to adopt the meeting minutes from March 17, 2026.
Representative Xiong moved to adopt the meeting minutes from March 17, 2026. There being no objection, the motion prevailed with unanimous consent. At 12:09 PM, the Chair laid the committee at ease. At 12:10 PM, Majority Vice Chair Wozniak called the committee back to order. The Chair laid HB 5456 and HB 5457 before the committee: HB 5456 (Rep. Schmaltz) A bill to create a hyperbaric oxygen therapy grant program and pilot program for providing treatment to veterans with traumatic brain injuries or post-traumatic stress disorder; to provide for the powers and duties of certain state governmental officers and entities; and to require the promulgation of rules. HB 5457 (Rep. Schmaltz) A bill to create a hyperbaric oxygen therapy fund; and to provide for the administration of and distributions from the fund. Representative Schmaltz and Legislative Director Vinicius Assuncao, representing the Office of Representative Schmaltz, testified together in support of HB 5456 and 5457. Questions and discussion followed. At 12:23 PM, Majority Vice Chair Wozniak laid the committee at ease. At 12:24 PM, the Chair called the committee back to order. Kevin Hensley, a retired Air Force Veteran, gave a presentation and testified in support of HB 5456 and HB 5457. Eric Colley, representing the VFW State of Michigan, testified in support of HB 5456 and HB 5457. Dr. Robert Beckman, representing TreatNOW, testified in support of HB 5456 and HB 5457. Shannon Kenitz, representing the International Hyperbaric Association, testified in support of HB 5456 and HB 5457. Questions and discussions followed. William Tettlebach M.D., representing Restorix Health, testified with a neutral position on HB 5456. The following people submitted a card in support of HB 5456 and HB 5457, but did not wish to speak: Tim Poxson, representing the American Legion Department of Michigan. Brian Fogg, representing the Disabled American Veterans. Mark Sutton, representing the Marine Corps League Department of Michigan. Andrew Huhn, representing the Veterans of Foreign Wars. James Sigman, representing the Military Officers Association of America. Charles A. Petch, representing the AMVETS Department of Michigan. Dr. Cyrus Garmo, M.D., representing Revitalize Me Hyperbaric Oxygen and Wound Care Center. Alfred Darmofal, representing Hyperbaric Technologies, INC. Mayur Patel, representing OxyHealth, LLC. James Nevenschwander, M.D., representing the Bio Energy Medical Center & the Medical Academy of Pediatrics & Special Needs. Bruce Mckeeman, representing Summit to Sea, LLC. Fredrick & Annette Ryder, representing Hyperbaric for Life, LLC. Joseph Dituri, PhD, representing the International Board of Undersea Medicine. The following person submitted a card wishing to speak with a neutral position on HB 5456, but due to the time constraints were unable to speak: Sen. Judson Hill, representing Restorix Health. The Chair laid HB 5456, HB 5514 and HB 5715 before the committee: HB 5456 (Rep. Schmaltz) A bill to create a hyperbaric oxygen therapy grant program and pilot program for providing treatment to veterans with traumatic brain injuries or post-traumatic stress disorder; to provide for the powers and duties of certain state governmental officers and entities; and to require the promulgation of rules. HB 5514 (Rep. Cavitt) A bill to prohibit youth transportation companies from using certain restraints while transporting youths to certain qualified residential treatment programs; to provide exceptions; to provide civil sanctions; and to provide for the powers and duties of certain state and local governmental officers and entities. HB 5715 (Rep. Schmaltz) A bill to amend 1978 PA 390, entitled "An act to regulate the time and manner of payment of wages and fringe benefits to employees; to prescribe rights and responsibilities of employers and employees, and the powers and duties of the department of labor; to require keeping of records; to provide for settlement of disputes regarding wages and fringe benefits; to prohibit certain practices by employers; to prescribe penalties and remedies; and to repeal certain acts and parts of acts," by amending section 6 (MCL 408.476), as amended by 2012 PA 440.