New Update: Vote Record + Reasons

House Bills 4077-4078: Modernizing Michigan’s Death Certificate System

I voted YES on these bills because they update and streamline how death certificates are handled in Michigan. The new law requires deaths to be certified within 48 hours, allows more qualified professionals to sign off on certificates, and moves the whole process to an electronic system. Importantly, this electronic system makes it easier to cross-check records with the statewide voter registration database, helping prevent errors or possible fraud. These changes mean families won’t face delays during a difficult time, our records will be more accurate, and our elections will be more secure.

HB4077 PASSED 106-2; HB4078 PASSED 106-2.

House Bill 4122: Helping Home Food Businesses Grow

I voted YES on this bill because it makes life easier for people who make foods at home that can be stored at room temperature, like cookies, bread, or jam. If their products sell for less than $250 each, they can now make up to $50,000 a year without needing a state license (up from $25,000). If their products sell for more than $250 each, they can make up to $75,000 (up from $50,000). This law ONLY applies to foods that don’t need refrigeration. It lets local food makers grow their businesses without extra red tape.

HB4122 PASSED 101-7

House Bill 4245: Supporting Maple Syrup and Honey Producers

This bill helps more maple syrup and honey producers sell their products via multiple channels, including direct mail, online, or in-person at farmer’s markets as long as they send an order confirmation to the customer. It eliminates the need for many family-owned businesses to obtain a license from the state to operate. I voted YES because it cuts red tape and helps our state’s farmers.

HB4245 PASSED 105-3

House Bills 4033-4034: Modernizing Trust and Estate Laws for Families

I voted YES on these bills because they update Michigan’s laws about wills and trusts—the main ways families pass down money and property. These changes give people more flexibility to adjust how trust money is divided, so things can be split up more fairly if investments or property values go up or down. The new rules also make it easier for families to protect and preserve their property from generation to generation, keeping it in the family without unnecessary legal headaches. By clearing up confusing old laws and bringing Michigan in line with other states, these bills help families plan ahead, take care of their loved ones, and keep what they’ve worked hard for in the family.

HB4033 PASSED 106-0; HB4034 PASSED 106-0.

House Bills 4255-4256: Cracking Down on Fentanyl Dealers

I voted YES on these bills because they increase the penalties for anyone caught distributing fentanyl or similar dangerous drugs in Michigan. Fentanyl is deadly and is driving a lot of overdose deaths across the state. These bills are about sending a clear message: If you deal fentanyl, you’ll face tougher consequences. This is a strong step to protect our communities and save lives.

HB4255 PASSED 66-40; HB4256 PASSED 65-41.

House Bills 4047-4048: Banning the Distribution of Explicit Deepfake Images

I voted YES on these bills because they make it illegal to create or share fake sexual images or videos—called “deepfakes”—of anyone in Michigan. These bills set strong penalties for anyone who tries to distribute explicit deepfake material about another person, whether they’re running for office or just an ordinary resident. This law is about protecting everyone from being humiliated, slandered, or falsely attacked with fake explicit content online.

HB4047 PASSED 104-1; HB4048 PASSED 104-1.

House Bills 4027-4028: Making Insurance Labels Honest

I voted YES on these bills because they make sure that insurance companies can’t classify limited or bare-bones insurance plans as “full” or “comprehensive” coverage. This helps protect consumers by codifying additional legal protections into statute against false advertising.

HB4027 PASSED 106-0; HB4028 PASSED 106-0.

House Bills 4260-4261: Public Safety Fund—Real Accountability for Safer Communities

I voted YES on these bills because they create a new Public Safety Fund to help police, first responders, and local safety programs get the resources they need to keep our neighborhoods safe. The funding will focus on communities with the highest rates of violent crime, and no single community can receive more than 25 percent of the total funds. Importantly, this funding comes with accountability: if there isn’t a statistically significant drop in violent crime, the funding can be reduced or withheld. This ensures our taxpayer dollars go where they are needed most, and that we see real results for safer streets.

HB4260 PASSED 104-4; HB4261 PASSED 104-4.

My Co-Sponsorships are Advancing

I’m pleased to share several major updates from Lansing regarding bills I have co-sponsored:

• House Bills 4027-4028: These bills, which restore local control to Michigan communities—especially regarding the placement of large-scale solar farms—have just advanced out of committee. This legislation puts decision-making power back into the hands of local governments and residents, rather than Lansing, ensuring that local voices guide the future of their own neighborhoods.
• House Bill 4279: This bill, which I also co-sponsored, just received a public hearing in committee. HB 4279 would create the Michigan National Guard State Apprenticeship Program to connect National Guard members with valuable, hands-on apprenticeship opportunities across the state. This will help our service members gain practical job skills and successfully transition to rewarding civilian careers.
• House Bills 4338-4339: This week, these bills prohibiting sanctuary cities in Michigan advanced out of committee. I am glad to have co-sponsored this legislation, which would ensure that Michigan communities comply with federal immigration law and do not enact policies that prevent local law enforcement from cooperating with federal immigration authorities.

Committee Update: Clerk Training Materials Subpoenaed for Review

Maintaining confidence in our elections starts with proper training and transparency. After the Department of State provided only some of the clerk training materials lawmakers had requested, the General Oversight Committee formally initiated a subpoena to obtain the full set of documents. Lawmakers will review these materials as soon as they are received, with the goal of identifying any deficiencies and ensuring the Department of State is properly training election clerks to follow the law. Voters deserve assurance that every ballot is handled lawfully, and every clerk is held to consistent and fair standards across the state.

---

Thank you for taking the time to read my newsletter. Please feel free to share this with anyone you’d like to help stay informed. If you have any questions, comments, or event/meeting requests please call me at 517-373-0839 and/or email me at [email protected].

In God We Trust,

Representative Josh Schriver