Rep. Brian BeGole

Maddy summaryThis bill requires electric, gas, and steam utilities in Michigan to consider all available energy sources when planning their integrated resource portfolios. It amends existing state laws governing utility rate-setting and planning processes to ensure comprehensive evaluation of different energy options. The legislation also establishes specific timelines for utility rate applications and includes provisions for partial rate relief motions for smaller gas utilities. Additionally, the bill repeals a specific section of the Public Service Commission Act related to stranded costs.

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 creates a new Post-Traumatic Stress Injury Fund to provide disability benefits to specific first responders and public safety workers who develop PTSD from work-related traumatic events. It allows eligible individuals, such as firefighters, police officers, and 911 dispatchers with at least five years of service, to suspend claims against their employers and instead seek compensation from the fund if they meet the criteria. The legislation establishes a legal presumption that the PTSD arose from employment, which can only be overturned by clear and convincing medical evidence proving non-work-related causes or an incorrect diagnosis. Additionally, the bill sets strict timelines for processing claims, requiring hearings within 90 days and decisions within 30 days, while also defining which high-stress situations qualify as traumatic events.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a new Post-Traumatic Stress Injury Fund within the state treasury to provide financial support for workers' compensation claims related to PTSD. The legislation establishes the fund's management structure, allowing the state treasurer to invest assets and the director to oversee audits and expenditures for approved claims and administrative costs. It mandates that any unpaid claims be prioritized for payment if the fund runs low and requires the director to notify the legislature if the money is projected to be insufficient within 60 days. Additionally, the bill mandates annual and quarterly reports to the legislature detailing claim statistics, payment amounts, and future cost estimates.

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 bill designates the week of May 10-16, 2026, as Junior Achievement Week throughout the state of Michigan. It directly affects the organization Junior Achievement and the residents of Michigan by formally recognizing the group's efforts to teach financial literacy to students. The resolution encourages all Michiganders to celebrate the organization's work during this specific week and honors the staff who support youth financial education programs.

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 5320 amends Michigan's criminal sentencing guidelines to specifically address unauthorized drone flights over or trespassing on critical infrastructure, such as power plants or bridges. It would establish new sentencing standards for individuals operating unmanned aircraft or vehicles near these facilities, directly affecting drone operators who violate these restrictions. The bill modifies Section 16b of the Michigan Code of Criminal Procedure (MCL 777.16b) to create clear penalties for such offenses, moving beyond general trespass laws. This change aims to strengthen legal consequences for drone-related threats to public safety infrastructure.

Maddy summaryHB 5319 prohibits using unmanned aircraft (drones) to fly over or trespass on key facilities, correctional facilities, law enforcement facilities, or critical infrastructure. It directly affects drone operators who might fly near these locations without authorization. The bill creates criminal penalties (up to 4 years in prison or $2,500 fine) for violations, while exempting public safety agencies and commercial operators complying with federal FAA rules. Key provisions include a 90-day delay before restrictions apply and definitions of "key facility" (per §552c) and "critical infrastructure" (aligned with federal designations).

Maddy summaryHB 5321 creates a state geofencing database managed by Michigan's transportation department to list restricted zones where unmanned vehicles (including drones, ground vehicles, and watercraft) cannot operate. The bill requires the department to develop a public website and a mobile app that warns operators when approaching restricted areas like critical infrastructure, airports, or key facilities. Operating an unmanned vehicle in a restricted zone is a felony punishable by up to 4 years in prison or a $2,500 fine. This law directly affects anyone using unmanned vehicles in Michigan, establishing a new enforcement system to prevent unauthorized flights or operations in sensitive areas.