HB 4573:  Extends the sunset on the New Jobs Training Program and modifies wage requirements for jobs in the program by adding data from the United for ALICE Wage Tool to the considerations.

Sponsor: Rep. Glanville (D)
Passage: 80-29 with Immediate Effect *Previous Bill

Why I voted NO:  The modification to the wage requirements means some counties could see wages for jobs in the program decrease.

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HB 4979:  Amends the General Property Tax Act by allowing counties to opt out of keeping a designated assessor on retainer.

Sponsor: Rep. Hill (D)
Passage: 85-24 with Immediate Effect

Why I voted NO:  By requiring the STC to appoint a designated assessor if one is not designated by the county it creates an incentive for counties not to act rather than participate in an interlocal agreement.

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SB 280:  Would make dental oral assessments mandatory for children enrolling in kindergarten or first grade for the first time and would require notification to providers that their dental network can be leased to another insurer with opt out provisions.

Sponsor: Sen. Singh (D)
Passage: 85-24 with Immediate Effect

Why I voted NO:  Making the dental screening program mandatory is just more government infringement on how parents raise their children.

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BILL PACKAGE HBs 4909-4912 & 5047:  Would enact major reforms to the guardianship and conservatorship proceedings that occur in the Probate Courts of this state.

Sponsors: Reps. Breen (D), Tsernoglou (D), Filler (R), Borton (R), Coffia (D)
HB 4909 Passage: 87-22 with Immediate Effect
HB 4910 Passage: 89-20 with Immediate Effect

HB 4911 Passage: 91-18 with Immediate Effect

HB 4912 Passage: 92-17 with Immediate Effect

HB 5047 Passage: 74-35 with Immediate Effect

Why I voted NO:  Guardians and conservators may be unwilling to provide these essential services when the state increases their responsibilities without also increasing their pay.

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BILL PACKAGE HBs 4738 & 4739:  Require a prosecuting attorney to keep the personal information of any victim confidential unless the personal information is part of the res gestae (i.e. the events or circumstances at issue) of the charged crime.

Sponsors: Reps. Breen (D) & Mentzer (D)
HB 4738 Passage: 106-3 with Immediate Effect
HB 4739 Passage: 105-4 with Immediate Effect

Why I voted YES:  Victims of crime are often reluctant to come forward and identify their assailants. They often fear reprisals from the perpetrator, and one way to protect victims from retaliation is by shielding from disclosure their address, cell phone numbers, or other information that might unnecessarily allow others to track them down.

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BILL PACKAGE HBs 4416-4419:  General amendments to the Estates and Protected Individuals Code (EPIC).

Sponsors: Reps. Filler (R) & Breen (D)
Passages: 109-0 with Immediate Effect

Why I voted YES:  The financial caps in the EPIC are outdated and that are not subject to the annual cost-of-living adjustment using the United States Consumer Price Index. These provisions should be updated.

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HB 4346:  Amends the Open Meetings Act by allowing municipal public employee retirement boards to meet remotely.

Sponsor: Rep. Coleman (D)
Passage: 86-23 with Immediate Effect

Why I voted NO:  Whether elected or not, individuals who choose to serve on a public body should meet in person.

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BILL PACKAGE HBs 4085 & 4086:  Expands access to services and provides definitions for “Homeless Youth” and “Runaway Youth.”

Sponsors: Reps. Stone (D) & Roth (R)
HB 4085 Passage: 63-46 with Immediate Effect
HB 4086 Passage: 62-47 with Immediate Effect

Why I voted NO:  Parental consent should always be required as fast as possible. 72 hours can feel like a lifetime if you believe your child is gone. The State cannot keep parents in the dark.

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HB 4865:  Amends the Michigan Liquor Control Code by removing the minimum inventory requirements for gas stations that sell liquor.

Sponsor: Rep. Snyder (D)
Passage: 107-2 with Immediate Effect

Why I voted YES:  This removes a burdensome requirement that motor fuel retailers must follow to maintain their Specially Designated Distributor license.

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HB 4276:  Amends the Social Welfare Act to prevent the Department of Health and Human Services from entering into contracts with Medicaid managed care organizations that use Pharmacy Benefits Managers (PBMs) under certain conditions.

Sponsor: Rep. Farhat (D)
Passage: 105-4 with Immediate Effect

Why I voted YES:  This will help to ensure that independent pharmacies continue to be reimbursed at adequate rates and that they are not squeezed out of the market by PBM practices.

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SB 174:  Vehicle bill for FY 23-34 that would be used for the school aid sections of the state budget during supplemental spending process.

Sponsor: Sen. Camilleri (D)
Passage: 56-53 with Immediate Effect

Why I voted NO: This is a blank check to the Democrats to work behind closed doors to waste more money on our failing government education system.