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Dear Friends and Neighbors,
Welcome to the most recent edition of my monthly e-newsletter!
Thank you for allowing me to represent you in the Michigan Senate. I am grateful each and every day to work for the people of the 32nd Senate District.
This email highlights the important work we have been doing in Lansing this past month.
Sincerely,
Jon Bumstead
State Senator
32nd District
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Earned sick leave resources for workers and businesses
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On Feb. 21, Michigan’s new Earned Sick Time Act went into effect. This new law allows for increased flexibility for workers to earn paid sick leave.
The new reforms will be phased in over time, giving small businesses time to adjust.
The Michigan Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity has developed resources to help both workers and businesses understand the changes. Visit their website to:
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Watch their Earned Sick Time Act webinar. |
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Review frequently asked questions (FAQs). |
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House passes road funding plan
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The state House recently passed bipartisan legislation that outlines a long-term funding solution for fixing Michigan roads.
The package would provide $3.1 billion for Michigan’s roads — without raising taxes. Instead, the plan eliminates funds from corporate welfare programs like MEGA and SOAR and cuts wasteful spending.
The nine-bill road funding package now moves to the Senate for consideration.
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Beginning May 7, all U.S. passengers will need REAL ID-compliant documents to board federally regulated commercial aircraft or enter certain federal facilities and U.S. military bases.
REAL ID is part of a law passed by Congress in 2005 to establish minimum security standards for state and federally issued identification in the years following the attacks of 9/11. The deadline has been postponed multiple times due to COVID-19 and other factors.
A state-issued driver’s license or ID can be converted to a REAL ID at any time by visiting a secretary of state office and providing the following documents:
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A valid Michigan driver’s license or ID. |
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A valid, unexpired U.S. passport, birth certificate or other proof of legal presence. |
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A certified legal name-change document if your name differs from the one on your birth certificate. |
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Please visit this link for more information about REAL ID, FAQs or to schedule an appointment.
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New car seat law takes effect
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Michigan’s updated car seat law goes into effect April 2. The new law makes changes to car seat use based on height, weight, and age. The new law requires
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Children under 2 must remain in a rear-facing child car seat unless they have reached the height and weight limits set by the manufacturer. |
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Children ages 2 to 5 must be in a forward-facing car seat with an internal harness that straps over the shoulders and around the hips. |
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Children under 8, or those shorter than 4 feet, 9 inches, must use a belt-positioning booster seat. |
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Children under 13 who have outgrown a booster seat must still sit in the rear seat. |
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2025 Michigan fishing licenses
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Fishing licenses for Michigan’s 2025-26 season — opening on April 1 — are now available and will be valid through March 31, 2026.
All anglers ages 17 and older are required to purchase a license to fish in Michigan. Licenses are good for all species, though additional reporting requirements apply to some species and fishing methods.
Anglers can purchase:
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Annual license: $26 for Michigan residents or $76 for nonresidents (both carry an additional $1 surcharge). |
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Daily license: $10 per day. |
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Youth license: $2 for anglers ages 16 and younger (optional). |
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Licenses can be purchased online or through the Michigan DNR Hunt Fish app. An online auto-renew option is now available. Anglers can select the option to automatically purchase future licenses as they become available.
Click here to review the full 2025 Michigan Fishing Regulations.
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The 2025-26 ORV season begins April 1 and runs through March 31, 2026.
In Michigan, an ORV license is required to ride on eligible roads and public lands. A trail permit is also needed for state-designated trails and scramble areas.
Licenses and permits are valid for one year and grant access to 4,000 miles of trails. ORV licenses and trail permits can be purchased:
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Fees generated through ORV licenses and trail permits are reinvested into the ORV system. These funds help support trail expansion, grants for annual trail grooming, infrastructure improvements and law enforcement.
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Bumstead highlights upcoming events in the 32nd District
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Opening Day of the Silver Lake State Park ORV Area
Tuesday, April 1
8 a.m. — 5 p.m.
Silver Lake State Park
Mears
Description: Silver Lake State Park ORV Area is open April 1 through Oct. 31 each year. Click here to learn more.
Winter Farmers Market
Saturday, April 5
9 a.m. — 2 p.m.
Muskegon Farmers Market
242 W. Western Ave.
Muskegon
Description: Weekly each Saturday. Click here to learn more.
Easter Egg Drop
Saturday, April 12
11 a.m. — noon
Walker Park
North Muskegon
Description: Meet the Easter Bunny as he assists the Friends of the Walker Library and the Muskegon Northside Lions Club in dropping approximately 5,000 candy-filled eggs for children to collect. Age groups are 0-4, 5-7, 8-10 and 10 and up. Younger children will start first. Click here for more.
Signs of Spring at Ludington State Park Walk
Saturday, April 12
1 — 2:30 p.m.
Ludington State Park
Ludington
Description: The walk covers about 1.5 miles of easy terrain and views of the park’s diverse landscape. Brandon Griffith, LSP park interpreter, will lead the walk. This free event meets at the park’s amphitheater. Click here for more.
Behind-the-scenes tour of USS Silversides
Thursday, April 17
4 — 7 p.m.
1346 Bluff St.
Muskegon
Description: The USS Silversides Submarine played a vital role in World War II. Its brave, skillful crew, and effective tactics contributed to the Allied victory in World War II. Get a behind-the-scenes tour not available to the public. Learn more by clicking here.
Easter Egg Hunt
Saturday, April 19
10 a.m. — noon
Mineral Springs Park
Frankfort
Description: Search for over 3,000 Easter eggs, visit with the Easter Bunny, and more. Click here for more information.
Community Easter Egg Hunt
Saturday, April 19
11:30 a.m. — 1 p.m.
Oceana County Fairgrounds
Hart
Description: Lineup begins at 11:30 a.m. — egg hunt and activities start sharply at noon! Click here to learn more.
Colleen Plummer’s Easter on the Green
Saturday, April 19
Noon — 1 p.m.
Village Green
Pentwater
Description: Gather on the Village Green for the annual Colleen Plummer’s Easter on the Green. Bring your children and family to meet the Easter Bunny and enjoy an Easter egg hunt. Click here for more.
Ludington Lake Jump
Saturday, April 26
11 — 11:30 a.m.
Stearns Park Beach
Ludington
Description: The annual fundraising event will benefit Mason County Senior Centers for 2025. Click here for more information.
Crystal Classic
Saturday, April 26
Noon
Crystal Mountain
Thompsonville
Description: This four-person scramble includes 18 holes of golf with a cart, two beverage tickets and a boxed lunch, plus prizes for the men's and mixed divisions! Learn more here.
Trash Bash
Sunday, April 27
1 — 4 p.m.
White Lake Area Chamber and Visitors Bureau
124 W. Hanson St.
Whitehall
Description: The White Lake Area Chamber and Visitors Bureau needs your help cleaning up our bike trails, shorelines and waterways. We need all hands on deck, especially those with waders, kayaks or canoes. Click here to learn more.
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Senator Jon Bumstead
4600 Connie B. Binsfeld Office Building
P.O. Box 30036
Lansing, MI 48909-7536
Visit my website at: SenatorJonBumstead.com
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