HB 4044:  Designates the wood duck as the official duck of the state of Michigan.

Sponsor:  Rep. Farhat (D)                         

Passage:  92-17 with Immediate Effect

Why I voted NO: The mallard (Anas platyrhynchos) is the most harvested duck in Michigan and should be the official state duck.

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HB 4011:  Would authorize the transfer of property currently owned by the state for the Department of Corrections in Standish (Arenac County).

Sponsor:  Rep. Hoadley (R)                      

Passage:  62-47 with Immediate Effect

Why I voted YES: Surplus property should not be kept and maintained by the state when better uses are available, and the state does not seem to be using this portion of the current parcel.

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HB 4434:  Would eliminate one-person grand juries by repealing all the sections of statute that create and authorize this process.

Sponsor:  Rep. Meerman (R)                   

Passage:  74-35 with Immediate Effect

Why I voted YES: The one-person grand-jury process is inconsistent with the principles of fair and impartial court proceedings, as well as fair and impartial government generally, in this State.

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HB 4246:  Amends the Public Health Code to enter Michigan into the Nurse Licensure Compact to allow registered or licensed nurses to practice in states other than Michigan and allow registered or licensed nurses in other states that are part of the Nurse Licensure Compact to practice in Michigan.

Sponsor:  Rep. Green (R)                          

Passage:  57-52 with Immediate Effect

Why I voted YES: With 43 states that are already members of the Nursing Licensure Compact, Michigan is one of the few states where obtaining an additional license is more difficult, creating a competitive disadvantage for recruiting nurses.

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BILL PACKAGE HBs 4576-4580:  House Republicans’ FY26 Education Budget Bill Package (Department of Education, School Aid Fund, Community Colleges, Higher Education, & MiLEAP Budgets)

Sponsors:  Reps. Kelly (R) & Markannen (R)                     

HBs 4576-4578 Passages:  56-53 with Immediate Effect

HBs 4579-4580 Passages:  56-41 with Immediate Effect

Why I voted YES: The House Republicans’ budget puts students first and gives local school leaders the flexibility they need to do what’s best for their kids. For the first time ever, we’re increasing the foundation allowance to $12,000 per student, which is by far the highest in our state’s history. That’s a $2,392 increase for every single student. It means more resources in the classroom, more support for struggling students, and more opportunities for every child to thrive. We’re showing that Michigan kids are worth the investment.

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BILL PACKAGE HBs 4394-4395:  Temporary permits for barbers to provide services at veteran service organizations.

Sponsors:  Reps. Rigas (R) & Witwer (D)                            

Passages:  95-2 with Immediate Effect

Why I voted YES: This allows barbers and cosmetologists to provide an essential service that benefits veterans.

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HB 4192:  Would change the annual groundwater discharge permit fee classification structure for manufactured housing communities, and RV parks/campgrounds.

Sponsor:  Rep. VanWoerkom (R)                           

Passage:  65-32 with Immediate Effect

Why I voted YES: Returning these two classifications to their prior rate class creates fairness based on the level of inspection effort.

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BILL PACKAGE HBs 4257 & 4265:  Represent a legislative effort to balance the promotion of anaerobic digestion technology with the need for environmental protection. By defining key terms, setting operational standards, and clarifying permitting requirements, the bills aim to provide a framework that supports sustainable waste management practices while safeguarding natural resources.

Sponsors:  Reps. Neyer (R) & Andrews (D)                        

Passages:  62-35 with Immediate Effect

Why I voted YES: There is a need for clearer and more streamlined regulations for anaerobic digestion, ensuring that operators can operate efficiently while protecting the environment.

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HB 4356:  Would require the Secretary of State to send a mail notice to voters if they haven’t voted in eight years, informing them that if they do not return the prepaid postage correspondence, their voter registration will be canceled.

Sponsor:  Rep. Hoadley (R)                      

Passage:  56-41 with Immediate Effect

Why I voted YES: Without cleaning up our voter rolls, we are leaving too many chances for fraud or accidents to occur. We need to ensure that those who are not qualified to vote are no longer on our voter rolls.