Tuesday, April 30th, 2024
I voted NO on HB 4169 H-1, 4170 H-1 (Reps. Rogers and Wozniak) Would create the Occupational Therapy Licensure Compact to allow for the privilege to practice in member states under the compact and state requirements. EXPLANATION: This represents yet another opportunity for private businesses to become entangled with the state in a manner inviting corruption. While licensure reciprocity is generally better than not, giving more power and blank checks to unelected bureaucrats is not advisable
PASSED: 103-6; PASSED: 103-6

I voted NO on HB 5384-5386 (Reps. Roth, Mentzer, Breen) Would amend the Truth in Renting Act to amend the definition of “residential premises” to expressly exclude a residence occupied by the seller on a temporary basis after the sale of that residence; Would amend a related statute to expressly exclude from the definition of “rental unit” a residence occupied by the seller on a temporary basis after the sale of that residence; Would amend the Revised Judicature Act to amend the section that governs summary proceeding actions (actions to recover possession of leased property). EXPLANATION: It is already a very common occurrence, where sellers of real property make arrangements for temporary occupancy of the premises after its sale, no change in law is necessary.
PASSED: 104-5; PASSED: 104-5; PASSED: 104-5

Wednesday May 1st, 2024
I voted NO on SB 249 (Sen. Hertel) Would require the department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs to create a state paramedic certification exam and allow paramedics to take either the State or the National Registry of Emergency Medical Technician certification evaluation. EXPLANATION: This would cost Michigan taxpayers millions of dollars each year as the bill would create 15 new full time employee positions to implement it.
PASSED: 101-4

I voted NO on SB 27 (S-3) (Sen. Anthony) Would require mental health benefits to be comparable to physical health benefits offered by insurance providers. This legislation mirrors the intent of existing federal statutes by requiring parity for mental and physical health benefits under insurance plans offered in the state. EXPLANATION: This will invariably increase health care insurance premiums and burden taxpayers who are pleading with us to relieve the burden that the government places on them. Michigan already complies with federal mental health parity requirements, this bill would enshrine them in state statute and add onerous and unnecessary requirements.
PASSED: 93-12

I voted NO on HB 5182 & 5183 (Reps. Mentzer, Farhat) Would create a new 5-year felony offense for the possession of electronic technology with the intent to unlock or turn on a motor vehicle with the intent to steal the vehicle and retain the current 10-year felony for possession of traditional burglar’s tools with the intent to use them to break into a structure with the intent to steal money or other property. EXPLANATION: This bill is unnecessary because the state law already penalizes vehicle theft. Further, creating explicit “intent crimes” opens the door to unreasonable searches and the lawsuits that follow.
PASSED: 88-17; PASSED: 89-16

Thursday May 2nd, 2024
I voted NO on HB 4504 H-1, 4505 H-1 (Reps. Fitzgerald, Zorn) Would create the Physical Therapy Licensure Compact to allow for the privilege to practice in member states under the compact and state requirements. EXPLANATION: This represents yet another opportunity for private businesses to become entangled with the state in a manner inviting corruption. While licensure reciprocity is generally better than not, giving more power and blank checks to unelected bureaucrats is not advisable.
PASSED: 91-13, PASSED: 97-7