Rep. John Fitzgerald

Maddy summaryHB 4354 amends Michigan's Law Enforcement Standards Act by updating the definition of "adjudication of guilt" to include specific scenarios like probation under certain statutes or assignment as a youthful trainee. This change directly affects law enforcement agencies, standards commissions, and officers when determining eligibility for employment or certification under state law. The bill modifies Section 2 of the act (MCL 28.602) to clarify that convictions, pleas, or related court orders - such as those involving probation or youth diversion programs - count as "adjudication of guilt." It does not create new policies but ensures consistent application of existing standards. The amendment focuses on precise legal definitions, not water supply systems as inaccurately noted in the title.

Maddy summaryHB 4352 is a technical amendment to Michigan's 1955 water supply authority law (MCL 124.281 et seq.), modifying specific sections of the statute to update administrative procedures. It directly affects municipal water systems operating under this law by adjusting how they function as "municipal authorities." The bill does not create new policies or funding but revises existing legal language for clarity and alignment. As a procedural update, it requires no new approvals beyond standard legislative review.

Maddy summaryHB 5429 is a supplemental appropriations bill that allocates additional state funding for the autism navigator program. It directly affects the program by providing dedicated financial resources to support its operations and services. The bill creates a new appropriation act to fund this specific initiative within the state budget for fiscal year 2026. This is a procedural funding measure, not a policy change, and it remains pending in the Appropriations Committee after its introduction on December 23, 2025.

Maddy summaryHB 4666 removes the outdated and offensive term "colored persons" from Michigan's life insurance anti-discrimination law (MCL 500.2082). The bill updates the language while preserving the existing prohibition against life insurers charging higher premiums, offering worse terms, or imposing different conditions based on race or color for Black people or other individuals. This affects all life insurance companies operating in Michigan, ensuring their policies and practices comply with current anti-discrimination standards. The change corrects historical language without altering the law's substance, which has long protected policyholders from racial bias.

Maddy summaryHB 5389 modifies how Michigan manages state funds for specific projects (called "work projects"). It requires that such projects must have a clear purpose, specific plan, estimated cost, and completion date to qualify. The bill also changes the timeframe for unused funds to expire (48 months after the fiscal year ends) and gives the director authority to propose lapsing project accounts, but requires both legislative committees to disapprove such proposals within 30 days. Additionally, it mandates annual reports to committees detailing all active work project accounts, their balances, and any funds that lapsed.

Maddy summaryHB 5394 requires Michigan's unemployment insurance agency to automatically waive repayment of benefits improperly paid due to the agency's own administrative or clerical errors, rather than requiring claimants to seek a waiver through a separate process. This applies specifically when overpayments result from the agency's mistakes (e.g., data entry errors), excluding cases involving fraud, identity theft, or intentional misrepresentation by claimants. The bill ensures claimants affected by such agency errors do not face repayment demands or interest, streamlining relief for those who received benefits due to the state's administrative errors. It does not change eligibility rules or apply to overpayments caused by claimant error or fraud.

Maddy summaryHB 5393 amends Michigan's unemployment benefits law to change how overpaid benefits are recovered. It requires the unemployment agency to issue a repayment demand within 3 years of a final determination about overpayment, and prohibits recovery actions after that deadline (except for suspected identity fraud). The bill creates specific waiver conditions where repayment may be forgiven, including cases of agency errors, low household income (below 150% of federal poverty guidelines), or unintentional wage reporting mistakes by employers. This directly affects unemployed Michiganders who received incorrect benefits, ensuring they aren't required to repay overpayments after the 3-year window unless fraud is involved.

Maddy summaryThis resolution urges the U.S. Department of Education to reject a proposed definition of "professional degree" that would exclude many health care education programs from federal student loan eligibility. It specifically targets programs like physical therapy, occupational therapy, nursing, social work, and physician assistant studies - classified under CIP Code 51 - which would lose access to loans under the current proposal. The bill requests the Department instead adopt a definition based on required practice credentials, not program length or historical classification, to maintain consistent eligibility. This change aims to prevent worsening health care workforce shortages, particularly in rural and underserved communities.