Rep. Steve Carra

Maddy summaryMichigan House Bill 6303 amends the state's construction code act to prohibit local enforcing agencies from requiring air tightness testing for commercial buildings. The bill specifically prevents the director of the construction code from creating rules that mandate this type of test to verify the continuity of a building's envelope. It directly affects commercial property owners and builders by removing a potential regulatory requirement for verifying how well a structure seals against air leakage. This legislation is tied to House Bill 6304 and will not take effect unless that companion bill is also enacted into law.

Maddy summaryMichigan House Bill 6284 updates the state's sentencing guidelines by amending Section 16m of the Code of Criminal Procedure to include specific firearm-related felonies. The bill creates a comprehensive list of offenses, ranging from selling firearms to minors and prohibited persons to discharging guns in vehicles or at dwellings, assigning each a specific classification level and maximum prison sentence. These classifications determine how judges calculate sentences for these crimes, with penalties varying based on the severity of the act and any resulting injuries or deaths. The legislation is tied to House Bill 6285 and will not take effect unless that companion bill is also enacted into law.

Maddy summaryMichigan House Bill 6304 amends the Stille-DeRossett-Hale single state construction code act to update and clarify definitions used in the state's building regulations. The bill introduces new terms such as "air tightness testing," "building envelope," and "cost-effective" regarding energy efficiency standards, while refining existing definitions for concepts like "agricultural purposes," "mobile home," and "structure." These changes directly affect local governments, building officials, and property owners by establishing a more precise legal framework for enforcing construction codes. The bill is tied to HB 6303 and will not take effect unless that companion legislation is also enacted into law.

Maddy summaryMichigan House Bill 6287 modifies the state's public health code to streamline how new birth certificates are issued for individuals who have undergone adoptions, established parentage through assisted reproduction, or requested a change in their sex designation. The bill specifies that the state registrar must issue a new certificate when presented with specific legal documents, such as adoption reports or court orders, and restricts additional documentation requirements for sex designation changes to a signed form and any applicable name change order. It also updates procedures for handling name changes on birth records, distinguishing between cases where an addendum is sufficient versus those requiring a completely new certificate. Additionally, the legislation revises fee structures for vital record searches and corrections, introducing specific charges for various services while providing free copies to veterans seeking benefits, licensed child placing agencies, and individuals who can verify their homeless status through designated federal documentation.

Maddy summaryMichigan House Bill 6285 removes state-level restrictions on the manufacture, sale, and possession of silencers, shotguns with barrels shorter than 18 inches, and rifles with barrels shorter than 16 inches. The bill amends the Michigan penal code to eliminate these specific items from the list of prohibited weapons, effectively legalizing them for private citizens while maintaining existing federal regulations. It also repeals a separate section of the law that previously addressed short-barreled shotguns, ensuring consistency in the state's firearm statutes.

Maddy summaryHB 4202 amends Michigan's income tax code to update deductions for retirement benefits and education-related payments. It specifically adjusts the maximum deductible amount for retirement/pension benefits (currently $42,240 for singles/$84,480 for couples) to automatically increase annually based on the Consumer Price Index, and clarifies rules for deducting payments made to Michigan's education trust for tuition. The bill affects Michigan taxpayers who claim these deductions, particularly retirees and those using education trust programs. It does not create a new "fetus exemption" (a misstatement in the bill title), but refines existing tax code provisions for retirement income and education savings. The bill is currently in committee after its March 2025 introduction.

Maddy summaryHB 4350 amends Michigan's Natural Resources and Environmental Protection Act to allow individuals to feed wild birds and other wildlife under specific conditions. This bill permits such feeding if it occurs within 300 feet of a residence and the total amount of feed does not exceed two gallons. It clarifies that this allowance does not apply to activities like baiting for hunting, normal agricultural practices, or feeding conducted in a way that excludes deer and elk. This aims to create limited exceptions for recreational or preventative feeding of wildlife by residents.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires every public high school in Michigan to offer at least one computer science course starting in the 2027-2028 school year. The course must meet state education standards and be listed on the school's catalog, with a preference for in-person instruction unless a school operates entirely virtually. The legislation defines computer science as a field focused on creating new technologies rather than just using them, ensuring the curriculum covers principles, design, and societal impact.

Maddy summaryHB 4515 requires Michigan's Bridge Card (used for food assistance benefits) to include a recipient's digital photo and signature printed directly on the card. This change affects all recipients of the Michigan Bridge Card, which distributes food assistance benefits like SNAP. The bill amends state law to add this requirement, ensuring cards display both a photo and signature for identification purposes. The legislation passed the House on September 17, 2025, with immediate effect.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a new system for recommending salaries for the heads of Michigan's principal executive departments. It requires both majority and minority party leaders in the state legislature to appoint unpaid panelists who will evaluate department heads on their work quality and cost-effectiveness. These panelists will submit ratings to the House fiscal agency, which will use a specific formula based on those scores and the governor's current salary to calculate recommended pay amounts. The final salary recommendations will be sent to key legislative leaders and the governor for consideration.