Rep. Pat Outman

Maddy summaryHB 5535 would allow plumbing inspectors to provide plumbing services without violating state law. Currently, plumbing inspectors (registered under Article 10) are prohibited from engaging in the plumbing business, such as installing pipes or selling materials, due to potential conflicts with their inspection duties. The bill amends Section 1123 of Michigan's Skilled Trades Regulation Act to remove this prohibition, permitting inspectors to work for or own plumbing businesses. This change directly affects local plumbing inspectors who wish to operate in both roles simultaneously.

Maddy summaryHB 5543 increases the annual funding for grade crossing surface improvements from $3 million to $6 million per year by amending Section 10(1)(b) of Michigan's Transportation Fund Act (MCL 247.660). This change directs more state transportation funds toward safety and surface repairs at railroad crossings - locations where roads intersect train tracks - across Michigan. The bill specifically adjusts the allocation within the state trunk line fund, ensuring doubled resources for maintaining these critical infrastructure points. It does not alter other funding mechanisms but directly affects how money is distributed for grade crossing safety upgrades.

Maddy summaryHB 5541 modifies Michigan's worker's compensation law to change how overtime pay is counted for calculating average weekly wage for injured workers at small businesses (employers with 50 or fewer employees). Instead of counting overtime at 1.5 times the regular rate, the bill requires using the regular hourly rate for overtime hours, which lowers the average weekly wage and reduces both benefits for injured workers and employer insurance premiums. Insurers must apply the lower premium rate if this change results in a reduced cost, and the provision expires December 31, 2028. This affects small business employers, their injured employees, and worker's compensation insurers.

Maddy summaryHB 5556 allows industrial construction permit applicants in Michigan to purchase wetland credits from approved mitigation banks instead of always restoring or creating wetlands on-site to offset project impacts. The bill introduces temporary credits for short-term delays during on-site mitigation and establishes a stewardship fund for alternatives like conservation easements or payments. It updates rules to encourage wetland bank development by expanding service areas within watersheds, reducing required mitigation ratios when using bank credits, and allowing credit transfers between projects. This directly affects developers and construction companies requiring permits for projects impacting wetlands.

Maddy summaryHB 5542 amends Michigan's Construction Lien Act to clarify that mobile homes qualify as "residential structures" under lien law. This change directly affects contractors, suppliers, and laborers who install or improve mobile homes where the owner or lessee will reside. The bill updates key definitions (in sections 105 and 106) to explicitly include mobile homes within the scope of construction liens, ensuring these workers can file liens for unpaid work on mobile home improvements. The amendment aligns mobile home projects with standard lien protections for other residential properties.

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 4845 proposes to adjust competitive bidding requirements for road construction projects in Michigan. It raises the threshold for mandatory competitive bidding from $100,000 to $350,000 for individual local road projects (or $1,350,000 annually per agency, excluding cities over 500,000 population) and adds an annual inflation adjustment using the Consumer Price Index. The bill exempts traffic signal system upgrades and local road resurfacing from bidding rules. It directly affects state and local road agencies (counties, cities, villages) managing projects above these thresholds, requiring them to justify non-competitive contracts to oversight bodies. The changes aim to modernize cost thresholds while maintaining public bidding for significant infrastructure work.

Maddy summaryHB 4855 would amend Michigan law to permit bow hunters to carry a pistol while hunting. This directly affects licensed bow hunters who currently cannot possess a firearm during hunting activities under existing law (MCL 324.43510). The bill changes the prohibition in the 1994 Michigan Penal Code to allow pistol possession specifically for bow hunters during hunting. The amendment would remove the current restriction, enabling bow hunters to carry a pistol for lawful use while hunting.

Maddy summaryHB 5288 requires the Michigan Strategic Fund to comply with the federal Uyghur Forced Labor Prevention Act (UFLPA), which prohibits goods made with forced labor from Xinjiang, China. This means the fund must ensure that any economic development project it finances - such as industrial, commercial, or agricultural initiatives - does not involve products linked to forced labor. The bill amends the Michigan Strategic Fund Act to add a new section (7c) mandating this compliance for all fund-supported projects. It directly affects the Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC) and any businesses receiving strategic fund assistance.

Maddy summaryHB 5513 requires Michigan's insurance department to create a standardized application process for health insurers to verify healthcare providers' qualifications (credentialing). This directly affects health insurers operating in Michigan and the healthcare providers seeking to be listed on insurance provider networks. The bill establishes a uniform application form under Section 3406uu of the Insurance Code and clarifies that insurers aren't required to violate nationally recognized credentialing standards. The bill is tied to the enactment of related legislation (HB 5512) to take effect.