Rep. Kara Hope

Maddy summaryHB 5064 requires Michigan's State Court Administrative Office to create a standardized form summarizing tenant rights under key housing laws (Truth in Renting Act, Housing Law, and Revised Judicature Act) within 90 days. Landlords must attach this form to all new lease agreements and post it in common areas like hallways or laundry rooms. The form must include a clear summary of tenant rights and a list of legal resources for violations, with specific formatting (12-point bold for general rights, 14-point for domestic violence protections). This bill directly affects all residential landlords and tenants in Michigan by mandating accessible, standardized information about tenant protections.

Maddy summaryHB 5071 provides supplemental state funding for programs addressing violence against women, specifically allocating money to support existing grant programs under Michigan's Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) initiatives. This bill directly affects state agencies and local organizations administering these grants, such as domestic violence shelters and legal aid services. The key mechanism is creating a new appropriation within the state budget for fiscal year 2026 to cover costs not previously funded. It does not change eligibility or program rules but ensures continued funding for these services through a dedicated budget line. The bill is currently under review by the Appropriations Committee after its introduction on September 26, 2025.

Maddy summaryHB 5066, titled the "Gun Seller Liability Act," creates strict liability for firearms dealers who sell, deliver, or transfer firearms to individuals prohibited from possessing them under federal or state law, if that firearm causes injury, death, or threat. It directly affects licensed firearms dealers (those holding a federal firearms license who sell guns commercially), requiring them to maintain $1 million in liability insurance covering injuries resulting from firearm sales. Key provisions include holding dealers strictly liable for damages when they know or should know a buyer is prohibited, and mandating the insurance coverage for all such sales. The bill does not alter gun ownership laws but imposes financial responsibility on dealers for specific negligent sales.

Maddy summaryHB 5065 requires retail firearm dealers in Michigan to obtain a state-issued license ($250 fee) and renew it annually ($200 fee). It mandates annual training for dealers and employees on firearm safety, identifying illegal sales, and preventing trafficking, with a 70% passing score needed. The bill applies to businesses selling firearms regularly (not occasional sellers of 8 or fewer firearms yearly) and requires federal licensing, age checks (21+), and criminal background checks for staff. Dealers must display licenses prominently and maintain records for four years. The law aims to regulate retail firearm sales through licensing, training, and record-keeping requirements.

Maddy summaryHB 5072 allocates supplemental state funds specifically for testing sexual assault kits in Michigan for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2026. It directly affects state law enforcement agencies and crime laboratories responsible for processing these kits by providing dedicated budget resources. The bill creates a new appropriation within the state budget to cover testing costs, ensuring these kits can be processed without relying on existing funding streams. This is a funding measure, not a policy change to how kits are collected or handled.

Maddy summaryHB 5070 is a supplemental appropriations bill that allocates additional state funds for Michigan's prenatal and infant support program. It directly affects the program by providing dedicated funding for services supporting pregnant individuals and infants. The bill creates a formal funding mechanism (an appropriation act) to ensure these funds are available for the 2026 fiscal year. As a procedural budget measure, it does not change program eligibility or service rules but secures financial resources for existing support services.

Maddy summaryHB 5047 requires utility providers (including municipal, cooperative, and private electric/gas companies) to automatically enroll eligible customers in winter protection programs. Specifically, it mandates automatic enrollment of senior citizens (65+ or 62+ as of October 2023) starting November 1, 2025, and households with children under 16 starting September 1, 2025. Providers must identify eligible customers using methods like phone calls, mail, or bill inserts, and provide detailed program information via bill inserts 2 months before enrollment. Annual reports on enrollment numbers must be submitted to providers’ governing bodies by April 28 each year, beginning in 2026. The bill amends Michigan’s public utilities code (MCL 460.9o, 460.10t, and adds 460.9x) to implement these requirements.

Maddy summaryThis resolution declares September 15-October 15, 2025, as Hispanic Heritage Month in Michigan. It is a symbolic state recognition, not a policy change, affirming the observance of Hispanic and Latino American contributions to Michigan and the nation. The resolution does not create new laws, allocate funding, or affect specific groups; it simply aligns Michigan with the existing national observance established by federal law in 1988. The declaration enables state agencies and communities to organize events celebrating Hispanic heritage during that period.

Maddy summaryHB 4985 amends Michigan's landlord-tenant laws to establish clear "good cause" grounds for terminating a tenancy, directly affecting landlords and tenants across the state. The bill requires landlords to follow specific procedures when a tenant dies, including notifying the public administrator and attempting to contact an authorized person before reentering the property after 10 days. It also defines unlawful interference by landlords, such as changing locks without providing keys or cutting essential utilities like heat or electricity, which could lead to tenant legal claims. These changes aim to balance tenant protections with clearer eviction rules for landlords.

Maddy summaryHB 4983 modifies Michigan's eviction timeline by extending the waiting period before a landlord can remove a tenant after a court judgment. It increases the standard waiting period from 10 to 14 days for most evictions, and adds a longer 90-day or 6-month waiting period (depending on payment progress) when evicting tenants who failed to pay for a home purchase contract. The bill also clarifies that tenants can stop eviction by paying the owed amount plus costs within the waiting period. This directly affects tenants facing eviction and landlords seeking possession under the Revised Judicature Act.