Rep. Bill Schuette

Maddy summaryHB 5557 amends Michigan's environmental law to require the state environmental agency to use the longest time period permitted under the federal Clean Air Act when calculating pollution emissions data for the state's inventory. This change directly affects the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy, which collects emissions data from businesses and industries. The bill specifically adds a requirement that the department must use the longest federal time period authorized for emissions rate calculations, aligning state reporting with federal standards. This adjustment aims to improve the accuracy and consistency of Michigan's air pollution data.

Maddy summaryThis bill modifies Michigan's laws regarding land disputes involving public highways and state-owned property. It removes time limits and legal defenses like adverse possession for cases where the state or local governments try to reclaim land used as public roads. Additionally, it establishes a legal presumption that land has been officially designated as a public highway if it has been recorded as such for at least 10 years, shifting the burden of proof to anyone challenging that status.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends state law to clarify that obstructions or encroachments on public highways, such as fences or buildings, do not grant the owner any legal right to that land. It also ensures that if a county road commission fails to order the removal of an obstruction, this inaction cannot be interpreted as an official decision to abandon the road. The legislation directly affects property owners who build on road rights of way and local road commissions responsible for maintaining public highways. By updating the existing statute, the bill aims to prevent legal confusion regarding land ownership and road maintenance responsibilities.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends Michigan's existing laws regarding the abandonment and discontinuance of county roads to clarify the procedures local road commissions must follow. It outlines how county road commissioners can voluntarily give up control of a road, returning it to the municipality, or completely abandon it, which would remove it from the public highway system entirely. The legislation also details the specific steps required to process these actions, including mandatory public hearings, official notice periods, and the conditions under which residents can petition for a road's removal. Additionally, the bill addresses how road names are assigned and changed, as well as the rules for counties to share responsibilities for roads that cross county lines.

Maddy summaryHB 5235 clarifies who qualifies for Michigan's property tax credit on primary homes by expanding the definition of "owner" to include homeowners who place their homestead in revocable trusts or qualified personal residence trusts. This change directly affects homeowners using these specific trust structures to hold their primary residence, ensuring they remain eligible for the tax credit. The bill modifies existing law to explicitly include grantors (homeowners) who transfer their homestead into such trusts, removing ambiguity about their eligibility. It does not change the credit amount or create new requirements, only defining who qualifies under current rules. The bill is currently in committee review after being introduced in November 2025.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends Michigan's property tax credit rules by clarifying the definition of "homestead" for eligibility. It specifies that unoccupied leased land isn't considered part of a homestead unless adjacent to the owner's home, and sets rules for agricultural land (10+ years of residence includes all adjacent land; less than 10 years limits to 5 acres). It also defines mobile home park space rent as homestead rent and clarifies how "gross rent" is calculated for renters. These changes directly affect homeowners and renters claiming the property tax credit under Michigan's Income Tax Act.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires Michigan high schools to mandate a one-semester civics course and eventually require students to pass the civics portion of the U.S. naturalization test to earn graduation credit. It directs the state to update social studies curriculum standards and assessments to align with the current naturalization test questions by May 2018. The law applies to all public and nonpublic schools but includes exemptions for students with specific educational needs or those in military service.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends Michigan's tax administration laws to update procedures following the repeal of the state real estate transfer tax. It primarily affects taxpayers and the Department of Treasury by establishing a formal, step-by-step process for resolving tax disputes before an assessment is finalized. Key provisions require the department to send a non-intimidating inquiry letter before assessing taxes, offer taxpayers an informal conference to discuss contested amounts, and allow for a written settlement negotiation between the taxpayer and the state treasurer. Additionally, the legislation mandates that all tax audits be conducted according to specific professional standards, including confidentiality, technical training, and independence.

Maddy summaryHB 5879 requires public utilities in Michigan to obtain approval from the Public Service Commission before raising rates or changing rate schedules that would increase costs for customers. The bill mandates that utilities provide notice to affected areas and allow for a full hearing before any rate increase is approved, while also setting specific timelines for the commission to review and respond to rate applications. Additionally, it establishes a process for gas utilities with fewer than one million customers to seek immediate partial rate relief and outlines rules for refunding customers if proposed rates are later reduced after being temporarily implemented. This legislation directly impacts gas, electric, and steam utilities operating in the state and their residential and commercial customers by tightening oversight on rate-setting procedures.

Maddy summaryThis bill modifies Michigan's property tax rules to clarify how taxable values are calculated when property ownership transfers. It establishes that a property's taxable value resets to its current market value upon transfer, but then limits future annual increases to the lesser of 5% or the inflation rate until another transfer occurs. The legislation also defines specific scenarios where a transfer does not trigger a reset, such as when property is moved into a trust by a parent for their own children or grandchildren, provided the home remains residential. Additionally, it allows local tax officials to correct past valuation errors related to missed transfers for up to three years and clarifies rules for land contracts and certain bond-funded properties.