Rep. Gina Johnsen

Maddy summaryHB 4420 creates a standardized form requiring Michigan legislators to disclose any spending items they direct to specific projects or organizations. This requirement applies directly to all state legislators and state agencies when allocating funds based on legislative direction. The key mechanism mandates that this disclosure form be completed for every instance of directed spending, ensuring consistent public transparency. The bill aims to clarify and document how lawmakers influence state fund allocation without altering the underlying spending authority.

Maddy summaryHB 5092 modifies Michigan's breeding license requirements for large carnivores, requiring businesses to maintain a valid federal animal exhibition license (Class C) in good standing for five years. It applies specifically to organizations that display large carnivores to the public for education or exhibition purposes, not to general pet owners or breeders. The bill prohibits direct public contact with these animals and restricts sales only to other qualified licensees meeting the same requirements. These changes took immediate effect upon the Governor's approval on November 18, 2025.

Maddy summaryThis bill is a ceremonial resolution (not a law) declaring November 23, 2025, as "Christ the King Sunday" in Michigan. It does not create new policies or affect any individuals, organizations, or government programs. The resolution encourages Michiganders to reflect on moral and spiritual values associated with the observance, as noted in the House's adopted text. It follows a longstanding tradition recognized by Christian communities and references historical context from the 1925 papal decree. As a symbolic gesture, it has no binding effect on state actions or residents.

Maddy summaryHB 5231 designates the "Honor and Remember flag" (created by Honor and Remember, Inc.) as Michigan's official state emblem for honoring military members who died in service. This procedural bill directly affects Michigan's official symbols by replacing the current emblem with this specific flag for remembrance purposes. It does not create new programs or alter existing laws, only formally adopting the flag as the state's designated symbol of remembrance. The bill is currently in committee referral after its introduction on November 6, 2025.

Maddy summaryHB 5245, titled the "State Officers Public Trust Guarantee Act," prohibits state officers (appointed by the governor or executive officials) from accepting employment with entities they contracted with during their tenure for at least two years after leaving office. It specifically bans employment with any person (including corporations or government entities) they issued contracts to via request for proposals or payments for services. Violations carry misdemeanor penalties of up to 90 days in jail or a $1,000 fine. The law takes effect January 1, 2026, aiming to prevent conflicts of interest by restricting post-employment opportunities with past business partners.

Maddy summaryHB 4421 amends Michigan's Natural Resources and Environmental Protection Act to require Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (DEGLE) agents to obtain a warrant or the property owner's consent before entering private property for enforcement activities. It explicitly states that the "open fields doctrine" (which typically allows warrantless searches in open areas) does not apply to DEGLE searches. This change directly affects DEGLE enforcement officers and property owners/occupants by imposing standard warrant requirements for all searches on private land. The policy shift ensures DEGLE must follow similar procedural rules as law enforcement when conducting inspections or investigations on private property.

Maddy summaryHB 4073 modifies Michigan's criminal procedure law to require specific warrant procedures for investigations involving the Department of Natural Resources (DNR). It amends Section 1602 of the Michigan Compiled Laws (MCL 324.1602) and adds a new Section 1507 to clarify warrant requirements for DNR officers conducting searches or seizures under environmental enforcement. This change directly affects DNR law enforcement actions, ensuring they follow defined judicial authorization processes for certain investigations. The bill passed the House on November 4, 2025, with 63 yeas and 37 nays.

Maddy summaryHB 5204 requires health insurers in Michigan to cover prescription drugs for advanced metastatic cancer without first forcing patients to fail other treatments or prove prior drug failures. It directly affects patients diagnosed with advanced metastatic cancer (cancer that has spread beyond its original site) and their health insurance plans. The law prohibits insurers from imposing conditions like "fail first" requirements or demanding proof of previous drug ineffectiveness before approving coverage for these drugs or related symptoms. This applies to all health insurance policies covering prescription drugs for such cancer cases. The bill defines "advanced metastatic cancer" and "associated conditions" (symptoms or side effects worsening without treatment) to clarify coverage requirements.

Maddy summaryHR 196 is a resolution demanding Michigan's Secretary of State comply with a federal request for an unredacted copy of the state's voter registration list, as required by the Civil Rights Act of 1960 and the National Voter Registration Act of 1993. It directly affects the Michigan Secretary of State's office by mandating disclosure of voter data within legal limits. The bill does not create new law but compels adherence to existing federal requirements for voter list transparency. This procedural resolution focuses solely on directing state compliance with federal mandates, not altering election policies.

Maddy summaryHB 5174 amends Michigan's probation law to prohibit courts from delaying sentences for defendants convicted of domestic violence offenses who have prior similar offenses, such as assault or domestic violence. The bill specifically blocks delayed sentencing under certain circumstances for repeat offenders in these cases, directly affecting individuals facing domestic violence or assault charges with prior convictions. Key provisions include requiring courts to impose supervision fees ($30/month without electronic monitoring, $60/month with it) for delayed sentences and defining "assaultive crime" and "interpersonal violence" to clarify coverage. The law also allows fee waivers for indigent defendants and specifies that these fees cannot overlap with existing supervision costs. This changes how courts handle probation eligibility for domestic violence cases without altering sentencing penalties.