Rep. Matt Bierlein

Maddy summaryHB 4808 amends Michigan's Open Meetings Act to allow specific public bodies to hold remote meetings via video or phone under new conditions, expanding beyond emergency situations. It directly affects agricultural commodity groups (like beef or potato commissions), municipal retirement boards, energy joint agencies, and the Children's Trust Michigan state board. Key provisions require two-way communication during remote meetings, 18-hour advance notice with clear participation details, and agenda posting 2 hours before meetings. The bill maintains transparency requirements while permitting remote participation for these designated groups without restricting physical meeting options.

Maddy summaryHB 5249 creates a new "adaptive care license" for ambulance operations currently licensed only for basic life support (BLS). It allows these operations to gradually upgrade to provide limited advanced life support (ALS) or advanced life support (ALS) services, provided they demonstrate staffing and equipment readiness for higher care levels by January 1, 2025. The license requires annual documentation of progress toward this upgrade, including training and equipment plans, and must be renewed annually alongside the operation's regular license. This applies specifically to ambulance services owned or contracted by local governments that previously provided only BLS for emergency response.

Maddy summaryHB 6163 amends the Michigan Medical Marihuana Facilities Licensing Act to formally define "marihuana plant waste" and authorize licensed facilities to transport and dispose of it. The bill primarily affects growers, processors, and other licensed entities by clarifying that discarded plant material can be legally moved and discarded rather than being treated as contraband. By updating specific sections of the existing law, the legislation provides a clear regulatory framework for the proper handling of cultivation byproducts within the state's medical marijuana program.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends Michigan's marijuana regulations to explicitly allow for the transportation and disposal of marijuana plant waste. It defines plant waste as roots, stalks, leaves, and stems intended for destruction through incineration, landfilling, composting, or anaerobic digestion, while clarifying that such waste is not considered hazardous waste. The legislation establishes specific roles for "marijuana disposers," who must be licensed operators or permitted incinerators authorized to receive and destroy this material. By adding these definitions and permissions, the bill provides a legal framework for licensed marijuana businesses to manage and dispose of plant remnants without violating environmental or waste disposal laws.

Maddy summaryHB 6007 updates Michigan's Food Law to clarify how enforcement responsibilities are shared between the state Department of Health and local health departments. The bill allows the state to delegate most inspection and licensing duties to local health departments for food service establishments, provided those departments meet specific program criteria. However, the state retains direct authority over complex wholesale food processing, establishments within large grocery stores, and certain high-risk mobile food units. Additionally, the legislation prevents local governments from creating conflicting licensing rules and outlines the process for revoking a local health department's certification if it fails to meet state standards.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends Michigan's mental health code to clarify how hospital swing beds can be used for behavioral health patients. It allows psychiatric facilities to temporarily place adult or minor patients in licensed inpatient psychiatric beds when needed for care, provided safety and staffing rules are met. The legislation ensures that using these beds for behavioral health does not count as adding new capacity for the purpose of state approval reviews. Additionally, it requires the state director to coordinate regulations across agencies to avoid duplicate inspections and ensure consistent oversight of psychiatric facilities.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends Michigan's Natural Resources and Environmental Protection Act to exempt the construction and maintenance of certain residential ponds from state permitting requirements. It directly affects homeowners and property owners who wish to build small, noncommercial ponds on residential or agricultural land. The key provision allows for the excavation or construction of ponds under one acre in surface area, provided they are used for residential purposes and meet specific conditions outlined in the legislation. This change removes the need for a permit for these specific residential pond projects, simplifying the process for property owners while maintaining oversight for larger or commercial water structures.

Maddy summaryHB 5502 amends Michigan's wetland regulation law (MCL 324.30305) to clarify which activities in wetlands do not require state permits. It specifically allows farming, ranching, and agricultural drainage activities without permits, but only if they are part of an "established ongoing operation" (not new conversion of wetlands to farmland). The bill also adds detailed rules for minor drainage, farm roads, and utility line installation (e.g., directional drilling must keep lines at least 4 feet below soil). These changes directly affect farmers, landowners, and developers working in wetlands across Michigan.

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 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.