HB 5514:  Would create the Preventing Restraints in Youth Transport Act.

Sponsor:  Rep. Cavitt (R)                           

Passage:  104-1 with Immediate Effect

Why I voted YES: Restraining activities have been reported as unnecessarily aggressive, creating traumatic experiences for the youth being transported.

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HB 5719:  Would move the Michigan Prosecuting Attorneys Coordinating Council (PACC) to LARA, and removes the Attorney General from the council. This change in law was requested by PAAC and PAAM.

Sponsor:  Rep. Mueller (R)                       

Passage:  60-45 with Immediate Effect

Why I voted YES: Moving the PACC to LARA makes sense because LARA already houses the Michigan Indigent Defense Commission (MIDC). This move would place the prosecutors on an even footing with the criminal defense attorneys.

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HB 4733:  Expands allowable fish possession limits based on location and processing method.

Sponsor:  Rep. Pavlov (R)                          

Passage:  85-20 with Immediate Effect

Why I voted YES: This bill would allow people to store more fish legally if they process it, which can be helpful for recreational fishers, families preserving food, and multi-day fishing trips.

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HB 5836:  Eliminates the Cesar E. Chavez Day, which March 31st is currently designated as.

Sponsor:  Rep. Schriver (R)                      

Passage:  103-2 with Immediate Effect

Why I voted YES: The bill removes a designation that was always inappropriate; Chavez’ radical ideology made him an unfit honoree. Emerging sexual abuse allegations further make the designation highly problematic, necessitating the removal.

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HB 4708:  Amends the process for how marina and boatyard facility owners can enforce liens.

Sponsor:  Rep. St. Germaine (R)                            

Passage:  93-13 with Immediate Effect

Why I voted YES: This legislation protects lienholders and ensures prior lienholders are notified and paid according to priority.

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HB 5308:  Would reinstate the Great Lakes protection specialty watercraft decal and create a voluntary watercraft regulation fund for invasives and give the Department of State one year to implement the program.

Sponsor:  Rep. Borton (R)                         

Passage:  105-1 with Immediate Effect

Why I voted YES: The legislation would allow boaters to voluntarily contribute to conservation.

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HB 5388:  Would amend the definition of pepper spray, to allow another variety of consumer-grade tear gas to qualify.

Sponsor:  Rep. Slagh (R)                            

Passage:  61-45 with Immediate Effect

Why I voted YES: Most other states allow the purchase and use of this self-defense chemical. This chemical should also be legal to purchase and use for self-defense in Michigan.

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HB 5515:   Would amend the Michigan Penal Code to allow a person to concealed-carry a knife used as a fishing knife, and would allow a person to concealed-carry any knife shorter than 6 inches.

Sponsor:  Rep. Hoadley (R)                      

Passage:  58-48 with Immediate Effect

Why I voted YES: Proponents of the bill may argue that this is a simple fix which will ensure parity in law between sportsmen, and that will ensure that honest outdoorsmen do not break the law as they enjoy the cherished past times of hunting and fishing.

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BILL PACKAGE HBs 5425-5426:  Would expand the list of employers by whom a registered sex offender cannot be employed, to strengthen protections for children who might be targeted by sex offenders.

Sponsor:  Rep. Bierlein (R)                       

Passages:  96-9 with Immediate Effect

Why I voted YES: It is currently legal for a convicted sex offender to open a business that provides services or instruction to children, or to work at such a business. This loophole allows convicted sex offenders to work at youth summer camps, martial arts studios, dance studios, and the like. Proponents of the bill argue that registered sex offenders should not be allowed to work for businesses that primarily provide services to children. This bill will close this dangerous loophole.

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BILL PACKAGE HBs 4556-4557:  Remove the requirements that the Michigan Merit Examination (MME) must include a writing component and that schools include a student’s scaled score on each subject area component of the MME on their high school transcript.  *This is a previous bill that already passed the house.  This vote is to concur in the Senate substitute.

Sponsors:  Reps. Kunse (R) & Koleszar (D)                        

Passages:  105-0 with Immediate Effect

Why I voted YES: This mandate puts out-of-state students above Michigan students and should be removed. If you have two comparable students who aren’t good test takers and one has to share their score and the other doesn’t, the one without the score is going to look better.