Dear Neighbor,
I hope you’re soaking up the sunshine and enjoying the warm weather as we wrap up the final weeks of spring. I hope you’re all as excited as I am for the fun summer activites our great state has to offer. As we celebrate Pride this June, I want to take a moment to acknowledge the importance of this month. While it may not feel as festive as in previous years, remember that Michigan is a place where everyone can feel safe being themselves and loving who they love!
As always, please feel free to reach out to share your thoughts or seek assistance with any challenges you may be facing with state departments. You can contact us by calling (517) 373-2417 or emailing SenRBayer@senate.michigan.gov. We are here to assist you!
Sincerely,
Rosemary Bayer
State Senator
District 13
- In honor of Gun Violence Awareness Month, read on to learn how Senate Democrats are continuing to advance commonsense gun safety legislation to ensure Michigan’s classrooms, communities, and everywhere in between are safe from the threat of gun violence.
- Join me for my next community conversation at the Plymouth District Library on Monday, June 30, from 6:30 – 7:30 p.m.
- Michiganders are urged to be aware of the newest scam facing drivers, which includes an imposter government website that mimics the Michigan Dept. of Transportation’s official site but carries a different URL address. To stay safe, please remember that Michigan does not have toll roads and will never solicit payment via text or include threatening verbiage to avoid late fees or harsher penalties.
A Snapshot of Legislative Activity at the Capitol
Along with recently passing a bold budget plan for 2026, Senate Democrats have been working hard to advance critical pieces of legislation to break barriers for Michigan renters, safeguard our environment, and bolster protections for Michigan consumers.
Protecting Michigan Consumers — Data Protection Package Passes Committee!
Bills I’ve reintroduced this legislative session to enhance protections for Michigan consumers passed the Senate Committee on Finance, Insurance, and Consumer Protection this week. Now headed to the full Senate floor for consideration, Senate Bills 359-364 would establish consumers’ rights related to the collection and use of personal data by:
- Requiring data collectors to provide clear privacy notices outlining how and why they process consumer data;
- Empowering the Attorney General to enforce these protections by initiating civil actions against violators and creating the Data Broker Registry to enhance transparency;
- Protects children ages 13-18 by prohibiting that their data be sold in the open market on the internet and then weaponized to manipulate them; and more.
I provided testimony on this legislation earlier this week alongside the brilliant Claudia Rast, former chair of the American Bar Association. Watch my testimony in the video below, or click here to watch the full hearing.
Alongside this legislative package, I’m thrilled that other bills to strengthen consumer protections for Michiganders have also recently advanced in the state Legislature. Sponsored by Sen. Singh, Senate Bill 134 would restore power to the Michigan Consumer Protection Act by equipping the Attorney General to hold bad actors and businesses accountable. It would also enhance education efforts to reduce scams as well as strengthen penalties for violations against elderly and vulnerable adults. This bill passed the Senate floor this week.
And, to protect Michigan consumers from disruptive, deceptive telephone solicitation tactics, the Telephone Solicitation Act was introduced last week. Sponsored by Sens. Cavanagh, Anthony, Moss, Victory, and McBroom, this bipartisan bill package would prohibit telephone solicitors from engaging in misleading, exploitative business practices and grant the Attorney General the authority to act against violators.
Regulating Pet Cemeteries — My legislation to establish basic requirements for the operation of pet cemeteries in Michigan passed the Senate floor this week. Now on its way to the House for consideration, Senate Bill 157 would protect pet owners from unregulated and deceptive business practices when laying their pets to rest at these establishments. I provided testimony on the need for this legislation earlier this year, which you can watch here.
Supporting Michigan Renters — This week, Senate Democrats introduced a comprehensive bill package to strengthen protections and break barriers for Michiganders trying to access rental housing. I was proud to sponsor this legislation alongside Sens. Geiss, Irwin, and Cavanagh, which works to lower costs for renters, hold landlords accountable, and allow for the expungement of eviction records.
Holding Polluters Accountable — Another large-scale legislative package introduced this week would protect public health and our environment by strengthening Michigan’s pollution clean-up laws. Sponsored by Sens. Irwin, Chang, Moss, McMorrow, Shink, and McCann, this legislation would hold polluters accountable by requiring more thorough cleanups as well as empowering those harmed by pollution to seek justice.
Gun Violence Prevention
Every June, we recognize National Gun Violence Awareness Month to honor communities shattered by gun violence and raise awareness of this growing issue. During this month, people across the country also wear orange to commemorate the life of 15-year-old Hadiya Pendleton, who was shot and killed on a playground in 2013 just one week after she performed with her high school marching band at former President Barack Obama’s second inauguration.
In response to ongoing public calls to address gun violence and mass shootings in Michigan, the Senate is continuing to prioritize the safety of Michiganders by advancing commonsense gun reform. Several pieces of legislation focused on reducing gun violence in our state passed out of committee last week, including bills to:
- Prohibit the manufacture, sale, or possession of bump stocks — Senate Bill 224, (Sen. Polehanki)
- Prohibit an individual from possessing a firearm in the Capitol, the Binsfeld Building, and the Anderson Building — Senate Bills 225 & 226 (Sens. Polehanki & Bayer)
- Ban ghost guns, or guns without serial numbers, and updates state law to make it illegal to make, assemble, import, sell, possess, etc. a ghost gun — Senate Bill 331 & 332 (Sen. McMorrow)
This legislation builds on previous efforts the Senate has already taken to reduce gun violence in Michigan, including:
- Requiring universal background checks to close the private sale loophole;
- Creating child access protection laws to keep legal firearms safely and securely stored and out of the hands of children and teens; and
- Allowing a court to issue an “Extreme Risk Protection Order” (ERPO) to temporarily intervene to suspend a person’s access to firearms if they show clear warning signs of violence and pose an immediate threat to themselves or others.
This month and going forward, my colleagues and I remain fully committed to advancing meaningful, life-saving policies that protect our communities and ensure a safer community for all Michiganders.
Senate Hearing Highlights Risks of Proposed Medicaid Cuts
Last week, the Senate Health Policy Committee held an important hearing to discuss the serious risks posed by proposed Medicaid cuts pushed by Republicans in Washington. Medical professionals, hospital leaders, and community advocates shared their concerns about how these cutbacks would harm the health and economic stability of Michigan communities.
Medicaid is an essential program that provides health insurance to 2.6 million Michiganders. It also supports thousands of jobs and ensures that hospitals can continue to care for everyone who needs it. Despite the clear benefits Medicaid provides, President Donald Trump and Republicans in Congress are moving forward with plans to make significant cuts to the program in order to hand over trillions of dollars in tax cuts to the nation’s wealthiest individuals and corporations. If these cuts go through, hundreds of thousands of Michiganders could lose their health insurance. This would not only hurt individuals and families but also drain billions from Michigan’s economy and risk forcing hospitals to downsize or shut down entirely — harming those on private health insurance as well.
This hearing is part of larger efforts by Michigan Senate Democrats to protect access to health care for our residents, including the recent adoption of Senate Resolution 50. The resolution called on President Trump and the U.S. Congress to change course and reject any proposal that would strip health care access to those in need.
You can watch a recording of the committee hearing here.
Creating a Welcoming, Inclusive State for All During Pride Month
Michigan Senate Democrats are committed to cultivating true inclusion and belonging in Michigan — not only during the month of June, but every day year-round. Since taking office, our Majority for the People has worked to expand the Elliott-Larsen Civil Rights Act (ELCRA), reaffirming and expanding legal protections for the LGBTQ+ community. This effort has been 50 years in the making and will protect our LGBTQ+ family, friends, coworkers, and neighbors against discrimination in employment, public accommodations, and public services. It also will provide protection in educational facilities, housing, and real estate.
In addition to passing a resolution recognizing June as Pride Month, the Michigan Senate passed bills to ban the harmful practice of conversion therapy by mental health professionals.
These legislative efforts are a big step forward for Michigan, but certainly not the last. With all the uncertainty stemming from the federal level, the Senate recognizes the continued need for education and awareness to end discrimination and prejudice and remains committed to putting forth legislation that will continue to support the rights of every Michigander to live freely and authentically.
Learn about Pride events across the state and how you can celebrate this month here.
Last weekend, I had an amazing time at the Motor City Pride event in Detroit, where I joined community advocates, local organizations, and union leaders in uplifting and celebrating the LGBTQ+ community here in Michigan.
New Public Safety Headquarters in Northville Township!
Check out the new home of Northville Township’s Police and Fire departments! Did you know that this new 96,000-square-foot facility will allow firefighters and paramedics to reach 96.5% of township residents in less than six minutes? It was great to see Fire Chief Brent Siegel, Northville Township Supervisor Mark J. Abbo, and Plymouth Township Supervisor Chuck Curmi at the ribbon-cutting for this awesome new facility!!
Community Conversation
WHEN: Monday, June 30, from 6:30 – 7:30 p.m.
WHERE: Plymouth District Library, 223 South Main St., Plymouth, MI 48170
Make MI Home Launches in Michigan
The Michigan Growth Office recently announced the launch of Make MI Home, a first-in-the-nation statewide talent retention and attraction program. As part of the program, the office is awarding $769,000 in grant funding to five new consortiums across the state to support locally tailored strategies and help kick-start population growth.
As one of the award recipients, Michigan Women Forward will support Michigan’s innovation economy by leading the Founder Forward program, targeting both talent recruitment and retention. Founder Forward will engage founders already based in Michigan who are poised to scale, including entrepreneurs operating in emerging ecosystems, founders ready to expand into growth-stage operations, or innovators who have not yet had access to structured mentorship, funding networks, or ecosystem connectivity.
As part of Make MI Home’s statewide launch, the Growth Office also announced a Welcome Program, designed to help recent graduates already located in Michigan and new residents settle into their communities faster. The program includes access to Michigan state parks, connections to Michigan programs that enhance the state’s quality of life — including free pre-K for every 4-year-old and free community college — as well as discounts to participating Michigan destinations and small businesses.
Learn more about Make MI Home and the award recipients here.
Heads Up Michigan Drivers — Be Aware of Toll Road Scams
The Michigan Dept. of Transportation (MDOT) wants Michigan drivers to be aware of the newest toll road scam, which includes an imposter government website that mimics MDOT’s official site but carries a different URL address. MDOT reminds all drivers that Michigan does not have toll roads and will never solicit payment via text or include threatening verbiage to avoid late fees or harsher penalties.
To stay safe, please remember that government agencies:
- Will not request personal information through email, over the phone or text.
- Will never demand money through email, over the phone or text. They will mail you a notice and offer payment options.
- Do not ask for or take payment by prepaid gift card, wire transfer, cryptocurrency, or a payment app.
Dive into Summer, Not Danger — Water Safety Tips
With summer on the horizon and Michigan’s Great Lakes, rivers, and backyard pools soon ready for use, water safety is more important than ever!
Whether you’re heading to the beach or relaxing by the pool, keep these key water safety tips in mind:
- Ensure at least one adult is CPR-certified, especially in households with pools or near open water. Babysitters and caregivers should also maintain up-to-date CPR certification.
- Designate a “Water Watcher” during group gatherings, like pool parties — someone who remains alert and undistracted while friends, family, or children are swimming.
- Keep a phone nearby, ideally a landline with your physical address to quickly call 9-1-1 in an emergency. Cell phones may not automatically relay your location.
- Equip your pool with essential rescue tools, such as a reaching pole, throwable floatation device, CPR instructions, a breath mask, and a fully stocked first aid kit.
- If a child goes missing, check the water first. If you can’t locate them quickly, call 9-1-1 immediately.
Stay safe, stay prepared, and enjoy everything Michigan’s waters have to offer this summer!