Rep. Jaime Greene

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 summaryThis bill designates euchre as the official game of the state of Michigan. It creates a new act to formally establish this title in state law. The legislation does not impose any regulations or restrictions on how the game is played, but rather serves as a symbolic designation for the state.

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 4813 modifies Michigan's participation in the Interstate Compact on Educational Opportunity for Military Children, amending sections of the 2008 law (MCL 3.1041 & 3.1042). The bill updates how Michigan schools and education agencies coordinate with other states to support military-connected students during school transitions. It directly affects military children, their families, and schools across participating states by adjusting administrative procedures for educational continuity. The bill is currently pending referral to the Committee on Rules after being reported with a committee recommendation.

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 4064 prohibits Michigan state senators and representatives from receiving extra pay (beyond their regular salary) for directly communicating with government officials to influence legislative or administrative decisions. It specifically bans compensation for lobbying activities involving officials in Michigan's executive or legislative branches, or similar officials in other state or local governments. Violating this rule is a misdemeanor punishable by up to 90 days in jail, a $1,000 fine, or both. The bill amends Michigan's ethics law (MCL 4.411-4.431) and takes effect January 1, 2026.

Maddy summaryHB 4750 requires Michigan's foster care department to use or save existing benefits (such as Medicaid or education funds) for children in foster care when it serves their best interests, directly affecting all children in the state's foster care system. The bill amends Michigan's foster care law to mandate this approach, ensuring benefits are prioritized for the child's well-being rather than other uses. Key provisions include adding a new section (8f) to the existing law, directing the department to make decisions based on each child's specific needs. This policy change clarifies how resources must be managed without specifying new funding or programs.

Maddy summaryHB 4042 exempts food vendors at temporary outdoor events like festivals, fairs, and community celebrations (e.g., chili cook-offs or cultural festivals) from standard food safety regulations that apply to permanent food service establishments. Specifically, it removes the requirement for these vendors to comply with the Michigan Food Code, food safety audits, and sanitation assessments during their temporary operations. This change directly affects food concession operators at events defined as "festivals" or "fairs" under the bill, including those held by local organizations or agricultural societies. The exemption applies only to the temporary nature of these events, not to permanent food service locations like restaurants or grocery stores. This is a technical amendment to existing law, not a new policy.

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.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes the State Employment Contract Regulation Act to limit severance pay for employees and officers in Michigan's executive and legislative branches. It generally prohibits contracts that offer more than 12 weeks of wages in severance, ban non-disclosure agreements that prevent reporting illegal activities, and require contracts to be fully disclosed to the public. Exceptions allowing higher severance or restricted contracts are permitted only if legal counsel determines they are necessary to protect public funds from litigation risks, provided such agreements include legal releases of claims. Additionally, the law mandates that any contract offering six weeks or more of severance be posted online within 28 days, while contracts for elected officials must be shared with legislative leaders within three days.