Rep. Gina Johnsen

Maddy summaryHB 4560 repeals a section of Michigan's election law (MCL 168.472a) that required ballot petition signatures to be collected within a specific time limit. This removes a requirement for petition circulators to gather signatures before a set deadline. The bill does not create new election rules or affect other aspects of the petition process. It is a procedural change that eliminates an existing administrative provision.

Maddy summaryHB 4559, the "Promotion of Governmental Services Act," requires Michigan state agencies and local governments (like counties or cities) to stop using the word "free" when advertising services funded by taxes, fines, or fees. Instead, they must use the phrase "taxpayer funded" in all promotional materials. The bill directly affects how government entities market services such as public libraries, parks, or community programs that cost residents nothing out-of-pocket. This change aims to clarify that these services are supported by public money, not truly cost-free. The bill is currently in committee after being introduced on June 5, 2025.

Maddy summaryHB 4552 prevents Michigan health authorities from creating stricter rules that would exclude unvaccinated students from school outside of epidemics. It specifically blocks the Department of Health and Human Services from promulgating rules allowing school exclusion based on lack of vaccination documentation, except during disease outbreaks. The bill preserves existing exemption processes for medical or religious reasons, prohibiting new requirements or forms for these exemptions. This directly affects schools, health departments, and families seeking vaccine exemptions under current law.

Maddy summaryHB 4553 strengthens Michigan school immunization requirements by prohibiting schools from accepting less stringent exemption rules than state standards. It requires children enrolling in public or nonpublic schools (or entering grade 7 for the first time) to submit one of three documents: a physician’s immunization statement, a parent/guardian religious exemption form, or a physician’s compliance-in-progress statement. The bill also mandates annual reporting of student immunization and vision screening status (for kindergarten) to health departments. It directly affects all Michigan schools, parents/guardians of enrolled students, and local health departments responsible for data reporting. The bill is tied to companion legislation (HB 4552) and is currently in committee referral.

Maddy summaryThis bill proposes a constitutional amendment to Michigan's budget rules (Article IX, Section 28), directly affecting how the state sets annual spending limits. It replaces current spending caps with a new formula tying budget growth to inflation, population changes, and voter-approved revenue increases. Any state revenue exceeding this calculated limit must be refunded to taxpayers via law. The amendment modifies how the legislature calculates yearly spending authority, requiring excess funds to flow back to citizens rather than remaining in the state budget.

Maddy summaryHB 4345 creates an exception allowing Michigan school districts to skip required instructional days without facing penalties when closing due to a declared state of emergency. This directly affects school districts and students by providing flexibility during emergencies like natural disasters or public health crises. The bill amends existing law to remove the penalty for missing minimum instructional days during such closures, ensuring districts aren't financially punished for following emergency protocols. The law took effect immediately upon the Governor's approval on June 2, 2025.

Maddy summaryHB 4267 designates a specific segment of M-6 in Kent County (from Kalamazoo Avenue east to 60th Street) as the "Keagan Spencer Memorial Highway" under Michigan's Memorial Highway Act. This bill is purely a naming designation with no policy changes or direct impact on legislation, regulations, or affected populations. It amends the existing highway act to formally recognize this roadway section in honor of Keagan Spencer. The bill passed unanimously in the Michigan House on May 20, 2025.

Maddy summaryHB 4203 amends Michigan's Vehicle Code to revise exemptions for tow trucks, wreckers, and road service vehicles from seasonal weight restrictions on state highways. The bill allows these vehicles to operate during restricted periods (typically winter months) when responding to emergencies or providing essential roadside assistance. This change directly affects towing and road service companies by permitting them to operate under weight limits they previously could not during certain seasons. The amendment applies specifically to vehicles performing emergency response or required road service functions.

Maddy summaryHB 4343 exempts certain commercial trucks assisting in a declared state of emergency from Michigan's frost laws, which typically restrict truck operations during freezing conditions. This means trucks providing emergency response services (like transporting supplies or personnel) will not face traffic violations for operating during frost conditions when supporting emergency efforts. The bill amends Michigan's Vehicle Code (MCL 257.722) to create this specific exception for emergency assistance vehicles. It directly affects commercial truck operators and emergency management agencies during declared emergencies.

Maddy summaryHB 4344 removes driving hour limits for commercial motor vehicle drivers during declared state emergencies. It specifically exempts drivers traveling to assist with or directly helping during disasters from federal hours-of-service rules (49 CFR part 395) under Michigan's Emergency Management Act. This change directly affects commercial drivers transporting goods or people in support of emergency response efforts when a state of emergency is active.