Rep. Bill Schuette

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 5534 requires Michigan state departments and agencies to submit annual reports to the legislature within 90 days of each legislative session's start. These reports must include specific recommendations for reducing the rules and requirements (regulatory burden) imposed by each department or agency. The bill directly affects all state executive branch departments and agencies by mandating this transparency and accountability measure. It creates a formal process for the legislature to review and potentially act on agency regulations, without specifying any required changes to the regulations themselves.

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 4080 reinstates a program deferring property tax special assessments for eligible Michigan homestead owners. It applies to assessments due before October 1, 2020, or on/before October 1, 2022, for primary residences owned by qualifying individuals (including those who are totally and permanently disabled). The bill allows owners to defer payments until death, sale, or transfer of the property, with up to four annual partial payments (minimum $500 or 5% of the balance) and interest accruing on unpaid amounts. Full payment becomes due upon sale, transfer, or death, and the bill requires the state to notify owners of these terms. This amendment to Michigan’s 1976 property tax law (MCL 211.761-762) is contingent on HB 4079 passing.

Maddy summaryHB 4079 adjusts the income limit for homeowners aged 65 or older, or those totally and permanently disabled, who qualify for a property tax deferment on special assessments. Currently set at $34,900 as of October 2022, the bill replaces this fixed amount with an annual adjustment based on the Detroit-area Consumer Price Index (CPI), meaning the limit will rise or fall each year with local inflation. The state treasurer will calculate the new limit annually using the prior year's CPI data, rounding to the nearest dollar. This change directly affects eligible homeowners seeking to defer special assessments on their primary residences without immediate payment.

Maddy summaryThis bill modifies Michigan's licensing rules for foreign-trained registered nurses. It requires the Board of Nursing to accept verification from specific organizations (like CGFNS) to confirm foreign education programs are substantially equivalent to Michigan-approved programs. The bill also simplifies licensing for nurses already licensed in another U.S. state or Canadian province with 5+ years of active, unblemished practice, eliminating the need for program verification in those cases. These changes directly affect foreign-educated nurses and out-of-state nurses seeking Michigan licensure.

Maddy summaryHB 4907 amends Michigan's Skilled Trades Regulation Act to ensure certain boiler professionals can continue performing essential safety work. It specifically prohibits the department from creating rules that restrict Class 5B boiler installers or Class IV boiler repairers from conducting routine maintenance and safety device testing on boiler systems. This directly affects licensed boiler technicians who install or repair industrial/commercial heating systems, guaranteeing they can perform these safety checks without new regulatory barriers. The bill clarifies existing practice rather than creating new requirements, focusing on maintaining safe operations for facilities relying on boiler systems.

Maddy summaryHB 4897 creates new licensing categories for boiler installers in Michigan, establishing five distinct classes (2B through 5B) and a separate class P license. These classes define specific installation capabilities, such as Class 2B for small boilers and Class 5B for nuclear boiler systems. The bill requires that anyone installing or altering boilers must hold the appropriate license class, and permits for such work cannot be issued without it. This directly affects boiler installers, their employers, and the Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs, which will enforce these licensing requirements.

Maddy summaryHB 4898 creates specific license classifications for boiler repairers in Michigan, defining what each license class (I through IV and P) can legally repair. It specifies that Class I license holders can work on low-pressure boilers, while Class IV holders can handle nuclear heat source boilers and higher-level repairs. The bill requires all boiler repair work to be performed by a licensed individual or under their supervision, updating permit requirements under Section 941 to mandate proper licensing. This directly affects boiler repair workers, contractors, and businesses needing to comply with these new licensing standards for boiler maintenance and repairs.

Maddy summaryHB 5500 requires Michigan state agencies to cite the specific law they are using when making written decisions about licenses. This directly affects license applicants and businesses seeking state permits, as agencies must now clearly state the legal basis for rejections or approvals. The bill amends the Administrative Procedures Act to add this requirement, ensuring agency decisions include direct references to applicable statutes. It is a procedural change focused on transparency, not altering substantive licensing rules.