HB 4694:  Would add additional powers for existing and future authorities established under the Recreation Authorities Act. The bill seeks to provide broadened capability for rural, forest-reliant communities, especially in Michigan’s northern Lower Peninsula and Upper Peninsula, to establish an authority that can effectively govern and manage local forest resources. *This is a previous bill that already passed the house.  This vote is to concur in the Senate substitute.

Sponsor:  Rep. Markkanen (R)                

Passage:  103-2

Why I voted YES: This will be particularly helpful to communities in the northern Lower Peninsula and Upper Peninsula where recreation and forests/natural resources needs occur concurrently. For example, local units of government could now join together in managing a public forest to achieve both recreational and commercial natural resources goals.

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HB 5281:  Would create a new act called the “Third-Party Litigation Funding Transparency Act.” The act would establish new rules for third-parties who fund civil litigation in which someone else is the plaintiff. This is essentially a consumer protection act designed to protect consumers who might sign this type of contract.

Sponsor:  Rep. Harris (R)                          

Passage:  60-45 with Immediate Effect

Why I voted YES: Our nation’s top adversaries, like China and Russia, can discreetly utilize Third-Party Litigation Funding to weaponize our justice system against ourselves, undermining our economy and gaining access to sensitive data. Therefore, this bill is necessary to protect the integrity of the legal system and to drive down costs of tort lawsuits.

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HB 5644:  Would allow certified nurse practitioners, physical therapists, and occupational therapists to sign a disabled individual’s application for a windshield placard, special registration plate, or free parking sticker.

Sponsor:  Rep. Outman (R)                      

Passage:  105-0 with Immediate Effect

Why I voted YES: MDOS operated under this practice for nearly two decades, and nurse practitioners routinely evaluate and determine patient disabilities in other areas of medical practice.

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BILL PACKAGE HBs 5710-5711:  HB 5710 (Wendzel) requires prioritization of reliability and affordability when approving integrated resource plans. HB 5711 (Outman) eliminates the clean and renewable energy portfolio standards.

Sponsors:  Reps. Outman (R) & Wendzel (R)                    

HB 5710 Passage:  58-47 with Immediate Effect

HB 5711 Passage:  57-48 with Immediate Effect

Why I voted YES: Clearly defining core planning terms like “projected cost”, “reliability”, and “affordability” puts guardrails on MPSC commissioners and prevents them from making decisions based on theory or abstract policy preferences.

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HB 4551:  Would transfer MCOLES from the State Police (MSP) budget to the Licensing and Regulatory Affairs (LARA) budget.

Sponsor:  Rep. Mueller (R)                       

Passage:  56-49 with Immediate Effect

Why I voted YES: This transfer would bring more transparency and assurance that MCOLES is operating independently from the organizations and individuals it licenses.

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HB 4839:  Prohibits MDHHS from covering a brand name drug under Medicaid if a generic is available, unless the prescriber specifies the prescription must be dispensed as written.

Sponsor:  Rep. Lightner (R)                      

Passage:  63-43 with Immediate Effect

Why I voted YES: The bill would reduce costs for the ever-growing costs associated with Medicaid pharmacy benefits.

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BILL PACKAGE HBs 5328-5332:  Creates Drone Purchase and Acquisition Restrictions for Public Entities

Sponsors:  Reps. Bruck (R), Schriver (R), Robinson (R), Conlin (D), & Martus (D)                           

HB 5329 Passage:  57-49 with Immediate Effect

HB 5331 Passage:  57-45 with Immediate Effect

Why I voted YES: The bills encourage transparency and prevent foreign adversaries from infiltrating the operations of public entities.

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HJR 313:  Resolution demanding Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson to voluntarily release any information in her possession pertaining to the Southern Poverty Law Center (SPLC)’s operations following an FBI investigation that led to criminal charges against the organization.

Sponsor:  Rep. Smit (R)                             

Resolution Adopted:  56-50 along party lines

Why I voted YES: The Legislature has a responsibility to hold state officers accountable for their actions; especially when those actions throw their ability to carry out constitutionally mandated responsibilities into question. If the person charged with operating our elections fairly for all Michiganders stands accused of leading an organization funneling money to hate groups like the KKK, lawmakers must demand accountability.

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HB 5636:  Would rename a portion of US-24 as the Deputy Claude Wilson Memorial Highway.

Sponsor:  Rep. Hoskins (D)                      

Passage:  104-0 with Immediate Effect

Why I voted YES: This highway naming would allow us to express our gratitude and appreciation for Deputy Claude Wilson for his bravery and service.

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HB 4935:  Enters Michigan into the Dental Compact, allowing dentists and dental hygienists to practice in all member states through a compact privilege.

Sponsor:  Rep. Fairbairn (R)                    

Passage:  94-10 with Immediate Effect

Why I voted YES: In facilitating licensure of professionals from other states, the compact would improve patient access and help providers to resolve their therapy needs.

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HB 4779:  Mandates the use of a surgical smoke plume evacuation system for certain surgeries.

Sponsor:  Rep. Wendzel (R)                     

Passage:  96-8 with Immediate Effect

Why I voted YES: The bill could improve safety by reducing exposure to surgical smoke plume.

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HB 5797:  Allows a school district to waive instructional time due to certain conditions during 2025 2026 school year.

Sponsor:  Rep. Fairbairn (R)                    

Passage:  99-5 with Immediate Effect

Why I voted YES: The Upper Peninsula and Northern Michigan experienced extreme weather this school year, schools should be given a break for these conditions.

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BILL PACKAGE HBs 5744-5745:  HB 5744 would amend the Michigan Penal Code by adding a new section at MCL 750.234g. This bill would create a new felony crime. The bill would make it a felony offense to intentionally discharge a firearm at a motor vehicle that the individual knows or has reason to believe is occupied. This felony crime is punishable by imprisonment for not more than 10 years or a fine of not more than $10,000, or both. In addition, the bill would make it a felony offense to intentionally discharge a firearm at a motor vehicle if the individual knows or has reason to believe that the vehicle is occupied by a minor. This felony crime is punishable by imprisonment for not more than 20 years and a fine of not more than $20,000, or both. HB 5745 would amend the code of Criminal Procedure at MCL 777.16m. This bill amends the Criminal Sentencing Guidelines, to add references to the new criminal penalties created in HB 5744.

Sponsor:  Rep. Neeley (D)                        

HB 5744 Passage:  79-24 with Immediate Effect

HB 5745 Passage:  75-28 with Immediate Effect

Why I voted YES on HB 5744: Discharging a firearm at an occupied vehicle is incredibly dangerous activity which places innocent people at risk of grave harm or death. This bill takes important steps to help protect the innocent from criminals who wish to harm or kill others.

Why I voted NO on HB 5745: The trailer bill changed at the last minute and I was unwilling to vote in favor of something that I was not given time to read and reflect upon.

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SB 729:  Would amend the State Building Authority Act to exempt $421.3 million in bonds issued by the State Building Authority (SBA) in June 2025 from counting against a $2.7 billion statutory cap for the net total amount of debt the SBA is authorized to have outstanding at any given time. This change effectively would increase the cap from $2.7 billion to $3.12 billion.

Sponsor:  Sen. McCann (D)                     

Passage:  96-7 with Immediate Effect

Why I voted YES: This would allow more flexibility for the state to implement capital outlay projects.