BILL PACKAGE HBs 4358-4359 & 4698-4699:  Collectively modify the term of office for township, village, and city officials to ensure that elected officials are sworn into office no sooner than Noon on December 1st. This is in response to the changes from Proposal 22-2, which created scenarios where post-election canvases cannot begin until at least seven days following the election.

Sponsors:  Reps. Hoadley (R), Outman (R), Alexander (R), & Fox (R)                  

Passages:  105-0 with Immediate Effect

Why I voted YES: These bills are necessary to ensure that the appropriate board of county canvassers has the time necessary to properly certify the results of local races.

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HB 4746:  Requires MDHHS to issue Michigan bridge cards (electronic benefit transfer card issued for food stamps, cash assistance etc.) that include more secure chip technology, preventing certain types of fraud.

Sponsor:  Rep. Woolford (R)                  

Passage:  77-28 with Immediate Effect

Why I voted YES: The readily available, more secure technology effectively prevents fraud, decreasing the costs incurred by the state and the benefits stolen from recipients.

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HB 4398:  Modifies the ballot proposal process for allowing or prohibiting alcohol sales on Sundays.

Sponsor:  Rep. Wortz (R)                         

Passage:  97-8 with Immediate Effect

Why I voted YES: Allowing county officials to vote to place the measure on the ballot makes potential change easier to achieve, bypassing the signature requirement.

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HB 4017:  Would amend the penalty for failing to report a death or serious injury to MIOSHA occurring on a family farm to the owner of the farm or another family member, any civil fine assessed for the failure to report within the existing eight-hour time period under current rules would have to be reduced by 80 percent and also be amended under the provision of law to mean a small farm at which there is not a manager hired who would be able to file a timely death report; more than 50 percent of farm employees are family members; no more than nine non-family members are employed; and does not have a temporary labor camp.

Sponsor:  Rep. Neyer (R)                         

Passage:  80-25 with Immediate Effect

Why I voted YES: Family members of a farmer suffering a serious injury or death would be expected to be in shock and grieving from the incident and should not suffer government penalties for failing to meet an arbitrary deadline.

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HB 4362:  Would amend PA 176 of 2012 to require the Michigan State Police (MSP) to implement a system capable of distributing missing persons alerts to mobile phones for seniors or vulnerable adults.

Sponsor:  Rep. Johnsen (R)                    

Passage:  103-2 with Immediate Effect

Why I voted YES: In missing persons cases mere minutes, or even seconds, can make a tremendous difference in ensuring the missing person is returned home safely and this system aims to provide information rapidly and widely.

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HB 4024:  Requires educational institutions to ensure multiple occupancy restrooms or changing areas are only used by individuals based on the individuals’ sex.

Sponsor:  Rep. Fox (R)               

Passage:  58-46 with Immediate Effect

Why I voted YES: The bill protects students and athletes when using locker rooms and restrooms.

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BILL PACKAGE HBs 4517 & 4518:  HB 4517 (Neyer) would amend the child abduction act to ensure that information regarding missing children is eligible for broadcast. HB 4518 (H-1) (Rigas) would amend the Michigan Amber Alert Act to include missing children with special needs or missing children the State Police believes to be in danger as eligible for activation of an Amber Alert.

Sponsors:  Reps. Neyer (R) & Rigas (R)              

Passages:  104-1 with Immediate Effect

Why I voted YES: Abducted and missing do not mean the same thing, and ensuring information regarding missing children is disseminated as quickly as possible is crucial towards returning the child home safely.

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HB 4674:  Would allow a vehicle owner’s next of kin to renew the vehicle registration upon the vehicle owner’s death.

Sponsor:  Rep. Outman (R)                    

Passage:  105-0 with Immediate Effect

Why I voted YES: Provides MDOS flexibility to renew paperwork: MDOS could expedite a process that might otherwise take months by renewing the vehicle registration for the next of kin while they wait for the leasing company or financial institution to complete the necessary paperwork. The probate process is an additional factor that extends this timeline.

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HB 4524:  Would amend the Marketable Record Title Act to clarify and tighten the rules for what counts as an effective preservation of an interest in land.

Sponsor:  Rep. Wozniak (R)                    

Passage:  105-0 with Immediate Effect

Why I voted YES: The clarifications in this bill will improve the law and make things easier for real estate professionals.

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BILL PACKAGE HBs 4218-4219:  Adds three members to the recipient rights advisory committee and prohibits anybody who is employed or part of the department from serving on the committee.

Sponsor:  Rep. Thompson (R)                

HB 4218 Passage:  70-35 with Immediate Effect

HB 4219 Passage:  103-2 with Immediate Effect

Why I voted YES: The three additional members that advocate for patient rights contribute to more effective work of the committee in furthering patient’s rights.