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Michigan House Republicans
Rep. Smit’s vote explanations | week of June 2
RELEASE|June 4, 2026
Contact: Rachelle Smit

HB 5650:  Would require the Attorney General to report to the Legislature when the expenses in a matter of litigation reach or are anticipated to reach $250,000.

Sponsor:  Rep. Woolford (R)                    

Passage:  58-47 with Immediate Effect

Why I voted YES: This new act will increase transparency within the operations of the Michigan Attorney General’s office. The current Attorney General has filed or has joined dozens of lawsuits against the President of the United States and his administration, and reporting of high-dollar amounts spent on litigation will increase transparency and accountability.

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HB 4644:  Would allow a city, village, or township with a maximum population of 65,000 to pass a resolution to allow golf carts on the streets of those municipalities.

Sponsor:  Rep. St. Germaine (R)                            

Passage:  87-18 with Immediate Effect

Why I voted YES: Golf carts may be used to provide access to tourist attractions, food establishments, and other services, boosting the local economy.

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HB 5682:  Authorizes the Michigan Department of Natural Resources (DNR) to auction a special “Pure Michigan” hunting license.

Sponsor:  Rep. Green (R)                          

Passage:  91-14 with Immediate Effect

Why I voted YES: This could raise substantial funds for wildlife conservation, habitat restoration, and outdoor recreation programs without raising fees for hunters.

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BILL PACKAGE HBs 5739-5740:  HB 5739 (DeBoyer) would add new disclosure requirements and use restrictions for conservators that discover property in excess of $25,000. HB 5740 (Schmaltz) would add new disclosure requirements and use restrictions for guardians that discover property in excess of $25,000.

Sponsors:  Reps. DeBoyer (R) & Schmaltz (R)                 

Passages:  106-0 with Immediate Effect

Why I voted YES: Ensuring that disclosure and court-ordered instructions come along with newly discovered high value property is key to ensuring wards are not taken advantage of.

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HB 5831:  Would add a mandatory minimum sentence of 25 years for a criminal conviction of terrorism.

Sponsor:  Rep. Steele (R)                          

Passage:  74-32 with Immediate Effect

Why I voted YES: A 25-year minimum sentence should be mandatory for the crime of terrorism, given the serious nature of the crime and the danger to the public.

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HB 5810:  Requires public schools to implement the Presidential Fitness Test.

Sponsor:  Rep. St. Germaine (R)                            

Passage:  61-45 with Immediate Effect

Why I voted YES: The state could secure more funding from the Working Families Tax Cuts Act’s Rural Health Transformation Program if the Presidential Fitness Test is implemented in Michigan schools.

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HB 5520:  Requires third-grade students to be proficient in reading to be promoted to the fourth grade.

Sponsor:  Rep. Paquette (R)                    

Passage:  57-49 with Immediate Effect

Why I voted YES: Moving to literacy-based promotion gives struggling students the gift of time to learn how to read emphasizing results rather than a rushed learning experience.

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BILL PACKAGE HBs 4466-4468:  HB 4466 (Greene) makes a violation of HB 4467 a licensing violation for health care professionals. HB 4467 (Paquette) prohibits gender reassignment treatment on minors. HB 4468 (Kunse) requires insurance providers to cover health consequences from gender transitions and reversing the procedure.

Sponsors:  Reps. Greene (R), Paquette (R), & Kunse (R)                             

HBs 4466-4467 Passages:  57-48 with Immediate Effect

HB 4468 Passage:  58-48 with Immediate Effect

Why I voted YES: Mounting evidence proves the absolutely detrimental, irreversible effects on young people.

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HB 6013:  Requires MDHHS to review bridge card transactions and if a card is used outside the state for 90 consecutive days, suspend benefits until the recipient verifies continued residence in Michigan.

Sponsor:  Rep. Woolford (R)                    

Passage:  58-48 with Immediate Effect

Why I voted YES: The bill would reduce fraud and therefore costs to the state.

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HB 5812:  Requires MDHHS to obtain approval from the legislature before requesting or accepting food stamp work requirement waivers from the federal government.

Sponsor:  Rep. Thompson (R)                 

Passage:  58-48 with Immediate Effect

Why I voted YES: The bill ensures legislative oversight of a program amounting to over $4 billion in Michigan.

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HB 5813:  Requires MDHHS to annually report the Medicaid error rate.

Sponsor:  Rep. Woolford (R)                    

Passage:  58-48 with Immediate Effect

Why I voted YES: The bill ensures transparency and enables the legislature to take informed actions, based on the data MDHHS will report in the coming years.

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HB 5536:  Would redefine wetlands to the federal definition.

Sponsor:  Rep. Martin (R)                          

Passage:  57-51 with Immediate Effect

Why I voted YES: Michigan’s broader wetland definition may regulate areas not covered under federal law, creating confusion and compliance burdens for property owners.

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HB 5557:  Requires the Department to use the longest time allowed under the Clean Air Act when calculating emissions rates for an emissions inventory.

Sponsor:  Rep. Prestin (R)                        

Passage:  58-50 with Immediate Effect

Why I voted YES: Clear statutory authority reduces ambiguity, making enforcement more consistent and defensible in court.

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HB 5501:  Allows wetlands to be replaced or relocated within a project area rather than strictly preserving them in place. Also allows for temporary wetland mitigation credits to be obtained by developers and puts other wetland mitigation standards in statute.

Sponsor:  Rep. Alexander (R)                  

Passage:  57-51 with Immediate Effect

Why I voted YES: Limiting financial assurance requirements to high-risk or delayed mitigation projects reduces unnecessary financial burdens on low-risk or small-scale developments, potentially encouraging compliance and investment.

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HB 5498:  Would require agencies to designate employees to manage the issuance of permits in a primary subject area.

Sponsor:  Rep. Borton (R)                         

Passage:  57-21 with Immediate Effect

Why I voted YES: Rather than enabling agencies to justify hiring unnecessary additional staff, agencies can encourage employees to become issue area experts and serve as points of contact for permit processes.

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