Tuesday, May 6th, 2025:

I voted YES on HB 4238 (Rep. Jenkins-Arno) would amend the Revised School Code to prohibit public schools from entering cultural exchange agreements under certain circumstances or accepting anything of value under certain conditions from a foreign country of concern. The bill holds an applicable federal agency responsible for reviewing and approving cultural exchange agreements. EXPLANATION: Taxpayer resources should never go towards potential quid pro quo agreements, especially with countries identified as adversaries to the United States.

PASSED: 59-51

I voted YES on HB 4239 (Rep. Bruck) would establish the Foreign Influence of State Institutions of Higher Education Act to outline criteria for state universities and community colleges entering into cultural exchange agreements or accepting grants from a foreign country of concern. EXPLANATION: China has a vested interest in shaping academia. Given the CCP’s track record of abuse towards freedom and their eagerness to undermine American intellectual property, it is wise to ensure the interactions of public universities with the Chinese Communist Party are closely monitored.

PASSED: 61-49

I voted YES on HB 4233&34 (Reps. Johnsen, Meerman) would establish that a foreign principal cannot purchase or acquire agricultural land in Michigan after the effective date of this bill. Would prohibit a foreign principal from owning or acquiring any interest in agricultural land that is located within 20 miles of any military installation or key facility in Michigan. EXPLANATION: Agricultural land is needed not only for prosperity, but for survival. Farmers feed our people. Farmland cannot fall into the hands of countries of concern, or else it not only jeopardizes the lives of every Michigan resident, but humanity worldwide. It is necessary to protect agricultural land from those with hostile interests. The Chinese Communist Party, emboldened by Governor Whitmer’s hospitality to globalist interests, have taken an interest in Michigan. In August 2023, five Chinese nationals studying at the University of Michigan took a field trip to Grayling, but they were not there to sightsee. These students conducted espionage at Camp Grayling and lied when confronted by military personnel. Ensuring ill-intentioned actors from hostile nations don’t own farmland and don’t set up shop near our key sites is needed to provide for a secure Michigan.

PASSED: 63-47, PASSED: 63-47

I voted YES on HB 4235 (Rep. Smit) would prohibit the use of certain applications from foreign countries of concern on government issued devices. EXPLANATION: State employees have different responsibilities and restrictions because their devices are provided by Michigan taxpayers. Security of state resources is of utmost importance, and downloading apps with advanced data-tracking capabilities from countries of concern poses a risk to state cybersecurity.

PASSED: 79-31

I voted YES on HB 4240 (Rep. Schuette) would establish the “Foreign Influence of Public Bodies Act” to outline criteria for state and local governments entering and disclosing cultural exchange agreements (under certain circumstances) or accepting anything of value (under certain conditions) from a foreign country of concern. EXPLANATION: Similar to the Gotion EV Battery Plant incident, it can be a disaster for local governments to enter into shady agreements with foreign entities from countries of concern. Entering into agreements with foreign principals from countries of concern recklessly endangers the rights of the people.

PASSED: 61-49

I voted YES on HB 4241 (Rep. Hoadley) would prohibit the Michigan Strategic Fund from knowingly entering into an agreement for an economic incentive with an entity from a foreign country of concern. The bill establishes that the Michigan Strategic Fund will require the recipient or applicant to provide the fund with an affidavit affirming that they are not a foreign entity. EXPLANATION: The Michigan Strategic Fund loves to hand out billions of taxpayer dollars in the name of “economic development.” While their domestic deals are already disastrous, international deals come with greater risk. Taxpayer dollars should not be used for corporate welfare in general, and definitely not for our adversaries.

PASSED: 66-44

I voted NO on HB 4242 (Rep. Thompson) would require physical and virtual medical records to be stored either in the United State or Canada. EXPLANATION: Placing another burden on the private sector will not guarantee increased security for Michigan residents, but it can increase costs for healthcare providers. If there is demand for records to be stored in the US or Canada, then the market will adjust to provide this opportunity. This issue does not need another state mandate on the private sector.

PASSED: 71-39

I voted YES on HB 4136 (Rep. Paquette) would require the Michigan Secretary of State (SOS) to provide the Michigan Department of Natural Resources (DNR) with voter registration applications, which would be required to be made available to those who apply for hunting, fur harvesters, or fishing licenses. EXPLANATION: The availability of voter registration applications has exploded, but officials have used the trend for partisan gain. Soon, the Secretary of State will have authority to allow state agencies to register voters on the spot. It is highly likely that MDHHS will be designated as an agency that can register people to vote, meaning welfare applicants will have direct access to voter registration without even visiting the clerk’s office or the Secretary of State. Initiatives such as these claim to promote non-partisan efforts of registering voters, but this is not the case. Providing the DNR with voter registration applications brings the process right to hunters, fishers, and trappers, a demographic often ignored in voter turnout efforts. People shouldn’t be picking groups of people to vote and others not to, so this bill levels the playing field by expanding the opportunity to hunting, trapping, and fishing applicants.

PASSED: 108-2

I voted YES on HB 4345 (Rep. Cavitt) would allow a school district to waive the hours and days of pupil instruction missed by students due to a state of emergency during 2024-2025 school year. EXPLANATION: The devastating snow storm prevented kids from being able to attend school. Roads throughout the region were blocked by fallen power lines and debris. This bill allows for the students to not be punished for what was out of their control.

PASSED: 110-0

Wednesday, May 7th, 2025:

I voted YES on HB 4007 & 4283 (Reps. Bohnak, Prestin) would expand the definition of clean energy system to include reciprocating internal combustion engine (RICE) generators in the Upper Peninsula. Would allow energy generated by RICE generators in the Upper Peninsula to count towards compliance with renewable and clean energy portfolio standards. EXPLANATION: Clean energy mandates are fundamentally wrong, interfering with market processes and threatening the availability of energy for people. The Upper Peninsula relies on two RICE generators for their energy output. The Upper Peninsula already lost its Presque Isle Power Plant due to the Green New Scam. Threatening to take away the RICE generators is both cruel and delusional, as it would jeopardize the livelihoods of UP residents and increase the probability of rolling blackouts. Ultimately, anti-market radical Green initiatives should be eliminated, but in the meantime, this legislation was necessary to keep the Upper Peninsula up and running.

PASSED: 82-27, PASSED: 83-26

I voted YES on HB 4178 (Rep. Aragona) would allow certain insurance producers to obtain continuing education credits through participation in certified insurance organization activities. EXPLANATION: Many insurance agents already participate in certified insurance organization activities, but they have not been allowed to claim participation for their continuing education credits. Loosening red tape provides less burdens and more opportunities for insurance agents.

PASSED: 108-1

I voted YES on HB 4072 (Rep. Steckloff) would require that any unused portion of eye drops provided to a patient for an ophthalmic (eye) surgical procedure or ophthalmic care in a hospital be offered to the patient upon discharge under certain conditions. EXPLANATION: Patients paid for these eye drops and should be able to bring them home if they so choose. The cost of healthcare is high, and ensuring patients can take home their eye drops is appropriate.

PASSED: 109-0

I voted YES on HB 4071 (Rep. B. Carter) would permit insurers to offer value-added products or services related to various types of insurance coverage. EXPLANATION: Value-added products are another way for insurance providers to compete for customers and provide customer service. The government should not interfere in the relationship between insurance providers and prospective policyholders.

PASSED: 108-1

I voted NO on HB 4328 (Rep. Fairbairn) A Fiscal Year 2024-25 supplemental appropriation belief to provide storm disaster relief grants. EXPLANATION: Throwing money at an issue has not proven to solve it; any allocation of government money should be carefully scrutinized to ensure waste does not occur. A last minute substitute was made to the bill, raising the supplemental from $75 million to $100 million. Additionally, the change allows funds to be allocated on a “first-come, first-served basis,” which prioritizes awareness of funds rather than need. There are several provisions that use language such as “including, but not limited to,” which allows this $100 million to be spent in a broad manner, creating an atmosphere ripe for waste, fraud, and abuse.

PASSED: 107-1