Rep. Tim Kelly

Maddy summaryThis bill allows Michigan school districts and academies to hire non-certified teachers for specific subjects like computer science, engineering, and career and technical education. To qualify, these teachers must hold a bachelor's degree in their field of study, possess relevant professional experience, and pass any required subject exams. The law prioritizes hiring certified teachers but permits the use of non-certified staff if a certified candidate is unavailable or if the teacher is actively pursuing certification. Additionally, the bill extends the maximum employment period for non-certified career and technical education instructors to 10 years with approval, and it offers a pathway to waive student teaching requirements for those who complete three years of successful classroom work.

Maddy summaryThis bill proposes an amendment to the Michigan state constitution to change the rule regarding how long a member of the Independent Citizens Redistricting Commission must wait before running for partisan office. Currently, commissioners are barred from holding partisan elective office for five years, but the amendment would shorten this waiting period to end on December 31 of the year following the next federal census. The change directly affects individuals serving on the commission who wish to run for partisan positions sooner than the current five-year restriction allows. By modifying the eligibility timeline in the state constitution, the bill aims to adjust the balance between maintaining commission independence and allowing commissioners to return to partisan politics.

Maddy summaryThis bill proposes changes to Michigan's Public Health Code to establish specific licensure requirements for freestanding abortion clinics. It directly affects healthcare facilities that operate outside of hospitals by mandating they meet new regulatory standards set forth in the added sections. The legislation would require these clinics to obtain a license and comply with updated health and safety provisions outlined in the amended statutes.

Maddy summaryThis bill modifies Michigan's school code to strengthen reading instruction by requiring the state education department to approve specific screening assessments and develop a formal literacy coach model. The legislation mandates that literacy coaches support teachers in using evidence-based strategies for decoding and word recognition while explicitly prohibiting them from performing administrative duties or holding regular classroom teaching assignments. Additionally, the bill directs the department to provide technical assistance on Individual Reading Improvement Plans, establish dyslexia expertise by September 2025, and update dyslexia resource guides every five years. These changes directly affect school districts, public school academies, and educators by setting new standards for reading assessment, intervention, and professional support roles.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires teacher preparation programs in Michigan to include specific training on the science of reading and dyslexia by September 2027. Programs preparing educators for reading, language arts, special education, or school psychology roles must teach evidence-based methods grounded in structured literacy for students with dyslexia and for the general student population. The legislation also mandates that all teacher training programs cover the characteristics of dyslexia, its secondary effects on learning and behavior, and how to use multi-tiered support systems in classrooms. If a program does not focus on these specific subject areas, the state department may grant a waiver for some requirements, provided the waiver is reviewed every two years.

Maddy summaryHB 5214 creates a new tax credit for Michigan family caregivers, allowing eligible taxpayers to claim up to $2,000 (30% of qualified expenses, whichever is less) against their state income tax for care provided to qualifying family members. It directly affects Michigan residents who provide unpaid care for family members living at home (not in facilities) with specific health needs, such as inability to perform two or more daily activities or requiring supervision due to cognitive impairment. Qualified expenses include respite care, assistive devices, home modifications, and transportation, but exclude general household maintenance. To claim the credit, caregivers must document expenses, provide family member details, and meet income limits ($50,000 single / $100,000 joint). The credit applies to tax years beginning January 1, 2026.

Maddy summaryThis bill modifies Michigan's property tax laws to ensure that farms offering agritourism activities or direct marketing retain their lower agricultural tax classification. It defines agritourism as public events like tours, festivals, and weddings held on the farm, while direct marketing includes selling products directly to consumers at roadside stands or farm stores. The legislation clarifies that engaging in these activities will not cause a property to lose its special tax status, shifting the burden of proof to the state department if a challenge is raised. Additionally, the bill specifies that certain buildings used for these activities, such as on-farm stores or event spaces, count as agricultural outbuildings for tax purposes.

Maddy summaryThis bill modifies Michigan's Administrative Procedures Act to change how state agencies create and review new rules. It requires agencies to submit detailed requests for rule-making electronically to the Office of Regulatory Reinvention, which must approve these requests before agencies can proceed. The bill also updates the process for the Legislative Service Bureau to formally certify proposed rules, including stricter timelines and requirements for correcting errors in rule formatting or impact analyses.

Maddy summaryThis bill modifies Michigan's Administrative Procedures Act to clarify how courts should review administrative rules. It establishes that publishing a rule in the official register creates a legal presumption that the rule was properly adopted and filed, and it requires courts to take judicial notice of rules that have become effective. Additionally, the bill instructs judges to exercise independent judgment when determining if an agency acted within its legal authority, specifically prohibiting deference to an agency's interpretation of ambiguous laws. These changes directly affect state agencies that create regulations and the courts that adjudicate challenges to those regulations.

Maddy summaryThis bill modifies Michigan's Administrative Procedures Act to require that administrative hearings be conducted with a fresh, independent review of the facts rather than relying solely on an agency's initial decision. It mandates that courts conduct a new, independent examination of evidence when reviewing agency decisions, instead of deferring to the agency's original judgment. Additionally, the legislation clarifies the process for challenging a hearing officer's impartiality and ensures that any disqualification does not unnecessarily delay the case unless it would cause significant harm to a party. These changes directly affect state agencies, hearing officers, and individuals involved in administrative contested cases by altering how decisions are made and reviewed.