Rep. Pat Outman

Maddy summaryHB 4350 amends Michigan's Natural Resources and Environmental Protection Act to allow individuals to feed wild birds and other wildlife under specific conditions. This bill permits such feeding if it occurs within 300 feet of a residence and the total amount of feed does not exceed two gallons. It clarifies that this allowance does not apply to activities like baiting for hunting, normal agricultural practices, or feeding conducted in a way that excludes deer and elk. This aims to create limited exceptions for recreational or preventative feeding of wildlife by residents.

Maddy summaryHB 4187 modifies Michigan's corporate income tax law by adjusting how the tax base is calculated and clarifying revenue distribution. It requires corporations to add back certain taxes and expenses previously deducted for federal purposes (like state taxes or related-party royalties) and eliminates deductions for oil/gas and mineral-related income and expenses. For the 2021-2022 fiscal year, the bill directs $800 million of corporate tax revenue to the Michigan taxpayer rebate fund, while other years’ revenue flows to the general fund. This directly affects corporations operating in Michigan and the state’s budget allocation process.

Maddy summaryHB 5109 updates Michigan's vehicle title transfer rules to modernize processes and clarify requirements. It amends sections of the Vehicle Code to explicitly include electronic title transfers (referencing Section 222), require proper title endorsement during sales, and specify that registration plates must be transferred to immediate family members (spouse, parents, siblings, or children) when a vehicle title is assigned. The bill also clarifies that the effective date of title transfer is the signature date on the title application or assignment, and adds requirements for security interest documentation. These changes directly affect vehicle owners, dealers, and title transfer offices by streamlining transfers while ensuring proper title documentation.

Maddy summaryHB 5046 modifies Michigan's foreclosure law to clarify the process for recording deeds after a property sale and streamline how homeowners can redeem their property. It requires that deeds from foreclosure sales be recorded with the county register of deeds within 20 days, and if not recorded on time, the redemption period begins when the deed is filed. The bill specifies the exact redemption amount homeowners must pay (including the bid price, interest, and fees) and mandates that purchasers provide an affidavit detailing this amount and the redemption deadline. This affects homeowners seeking to reclaim their property, buyers at foreclosure sales, and county offices responsible for property records.

Maddy summaryHB 5045 amends Michigan's Housing Development Authority Act to clarify procedures for redeeming foreclosed properties. It requires sellers to record deeds within 20 days of a sale, specifying redemption timelines and interest accrual starting from the recording date (not the sale date). Property owners or their heirs can redeem land within six months by paying the bid amount plus interest, with the register of deeds handling redemption documentation and fees. The bill directly affects property owners seeking redemption, purchasers of foreclosed properties, and county registers of deeds managing these transactions. These changes aim to streamline redemption processes and reduce confusion in housing foreclosure cases.

Maddy summaryHB 4703 requires health insurers in Michigan to cover group prenatal care services for policyholders. This directly affects health insurers offering coverage in the state and pregnant individuals seeking prenatal care. The bill defines "group prenatal care services" as evidence-based, group-based visits that include health assessments, social support, education, and peer interaction in a family-centered setting. Insurers must now provide this coverage for group prenatal care under their health insurance policies.

Maddy summaryThis bill extends the state of energy emergency in Michigan by an additional 77 days, effective July 1, 2026. The measure allows the sale of E15 fuel in several counties where current regulations previously restricted it to lower vapor pressure gasoline. By suspending these fuel requirements, the extension aims to increase fuel supply options and help manage rising gas prices for consumers and businesses. The resolution requires approval from both the House and Senate before being sent to the Governor.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes the Hospital Financial Assistance Act, which requires hospitals in Michigan to create and enforce financial aid programs for patients by January 1, 2027. The law mandates that these programs use federal poverty guidelines to determine eligibility, offering up to a full discount on medical bills for uninsured individuals earning at or below 350% of the poverty line. Hospitals must also publish clear information about these programs on their websites and in billing statements, and they are required to submit annual reports detailing the number of applications and the amount of debt forgiven or collected. To ensure compliance, the state Department of Health and Human Services will oversee the process, investigate complaints, and impose civil fines of up to $10,000 on hospitals that fail to follow the new rules.

Maddy summaryThis bill prohibits law enforcement officers and state agency employees in Michigan from using the "open fields doctrine" during searches. The open fields doctrine is a legal rule that currently allows police to search open areas without a warrant, but this legislation would remove that exception for state-level searches. As a result, any search conducted by these officials in open fields would require a warrant or another valid legal justification. The law directly affects state departments, boards, and commissions, as well as the officers and agents who work for them.

Maddy summaryThis bill allows nurse practitioners to determine disability status for individuals applying for Michigan disability parking placards, expanding the list of qualified medical professionals beyond physicians and physician assistants. The legislation amends existing vehicle code sections to include nurse practitioners alongside doctors, physician assistants, physical therapists, occupational therapists, and optometrists who can certify a person's disability. The bill does not change the specific medical criteria for qualifying disabilities or the process for obtaining parking placards, but it broadens who can officially verify that a person meets those criteria. This change affects disabled individuals seeking parking privileges and the healthcare providers who evaluate their eligibility.