Rep. Gina Johnsen

Maddy summaryThis bill repeals Michigan's 1993 State Education Tax Act, which previously imposed a tax on property owners to fund public schools. The legislation is contingent upon the simultaneous passage of a companion bill (HB 5880) that mandates the state to use general funds to fully replace any revenue lost from eliminating the tax. If enacted, the change would remove the specific tax requirement while ensuring that school funding levels remain unchanged through state appropriation. The law is scheduled to take effect 90 days after it is signed into law.

Maddy summaryThis bill is a resolution that asks Congress to propose a new constitutional amendment allowing both state and federal governments to set reasonable limits on election spending. The proposed amendment would explicitly permit lawmakers to distinguish between individual voters and artificial entities like corporations, unions, and artificial intelligence when regulating campaign finance. By clarifying that such spending restrictions are constitutional, the measure aims to prevent unlimited money from influencing election outcomes while protecting the free speech rights of average citizens. Although introduced in the House of Representatives, the resolution does not become law on its own but instead seeks to initiate the process for amending the U.S. Constitution.

Maddy summaryHB 5480, known as the "Natalia Moore Law," allows parents to transfer children to another school district if the child experiences bullying at their current school. To qualify, parents must provide documented bullying incidents, proof of reporting to school staff, and evidence that prior interventions failed. The receiving district must accept the transfer and share academic records within 7 days, while the child’s original district cannot charge tuition for such transfers under the amended school code. This law directly affects students experiencing bullying and their families seeking safer school environments.

Maddy summaryHB 5981 requires automobile insurers in Michigan to file premium rates that achieve specific percentage reductions for personal protection insurance coverage by July 1, 2020, and maintain those reductions through 2028. The bill mandates that the state insurance director review and disapprove any filings that fail to meet these reduction targets, which vary based on the policy's coverage limits. Additionally, insurers must pass on savings from medical treatment costs incurred in accidents before July 2, 2021, and cannot issue or renew policies without director approval of their rates.

Maddy summaryThis bill updates Michigan's no-fault insurance laws to set new maximum payment limits for medical treatment and rehabilitation services provided to injured individuals. It establishes specific reimbursement percentages based on Medicare rates, which vary by year and the type of provider, such as general physicians, hospitals with high indigent patient volumes, specialized trauma centers, and designated freestanding rehabilitation facilities. The legislation also includes provisions for providers lacking Medicare payment benchmarks by capping their charges at a percentage of their historical rates from 2019. These changes directly affect healthcare providers treating personal protection insurance claims and the insurers that reimburse them.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends Michigan's Clean and Renewable Energy and Energy Waste Reduction Act to update definitions and requirements for renewable energy programs. It directly affects electric and natural gas providers, state agencies, and energy consumers by modifying how clean energy standards are calculated and how costs are recovered from customers. Key changes include redefining clean energy systems to include natural gas plants with carbon capture technology, establishing a wind energy resource zone board, and adjusting rules for customer generation and net metering. The legislation also updates provisions related to energy waste reduction programs and authorizes new residential energy improvement initiatives.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires electric, gas, and steam utilities in Michigan to consider all available energy sources when planning their integrated resource portfolios. It amends existing state laws governing utility rate-setting and planning processes to ensure comprehensive evaluation of different energy options. The legislation also establishes specific timelines for utility rate applications and includes provisions for partial rate relief motions for smaller gas utilities. Additionally, the bill repeals a specific section of the Public Service Commission Act related to stranded costs.

Maddy summaryHB 4557 modifies requirements for the Michigan Merit Examination, a standardized test taken by high school students in Michigan. The bill amends two sections of state law (MCL 388.1622p and 388.1704c) and repeals another section (MCL 388.1704b) related to the exam. These changes would directly affect Michigan high school students who are required to take the exam as part of their academic requirements or for college eligibility. The specific policy adjustments are not detailed in the provided context, but the bill focuses on altering the existing legal framework governing the exam.

Maddy summaryHB 4556 modifies specific requirements related to the Michigan Merit Examination (MME), a standardized test for high school students. The bill directly affects Michigan public high school students and school districts administering the MME. It changes certain provisions under the existing law (MCL 380.1279g) governing the exam's requirements, though the exact nature of the modifications isn't detailed in the provided context. The bill is currently pending in the Michigan House of Representatives after being referred to the Education and Workforce Committee and reported with a substitute.

Maddy summaryHB 5281, the "Third-Party Litigation Funding Transparency Act," regulates third-party funding of civil lawsuits by requiring funding companies to register with the state, disclose all terms to clients, and cap fees at 36% annually. It directly affects litigation funding companies and attorneys who use these services, mandating clear disclosure of costs and prohibiting hidden fees. The bill excludes pro bono nonprofits, health insurers, and traditional loans from its rules, focusing specifically on commercial funding arrangements where funders share in lawsuit proceeds. It establishes civil penalties for violations and gives state officials authority to enforce these requirements.