Rep. Pat Outman

Maddy summaryThis resolution declares January 18-24, 2026, as "Sanctity of Human Life Week" in Michigan. It encourages citizens to reflect on the value of human life, support women and families, and strengthen a "culture of life" through symbolic recognition. The bill does not create new laws, alter policies, or directly affect any specific group or program. It is a ceremonial declaration with no binding requirements or funding mechanisms.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends Michigan's 2001 Manufacturing Milk Law to explicitly permit the sale of raw milk and raw milk products under the existing regulatory framework. It directly affects dairy producers and sellers who currently cannot legally sell these items under the law's current restrictions. The key change adds new Section 70a and revises Sections 111 and 136 to allow such sales while maintaining the law's overall structure. The bill updates the legal language to align with current market practices without creating new safety standards or requirements.

Maddy summaryHB 5207 updates licensing requirements for barber and cosmetology instructors in Michigan. It increases the required instructor training hours from 500 to 600 for cosmetology instructors (effective July 1, 2024) and from 600 to 900 hours for barber instructors. The bill also clarifies that prior experience cannot waive requirements like high school diplomas or exams. These changes directly affect individuals seeking to become licensed instructors in these fields.

Maddy summaryHB 4277 amends Michigan's health licensing law to remove all questions about applicants' mental health from license applications, except for two specific questions already required: whether an applicant poses a risk to patient safety and whether they can perform essential job functions. This change affects health professionals seeking initial licensure or renewal, including doctors, dentists, and nurses. The bill prohibits the department from including any additional mental health inquiries on application forms. It directly simplifies the licensing process by limiting mental health disclosures to the two existing questions.

Maddy summaryHB 4914 modifies Michigan's requirements for firms practicing architecture, engineering, or surveying. It changes the rule so that firms with nonlicensed owners (e.g., business partners who aren't licensed professionals) must first get approval from the state licensing department, instead of requiring two-thirds of all firm owners to be licensed. The bill also adds new reporting obligations for firms to provide the department with details about their owners, key staff, and other relevant information. Additionally, it requires firms to have a qualified "person in responsible charge" at every office location where services are provided, except for limited field offices that only review construction. These changes directly affect licensed professional firms operating in Michigan.

Maddy summaryHB 4122 amends Michigan's food code to clarify requirements for cottage food operations, which are small-scale home-based businesses making non-potentially hazardous foods like baked goods and jams. The bill specifically updates definitions in Section 1105 to clarify rules about nonnutritive substances in confectionery products (e.g., candy), ensuring such substances must serve a functional purpose and not deceive consumers. It modifies existing safety standards to specify that nonnutritive objects embedded in candy must not make the product unsafe or misleading. These changes directly affect Michigan cottage food businesses and their compliance with labeling and safety regulations.

Maddy summaryHB 4285 requires Michigan schools to offer firearm safety instruction for students in grades 6-12 by September 2025. The state must create a model program (based on existing hunter safety standards) covering safe handling, cleaning, firearm types, and hunting practices, taught by certified instructors - **without bringing firearms into school buildings**. Schools may offer this as an optional extracurricular class or integrate it into existing courses, and students or parents may opt out without penalty. Completing the program counts toward the hunter safety certification needed for a hunting license. The bill directly affects all Michigan public schools and students in grades 6-12.

Maddy summaryHB 4836 amends Michigan's state school aid law to add an opt-out option for the workforce readiness assessment portion of the Michigan Merit Examination. Beginning in the 2025-2026 school year, students in grades 11 and 12 may elect not to take this assessment through a parent/guardian-signed waiver submitted by February 28. The bill requires the state to provide schools with an informational letter about the assessment's purpose, developed with input from business, manufacturing, and skilled trades representatives. This change directly affects Michigan high school students required to take the Michigan Merit Examination, specifically regarding the workforce readiness component.

Maddy summaryHB 4282 amends Michigan's liquor licensing law (MCL 436.1513) to change requirements for businesses selling alcohol for on-premises consumption. It directly affects restaurants, bars, and similar establishments seeking or holding licenses to serve alcohol at their locations. The bill modifies specific statutory provisions governing these licenses but does not specify new categories or additional restrictions. This change alters the existing legal framework for these permits without altering broader licensing categories.

Maddy summaryHB 4098 amends Michigan's Tax Tribunal Act to allow property tax dispute hearings to be held electronically via phone or video conference, with consent from all parties and tribunal approval. It directly affects property owners, businesses, and tax assessors involved in tax tribunal cases who previously could only attend in-person hearings. The key change expands existing provisions (Sections 26 and 34) to include virtual hearing options alongside in-person meetings, while maintaining requirements for public notice and open meetings compliance. This update modernizes the process for resolving property tax disputes without altering tax rates or assessment standards.