Rep. Penelope Tsernoglou

Maddy summaryHB 5195 is a supplemental appropriations bill that allocates additional state funds for food banks in Michigan for the 2026 fiscal year. It directly affects food banks by providing them with state funding to support their operations. The bill creates a formal funding mechanism through the state budget process, ensuring these funds are available for food bank services.

Maddy summaryHB 5187 amends Michigan's Worker's Disability Compensation Act to clarify when employers or insurance carriers can recoup overpaid benefits to injured workers. It limits recoupment to benefits paid within the past year and requires carriers to prove specific conditions (like employee concealment of earnings or clerical errors) before demanding repayment. The bill also caps recoupment at 50% of weekly benefits for clerical errors and prohibits recoupment if employers unreasonably change their position on a worker's disability. Magistrates may waive recoupment if it causes undue harm to the injured worker.

Maddy summaryHB 5181 requires mediation for specific worker's compensation claims before they proceed to formal hearings. It applies directly to workers filing claims for medical benefits only, claims where the worker has returned to work, or claims without an attorney, as well as cases the agency identifies as suitable for mediation. The bill mandates that the agency schedules mediation meetings, provides claimants with clear benefit estimates, and explains their rights before the session. Unresolved claims under $10,000 must go to a small claims division, while larger claims go to a magistrate. Failure to participate in required mediation prevents a party from moving forward with their claim.

Maddy summaryHB 5182 amends Michigan's worker compensation law to clarify injured workers' access to medical care. It requires employers to provide payment for treatment from a worker's chosen doctor within 10 days of notice, or face a $100 daily penalty (capped at $25,000). The bill also establishes a preauthorization process for medical treatments, requiring employers to respond to requests within 10 business days or risk delays in care. These changes directly affect injured workers seeking medical treatment and employers/carriers responsible for covering costs under the law.

Maddy summaryHB 5177 expands Michigan's workers' compensation coverage to include specific volunteer roles by amending the definition of "employee" in the Worker's Disability Compensation Act. It directly affects on-call members of volunteer underwater diving teams, safety patrol officers (including school volunteers), volunteer civil defense workers, and on-call members of life support agencies who are injured while performing duties - whether paid or unpaid. The bill ensures these volunteers receive full workers' compensation benefits, including wage replacement calculated using the state average weekly wage at the time of injury. This change extends existing protections to these volunteer groups without altering their status as non-employees under other laws.

Maddy summaryThis resolution urges the Trump administration and USDA to use existing emergency funds to continue SNAP food assistance benefits for 42 million Americans who would lose them on November 1 if the federal government remains shut down. It directly affects low-income households, including 1.4 million Michiganders, who rely on SNAP to afford food and other essentials. The bill cites prior government practice and GAO confirmation that contingency funds can legally cover SNAP benefits during shutdowns, as was done for the WIC program. The resolution formally requests this action to prevent a disruption in critical food support.

Maddy summaryThis resolution urges President Trump and Congress to restore Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits for Michigan's 1.4 million recipients who would lose November payments due to a federal funding lapse. It highlights SNAP's critical role in supporting low-income families, including 43% with children, 36% with older adults, and 51% with disabled individuals. The resolution requests immediate action to ensure benefits continue for November and throughout the funding gap, emphasizing the risk of worsened food insecurity. As a non-binding resolution, it does not change policy but formally expresses concern about the impact on vulnerable Michiganders.

Maddy summaryHB 5171, the "Household Water Lien Prohibition Act," prohibits water authorities from placing or acquiring liens on residential properties for water, sewage, or stormwater management services. It directly affects residential property owners by preventing service providers from using liens to collect unpaid bills, and water authorities by banning this practice. The bill dissolves all existing liens for these services created under the repealed 1939 law (MCL 123.161-123.167), which previously allowed such liens. This replaces the old law with a new prohibition, effective upon enactment.

Maddy summaryHB 4254 prohibits public bodies (like state agencies, universities, or local governments) from using dogs in research or training activities that cause pain or distress. It specifically bans methods that would cause death, injury, fear, trauma, or invasive procedures (such as surgery), with exceptions for veterinary training with owner consent and routine procedures like spaying/neutering. The bill establishes civil fines of $1,000-$5,000 per dog per violation for noncompliance, enforced by county prosecutors or the attorney general. Named "Queenie's Law," it amends Michigan's Public Health Code to add these protections for dogs used in experimental purposes.

Maddy summaryHB 5141 amends Section 2 of Michigan's 1939 Labor Relations Act (MCL 423.2) by removing specific exclusions from the definition of "employee." This change would extend labor protections to workers previously excluded, including domestic workers, agricultural laborers, and certain supervisors. The bill directly affects these workers by ensuring they fall under the act's coverage for organizing, collective bargaining, and dispute resolution. It makes a concrete policy change to the legal definition without altering other provisions of the law.