Last week, the Michigan House advanced legislation focused on foreign policy protections, energy and insurance reform, disaster relief, professional development, and defending personal freedoms. Below is a summary of how I voted on the House floor, key legislation I co-sponsored or introduced, and an update on committee work I’m involved in.

National Guard Apprenticeship Advances Out of Committee

HB 4279 establishes a formal apprenticeship pipeline for members of the Michigan National Guard, helping them gain credentials while actively serving. This bill improves career readiness for service members by expanding access to apprenticeship programs. My office played a significant role in the development of this legislation, and I gladly co-sponsored it.

My Bill to Crack Down on Out-Of-Control Immigration

Deportation Task Force (HB4472): This bill, with the support of over a dozen colleagues, establishes a deportation Task Force, which would be responsible for identifying and reviewing federal, state, and local policies related to illegal immigration. The task force would propose specific actions and recommendations to ensure that Michigan is fully cooperating with federal immigration enforcement efforts. Its aim is to strengthen state-level coordination and uphold public safety through lawful and efficient deportation support. I would like to thank State Senator Jonathan Lindsey for his collaboration on this initiative.

(NEW) Significant Co-Sponsorships

Prohibit Gender Transition Procedures for Minors (HB4466-68): This bill would prohibit physicians from performing gender transition surgeries or prescribing puberty blockers and cross-sex hormones to minors. It aligns with the medical principle of “Do No Harm,” recognizing that such procedures can result in permanent physiological changes and reduce the ability to have biological children later in life.

Prohibit Discrimination Based on Vaccination Status (HB4475): This bill would prohibit discrimination against individuals based on their vaccination status in employment, education, or access to public accommodations. The legislation includes an exemption for military service assignments to countries experiencing severe public health outbreaks.

Real ID Opt-Out (HB4473-74): This bill would prohibit the Michigan Department of State (MDOS) from mandating that residents receive Real ID-compliant driver’s licenses. It ensures that participation in the federal Real ID system remains voluntary and protects the privacy of individuals who choose not to use it.

Most Recent Votes and Reasons

HB 4233 (YES) & HB 4234 (YES) prohibit foreign entities associated with adversarial governments—including China, Russia, Iran, and North Korea—from owning farmland or critical agricultural infrastructure in Michigan. These bills protect the state’s food supply, preserve local ownership of land, and reduce the risk of foreign political or economic leverage over rural communities.

While these measures are an important start, more work remains. Other nations with corrupt or authoritarian regimes must also be scrutinized. Ultimately, land in Michigan should be owned by individuals who are American citizens—not by foreign governments or entities acting on their behalf.
Final Vote: 63–47 (both)

HB 4235 (YES) bans certain high-risk applications developed by foreign adversaries—such as TikTok or WeChat—from being installed or used on government-issued devices. These platforms have been flagged by national security experts for potential surveillance and data mining tied to foreign governments. The bill explicitly protects private citizens’ rights, applying only to devices owned by the State of Michigan.
Final Vote: 79–31

HB 4238 (YES) & HB 4239 (YES) stop Michigan public schools and colleges from accepting money or entering agreements with governments like China, Iran, Russia, and North Korea if those deals give foreign countries influence over programs or curriculum. Schools would also be banned from promoting those countries’ agendas through cultural or language programs. Before signing any exchange agreement with these countries, schools must check with federal authorities to make sure the deal doesn’t pose a national security risk.
Final Vote: 59–51 (HB 4238), 61–49 (HB 4239)

HB 4240 (YES) prohibits most state and local public bodies from accepting money, signing agreements, or receiving gifts from governments like China, Russia, Iran, or North Korea if the arrangement promotes foreign agendas or limits Michigan’s autonomy. Agencies must publicly report any foreign gift or grant of $50,000 or more and require contractors to disclose financial ties to these countries. Repeat violators could face fines or be banned from receiving public contracts for five years.
Final Vote: 61–49

HB 4241 (YES) bars the Michigan Strategic Fund from awarding economic development grants, loans, or incentives to companies owned or controlled by foreign adversaries. This ensures taxpayer-backed programs are not subsidizing regimes hostile to U.S. interests.
Final Vote: 66–44

HB 4072 (YES) allows ophthalmology patients to keep and continue using prescribed eye drops and ointments after surgery if the medications remain safe and unexpired. Current rules often require hospitals to discard these drugs prematurely, resulting in waste and higher costs for patients.
Final Vote: 109–0

HB 4007 (YES) updates Michigan’s energy statutes to legally recognize newer technologies—like hydrogen fuel systems, modular nuclear reactors, carbon capture systems, and battery storage—as viable and permitted energy sources. These updates modernize our energy laws and enable broader industrial investment in cleaner, more efficient systems.
Final Vote: 82–27

HB 4283 (YES) allows facilities in the Upper Peninsula to continue using Reciprocating Internal Combustion Engine (RICE) generators that run on alternative fuels like biogas or synthetic fuels. Without this change, many facilities would face costly retrofits just to stay open. While this bill currently applies only to the U.P., similar facilities in the Lower Peninsula face the same challenges and should be included in future legislation.
Final Vote: 83–26

HB 4071 (YES) allows insurance companies to offer helpful products or services—like fire prevention tools, health checkups, or financial planning resources—at no cost or a discount to their customers. These extras must be clearly related to the insurance policy and intended to reduce risk, improve health, or help after a loss. The bill makes sure these offers are fair, optional, and not used as a sales gimmick.
Final Vote: 108–1

HB 4178 (YES) allows licensed insurance agents to earn up to four hours of continuing education credit for attending meetings of professional associations. These gatherings provide timely insights into regulatory trends, networking opportunities, and updates on best practices that directly benefit both agents and their clients.
Final Vote: 108–1

HB 4136 (YES) requires the Michigan Department of Natural Resources to offer a paper voter registration application to individuals applying for hunting, fishing, or fur harvester licenses. It does not register anyone automatically—applicants must still complete the form and return it to their local clerk’s office or the Michigan Department of State (MDOS).
Final Vote: 108–2

HB 4328 (YES) appropriates $100 million in emergency funding to assist communities in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula that were impacted by the catastrophic ice storm. Funds will go toward infrastructure repair, utility restoration, debris removal, and public safety response.
Final Vote: 107–1

HB 4345 (YES) allows up to 15 school days to be waived for closures caused by officially declared states of emergency during the 2024–2025 school year. This targeted measure gives schools flexibility to adapt during major crises without being penalized for lost instructional time. It does not apply to routine disruptions like snow days.
Final Vote: 110–0

Oversight Committee Public Record Requests Update

The House Oversight Committee is continuing its investigation into the Michigan Department of State’s election training procedures following months of noncompliance with document requests.

In response to a formal subpoena issued in April, the Department released nearly 1,900 pages of documents last week. However, the materials provided did not include much of the specific training documents that had been repeatedly requested by the Elections Committee Chair since last November.

Initial attempts to obtain the information were met with delays, cost estimates nearing $9,000, and inconsistent responses to both legislative and Freedom of Information Act requests. Despite multiple follow-ups and a formal subpoena demanding full compliance by May 14, the Department has yet to produce the core materials.

My office is also working with colleagues to review concerns over ballot integrity, following reports of at least 16 illegally cast ballots in the 2024 election. Records under review suggest the number may be significantly higher. The Oversight Committee continues to press for full transparency and cooperation from the Department of State.

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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 JoshSchriver@House.MI.gov.

In God We Trust,

Representative Josh Schriver