Michigan State Representative Rachelle Smit (R-Hastings) provided explanations for her votes on several bills during the week of March 3.
Among the legislation was a package including HB 5450 and HB 5451. HB 5450, sponsored by Rep. Beson, aims to prevent municipalities from imposing fees, taxes, or assessments on mobile food establishments. HB 5451, sponsored by Rep. Aragona, establishes a uniform fire safety standard for these businesses. Both bills passed with immediate effect. Explaining her support, Smit stated: “Streamlining this process and eliminating burdensome fees helps food trucks stay profitable and remain a viable business opportunity.”
Smit also voted in favor of HB 5364, which requires legislative approval for revisions to academic standards. The bill is intended to stop the state board of education from making changes without broader public input or legislative approval. Smit explained: “The bill stops the state board of education from implementing controversial changes to the academic standards without broader public input or legislative approval.”
HB 5467 clarifies procedures regarding replacement candidates and ballot reprinting if a candidate dies before an election. Smit said: “The window ensures that multiple ballots are not in circulation when early or absentee voting has begun. Putting these timelines into law gives local election officials certainty in difficult situations. Clerks shouldn’t face legal threats simply for doing their jobs during unexpected circumstances.”
In addition, Smit supported HB 5468, which outlines what information must be included on a candidate’s filing affidavit and requires Congressional candidates to disclose whether they reside in the district they wish to represent. She commented: “The only people who oppose requiring congressional candidates to disclose where they live are the carpetbaggers who trick voters while living it up at a luxury beach house or swanky downtown apartment outside the community they’re trying to represent. Voters deserve to know whether someone is truly their neighbor or just claiming to be.”
Other measures supported by Smit include funding for Selfridge Air National Guard Base through HB 4572 and reducing scheduling delays for controlled substances after federal changes via HB 5162.
A series of bills related to insurance captives were also passed with significant bipartisan support. These bills are designed to ease requirements for captive sponsors, expand definitions within regulations, adjust fee structures and reporting deadlines, and align compliance requirements with fiscal years rather than calendar dates. According to Smit: “Insurance captives can offer important benefits for users, including reduced overhead, more customized coverage options tailored to the company’s specific needs, and more.”
She also voted yes on legislation ensuring that firefighters and police officers who serve as members of the National Guard or reserves receive at least 26 paid military leave days per year. On this measure she said: “Service in the armed forces should be facilitated and not discouraged, especially for first responders who serve this state and country both on the job and as a member of the reserves.”
However, Smit opposed a bill mandating continued education courses on menopause for physicians because such courses are already available.
