Rep. Pauline Wendzel

Maddy summaryHB 6247 establishes a comprehensive regulatory framework in Michigan for the geologic storage of carbon dioxide, requiring operators to obtain permits from the Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy that align with federal standards. The bill authorizes the leasing of state-owned lands and pore space for these projects, while permitting specific surface activities on commercial forestland and wilderness areas under strict conditions to protect natural resources. It creates a unitization process to manage shared subsurface interests among multiple property owners and mandates long-term monitoring of storage sites for at least 50 years after injection ceases. Upon successful completion and verification of site safety, the state assumes ownership and liability for the stored carbon dioxide, releasing the original operator from future regulatory responsibilities.

Maddy summaryMichigan House Bill 6249 establishes that ownership of subsurface pore space, which can be used for storing carbon dioxide or other substances, is vested in the owner of the surface land unless it has been previously separated. The bill allows this pore space to be sold, leased, or otherwise transferred independently from the surface estate, provided that any such separation clearly describes the specific geological formation, depth, and scope of surface use rights involved. It clarifies that selling mineral rights does not automatically transfer pore space ownership, which must be explicitly stated in the agreement. This legislation takes effect only if two related companion bills are also enacted into law.

Maddy summaryMichigan House Bill 6248 updates the definitions in the state's crude oil and petroleum act to explicitly include carbon dioxide substances used for storage or enhanced recovery operations. The bill clarifies that individuals and companies do not have an inherent right to transport, store, or deal in these substances via pipelines without authorization from the Michigan Public Service Commission. It also specifies that this regulatory framework does not apply to rights that existed before 1929 or to carbon sequestration wells operating under separate environmental laws. This legislation is tied to two other bills and will only take effect if all three are enacted into law by the current legislature.

Maddy summaryHB 5356 amends Michigan's Vehicle Code to update requirements for dealers transferring vehicle titles. It modifies multiple existing sections (including 217, 233, 234, 248, and 250) and adds a new section 9b governing dealer title transfers. The bill directly affects vehicle dealers and buyers by changing how title transfers must be processed. It focuses on procedural updates to the existing title transfer framework without introducing new fees or eligibility rules. The bill is currently in committee referral after its introduction on December 11, 2025.

Maddy summaryHB 4779 requires Michigan health facilities performing certain surgical procedures to implement smoke evacuation systems. It directly affects hospitals and surgical centers using heat-producing tools like lasers or electrosurgery, which generate harmful surgical smoke. The bill mandates facilities to develop policies ensuring a dedicated evacuation system captures and neutralizes smoke at the source before it reaches staff or patients' eyes or lungs. This policy change aims to protect healthcare workers and patients from exposure to potentially harmful smoke byproducts during procedures.

Maddy summaryHB 5044 requires Michigan school districts and public charter schools to create policies by July 2026 allowing students with medically necessary treatment prescribed by healthcare providers to receive that care during school hours. The policy must include parent notices about federal disability rights (under Section 504 and the ADA), establish a 30-day meeting process for treatment requests, and specify when schools can deny requests (only if it causes a "fundamental alteration" or "undue burden"). Schools must also report annual data on treatment requests and denials to the state education department. This directly affects students with medical or mental health conditions requiring in-school care and school staff responsible for implementing the policy.

Maddy summaryHB 5105 modifies Michigan's sentencing rules for marijuana possession offenses under the Public Health Code. It lowers penalties for most possession amounts, reclassifying some as misdemeanors (e.g., 1-5 kilograms or 50-100 plants becomes a misdemeanor punishable by up to 1 year in jail or a $20,000 fine). For larger amounts, it reduces maximum prison terms (e.g., 45+ kilograms now carries a max 10-year felony instead of 15 years). The bill directly affects individuals convicted of marijuana offenses under current law, altering sentencing based on quantity. It is pending in committee after introduction on October 22, 2025.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends Michigan's Clean and Renewable Energy and Energy Waste Reduction Act to update definitions and requirements for renewable energy programs. It directly affects electric and natural gas providers, state agencies, and energy consumers by modifying how clean energy standards are calculated and how costs are recovered from customers. Key changes include redefining clean energy systems to include natural gas plants with carbon capture technology, establishing a wind energy resource zone board, and adjusting rules for customer generation and net metering. The legislation also updates provisions related to energy waste reduction programs and authorizes new residential energy improvement initiatives.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires electric, gas, and steam utilities in Michigan to consider all available energy sources when planning their integrated resource portfolios. It amends existing state laws governing utility rate-setting and planning processes to ensure comprehensive evaluation of different energy options. The legislation also establishes specific timelines for utility rate applications and includes provisions for partial rate relief motions for smaller gas utilities. Additionally, the bill repeals a specific section of the Public Service Commission Act related to stranded costs.

Maddy summaryHB 5926 updates Michigan's liquor laws to increase the annual volume limit for direct wine shipments to consumers from 1,500 cases to 9,000 cases, or from 13,500 liters to 81,000 liters. This change allows wineries and direct shippers to send more wine directly to customers via mail or online while maintaining existing rules on age verification, labeling, and tax payments. The bill applies to both Michigan-based and out-of-state wineries that hold a direct shipper license and wish to expand their direct-to-consumer sales within the state.