Tuesday, September 16th, 2025:

I voted YES on HB 4664 (Rep. St. Germaine) would increase the penalties for obstructing traffic on a public highway while participating in an assembly of individuals. EXPLANATION: People who choose to block a highway in an immature attempt to make a political statement impair the ability of civilians to freely travel and unnecessarily endanger their well-being.

PASSED: 61-42

I voted NO on HB 4713-4719 (Reps. Robinson, Harris, B. Carter, McFall, Lightner, Tate, Aragona) would update the Code of Criminal Procedure to establish sentencing guidelines. Would amend the Insurance Code to include the National Insurance Crime Bureau under organizations authorized to receive or share information related to suspected insurance fraud. Would amend the Insurance Code to create tiered penalties for insurance fraud based on the number of fraudulent claims as well as the monetary value of the claim(s). Would amend the Penal Code to include insurance fraud under the definition of “racketeering” within the penal code. Would amend the Insurance Code to require insurers who have uncovered fraud to submit a report on the facts of the case to the Director of DIFS. Would amend the Insurance Code to clarify a fine related to an act or omission under the insurance fraud section, the fine may be ordered in addition to, not in lieu of, another penalty or restitution. EXPLANATION: Including insurance fraud in the definition of racketeering to allow duplicative charging will not help investigate or prevent insurance fraud. Existing civil and criminal insurance fraud offenses are sufficient in addressing the crime and do not increase data-sharing.

PASSED: 101-2, PASSED: 101-2, PASSED: 101-2, PASSED: 101-2, PASSED: 101-2, PASSED: 102-1, PASSED: 102-1

Wednesday, September 17th, 2025:

I voted YES on HB 4700 (Rep. Schuette) would modify the requirements for hotels to obtain liquor licenses. EXPLANATION: Hotels are either eligible for a Class A or Class B liquor license. Previously, a hotel located in an area with fewer than 175,000 people had to have at least 25 rooms in order to secure a license. Hotels in areas with 175,000 people or more had to have at least 50 rooms. Reducing this arbitrary restriction ensures hotels can serve their customers and address market demands. Any hotel is eligible for a license so long as they have at least 20 rooms, streamlining the process to obtain a liquor license.

PASSED: 94-3

I voted YES on HB 4282 & HB 4595 (Reps. Koleszar, Linting) Would allow the Michigan Liquor Control Commission (MLCC) to issue a license to sell liquor to a grocery store or restaurant located on land owned by Schoolcraft college. Would allow the MLCC to issue a Specially Designated Merchant (SDM) license to a grocery store on land owned by Schoolcraft College. EXPLANATION: Schoolcraft College offers an Associate’s Degree in Brewing and Distillation Technology, yet students are not allowed to sell or even give away their products on campus. This on-campus decision should be an opportunity available for Schoolcraft College.

PASSED: 89-8, PASSED: 90-7

I voted YES on HB 4515 (Rep. Woolford) would require Michigan bridge cards (electronic benefit transfer card issued for food stamps, cash assistance etc.) to display a picture and signature of the authorized user(s). EXPLANATION: The people of Michigan lose hundreds of millions of dollars in Bridge Card fraud every year. Displaying the recipient’s picture and signature is a solid step in deterring the fraud that continues to rob taxpayers on an annual basis.

PASSED: 60-38

Thursday, September 18th, 2025:

I voted YES on HB 4418&19, HB 4734  (Reps. Thompson, Witwer, BeGole) would allow for surrogate decision makers for an individual’s health care decisions, when an adult or emancipated minor is unable to make those health care decisions for themselves. Would allow the surrogate medical decision makers created under HB 4418 to consent to medical treatment on behalf of a patient who cannot make decisions for themselves. EXPLANATION: People should be in control of their own medical decisions, and in the case of the emergency, someone close to the patient should have the ability to make decisions on the patient’s behalf. If a person is not incapacitated, they can appoint their own surrogate decision maker, and in the event of an emergency, there is clear procedure on who can assume this temporary role. It is important to protect medical freedom and keep medical decisions closest to the patient when a power of attorney is not established.

PASSED: 98-0, PASSED: 98-0, PASSED: 98-0

I voted NO on HB 4694&95, HB 4798 (Rep. Markkanen) would add additional powers for existing and future authorities established under the Recreation Authorities Act. Would amend NREPA to add ‘recreational authority’ to the definition of a local unit of government or public authority, to avoid an amendment by reference. EXPLANATION: Expanding government powers under the Recreation Authorities Act does not guarantee better management of Michigan’s forests and outdoor recreational facilities. Additional powers almost always means additional expenditures, which is expanded power this authority would have through the ability to charge user fees or from additional property taxes through a local millage.

PASSED: 96-2, PASSED: 96-2, PASSED: 96-2