Rep. Angela Rigas

Maddy summaryHB 4783 amends Michigan's Natural Resources and Environmental Protection Act to grant the Upper Peninsula Natural Resources Commission authority over fish management decisions in the Upper Peninsula. The bill transfers decision-making power from the state Department of Natural Resources to this regional commission for waters including Lake Superior, the St. Marys River, and all inland waters in the Upper Peninsula. Key provisions revise definitions and processes related to fish classification and management, specifically updating sections that govern trout streams and other water bodies. This change directly affects the commission's role in regulating fishing practices and protecting fish species within the designated Upper Peninsula waters.

Maddy summaryHB 4786 creates the Upper Peninsula Natural Resources Commission under Michigan's Natural Resources and Environmental Protection Act. The commission, appointed by the governor from lists provided by UP legislators, will make rules specifically about game and sport fish management that affect only the Upper Peninsula. Members serve two-year terms without pay but receive expense reimbursement. This bill requires three related bills (HB 4783, 4784, and 4785) to also pass before taking effect.

Maddy summaryHB 4784 gives Michigan's Upper Peninsula Natural Resources Commission (UP Commission) new authority to manage wildlife specifically in the Upper Peninsula. It authorizes the UP Commission to establish the first hunting seasons for moose and wolves in the region, while requiring all decisions to follow scientific wildlife management principles. The bill also grants the UP Commission exclusive authority over game species that primarily affect the Upper Peninsula or have minimal impact outside the region. This change directly affects the UP Commission's management decisions, hunters pursuing moose or wolves in the UP, and wildlife conservation efforts focused on the Upper Peninsula. The law mandates public hearings and scientific review before implementing hunting regulations.

Maddy summaryHB 4785 creates the Upper Peninsula natural resources commission (UP commission) by amending Michigan's Natural Resources and Environmental Protection Act to define it as a new entity. The bill also amends section 40102 to authorize the UP commission to issue orders regarding deer or elk feeding, a specific wildlife management issue. This commission will provide a regional decision-making body for natural resource matters in the Upper Peninsula, particularly concerning wildlife impacts on local ecosystems. The bill is tied to three other related bills (HB 4784, HB 4786, and HB 4783), requiring all to pass together.

Maddy summaryHB 4781 amends Michigan's Whistleblowers' Protection Act to strengthen penalties for employers who retaliate against employees reporting violations. It increases the civil fine for violations from $500 to $2,000 per offense and requires employers to pay triple back wages to affected employees. The bill directly impacts workers who report wrongdoing (whistleblowers) and employers who retaliate, ensuring greater financial accountability. All collected fines must be deposited into the state general fund.

Maddy summaryThis constitutional amendment (HJR K) proposes allowing either Michigan legislative house to suspend a member's salary or expense allowance by a two-thirds vote when the member acts unethically or is excessively absent from regular sessions. It amends Article IV, Sections 12 and 16 of the state constitution to establish this process, requiring the house to document the suspension reason in its journal with voting records. The change directly affects state legislators who face disciplinary action for misconduct or attendance issues. If approved, this would give legislative bodies a formal mechanism to withhold compensation for specific violations, rather than relying solely on expulsion.

Maddy summaryHB 4081 allows counties and municipalities in Michigan to set higher limits than the current state cap on the number of separate land parcels created when dividing a single property. It amends state law (MCL 560.108) that previously limited most land divisions to 12 parcels. The bill directly affects local governments, developers, and property owners by giving communities more flexibility to manage land use and development density. This change removes the state-imposed cap, enabling local authorities to establish their own parcel limits based on community needs.

Maddy summaryHB 4390 expands Michigan's vehicle code to allow testing of oral fluid (such as saliva) for controlled substances, alongside blood, breath, or urine, when determining impairment. It directly affects commercial drivers who refuse chemical tests for controlled substances or alcohol while operating commercial vehicles. The bill adds a new definition of "other bodily fluid" to include oral fluid and creates a process for "preliminary oral fluid analysis" conducted by certified experts at the scene. This change updates existing suspension rules for commercial drivers who refuse testing, ensuring consistent enforcement for controlled substances alongside alcohol. The policy change specifically targets commercial motor vehicle operators who decline chemical tests for drugs or alcohol.

Maddy summaryHB 4391 expands Michigan's vehicle code to allow law enforcement to test for intoxication using other bodily fluids beyond blood or breath, such as urine or saliva. It directly affects drivers suspected of operating a vehicle while impaired, updating sections 625a, 625c, and 625g of the 1949 Michigan Vehicle Code (MCL 257.625a et seq.). The bill amends existing testing methods to include these additional fluids, providing more flexibility for officers during DUI investigations. The bill passed the Michigan House on July 17, 2025, with immediate effect.

Maddy summaryHB 4712 creates a new program through which the Michigan Department of Military and Veterans Affairs will reimburse eligible Michigan National Guard members for premiums paid toward Tricare Reserve Select or Tricare Dental coverage. The program allows the department to award grants to qualifying members who apply using a department-provided form, covering premiums for these specific health plans. It directly affects Guard members who are not on active duty and lack other employer or private health insurance. The bill establishes the framework for administering these reimbursements but does not specify funding amounts or application deadlines.