Wednesday, January 14th, 2026:

I voted NO on HB 4141 (Rep. Tisdel) would require schools to implement a wireless communication device policy and add minimum requirements for the policy. EXPLANATION: Many school districts in our community have adopted fantastic and productive policies to prevent phone usage. Local schools know what’s best for their students. Cellphone policies should be left to local schools so they can tailor their approach to fit their needs. A sweeping state mandate will not properly address the questions raised by cellphone use in schools, but it would force schools to adopt an approach that disregards their local autonomy and unique circumstances.

PASSED: 99-10

I voted YES on HB 4284 (Rep. Paquette) would reduce the fee for renewing a CPL license, from $115.00 to $30.00. The county would keep the entire fee for the concealed pistol licensing fund of that county. EXPLANATION: The Second Amendment protects a right, not a privilege. Government has no business attempting to regulate the right to keep and bear arms, and it is ridiculous to charge $115 for a license renewal fee. Drastically reducing this fee is productive in better respecting natural rights, but more work is needed in the future.

PASSED: 63-46

I voted NO on HB 4805-4808 (Rep. Posthumus) would increase the disbursement rate to 8% of the 12-quarter average. Would adjust references for the new board name. Would update the name of the board, allows partnering with fundraising organizations, changes nomenclature and alters various references in addition to modifying reporting requirements. Would allow the Children Trust Michigan board to meet virtually (or include absent members virtually at in-person meetings). EXPLANATION: Increasing the disbursement rate for the Children’s Trust Fund increases the amount of taxpayer dollars that government can spend. Child safety experts and activists do not need government to direct their efforts in curtailing child abuse. 

PASSED: 101-8, PASSED: 102-7, PASSED: 101-8, PASSED: 100-9

I voted YES on HB 4492 (Rep. Mueller) would allow an employer to require tip pooling between their employees. EXPLANATION: PA 1 of 2025 saddled employers with harsher penalties for failure to compensate an employee with the difference between earned tips and minimum wage. Private sector employers have every right to determine their own tip pooling policy with their employees. Tip policies are a decision best left to the market and if an employer adopts a bad policy, employees can work elsewhere.

PASSED: 57-52

I voted NO on HB 4947&48 (Reps. BeGole, McFall) would require that retailers who sell products containing ephedrine or pseudoephedrine participate in the National Precursor Log Exchange (NPLEx). Would amend the Code of Criminal Procedure at MCL 777.13m, the Criminal Sentencing Guidelines. This bill would add changes in language for all of the criminal offenses referenced in HB 4947. EXPLANATION: Another government tracking database will not solve usage of meth, nor will regulating the sale of ephedrine and pseudoephedrine. People with genuine need for this medication should not be punished solely because bad actors use these substances as precursors for meth.

PASSED: 87-22, PASSED: 84-25

Thursday, January 15th, 2026:

I voted NO on HB 4749 (Rep. Roth) would allow Antrim County to operate its own District Court. EXPLANATION: Operating a new district court can lead to further expenses in the future. There are areas throughout the state that share district courts, and this arrangement is more cost effective for taxpayer dollars.

PASSED: 103-4

I voted YES on HB 4911 (Rep. Schmaltz) would allow a barber to operate a mobile barbershop. EXPLANATION: Mobile barbershops present a great market opportunity for barbers. If some clients are unable to visit a location, barbers can take their skills on the road. Currently, the state prohibits mobile barbershops and although this legislation allows unelected bureaucrats to promulgate rules and regulate these barbershops, this is a step in the right direction.

PASSED: 107-0

I voted YES on HB 4692 (Rep. Rigas) would allow cosmetology schools to operate branch facilities. EXPLANATION: Currently, it is extremely difficult for a cosmetology school to establish a branch facility because they have to complete a separate license and pay additional fees. Cosmetology schools can teach more people with branch facilities, and the state should not deny access to this opportunity.

PASSED: 106-1

I voted YES on HB 5127 (Rep. Schuette) would prevent the department when regulating child care centers from regulating occupants or areas of a multiple occupancy building which are not child care centers or used by the child care center. EXPLANATION: LARA should not regulate businesses simply because they are located in the same building as a child care center. Closing the loophole that enabled LARA to regulate other occupants helps alleviate burdensome regulatory overreach.

PASSED: 99-8

I voted YES on HB 5207 (Rep. Rigas) would modify barber instructor licensing requirements. EXPLANATION: Streamlining the process to obtain a barber instructor’s or cosmetology instructor’s license acknowledges ambitious professionals seeking to work hard and grow their business. 

PASSED: 104-3