Rep. Jaz Martus

Maddy summaryHB 4094 modifies Michigan's jury eligibility rules to remove disqualifications for most criminal records, allowing prospective jurors with past convictions to serve unless the crime is similar to the current case. It also prohibits excluding jurors based on protected statuses (such as race, gender, or religion under Michigan's Elliot-Larsen Civil Rights Act) or using peremptory challenges for invalid reasons like a juror living in a high-crime neighborhood. The bill requires courts to deny peremptory challenges if protected status appears to be a factor, with specific examples of invalid justifications provided. These changes aim to address historical discrimination in jury selection while keeping the process accessible for all eligible residents.

Maddy summaryHB 4091 replaces local jury boards with a centralized state system for jury selection across Michigan courts. It directs the State Court Administrative Office (under the Supreme Court) to create a statewide jury pool using driver's license and state ID data provided by the Secretary of State, eliminating county-level processes. The bill mandates electronic transmission of jury lists to courts, establishes a standard juror questionnaire, and requires annual updates to the jury pool list. This change directly affects all Michigan courts (circuit, probate, district, and municipal) and potential jurors statewide by standardizing jury selection procedures.

Maddy summaryHB 4092 is a technical amendment to Michigan's Probate Code (MCL 712A.17) that corrects outdated references following a prior repeal. It updates procedural language about court hearings, including requirements for adjournments (e.g., 14-day written notice for continuances) and jury demands in non-criminal probate cases. The bill does not create new policies but ensures the code accurately reflects current law. It depends on the passage of companion bill HB 4091 to take effect, as noted in its enacting section. This is a procedural correction affecting court procedures in probate matters, not a substantive policy change.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a new research and development tax credit for Michigan businesses starting in 2025, allowing eligible companies to reduce their corporate income tax based on qualifying R&D expenses. The credit rate varies by company size, offering up to 10% for larger employers with 250 or more employees and up to 15% for smaller businesses with fewer than 250 workers, with separate maximum limits of $2 million and $250,000 respectively. Companies that collaborate with in-state research universities can claim an additional 5% credit on their R&D expenses, capped at $200,000, provided they submit written agreements to the state department. To manage the total cost, the bill sets a statewide spending cap of $100 million per year, which triggers a pro-rating system to distribute credits evenly if total claims exceed this limit.

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 4040 bans most noncompete agreements between employers and workers in Michigan, directly affecting employees, contractors, interns, and volunteers. It prohibits employers from entering into, obtaining, enforcing, or even claiming that noncompete agreements apply to workers, except for two specific cases: (1) business owners selling their business, or (2) high-earning workers (over 200% of the federal poverty line for a family of three) with agreements limited to one year. The bill voids illegal agreements and allows workers to sue for damages, including lost wages and legal costs, if employers try to enforce prohibited terms. It specifically preserves agreements protecting trade secrets or restricting solicitation for qualifying high-earning workers.

Maddy summaryThis is a ceremonial resolution (HR 13) introduced by Michigan Representative Jasper Martus and adopted on January 29, 2025. It honors the legacy of former President Jimmy Carter, recognizing his life, presidency, post-presidential humanitarian work through the Carter Center, and receipt of the Nobel Peace Prize. The resolution expresses the Michigan House of Representatives' tribute to Carter's "spirit of humanitarianism" and commitment to "peaceful solutions" and "compassion in governance." It directs that copies be sent to the Carter family as a symbol of Michigan's esteem for his contributions.

Maddy summaryThis resolution declares January 2025 as National Stalking Awareness Month in Michigan. It does not create new laws or change existing policies; instead, it symbolically recognizes stalking as a serious crime and acknowledges efforts by victim services and law enforcement. The resolution highlights Michigan's legal definition of stalking and relevant statistics (like 18,000 stalking reports in 2022) to underscore the importance of public awareness. It was introduced and adopted by the Michigan House of Representatives on January 28, 2025.

Maddy summaryHB 4020 creates a temporary commission to update African-American history curriculum for Michigan K-12 schools. The commission, appointed by the governor and including university representatives, NAACP, and museum staff, must review current standards within 365 days and recommend age-appropriate instruction covering Reconstruction, the Civil Rights Era, and African-American contributions to U.S. development. Starting in the 2026-2027 school year, Michigan school districts must provide this instruction, and state assessments will include related questions. The bill mandates curriculum updates to the state board within two years of the commission's recommendations. This directly affects all public K-12 schools in Michigan and their required social studies curriculum.

Maddy summaryHB 4016 designates May of each year as "Huntington's Disease Awareness Month" in Michigan. This symbolic resolution aims to raise public and medical awareness about Huntington's disease, which affects thousands of Michiganders and has no cure. It does not create new funding, regulations, or policy changes - it simply aligns Michigan with national recognition efforts for this progressive neurological condition. The bill was introduced in January 2025 and referred to committee for further review.