HB 4948:  Would prohibit landlords from requesting information from prospective tenants regarding the tenants’ expunged convictions and/or juvenile conviction records.

Sponsor: Rep. Grant (D)
Passage: 57-52 with Immediate Effect

Why I voted NO:  This bill would apply to all adults with expunged convictions, and therefore this is not a bill that simply concerns juveniles.

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HB 4960:  Would amend the Elliott-Larsen Civil Rights Act to prohibit employers from requesting information from prospective employees regarding the employees’ expunged convictions and/or juvenile conviction records.

Sponsor: Rep. Snyder (D)
Passage: 57-53 with Immediate Effect

Why I voted NO:  This bill would apply to all adults with expunged convictions, and therefore this is not a bill that simply concerns juveniles.

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HB 4724:  Amends the Income Tax Act by creating an income tax credit for disabled veterans or a widow of a disabled veteran who rent or lease their homestead.

Sponsor: Rep. Price (D)
Passage: 102-7 with Immediate Effect

Why I voted YES:  Veterans deserve our respect, especially those who are disabled due to their service. We should be doing whatever we can to help them. This bill will provide much needed financial relief for those who served this county and became disabled doing so.

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HB 4716:  Requires salvage vehicle inspection fees to be used for public safety.

Sponsor: Rep. Begole (D)
Passage: 108-2 with Immediate Effect

Why I voted YES:  Prioritizing the public health and safety should always be a priority. This bill ensures that we maximize existing revenue for that purpose.

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BILL PACKAGE HBs 4185-4190:  This legislation strengthens enforcement standards in response to an Auditor General audit of the Michigan Department of Environmental, Great Lakes & Energy Air Quality Division’s Asbestos Program that discovered weaknesses in the enforcement program of monitoring for safe asbestos abatement in demolition and renovation projects.

Sponsors: Reps. Aiyash (D), Mentzer (D), McKinney (D), Vanderwall (R)
HB 4185 Passage: 73-37 with Immediate Effect

HB 4186 Passage: 72-38 with Immediate Effect

HB 4187 Passage: 68-42 with Immediate Effect

HB 4188 Passage: 56-54 with Immediate Effect

HB 4189 Passage: 81-29 with Immediate Effect

HB 4190 Passage: 83-27 with Immediate Effect

Why I voted NO:  There is a specific fee included in the proposed legislation. We already have regulations in place for this, more would be misguided.

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HB 4522:  Would amend the Revised Judicature Act to authorize the creation of Family Treatment Courts, allowing circuit courts to provide enhanced services in child abuse and neglect proceedings to parents who have substance use disorders.

Sponsor: Rep. Breen (D)
Passage: 99-11 with Immediate Effect

Why I voted NO:  Nine Family Treatment Courts are already operating in Michigan. Because they can operate under current law, no change in statute is necessary.

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BILL PACKAGE HBs 4523-4525:  allow violent offenders and convicted felons to participate in specialty treatment courts

Sponsors: Reps. Hope (D), Andrews (D), Filler (R)
HBs 4523 & 4524 Passages: 68-42 with Immediate Effect

HB 4525 Passage: 74-36 with Immediate Effect

Why I voted NO:  Violent offenders, including murderers, rapists, and persons who commit new felonies while already in a treatment-court program should not be granted the privilege of participating in specialty treatment courts.

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HB 5048:  Expands the ability to issue an excise tax for dwelling, lodging, or sleeping services for transient guests to local units of government.

Sponsor: Rep. Fitzgerald (D)
Passage: 66-44 with Immediate Effect

Why I voted NO:  Individuals could be “double taxed” if they stay at a hotel within a city and county that has an excise tax established.

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HB 5096:  Affords the Michigan Strategic Fund Board the authority/flexibility to designate renaissance zones that have not yet been designated as well as authorizes the MSF to extend renaissance zones it has designated.

Sponsor: Rep. Grant (D)
Passage: 72-38 with Immediate Effect

Why I voted NO:  We shouldn’t give the MSF any more power, regardless of if it would be helpful or not.

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HB 5046:  Would increase the pay for court reporters who produce court transcripts.

Sponsor: Rep. Shannon (D)
Passage: 104-6 with Immediate Effect

Why I voted YES:  Court reporters deserve a living wage, and that the amount of compensation they currently receive for their work is inadequate. Therefore, an increase in their pay rate would be fair and just.

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HB 5028:  Would prohibit homeowners’ associations from placing restrictions on various energysaving modifications to homes in a Homeowners Association (HOA) agreement. The bill would also invalidate such prohibitions in existing HOA agreements.

Sponsor: Rep. Puri (D)
Passage: 56-54 with Immediate Effect

Why I voted NO:  The purpose of an HOA is that members agree to certain requirements and aesthetics to maintain and increase property values.

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HB 4723:  Creates a special Merchant Marines registration plate for individuals and/or their family that were or are currently a member of the United States Merchant Marine.

Sponsor: Rep. Morgan (D)
Passage: 104-6 with Immediate Effect

Why I voted YES:  Provides recognition for our service members and their spouses.

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SB 262:  Amends the Fire Prevention Code by modifying fire resistant requirements for tents.

Sponsor: Sen. Irwin (D)
Passage: 90-20 with Immediate Effect

Why I voted NO:  The act should apply to tents used for recreational camping as well.

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SB 513:  Allows Helen Newberry Joy Hospital to restructure as a nonprofit corporation.

Sponsor: Sen. McBroom (D)
Passage: 104-6 with Immediate Effect

Why I voted YES:  These changes are necessary to ensure HNJH is able to restructure and partner with a more financially stable nonprofit and subsequently continue providing care to the community.

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HB 4945:  Would criminalize the possession of firearms or ammunition by persons convicted of misdemeanor domestic violence. This new crime would be a 5-year felony.

Sponsor: Rep. O’Neal (D)
Passage: 58-52 with Immediate Effect

Why I voted NO:  This bill is another attack on Michiganders’ rights to possess and carry a firearm under the Second Amendment.

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BILL PACKAGE SBs 471 & 528:  Would criminalize the possession of firearms or ammunition by persons convicted of misdemeanor domestic violence. This new crime would be a 5-year felony.

Sponsors: Sens. Chang (D) & Schink (D)
Passages: 58-52 with Immediate Effect

Why I voted NO:  This bill is another attack on Michiganders’ rights to possess and carry a firearm under the Second Amendment.

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BILL PACKAGE HBs 4129 & 4130:  Prohibit Intimidation of Election Workers

Sponsor: Rep. Hope (D)
Passages: 56-54 with Immediate Effect

Why I voted NO:  It is already illegal to intimidate or threaten people. A new five-year felony/$1,000 fine will not deter anyone with actual malicious intent.

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BILL PACKAGE HBs 5141-5145: 

Sponsors: Reps. Tsernoglou (D), Puri (D), Bierlein (R), Arbit (D)
HB 5141 & 5142 Passages: 59-51 with Immediate Effect

HB 5143 Passage: 63-47 with Immediate Effect

HB 5144 Passage: 60-50 with Immediate Effect

HB 5145 Passage: 58-52 with Immediate Effect

Why I voted NO:  Freedom of speech must be protected at all costs. This legislation creates very murky waters when it comes to the difference between strategic political advertising, satire, and opinions being presented through graphics or other media.

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BILL PACKAGE HBs 4885 & 4923:  Creates a medication aide training and permit program.

Sponsors: Reps. McKinney (D) & Aragona (R)
HB 4885 Passage: 83-27 with Immediate Effect

HB 4923 Passage: 82-28 with Immediate Effect

Why I voted YES:  An individual must be a nurse aide for at least 2,000 hours in a two-year period in order to become a registered medication aide. Medication aides are required to have additional testing, thus not expanding their scope, but creating a new classification of CNAs.

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BILL PACKAGE SBs 395 & 396: 

Sponsors: Sens. Polehanki (D) & McDonald Rivet (D)
Passages: 56-54 with Immediate Effect

Why I voted NO:  Though basing 20% of the evaluation on student growth is better than none at all, if a school and a union wish to base even more of the evaluation on growth, they are prohibited from doing so – the bill requires 20% – no more, no less.

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SB 385:  Would allow for precinct inspector applications to be submitted online.

Sponsor: Sen. Geiss (D)
Passage: 93-17 with Immediate Effect

Why I voted YES:  Allowing for the electronic submission of these applications makes them more accessible and should increase the number of applicants at a time when jurisdictions are severely struggling to fill these positions.

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BILL PACKAGE SBs 572 & 573:  Would change the number of active registered electors in a city, ward, township, or village (precinct) from 5,000 to 4,999.

Sponsor: Rep. Moss (D)
Passages: 102-8 with Immediate Effect

Why I voted YES:  The bill would allow clerks to pool resources and save money by consolidating voting precincts. By combining precincts, clerks could free up required materials like ballot tabulators and Voter Assist Terminals to serve other precincts under a clerk’s jurisdiction.

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HB 4230:  Removes language which codified the MEA v. Michigan Secretary of State Michigan Supreme Court Decision regarding a school district automatically deducting and remitting wages to the MEA-PAC.

Sponsor: Rep. Wilson (D)
Passage: 56-54 with Immediate Effect

Why I voted NO:  Changing this language would have no immediate impact unless the goal is to bring suit to overturn the current Supreme Court decision.

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HB 4234:  Would amend the Michigan Campaign Finance Act to allow the use of public resources to establish or administer payroll deduction plans for contributions to campaign committees and to remove other restrictions on the use of payroll deduction plans for political contributions.

Sponsor: Rep. Tsernoglou (D)
Passage: 56-54 with Immediate Effect

Why I voted NO:  No one should be forced to have their wages withheld just to go towards a political campaign of their union leader’s choice.

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BILL PACKAGE HBs 4274 & 4275:  Alters the process of statutory revenue sharing to create more stability for local units of government by creating a Revenue Sharing Trust Fund and dedicating annual minimum funding equal to the FY 22-23 baseline ($528 million) to the fund. The baseline funding will be distributed in the same manner as the FY 22-23 budget which ensures each unit maintains that as the minimum baseline of funding each year and protects those and future dollars from being spent in other areas. The bills also require the legislature to direct any additional funding over the baseline through the normal appropriations process.

Sponsors: Reps. O’Neal (D) & Tisdel (R)
Passage: 106-4 with Immediate Effect

Why I voted YES:  Local governments need dependable funding to ensure public safety, keep their communities clean, and maintain recreational parks, but for far too long, state revenue sharing has been inconsistent and often insufficient. Creating a dedicated funding stream will give local officials stability and peace of mind as they provide community services and activities for residents to enjoy.

Over the past decades, changes to state law have decreased statutory revenue sharing to local governments, and because revenue sharing comes from the General Fund, state funding for local governments can fluctuate if state officials prioritize other programs. Instead, the Revenue Sharing Trust Fund proposed in this bill would set aside tax dollars that would be permanently dedicated to revenue sharing with local governments.

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BILL PACKAGE HBs 4949, 4951, 4953-4956 & SBs 474-477:  Reproductive Health Act

Sponsors: Reps. Morse (D), Brabec (D), Price (D), Rogers (D) & Sens. Anthony (D), Chang (D), Geiss (D), Cavanagh (D)
Passages: 56-54 with Immediate Effect

Why I voted NO:  These bills go far beyond implementation of the Reproductive Freedom ballot initiative. The changes include removing informed consent procedures, removing requirements to ensure coercion was not instrumental in seeking an abortion, and reducing licensing standards on abortion clinics. While the voters approved ensuring that abortion was legal at the ballot, these bills are not necessary to achieve that goal and were not the stated intention of the ballot initiative. This package is designed solely to decriminalize the worst parts of abortion practices.

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BILL PACKAGE HBs 4520-4521:  Increased fines for assault and battery of a health professional or medical volunteer

Sponsors: Reps. Mueller (R) & Breen (D)
Passages: 97-12 with Immediate Effect *Previous Bills

Why I voted NO:  No change in the law is necessary.

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HB 5059:  Designates a portion of highway M-39 in Southfield/Lincoln Park as the “Bishop P.A. Brooks Memorial Freeway”.

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

Why I voted YES:  This highway naming allows us to express gratitude and appreciation for Bishop P.A. Brooks and his spiritual service to the Detroit area.

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HB 4158:  Designates a portion of highway M-50 in Monroe Charter Township (Monroe County) as the “Animal Control Officer Darrian Young Memorial Highway”.

Sponsor: Rep. Zorn (D)
Passage: 106-3 with Immediate Effect

Why I voted YES:  Our emergency services personnel continually place themselves in danger on behalf of our citizens and state.

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HB 4722:  Eliminates “Juneteenth National Freedom Day”, which is currently celebrated on the third Saturday in June. This is in response to HB 4457, which designates an official day for Juneteenth (June 19).

Sponsor: Rep. Scott (D)
Passage: 109-0 with Immediate Effect

Why I voted YES:  There is a bill to establish Juneteenth on a more traditional date – we should clean up old language and eliminate a redundant holiday.

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HB 4154:  Designates a portion of highway M-3 in Chesterfield Township (Macomb County) as the “Senior Chief Petty Officer Jason P. May Memorial Highway”.

Sponsor: Rep. DeBoyer (R)
Passage: 109-0 with Immediate Effect

Why I voted YES:  This highway naming allows us to express our gratitude and appreciation for Senior Chief Petty Officer Jason P. May for his service to our nation.

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HB 4981:  Would require candidates for County Sheriff to have certain levels of law enforcement experience in order to be eligible to seek office.

Sponsor: Rep. BeGole (R)
Passage: 79-30 with Immediate Effect

Why I voted NO:  The only law enforcement officer elected directly by the people of the community and is one of five offices that are mandated to exist by the Constitution. This is as much a political and administrative position as a law enforcement position.

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HB 4048:  Amends the Lottery Act by preventing the lottery commission from disclosing the winner of a multi-state lottery game identity without their consent.

Sponsor: Rep. Outman (R)
Passage: 106-3 with Immediate Effect

Why I voted YES:  People have a right to privacy. Winning the lottery can bring a great deal of unwanted attention if a winner’s personal information is released against their will.

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HB 4605:  Creates the Public Safety and Violence Prevention Fund within the Department of Treasury and earmarks a portion of the State Sales tax to the fund.

Sponsor: Rep. Shannon (D)
Passage: 52-51 with Immediate Effect

Why I voted NO: I have consistently supported additional funding for our brave law enforcement officers, because making our local community safer and protecting victims will always be a top priority for me at the Capitol. We need more police on the streets, and those officers need the right tools to stay safe and fight crime effectively. My local law enforcement officers need new recruits, new equipment, safer vehicles, and more reliable personal protection. HB 4605 does not give them those tools. I am voting no because far too much of our limited funding bypasses our police in this bill and is instead funneled to the governor’s healthcare bureaucracy. There, that money could be used for a whole host of social justice programs that completely ignore our law enforcement. Efforts to clarify that ambiguity and dedicate that funding to actual public safety efforts were rejected. We need a real commitment to public safety and very clear spending bills that spend our public safety dollars on our top priorities. Without that, I cannot support this bill.

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HB 4720:  Outlines “equal language access” responsibilities for the Office of Global Michigan.

Sponsor: Rep. Puri (D)
Passage: 56-52 along party lines with Immediate Effect

Why I voted NO:  These are likely to increase costs of operating state agencies, especially in areas with a high number of individuals who speak different languages.

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HB 5059:  Designates a portion of highway M-39 in Southfield/Lincoln Park as the “Bishop P.A. Brooks Memorial Freeway”

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

Why I voted YES:  This highway naming allows us to express gratitude and appreciation for Bishop P.A. Brooks and his spiritual service to the Detroit area.

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BILL PACKAGE SBs 271, 273, 502:  Increases Michigan’s renewable energy standard, establishes a clean energy standard, and creates energy storage requirements. It also raises the distributed generation cap.

Sponsor: Sens. Geiss (D), Singh (D), Shink (D)
Passage: 56-52 along party lines with Immediate Effect

Why I voted NO: This legislation will increase monthly electric bills for Michigan families and make our state’s energy grid far less reliable. As families struggle with high inflation and cold weather, they need affordability and reliability. They deserve to know that the heat will kick on when they flip the switch and that they can afford to pay the utility bill at the end of the month. Instead, these bills force Michigan to close existing power plants and build out expensive and experimental technologies to replace them.

Those increased costs will be passed on to Michigan families in the form of higher rates they cannot afford. The bills even go so far as to eliminate existing caps on rate increases, allowing utility companies to charge unlimited amounts and raise monthly electric bills as much as they want.

The unreliable solar arrays and wind farms will also make our existing issues with grid reliability even worse. Local utility companies already struggle to keep the lights on when it snows, when it rains, when there is thunder, or when the wind blows. Moving Michigan further onto a grid overly reliant on perfect weather conditions will lead to spoiled food, dark rooms, and shivering children. It is a recipe for disaster.

Michigan families deserve lower monthly electric bills and more reliable service. These bills deliver neither of those things and actually make things worse for all of us on both fronts. For these reasons, I cannot and will not support these bills.

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SB 519:  Would create the Community and Worker Transition Office within LEO that would be tasked with implementing and recommending supports for disproportionately impacted and economically impacted communities suffering job losses from transitioning to new industries.

Sponsor: Sen. Singh (D)
Passage: 56-52 along party lines with Immediate Effect

Why I voted NO:  See explanation above for SBs 271, 273, 502.

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SB 277:  Codifies an existing program allowing agricultural property enrolled in Michigan’s farmland preservation program (PA 116, Part 361 of the Natural Resources and Environmental Protection Act) to be rented for solar operations.

Sponsor: Sen. McDonald Rivet (D)
Passage: 56-51 along party lines with Immediate Effect

Why I voted NO:  Regardless of what MDARD says, a solar energy generation facility does not fall under an “agricultural use” category.