Rep. Gina Johnsen

Maddy summaryHouse Bill 4027 proposes to amend the Michigan Zoning Enabling Act. The bill would remove a provision that requires local zoning ordinances to be subject to Part 8 of the Clean and Renewable Energy and Energy Waste Reduction Act. This change means that local zoning authorities would no longer be directly bound by this specific part of the state's clean energy law when creating or enforcing their zoning regulations. The bill aims to alter the relationship between local land use planning and state renewable energy mandates.

Maddy summaryHouse Bill 4028 proposes to eliminate specific state-level provisions regarding the zoning and siting of large-scale solar, wind, and energy storage facilities. The bill achieves this by repealing Part 8 of the Clean and Renewable Energy and Energy Waste Reduction Act (2008 PA 295). This action would remove state authority over the certification and regulation of such facilities, effectively returning primary zoning control to local governments. It also amends the title of the existing act to reflect these changes.

Maddy summaryHB 4338, the "Local Government Sanctuary Policy Prohibition Act," prohibits Michigan cities, townships, and their agencies from creating or enforcing policies that prevent local officials from sharing immigration status information with federal authorities. It requires local governments to comply with the law within 60 days and allows residents or the state attorney general to sue if a local policy violates it. If a court finds a violation, it can order the policy repealed, issue an injunction against enforcement, and award damages and attorney fees to the winning party. The law directly affects all local government entities and their employees who interact with federal immigration officials.

Maddy summaryHB 4288 prohibits Michigan state agencies from hiring for unclassified positions based on factors other than objective merit, such as education or work experience. It directly affects state agencies hiring for roles outside the classified civil service (e.g., certain executive branch positions). The bill requires hiring decisions to rely solely on merit-based criteria and imposes civil fines of up to $10,000 per violation, with the attorney general authorized to collect penalties. This legislation creates new requirements for state hiring practices under Michigan law.

Maddy summaryHB 4339, the "County Law Enforcement Protection Act," prohibits counties from enacting or enforcing any local law, ordinance, policy, or rule that restricts peace officers or local officials from communicating with federal authorities about an individual’s immigration status in Michigan. It directly affects county governments, local law enforcement, and residents by requiring counties to eliminate existing restrictive policies within 60 days and preventing new violations. The bill establishes legal remedies, allowing residents or the attorney general to sue counties that violate it, with courts able to order policy changes, issue injunctions, and award damages or attorney fees. It does not alter immigration enforcement but ensures local officials can cooperate with federal immigration authorities without county restrictions.

Maddy summaryThis bill proposes a constitutional amendment requiring Michigan voters to verify U.S. citizenship before registering to vote or casting a ballot. It directly affects new voters registering after December 18, 2026, who must provide proof of citizenship (like a birth certificate) to election officials or have the Secretary of State verify it using federal records. The amendment mandates the Secretary of State to systematically check citizenship status annually, remove unverified non-citizens from voter files within 60 days of notice, and allow provisional ballots only if citizenship is verified within six days after an election. It also requires annual reports on verification results and removals. The bill does not affect current registered voters.

Maddy summaryHouse Bill 4245 amends the state's Food Law to change licensure requirements for certain maple syrup and honey producers. The bill exempts both the retail outlet and the processing facility of these producers from needing a license under the act. This exemption applies to producers whose annual gross sales of honey or maple syrup are $15,001.00 or less. However, products sold under this exemption must still carry labels similar to those required for cottage food products.

Maddy summaryHouse Bill 4255 modifies the penalties for crimes involving the manufacturing, delivery, or possession with intent to deliver certain controlled substances. It specifically amends sections of the Public Health Code to introduce new sentencing guidelines. The bill establishes distinct and often stricter penalties, including mandatory minimum prison sentences and higher maximum fines, for offenses involving heroin, fentanyl, carfentanil, or their derivatives. These enhanced penalties differentiate these substances from other controlled substances within similar weight classifications.

Maddy summaryHouse Bill 4256 proposes to amend Michigan's criminal procedure code by revising sentencing guidelines for specific drug offenses. Specifically, it targets individuals convicted of delivering, manufacturing, or possessing with intent to deliver certain controlled substances. The bill modifies section 13m of Chapter XVII of the Code of Criminal Procedure (MCL 777.13m), which dictates these sentencing guidelines. This change would directly affect how courts sentence individuals for these particular drug-related crimes. This bill is tied to HB 4255.

Maddy summaryHB 4034 amends Michigan's probate law to adjust rules governing trusts that could last indefinitely ("rule against perpetuities"). It specifically revises the time limit for certain trust interests from 90 years to 360 years when a second power of appointment is exercised, as defined in the 2008 Personal Property Trust Perpetuities Act. The bill affects trust creators, beneficiaries, and estate planners by clarifying when trust interests are considered created and modifying time limits for perpetuity violations. It does not change existing rules for most marital agreements, fiduciary powers, or trusts created before 1988.