Michigan families who rely on food assistance will soon have stronger protections against fraud under a new law signed by the governor.

Public Act 46 of 2026 requires the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services to replace magnetic stripe Bridge Cards with new chip-enabled cards. The upgraded technology, similar to the security features used in most debit and credit cards, is designed to better protect benefits from skimming devices and other forms of electronic theft.

Bridge Card fraud has become an increasing concern in recent years as criminals have used card-skimming devices to steal benefits from recipients. Chip-enabled cards provide an added layer of security that makes unauthorized access more difficult.

The new law will help protect benefits for Michigan families who depend on food assistance while helping ensure taxpayer dollars are used for their intended purpose.

A new law clarifies when Michiganders may feed birds and other backyard wildlife.

Public Act 86 of 2026 allows people to feed birds and other wildlife in areas covered by Natural Resources Commission deer and elk feeding orders, as long as the feed is placed within 300 feet of a residence and the total amount of feed on the ground is less than 2 gallons.

The law defines wildlife feeding as placing or maintaining feed to prevent birds and other wildlife from starving or for recreational viewing. It also ensures families can continue feeding backyard birds and other wildlife while complying with state and federal disease prevention standards.

The Legislature advanced this measure to push back on overly restrictive DNR interpretations and ensure residents can continue providing a small amount of feed to birds and other wildlife in their backyards for viewing and enjoyment. The governor agreed with the Michigan House and Senate that this commonsense approach protects residents’ ability to feed backyard wildlife and signed the legislation into law.

Legislation to help address the special education teacher shortage has been signed into law.

Public Act 24 of 2026 allows individuals with an interim teaching certificate and a special education endorsement to participate in an alternative route certification program. The program was first established through legislation I sponsored in 2020. The new law removes the program’s expiration date, which had been set for next year.

Notably, five Democratic senators who voted against the original 2020 legislation ultimately supported removing the sunset and making the program permanent, reflecting the program’s success in helping schools recruit and retain special education teachers.

I am pleased the Democratic majority in the Michigan Senate recognized the initiative’s success and joined the effort to remove the expiration date. What was once opposed by several Senate Democrats has now earned their support because the results speak for themselves.

This program has helped expand the pipeline of qualified special education teachers, and removing the expiration date will ensure schools can continue to recruit and retain the educators students need.

OK2SAY is Michigan’s nationally recognized, prevention-based student safety reporting system. The program empowers students to help prevent violence and improve school safety by confidentially reporting threatening behavior.

The program received 10,777 tips in 2025, bringing the total number of tips since it began in 2014 to 72,496.

Trained tipline operators receive and assess reports involving bullying, suicide threats, anxiety, stress, depression, harassment, drugs, sexual assault, misconduct or exploitation.

Anyone can report tips on criminal activities or potential harm directed at students, school employees or schools. Tips can be reported 24 hours a day, 365 days a year by:

Sportsmen and women preparing for the upcoming seasons can now access the 2026 Michigan deer, fall turkey and waterfowl hunting regulation summaries.

These regulation books, formerly known as the hunting digests, are condensed collections of rules and regulations designed to help hunters stay informed and in compliance while enjoying Michigan’s outdoor traditions.

The Michigan Fishing Guide is also available and remains an excellent resource for anglers looking for information on seasons, regulations and licensing requirements.

Residents who would like a free print copy of any of these regulation summaries or the Fishing Guide can contact my office at 517-373-2420, and we will be happy to assist you.

Electronic copies are also available through the Michigan Department of Natural Resources.

Whether you are planning your next fishing trip, heading into the woods for deer season, pursuing wild turkey or preparing for waterfowl season, these regulation summaries are valuable resources for understanding season dates, licensing requirements and other important regulations.

A new law to expand opportunities for people to register as bone marrow, organ and tissue donors has been signed into law.

Public Act 50 of 2026 allows physicians to ask patients whether they would like to become a bone marrow, organ or tissue donor and provide information on how to register.

People can currently register as organ donors when they get or renew a driver’s license or state ID at a Secretary of State branch office. The new law creates another opportunity for people to learn about organ donation and register.

According to Gift of Life Michigan, organ transplants save 131 lives across the United States each day. More than 9,000 patients in Michigan have received lifesaving organ transplants over the past decade.

Click here to learn more or register as an organ donor.

In recognition of Hunter Safety Education Week and to help the next generation of hunters prepare for deer season, the Michigan Department of Natural Resources is hosting more than 50 in-person hunter safety education classes.

Anyone born on or after Jan. 1, 1960, must have a hunter safety certificate before purchasing a Michigan hunting license.

Hunter safety education classes will be offered statewide Aug. 10-16. The DNR offers four options for completing hunter safety education, all of which require at least four hours of in-person instruction:

To learn more or register for a class, visit Michigan.gov/HunterEducation. Those interested in volunteering as an instructor can also learn more on the DNR website.

Michigan’s annual free ORV weekend is Aug. 15-16. During the two-day event, all ORV routes, trails and the state’s six scramble areas will be open to residents and out-of-state visitors without needing an ORV license or trail permit. All other laws and regulations still apply.

Visit the DNR ORV webpage to download the ORV rules and regulations handbook, find ORV-friendly campgrounds and view maps of state-designated ORV trails.

Before heading out on an ORV adventure, be sure to know the rules of the trail.

Speed is the leading cause of serious ORV injuries and deaths. Stay safe by following these tips: