audit program to verify eligibility every three years and defines clear rules for prorating tax exemptions when property ownership changes during the year.