Rep. Penelope Tsernoglou

Maddy summaryHB 5389 modifies how Michigan manages state funds for specific projects (called "work projects"). It requires that such projects must have a clear purpose, specific plan, estimated cost, and completion date to qualify. The bill also changes the timeframe for unused funds to expire (48 months after the fiscal year ends) and gives the director authority to propose lapsing project accounts, but requires both legislative committees to disapprove such proposals within 30 days. Additionally, it mandates annual reports to committees detailing all active work project accounts, their balances, and any funds that lapsed.

Maddy summaryHB 5393 amends Michigan's unemployment benefits law to change how overpaid benefits are recovered. It requires the unemployment agency to issue a repayment demand within 3 years of a final determination about overpayment, and prohibits recovery actions after that deadline (except for suspected identity fraud). The bill creates specific waiver conditions where repayment may be forgiven, including cases of agency errors, low household income (below 150% of federal poverty guidelines), or unintentional wage reporting mistakes by employers. This directly affects unemployed Michiganders who received incorrect benefits, ensuring they aren't required to repay overpayments after the 3-year window unless fraud is involved.

Maddy summaryHB 5366 requires real estate wholesalers to provide mandatory disclosures to buyers when transferring purchase agreements. It defines "assignment fee" as the payment for such transfers and mandates clear disclosure of these fees to buyers before closing. The bill directly affects real estate wholesalers and brokers who facilitate these transactions, ensuring buyers understand all financial terms upfront. This change aims to increase transparency in real estate wholesaling without altering licensing requirements.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends Michigan's property recording rules to standardize formatting and privacy requirements for deeds, mortgages, and other property transfers recorded with county registers of deeds. Key changes include requiring documents to be printed on 20-pound white paper in 10-point font with clear addresses, obscuring the first five digits of Social Security numbers after specified dates, and mandating legible signatures with printed names beneath them. These rules apply to anyone submitting property documents for recording, ensuring consistent formatting and reducing privacy risks. The bill focuses on procedural clarity rather than substantive policy changes to property transactions.

Maddy summaryHB 5374 requires that workers on specific broadband service projects in Michigan be paid prevailing wages and fringe benefits, as defined by state labor law. This applies to broadband developers constructing, maintaining, or expanding infrastructure (like fiber optic lines) for new projects funded by state or local governments, but excludes projects receiving federal funding under the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act or the Coronavirus Capital Projects Fund. The bill amends Michigan’s existing prevailing wage law to explicitly include broadband service projects under the same wage standards as other state-funded construction work. It defines key terms like "broadband service project" and clarifies which federal programs are exempt from these requirements.

Maddy summaryHB 5365, the "SFR Tax and Economics Act," imposes a surtax on large investors (entities owning 50+ single-family homes) for acquiring, selling, or holding properties. It requires certified entities (like community land trusts or MSHDA-approved groups) to implement 15-year affordability covenants limiting rent/sale prices to 30-80% of local median income. The bill affects large real estate investors and entities receiving state benefits related to single-family homes, mandating reporting and compliance. Proceeds from surtaxes fund affordable housing initiatives, while exemptions apply to qualifying "mission buyers" like public housing agencies.

Maddy summaryHB 5357, the "Age-Appropriate Design Code Act," requires businesses meeting specific thresholds (e.g., $25 million+ annual revenue or handling data of 50,000+ consumers) to design online services, products, or features accessed by known minors (under 18) with privacy and safety as defaults. It prohibits "dark patterns" that manipulate user choices, bans collecting precise geolocation data without consent, and mandates age-appropriate settings for minors. The law applies to businesses operating in Michigan that process personal information of minors, creating civil penalties for violations. It establishes a fund to support enforcement and defines key terms like "known minor" and "business" to clarify compliance requirements.

Maddy summaryThis resolution (HR 227) urges the U.S. House of Representatives to investigate allegations that Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth authorized military actions in the Caribbean Sea that killed at least one unarmed civilian fisherman, with no public evidence the individual was a combatant. If evidence supports these allegations, it calls for the House to introduce and adopt articles of impeachment against Hegseth for potential violations of federal law, international humanitarian law, and the Constitution. The resolution references the War Powers Resolution, the War Crimes Act, and the Geneva Conventions to frame the alleged misconduct. It does not create new law but formally requests the House take specific action. (Procedural resolution; summary limited to 2 sentences as instructed.)

Maddy summaryHB 5349 requires Michigan's Department of Health to create standardized forms for two types of school immunization exemptions. Medical exemptions (for health reasons) must include details like the vaccine type, reason for exemption, and expiration date. Non-medical exemptions (for religious or other objections) must include education about vaccine benefits and risks, require in-person form pickup from a health department, and include witnessed signatures. This bill directly affects parents seeking exemptions, schools requiring immunization records, and local health departments distributing the forms.