“The Rowan Act, HB 4518, is named in memory of six-year-old Rowan Morey, whose life was tragically cut short after a failed custody exchange,” said Rigas, R-Caledonia. “This legislation is about giving law enforcement the discretion they need when a child is missing and in danger – even if the situation doesn’t meet the state’s definition of abduction. It recognizes that danger doesn’t always come with flashing lights or dramatic headlines. Sometimes, it’s a delayed return. Sometimes, it’s a special-needs child who’s vulnerable in ways our current system doesn’t account for.”

“I never would’ve guessed that over 90% of the issues I’ve worked on as chair of the House Committee on Government Weaponization would be regarding the DNR,” said Rigas, R-Caledonia. “The DNR has backlogged our committee with the sheer number of ways they’ve used their department against the public. Historically, the DNR has waited out lawmakers who targeted their weaponization tactics through term limits. Luckily for us, recent changes to term limits mean many of us could be here for another ten years.”