Rep. Luke Meerman

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes rules for selecting commissioners to represent the state at a proposed Article V Convention under the U.S. Constitution. It sets specific qualifications for commissioners (e.g., U.S. citizenship for 5+ years, state residency for 5+ years, no recent federal lobbying or employment) and requires a process where legislative leaders nominate commissioners and alternates, followed by a majority vote in both chambers to commission them. The resolution also details procedures for handling vacancies, removing commissioners, and providing instructions to delegates. These rules directly affect state legislators who must vote on commissioner selections and potential commissioners who must meet the outlined criteria.

Maddy summaryHB 5151 prohibits Michigan commissioners at an Article V constitutional amendment convention from exceeding their assigned authority, such as voting beyond legislative instructions. It also makes it a felony (up to 5 years in prison) to bribe, threaten, intimidate, or obstruct any commissioner - whether from Michigan or another state - while they perform official duties. The bill defines "commission" as the legislative resolution setting commissioners' scope of authority and requires commissioners to strictly follow these instructions. This law directly affects Michigan’s state representatives at such conventions and anyone attempting to influence their actions, with penalties applying to violations before any vote or action occurs.

Maddy summaryHB 5210 allows commercial fishing license holders to list multiple vessels on a single license instead of requiring separate licenses for each boat. Licensees can add or remove vessels anytime by providing written notice to the department. The bill also clarifies rules for transferring licenses when boats are sold, damaged, or lost, including fee adjustments for larger vessels or non-resident transfers. All vessels listed under one license must operate within 50 miles of the originally designated port.

Maddy summaryHB 5219 would allow direct farm-to-consumer sales of raw milk and raw milk products in Michigan by amending the Food Law. It defines "direct farm-to-consumer product" to explicitly include raw milk meeting requirements under the 2001 Manufacturing Milk Law, enabling farmers to sell these products directly to consumers on their property. The bill adds new sections (4102a and 4102b) to establish this sales pathway while maintaining existing pasteurization requirements for other sales. This change directly affects farmers producing raw milk and consumers purchasing it directly from farms, without altering commercial milk sales rules.

Maddy summaryHB 5217 would allow direct farm-to-consumer sales of raw (unpasteurized) milk and milk products by dairy producers who comply with specific safety standards under Michigan's Food Law (2000). It amends existing milk regulations to explicitly permit this sale method, provided producers meet requirements in Section 4102a of the Food Law and adhere to the definition of "direct farm-to-consumer producer" from the Food Law. This change affects small dairy farms selling directly to consumers, not restaurants or grocery stores, and maintains existing pasteurization requirements for all other milk sales. The bill requires compliance with state safety protocols but does not alter pasteurization rules for commercial distribution.

Maddy summaryHB 5540 amends Michigan's Electric Transmission Line Certification Act to allow qualified independent transmission companies to obtain a certificate of public convenience and necessity for major transmission lines. The bill defines such companies as entities that meet federal requirements to join a regional transmission organization, own transmission facilities divested from a utility active as of December 31, 2000, and operate independently from utilities serving retail customers. This change would enable these companies to build or expand high-voltage transmission lines (345 kV or higher, 5 miles or longer) without being classified as traditional electric utilities. The bill requires concurrent passage of HB 5538 and HB 5539 to take effect.

Maddy summaryHB 5538 repeals the 2021 "Transmission infrastructure planning act" (MCL 460.591-460.593), which previously established requirements for planning transmission infrastructure in Michigan. The bill removes these specific provisions from state law, but its effective date depends on the enactment of two related bills (HB 5539 and another unspecified bill). This is a procedural repeal with no new policy provisions, meaning it directly affects the legal framework governing utility infrastructure planning by eliminating the prior law.

Maddy summaryHB 5539 amends Michigan's electric utility law to clarify when transmission companies can take private property for new power lines. It specifically allows independent transmission companies (those not tied to utilities) and affiliated companies (linked to utilities) to condemn property for transmission lines, but with two key limits: they cannot override existing private agreements for rights-of-way, and they cannot disrupt utility service to customers in an unreasonable way. If a dispute arises over service disruption, the Michigan Public Service Commission must review it within 180 days (up to 210 days if parties agree). The bill directly affects transmission companies, utilities, and landowners whose property may be needed for grid infrastructure.

Maddy summaryHB 5522 amends Michigan's Public Health Code to update delegation rules for physician assistants (PAs). It clarifies that supervising physicians may delegate specific medical tasks to PAs under certain conditions, including direct physical supervision during procedures. The bill specifies that PAs can perform surgical tasks only when a licensed physician is present, and outlines requirements for health facilities to authorize such delegation. These changes directly affect PAs, physicians, and healthcare facilities by defining clearer boundaries for PA scope of practice under supervision.

Maddy summaryHB 5524 creates a program to provide financial assistance to Michigan businesses that suffer revenue losses due to unexpected street closures or road construction projects extending beyond their scheduled end dates. The bill establishes a "road construction business loss reimbursement program" that offers grants covering up to $15,000 annually per business, based on a three-year average of lost revenue. To qualify, businesses must demonstrate a significant revenue decline directly tied to construction, and applications must be reviewed within 120 days using criteria like revenue decline rate, construction duration, and traffic disruption severity. The program requires the state transportation department to annually report grant usage details - including approved/rejected applications and project statuses - to relevant legislative committees.