Rep. Brad Slagh

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 6281 amends the Motor Fuels Quality Act to update regulations for gasoline and diesel fuel sold in the state. The bill directs the director of the Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy to establish specific standards for fuel purity, additives, and octane ratings, while mandating a vapor pressure limit of 9.0 psi for most retail outlets during the summer months from June 1 to September 15. It also clarifies that certain counties with stricter air quality requirements must continue using lower vapor pressure fuels of 7.0 or 7.8 psi unless federal and state agencies determine those standards are no longer necessary. Additionally, the legislation permits the year-round sale of E15 fuel, which contains 10.5% to 15% ethanol, provided that dispensing pumps are clearly labeled in accordance with federal law.

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 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 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 summaryHB 4309 establishes a licensure compact for physician's assistants, allowing them licensed in one participating state to practice in other participating states without needing separate licenses. This directly affects physician's assistants seeking to work across state lines and patients in states participating in the compact. The bill creates legal mechanisms by amending existing law to enable reciprocal licensing agreements between states, removing barriers for PAs to provide care in multiple jurisdictions. It provides the framework for states to join the compact through mutual recognition of licenses, streamlining practice for qualified professionals.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends the Michigan Charter Township Act to clarify procedures for township board meetings and establish a conflict of interest rule for officials. It requires boards to hold regular monthly meetings, mandates specific notice periods and public access for special meetings, and ensures all business is conducted openly in compliance with the Open Meetings Act. The legislation also updates provisions regarding quorums, meeting minutes, public access to records, and the authority to enforce orderly conduct at meetings. Additionally, it introduces a mechanism allowing board members to abstain from voting if they identify a personal conflict of interest or if they seek appointment to fill a vacancy. These changes directly affect township supervisors, clerks, and other elected officials in Michigan charter townships.

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 5046 modifies Michigan's foreclosure law to clarify the process for recording deeds after a property sale and streamline how homeowners can redeem their property. It requires that deeds from foreclosure sales be recorded with the county register of deeds within 20 days, and if not recorded on time, the redemption period begins when the deed is filed. The bill specifies the exact redemption amount homeowners must pay (including the bid price, interest, and fees) and mandates that purchasers provide an affidavit detailing this amount and the redemption deadline. This affects homeowners seeking to reclaim their property, buyers at foreclosure sales, and county offices responsible for property records.