HB 4949:  Would extend the immunity from civil liability or criminal prosecution that protects sport shooting ranges, to include those ranges that expand or upgrade their facilities.

Sponsor:  Rep. Wortz (R)                           

Passage:  56-51 with Immediate Effect

Why I voted YES: Proponents of the bill may argue that sport shooting ranges should be allowed to expand and upgrade their facilities without having to face expensive lawsuits that are really designed to drive the shooting ranges out of business. This bill protects sport shooting ranges from such lawsuits.

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HB 5430:  Amends the Michigan Public Health Code by modifying definitions related to campgrounds and establishing new provisions regarding temporary residency.

Sponsor:  Rep. Smit (R)                             

Passage:  89-18 with Immediate Effect

Why I voted YES: It provides a mechanism for local governments to adapt quickly to emergency situations by allowing for different, potentially longer-term, occupancy rules when a state of emergency has been declared.

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BILL PACKAGE HBs 5125-5126:  Would create a criminal sentencing enhancement for theft of cargo.

Sponsors:  Reps. Harris (R) & Frisbie (R)                            

HB 5125 Passage:  87-20 with Immediate Effect

HB 5126 Passage:  86-21 with Immediate Effect

Why I voted YES: Proponents of the bill may argue that organized thefts of cargo from railroad cars and storage facilities are on the rise, and that these crimes cause millions of dollars in losses each year. In Wayne County, the main targets of such thefts appear to be new automobiles. Increased penalties should be adopted to address this growing trend.

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HB 4711:  Provides requirements for self-storage rental agreements.

Sponsor:  Rep. Hoadley (R)                      

Passage:  89-17 with Immediate Effect

Why I voted YES: This empowers owners of storage facilities to restrict access to former tenants that are in the process of having their agreements terminated.

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HB 4582:  Would adopt a new act called the “Premises Liability Act,” intended to codify in statute the former “open and obvious” defense to premises liability actions.

Sponsor:  Rep. Neyer (R)                           

Passage:  58-48 with Immediate Effect

Why I voted YES: Proponents of the bill may argue that the Michigan Supreme Court’s change to the law has tripled liability insurance rates due to increased litigation/settlements and general uncertainty for property owners and businesses. This bill will return some amount of sense to the law, and will save property owners a great deal of time and money that would otherwise be spent defending premises liability lawsuits.

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BILL PACKAGE HBs 5157-5158:  Would create a new crime for Delivery of a Controlled Substance Causing Serious Injury. The new crime would be punishable by imprisonment for life or any term of years.

Sponsor:  Rep. Kuhn (R)                             

Passages:  57-49 with Immediate Effect

Why I voted YES: Drug dealers cause enormous harm in our communities. Although the law already provides a criminal penalty for delivery of a controlled substance causing death, it does not provide a criminal penalty for delivery of a controlled substance causing serious injury. This bill fills that gap and addresses those situations in which individuals suffer serious injury at the hands of drug dealers.

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BILL PACKAGE HBs 4583-4584:  Limiting school millage and bond questions to the November regular election.

Sponsor:  Rep. Maddock (R)                    

Passages:  56-50 with Immediate Effect

Why I voted YES: Proposals will have increased visibility and public engagement when appearing on the November regular election ballot.

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HB 5032:  This bill prohibits school districts from using School Aid Fund (SAF) dollars to pay for election costs related to bond issuance. Instead, any election of this nature would be required to be funded through private donations.

Sponsor:  Rep. Kelly (R)                             

Passage:  57-49 with Immediate Effect

Why I voted YES: This could encourage school district to align bond proposals with regular election cycles which generally have higher turnout and lower marginal costs.

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HB 5249:  Creates the ambulance operation adaptive care license which allows ambulance providers to provide a life support level higher than basic life support in an ambulance, when equipment and staff is available.

Sponsor:  Rep. Prestin (R)                        

Passage:  103-1 with Immediate Effect

Why I voted YES: The bill allows ambulance operations to flexibly provide a higher level of care, if necessary staff is available, avoiding rigid red tape.

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HB 5343:  Modifies the ABV threshold for a beverage to qualify as a “mixed spirit drink”.

Sponsor:  Rep. Aragona (R)                      

Passage:  82-22 with Immediate Effect

Why I voted YES: Distillers and cocktail creators already have an established relationship with their distributors, and going through that system is more efficient.