Rep. Tom Kunse

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 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 5338 requires Michigan's education department to develop a brief, one-class-period presentation about organ, eye, and tissue donation - including information about the Michigan Organ Donor Registry - by January 1, 2027. Starting in the 2027-2028 school year, public schools are encouraged to provide this presentation to students before they complete 9th grade. Parents or legal guardians may request their child be excused from the presentation without penalty. The bill does not mandate school participation but ensures the presentation is created in consultation with the state's organ procurement organization.

Maddy summaryHB 5082 amends Michigan's wetland regulations to streamline how property owners determine if their land contains wetlands. It allows landowners to formally request a wetland assessment from the Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE) by submitting a completed form, legal description, map, and permission to access the property. EGLE must provide a written report within 60 days, detailing wetland locations, required permits, and clarifying that the assessment does not override federal or local regulations. The bill also eliminates fees for these assessments, specifies that agricultural drains or temporary water obstructions don't count as wetlands, and establishes a 3-year binding determination period if EGLE concludes an area is not wetland.

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.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a formal process for the state of Michigan to issue certificates of acceptability for premanufactured building units, such as modular homes, at their place of manufacture. It requires manufacturers to submit detailed plans and specifications for review and approval, with the state department required to respond within 30 days, after which the application is automatically approved if no decision is made. The bill also sets up inspection procedures to verify that manufactured units comply with submitted plans, allows local agencies to inspect units at the manufacturing site, and creates a hearing process to resolve disputes when local enforcing agencies object to the use of a premanufactured unit.

Maddy summaryHB 5033 raises the cost threshold for exempting school building projects from certain safety and construction requirements from $15,000 to $5,000,000. This means school districts and contractors working on projects costing less than $5 million no longer need to hire a registered architect or engineer, though they must still submit plans for review to the bureau of fire services and the superintendent of public instruction. The bill applies to all school building construction, reconstruction, and remodeling projects under $5 million, including one-story buildings and additions. It directly affects local school districts and contractors by reducing regulatory requirements for smaller-scale projects.

Maddy summaryHouse Bill 5254 proposes to modify the maximum interest rate allowed for medical debt. It seeks to achieve this by amending Section 3 of the Michigan Consumer Protection Act. While the bill aims to impact consumers with medical debt and the entities that collect it, the provided text primarily details existing definitions of unfair trade practices within the act and does not include the specific language for the proposed interest rate modification.

Maddy summaryHB 5255, the "Medical Debt Protection Act," limits how medical debt can be collected in Michigan, directly affecting patients with medical debt and large healthcare providers (with $20 million+ annual revenue) or medical debt buyers. It prohibits charging interest or late fees for 90 days after a bill is due and caps annual interest at 3% on medical debt. The bill bans aggressive collection tactics like wage garnishment for patients qualifying for financial assistance under a healthcare facility's policy, and requires medical debt buyers to follow strict rules, including not using prohibited collection actions and returning debt if a patient qualifies for financial aid.