Wednesday, June 4th, 2025:

I voted YES on HB 4420 (Rep. Kunse) would prohibit the expenditure of an appropriated enhancement grant funds unless certain information is publicly disclosed on the official website of the Department of Technology, Management, and Budget (DTMB) and made available to the public. EXPLANATION: Back in January, the House unanimously passed House Resolution 14, a resolution designed to increase transparency by requiring disclosure of enhancement grants. Putting transparency around enhancement grants into law provides further clarity as to how tax dollars are spent.

PASSED: 108-0

I voted YES on HB 4285 (Rep. VanderWall) would create an elective program for Michigan schools to offer a firearm safety program in schools. EXPLANATION: Ensuring schools can offer a firearm safety program protects both the Second Amendment and enhances safety. The course is also voluntary; schools can choose to offer the course, and students can choose to take the course.

PASSED: 101-7

I voted NO on HB 4401 (Rep. Greene) would amend the Natural Resources and Protection Act (NREPA) to remove the sunset from the law that created the Pheasant Stamp for Hunting. EXPLANATION: Eliminating the sunset would retain the current pheasant-specific hunting license for perpetuity. The pheasant-specific license is an additional license that hunters must carry, and it comes with a fee. If this law were to sunset, then licensure for pheasant hunting would refer to the base hunting license, which permits the hunting of all small game. Allowing this requirement to sunset and reducing fees would lessen government’s presence in hunting and more properly respect the freedom hunters should have.

PASSED: 104-4

I voted YES on HB 4113&14 (Reps. Steckloff, Kuhn) would increase the liquor discount retailers may receive from 17% to 23%. Would restrict the Michigan Liquor Control Commission (MLCC) from considering violations of the liquor code older than two years. EXPLANATION: Liquor retailers are forced to navigate a convoluted process in order to purchase the products they wish to sell. The liquor distributors sell the product, and then the Michigan Liquor Control Commission introduces a 65% markup on the product. Many small liquor retailers choose to sell liquor at the state minimum price as a way to compete with larger stores and attract customers. However, they are forced to navigate the government’s arbitrary price markup. Increasing the discount reduces government’s profit margin, allowing liquor retailers to better compete in the marketplace. The MLCC should also not have the power to bring up violations from years past as a means of harassing those who went through the trouble of obtaining a liquor license. Reducing the power and involvement of an administrative commission allows the market to operate more effectively, which leads to better outcomes for the retailer and the consumer.

PASSED: 83-25, PASSED: 83-25

I voted YES on HB 4189 (Rep. Woolford) would name the bridge on South Grand Avenue over I-96 in the village of Fowlerville as the LCpl Michael W. Hanks Memorial Bridge. EXPLANATION: LCpl Michael W. Hanks demonstrated selfless valor during his service to his country in Iraq. Dedicating the bridge on South Grand Avenue in Fowlerville to LCpl Hanks is a way to commemorate and honor his service and sacrifice to our country.

PASSED: 108-0

I voted YES on HB 4301&02 (Reps. BeGole, McFall) would allow Michigan Mutual Aid Box Alarm System (MABAS) vehicles to operate with flashing, rotating, or oscillating red, white, amber, or green lights when engaging in an emergency response. Would allow MABAS employees and members to operate emergency vehicles if they have met the driving standards under the firefighters training council act. EXPLANATION: MABAS is a mutual agreement that provides for emergency response vehicles. Emergency response vehicles should be able to display appropriate lighting to assist in their own operation as well as ensuring other motorists are aware of their surroundings. I introduced an amendment to HB 4301 to ensure that the penalty for a civil infraction is not increased over $100, preventing potential fee increases down the road. Additionally, MABAS employees should be able to practice the standards they have demonstrated in their driving training.

PASSED: 108-0, PASSED: 108-0

Thursday, June 5th, 2025:

I voted YES on HB 4464 (Rep. Harris) would codify existing federal exemptions for certain health plans into Michigan law. EXPLANATION: The Affordable Care Act (Obamacare) destroyed healthcare in America by driving up costs and limiting market choices. However, when Obamacare was enacted, there were several protected circumstances at the federal level, namely for retiree-only accounts. The more we can do to shield Michigan from the disasters of socialized healthcare, the better.

PASSED: 106-0

I voted YES on HB 4023 (Rep. Witwer) would authorize the transfer of property currently owned by the state (land adjacent to the Michigan State Police Headquarters complex) to Michigan Police Equipment Company in Eaton County. EXPLANATION: Michigan Police Equipment Company is a private business that sells equipment to law enforcement. Located in Charlotte, MI, their office is currently surrounded by state-owned land. Transferring the 0.29 acre property to Michigan Police Equipment Company at fair market value is understandable.

PASSED: 104-2

I voted NO on HB 4135 (Rep. Lightner) would authorize the transfer of property currently owned jointly by the state (Department of Natural Resources) and Jackson County. EXPLANATION: While county ownership of the land is preferential to a joint ownership agreement with the state, the mechanics behind the transfer of property are insufficient. The state offers Jackson County the right of first refusal, allowing the county the option of purchasing the land for $1. This is not a free market process, and governments should not be receiving friendly deals when transferring property amongst themselves.

PASSED: 104-2