Rep. Gina Johnsen

Maddy summaryHB 5219 would allow direct farm-to-consumer sales of raw milk and raw milk products in Michigan by amending the Food Law. It defines "direct farm-to-consumer product" to explicitly include raw milk meeting requirements under the 2001 Manufacturing Milk Law, enabling farmers to sell these products directly to consumers on their property. The bill adds new sections (4102a and 4102b) to establish this sales pathway while maintaining existing pasteurization requirements for other sales. This change directly affects farmers producing raw milk and consumers purchasing it directly from farms, without altering commercial milk sales rules.

Maddy summaryHB 5217 would allow direct farm-to-consumer sales of raw (unpasteurized) milk and milk products by dairy producers who comply with specific safety standards under Michigan's Food Law (2000). It amends existing milk regulations to explicitly permit this sale method, provided producers meet requirements in Section 4102a of the Food Law and adhere to the definition of "direct farm-to-consumer producer" from the Food Law. This change affects small dairy farms selling directly to consumers, not restaurants or grocery stores, and maintains existing pasteurization requirements for all other milk sales. The bill requires compliance with state safety protocols but does not alter pasteurization rules for commercial distribution.

Maddy summaryHB 5535 would allow plumbing inspectors to provide plumbing services without violating state law. Currently, plumbing inspectors (registered under Article 10) are prohibited from engaging in the plumbing business, such as installing pipes or selling materials, due to potential conflicts with their inspection duties. The bill amends Section 1123 of Michigan's Skilled Trades Regulation Act to remove this prohibition, permitting inspectors to work for or own plumbing businesses. This change directly affects local plumbing inspectors who wish to operate in both roles simultaneously.

Maddy summaryHB 5556 allows industrial construction permit applicants in Michigan to purchase wetland credits from approved mitigation banks instead of always restoring or creating wetlands on-site to offset project impacts. The bill introduces temporary credits for short-term delays during on-site mitigation and establishes a stewardship fund for alternatives like conservation easements or payments. It updates rules to encourage wetland bank development by expanding service areas within watersheds, reducing required mitigation ratios when using bank credits, and allowing credit transfers between projects. This directly affects developers and construction companies requiring permits for projects impacting wetlands.

Maddy summaryHB 4080 reinstates a program deferring property tax special assessments for eligible Michigan homestead owners. It applies to assessments due before October 1, 2020, or on/before October 1, 2022, for primary residences owned by qualifying individuals (including those who are totally and permanently disabled). The bill allows owners to defer payments until death, sale, or transfer of the property, with up to four annual partial payments (minimum $500 or 5% of the balance) and interest accruing on unpaid amounts. Full payment becomes due upon sale, transfer, or death, and the bill requires the state to notify owners of these terms. This amendment to Michigan’s 1976 property tax law (MCL 211.761-762) is contingent on HB 4079 passing.

Maddy summaryHB 4079 adjusts the income limit for homeowners aged 65 or older, or those totally and permanently disabled, who qualify for a property tax deferment on special assessments. Currently set at $34,900 as of October 2022, the bill replaces this fixed amount with an annual adjustment based on the Detroit-area Consumer Price Index (CPI), meaning the limit will rise or fall each year with local inflation. The state treasurer will calculate the new limit annually using the prior year's CPI data, rounding to the nearest dollar. This change directly affects eligible homeowners seeking to defer special assessments on their primary residences without immediate payment.

Maddy summaryHB 5035 creates a legal remedy for individuals harmed by false claims in assisted reproduction services. It allows patients who gave birth to a child through such services, their spouses at the time, children conceived via the false representation, or gamete donors to sue providers for economic damages, non-financial harm, attorney fees, and punitive damages. The law requires lawsuits to be filed within 3 years of discovering the false representation and specifies that this new cause of action applies alongside existing criminal or civil penalties. The bill directly affects patients, families, and donors involved in assisted reproduction when providers make misleading claims about services or results.

Maddy summaryHB 5038 proposes updating Michigan's sentencing guidelines to specifically address false statements about reproductive health in assisted reproduction cases. It would directly affect individuals convicted of lying regarding fertility, genetic status, or other reproductive health matters when seeking or providing assisted reproductive services. The bill amends existing sentencing rules (MCL 777.16l) to create dedicated guidelines for these offenses, ensuring courts apply consistent penalties. This change would only apply to cases where false representation occurs in a legal context related to assisted reproduction, not general false statements. The bill is currently in committee referral following its introduction on September 24, 2025.

Maddy summaryHB 5039 amends Michigan's Public Health Code to add disciplinary action for health professionals who make false representations in assisted reproduction services. It specifically adds "misrepresentation to a consumer or patient" in professional practice (including assisted reproduction) as a prohibited act under disciplinary grounds. This directly affects licensed health professionals, such as fertility specialists or clinics, who provide or advertise assisted reproductive services. The bill expands existing disciplinary criteria to include fraud or false claims related to fees or services in this field, allowing the licensing board to investigate and take action for such violations.

Maddy summaryHB 5037 extends the statute of limitations for certain criminal sexual conduct offenses involving victims under 18 years old. Specifically, it increases the time limit for filing indictments from 10 years to 15 years after the offense, or until the victim turns 28 - whichever is later. The bill also allows indefinite filing for cases where DNA evidence identifies the perpetrator, with charges needing to be filed within 15 years of identification. This change directly affects victims of these specific offenses and prosecutors seeking to pursue charges, providing more time to identify perpetrators and file cases.