Rep. Matt Bierlein

Maddy summaryHB 4191 requires hunters who bait deer during hunting season to purchase a $20 deer baiting license in addition to a valid hunting license. This applies specifically to those engaging in "deer or elk baiting" (depositing feed to attract deer for hunting), excluding agricultural practices, normal logging, or feeding wildlife that excludes deer. Revenue from the license must fund research and surveillance of chronic wasting disease and other wildlife diseases in deer and elk. The bill amends Michigan’s Natural Resources Act to establish this licensing requirement and funding mechanism.

Maddy summaryHB 4188 amends Michigan's Vehicle Code to clarify that operating a vehicle "in a careless or negligent manner likely to endanger any person or property, but without wantonness or recklessness" would be classified as a civil infraction. This change directly affects drivers whose behavior meets this specific standard - non-reckless, careless driving - by treating it as a civil matter rather than a criminal offense. The bill modifies Section 626b of the Michigan Vehicle Code (MCL 257.626b) to explicitly exclude cases involving "wantonness or recklessness," which would remain subject to more severe penalties. The amendment is procedural and aims to refine the legal definition of the infraction. The bill was introduced on March 6, 2025, and referred to the Judiciary Committee.

Maddy summaryHB 4190 prohibits physicians in Michigan from performing gender reassignment surgery on minors or prescribing cross-sex hormones or puberty-blocking drugs with the intent of assisting gender transition. The bill directly affects minors under 18 seeking gender-affirming medical care, including hormone therapy or puberty suppression. Exceptions apply only to minors already receiving such treatment before the law's effective date, if the physician documented that stopping treatment would cause harm. The law defines key terms like "gender reassignment surgery" (including genital and non-genital procedures) and "puberty-blocking drugs" to clarify the scope of the prohibition.

Maddy summaryHB 4167 amends Michigan's sentencing guidelines to specifically address the illicit use of xylazine, a veterinary drug increasingly misused in illicit drug mixtures. The bill adds xylazine to the list of substances covered under sentencing guidelines (MCL 777.13m), meaning courts must now apply standardized sentencing ranges for convictions involving its unauthorized possession or use. This directly affects individuals convicted of xylazine-related offenses, including those using it alone or combined with other drugs. The change creates a clear, defined sentencing path for this specific offense, moving beyond general drug sentencing rules to address xylazine's growing public health impact. The bill was introduced on March 5, 2025, and referred to the Judiciary Committee.

Maddy summaryHB 4166 prohibits the non-medical use of xylazine (a sedative sometimes mixed with drugs like fentanyl) in Michigan. It defines "illicit use" as any xylazine use not covered under "licit use," which includes legal veterinary applications, pharmaceutical manufacturing, or approved medical treatments. The bill amends Michigan's Public Health Code to make possessing or using xylazine for non-licensed purposes a felony, with penalties ranging from up to 20 years in prison or fines up to $1 million depending on the amount. This directly affects individuals using xylazine outside approved medical or veterinary contexts, aligning penalties with those for other controlled substances like opioids.

Maddy summaryThis resolution urges Congress to freeze the Adverse Effect Wage Rate (AEWR) for H-2A agricultural workers at the 2023 level ($15.10/hour) through 2025. It directly affects Michigan farmers who rely on the H-2A program, as the current 2025 AEWR in Michigan is $18.15/hour - a 34% increase since 2019. The resolution seeks to prevent further wage hikes for temporary farm workers, aiming to reduce rising labor costs amid broader farm expense increases. It does not change existing law but calls on Congress to pass legislation implementing this freeze.

Maddy summaryHB 4138 amends Michigan's civil procedure code to remove references to the Extreme Risk Protection Order (ERPO) Act, which was repealed. It specifically revises Sections 1908, 2529, and 2559 of the Revised Judicature Act (1961 PA 236) to eliminate exemptions and provisions that previously applied to ERPO-related cases. This change affects court procedures for service of process and filing fees, ensuring the code no longer includes outdated references to the repealed ERPO law. The bill makes no new policy changes to fees or procedures - only aligns the civil code with the ERPO repeal.

Maddy summaryHB 4139 removes references to "extreme risk protection orders" from Michigan's firearm licensing requirements. Specifically, it amends sections of the state's firearms law (MCL 28.422, 28.422b, 28.425b, and 28.428) by deleting the provision that previously required applicants to disclose if they were subject to such orders. This change directly affects individuals applying for firearm licenses, as they will no longer need to certify whether they are under an extreme risk protection order. The bill does not repeal extreme risk protection orders themselves but modifies the licensing process to exclude this specific requirement. The change reflects the repeal of the Extreme Risk Protection Order Act as noted in the bill's title.

Maddy summaryHB 4137 updates Michigan’s speed limit rules to require local governments to set limits based on actual traffic speeds and safety data. It mandates that speed limits be determined using traffic engineering practices, rounded to the nearest 5 mph, and generally align with the 85th percentile speed of free-flowing traffic on a road segment. Exceptions allow lower limits (down to the 50th percentile) only when safety hazards are proven through engineering studies. This directly affects county road commissions, township boards, and city officials responsible for setting speed limits on local roads and highways.

Maddy summaryHB 4140 repeals the 2023 "Extreme risk protection order act" (2023 PA 38, MCL 691.1801-691.1821), which established a legal process for temporarily removing firearms from individuals deemed a risk to themselves or others. The bill does not create new provisions or directly affect any individuals or groups, as it solely removes an existing law. This repeal is contingent on two other bills (HB 4138 and HB 4139) also being enacted into law. The bill was introduced on February 26, 2025, and referred to the Judiciary Committee.