Rep. Tim Kelly

Maddy summaryHB 5818 amends Michigan's Administrative Procedures Act to update definitions and establish a new Joint Committee on Regulatory Oversight and Administrative Review. The bill clarifies terms like 'agency' and 'major rule' while creating a formal process for the new committee to review proposed rules and issue objections. It also modifies requirements for how agencies publish rules, handle contested cases, and manage public comment periods.

Maddy summaryHB 5498 requires Michigan state agencies that issue permits (including licenses, approvals, or registrations) to categorize permits by industry sector and assign dedicated employees to manage each category. It directly affects state agencies like those handling construction permits, environmental approvals, or business licenses. The bill mandates that each employee managing permits must focus exclusively on one industry category, preventing them from handling multiple types of permits. This aims to streamline permit processing by creating specialized staff roles for specific regulatory areas.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services to track how often recipients use their food assistance cards in other states. If a card is used outside of Michigan for more than 90 consecutive days, the department must suspend the card unless the recipient contacts them to prove they still live in the state or qualify for benefits. The rule applies to all individuals receiving aid through the Michigan Bridge Card program and aims to ensure funds are used by residents within the state.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services to obtain explicit legislative approval before seeking waivers for SNAP work requirements. It also prohibits the department from using its own authority to grant exemptions from these work rules, though it preserves existing exemptions for temporary absences from employment. The measure directly affects the state's administration of food assistance programs by shifting the decision-making power for work requirement waivers from the department to the legislature.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires the state's human services department to start publishing annual reports on Medicaid payment errors beginning in October 2026. The reports will be made available on the department's website and sent to state legislative oversight committees. These reports will detail the rates of payments made to ineligible individuals and the total amount of improper payments, using definitions established by federal law. The measure aims to increase transparency regarding how accurately medical assistance funds are distributed.

Maddy summaryThis bill modifies the penalties for the crime of terrorism in Michigan by updating the language in the state penal code. It directly affects individuals charged with knowingly and premeditated acts of terrorism, ensuring the statute clearly mandates life imprisonment without parole if the act results in death. The legislation also maintains existing provisions that allow for a fine of up to $100,000 or a prison term of at least 25 years for other terrorism-related convictions. These changes aim to clarify the legal consequences for those convicted of terrorism under current laws.

Maddy summaryThis bill updates Michigan's guardianship and conservatorship laws to strengthen protections for vulnerable individuals under court supervision. It primarily affects professional guardians and conservators, requiring them to file financial bonds or restricted accounts, disclose any outside compensation received, and maintain regular visitation schedules with the individuals they serve. The legislation also mandates that guardians consult with legally incapacitated individuals before making major decisions and clarifies the specific powers guardians have regarding medical consent, property management, and care arrangements. Additionally, it authorizes certain nonbanking corporations to serve as professional fiduciaries while limiting their authority to the specific cases in which they are appointed.

Maddy summaryThis bill modifies Michigan laws governing the powers and duties of conservators, who manage the financial affairs of individuals unable to do so themselves. It primarily affects courts, conservators, and the families of protected individuals by clarifying when conservators must post a financial bond and expanding their authority to manage estate assets. Under the new provisions, courts must require a bond unless specific exceptions apply, such as when the estate lacks cash or the conservator has already been granted trust powers. The bill also updates the list of actions conservators can take without court approval, including managing businesses, investing assets, entering leases, and employing professional advisors, while maintaining oversight requirements to protect the interests of the protected individual.

Maddy summaryHB 5501 allows developers to relocate wetlands within the same development project instead of creating new wetlands or restoring existing ones, directly affecting construction and land development permit applicants. The bill establishes a 1:1 wetland replacement ratio for in-parcel relocations when ecological functions are maintained or improved, while reducing the preference for on-site mitigation. It also introduces flexibility in mitigation ratios when using wetland bank credits and requires the Department of Natural Resources to develop guidelines for on-site mitigation planning. These changes aim to streamline permitting while maintaining wetland resource protection under Michigan's Natural Resources and Environmental Protection Act.

Maddy summaryHB 5520 requires Michigan's Department of Education to approve 3+ reading assessments for schools that minimize instructional time loss and provide timely results. It mandates school districts to implement literacy coaches by 2027 who support teachers in evidence-based reading instruction, data analysis, and intervention for struggling readers in grades K-3. The bill also directs the department to develop dyslexia expertise, provide professional learning on structured literacy, and update the Michigan Dyslexia Handbook every 5 years. These provisions directly affect school districts, K-3 teachers, students needing reading support, and parents through improved reading instruction and assessment practices. The bill focuses on systemic changes to address reading deficiencies using research-backed methods.