SE Grand Rapids News

During the week of June 3, several bills were addressed in Michigan's legislative session. Representative Smit provided explanations for his votes on a range of topics from firearm safety to property transfers.

House Bill 4285, sponsored by Rep. VanderWall, aims to introduce an elective program for firearm safety in Michigan schools. The bill passed with a vote of 101-7. Representative Smit supported it, stating, "As hunter participation rates continue to decline around the county, some have argued to providing students with exposure to firearm and hunting safety practices could help recruit more new hunters."

House Bill 4401, which amends the Natural Resources and Protection Act to extend the pheasant hunt in Michigan by removing the sunset on the Pheasant Stamp for Hunting law, was sponsored by Rep. Greene and passed with a vote of 104-4. Smit noted that "Michigan pheasant hunters have been harvesting nearly 22,000 wild roosters annually."

A bill package including House Bills 4113 and 4114 saw HB 4113 increase liquor discounts for retailers and HB 4114 limit the Michigan Liquor Control Commission from considering older violations of the liquor code. Sponsored by Reps. Steckloff and Kuhn respectively, both bills passed with a vote of 83-25. Smit explained his support: "Minor violations of the liquor code that occurred years ago should not impact the commission’s decisions pertaining to licensing."

Another bill package involving House Bills 4301 and 4302 addressed emergency vehicle operations under MABAS agreements. These bills were sponsored by Reps. BeGole and McFall and passed unanimously with a vote of 108-0 each. According to Smit, "The agreement assists departments with recruitment and retention problems during emergencies by providing additional first responders."

House Bill 4189 proposed naming a bridge as LCpl Michael W. Hanks Memorial Bridge in Fowlerville. Sponsored by Rep. Woolford, it also passed unanimously (108-0). Smit supported it due to military personnel's contributions: "Our military personnel continually place themselves in danger on behalf of our citizens."

House Bill 4420 focused on prohibiting expenditure unless specific information is disclosed publicly via DTMB's website; it was sponsored by Rep. Kunse and also passed unanimously (108-0). On this matter, Smit stated that nonprofits must meet strict criteria: "For-profit businesses won’t qualify for earmarked spending."

Sponsored by Rep Harris, House Bill 4464 seeks to codify existing federal exemptions for health plans into state law; it was approved with a unanimous vote (106-0). According to Smit: "The bill mirrors existing federal law..."

Property-related matters were discussed through House Bills 4023 and HB4135; both involved transferring surplus state-owned land under different circumstances—one related directly toward benefiting local governance processes while maintaining efficient resource management solutions where possible—each achieved approval majority consensus through decisive action leading furtherance communal benefits amidst various stakeholders impacted equally positively overall outcomes thusly garnered significantly substantial recognition across board membership constituencies alike unilaterally representing bipartisan cooperative spirit evident consistently legislative endeavors similarly observed past iterations comparative scenarios previously encountered contextually appropriate aforementioned statements accordingly appended.