Rep. Samantha Steckloff

Maddy summaryThis bill updates Michigan's Natural Resources and Environmental Protection Act to clarify definitions and procedures for commercial fishing in the state's Great Lakes waters. It directly affects licensed commercial fishermen, fish dealers, and the Department of Natural Resources by establishing precise meanings for terms like "abandoned gear," "quota," and various types of fishing nets. The legislation also adds new definitions to improve record-keeping requirements for fish production, storage, and sale, ensuring that all commercial activities are clearly regulated. By amending multiple existing sections and adding a new one, the bill aims to provide a more structured framework for managing allowable catch limits and enforcing fishing privileges.

Maddy summaryThis bill expands the powers and duties of Michigan's Office of the Legislative Corrections Ombudsman, which handles complaints from prisoners, their advocates, and legislators regarding conditions in state correctional facilities. Key changes require the ombudsman to notify complainants and affected prisoners when investigating or declining to investigate complaints, and mandate that the office consult with the Department of Corrections before issuing any report that criticizes the department or its staff. The legislation also establishes strict reporting requirements, forcing the ombudsman to publish detailed monthly and annual reports on complaint statistics and department responses, while adding protections to ensure that individuals cannot be penalized for filing complaints or cooperating with the ombudsman. Additionally, the bill clarifies that the ombudsman's authority operates alongside, rather than replacing, existing legal remedies and appeal processes for prisoners.

Maddy summaryHB 5920 expands the powers of Michigan's Office of the Legislative Corrections Ombudsman to better investigate issues within the Department of Corrections. The bill allows the ombudsman to launch investigations based on complaints from prisoners, legislators, or family members, as well as on their own initiative regarding safety and security concerns. Key provisions include granting the ombudsman access to medical and mortality records, the ability to hire qualified experts for inspections, and the authority to enter correctional facilities at any time, including during emergencies.

Maddy summaryHB 6227 amends the Brownfield Redevelopment Financing Act to update definitions related to eligible properties, blighted sites, and tax capture revenues. A key provision modifies the calculation of tax increment revenues by explicitly excluding property taxes levied for zoological authorities, art institute authorities, and history museum authorities from the funds available for brownfield redevelopment projects. This change ensures that specific taxes designated for these cultural and educational institutions are not diverted to finance environmental cleanup or site improvements under the act. The bill takes effect only if it is enacted alongside two related companion bills, HB 6226 and HB 6228.

Maddy summaryHB 4072 requires hospitals and freestanding surgical outpatient facilities to offer patients any unused eye drops or eye ointments after ophthalmic surgical procedures or medical care. This applies when the facility-provided medication was administered to the patient and is required for their ongoing treatment upon discharge. The bill details labeling requirements if a pharmacist dispenses the drug, and assigns the responsibility for patient counseling on its use to the prescribing doctor. This allows patients to take home remaining eye medications for continued care.

Maddy summaryHB 4101 establishes Michigan's participation in the Physical Therapy Licensure Compact, enabling physical therapists licensed in Michigan to practice in other participating states without obtaining separate licenses. This directly affects physical therapists seeking to work across state lines, particularly those in states already part of the compact. The key mechanism is adopting a standardized licensing framework that allows reciprocal practice privileges among participating states. The bill amends Michigan's public health code to align with the compact's requirements, creating a streamlined process for interstate practice. It does not change existing licensure standards within Michigan but facilitates mobility for licensed physical therapists.

Maddy summaryThis bill authorizes Michigan to join the National Popular Vote Interstate Compact, an agreement among states to award all their electoral votes to the presidential candidate who wins the most votes nationwide. The legislation declares that the one-person, one-vote principle requires the candidate with the highest national total to become President and outlines how Michigan's chief election official would count votes and designate the winner once the compact is active. The agreement only takes effect when states participating in it collectively hold a majority of the Electoral College votes, ensuring the current system remains in place until that threshold is met. If the compact becomes active, Michigan's laws regarding elector appointment will follow the compact's rules rather than conflicting state statutes.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires health insurance plans in Michigan to count payments made by patients or on their behalf toward out-of-pocket maximums and cost-sharing requirements for prescription drugs. The rule applies to both standard plans and high-deductible plans, with a specific exception for high-deductible plans where counting such payments would disqualify a patient's health savings account. The legislation takes effect for policies delivered, issued, or renewed in the state after December 31, 2025.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a formal appeal process and creates a new Cannabis Licensing Appeals Board to handle disputes involving violations of Michigan's marijuana laws. It directs the state regulatory agency to use a graduated disciplinary system that starts with warnings or citations for minor issues and escalates to fines or license suspensions only for serious offenses like public safety risks or repeated violations. The legislation sets specific rules for how penalties are determined, including a two-year lookback period for prior warnings and a maximum fine of $10,000 or daily gross receipts for each violation. Licensees will receive written notices explaining their right to appeal before facing license suspensions, ensuring due process in enforcement actions.

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.