Dear Friends and Neighbors,

Welcome to the latest edition of my e-newsletter!

Below, you’ll find an update on what’s happening in your state Capitol and some additional resources I hope you find helpful. For more frequent updates on what's happening in Michigan and the state Legislature, please visit my Facebook, Instagram, and X pages.

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 34th Senate District.

Sincerely,

Roger Hauck
State Senator
34th Senate District

I recently led the Senate passage of important legislation that would restore Michigan’s participation in an interstate medical compact to help streamline physician licensure.

House Bill 5455 is similar to my legislation that was passed last year and will help improve medical care for thousands of Michigan families — especially those in rural, underserved areas. It’s unfortunate that it took this long to get this signed into law, as remaining in the compact is critical to ensure that everyone in our state has access to necessary health care services.

I’m just relieved we got this done for Michigan patients. We need to recruit more physicians to our state, and this bill can help achieve that goal by eliminating burdensome regulations and licensing requirements.

The Legislature previously approved legislation entering Michigan into the Interstate Medical Licensure Compact and voted to maintain participation in the agreement. However, the original legislation had a sunset provision requiring periodic votes to continue Michigan’s involvement. Because the Legislature failed to agree on a bill to extend the sunset last year, the state began a yearlong withdrawal process scheduled to end on March 28.

The governor has signed HB 5455, now Public Act 6 of 2026, which ensures Michigan remains a member of the compact — which includes more than half the states in the U.S. — and removes the requirement to pass future measures to keep Michigan in the agreement.

The Michigan Senate passed a bipartisan package of bills aimed at reducing the financial burden of medical debt and helping prevent a medical emergency from causing long-term financial harm.

Senate Bills 449, 450, 451, 701 and 702 would significantly rein in debt collection practices such as personal liens, wage garnishment and home foreclosures. The bills would also cap interest rates applied to medical debt.

Nonprofit hospitals are already required to maintain financial assistance programs under federal requirements. Under this legislation, all Michigan hospitals would need to offer financial assistance programs to provide patients with repayment options.

The bills have been sent to the House of Representatives for further consideration.

Nearly 500 designs were submitted in the 2024 “I voted” sticker design contest. The contest is returning for the 2026 election cycle, and entries are now being accepted.

Entries can be submitted online in one of three categories: elementary/middle (K-8), high school (9-12) or a general entry for residents of all ages. Artwork must be original, nonpartisan and include the phrase “I voted.” Submissions are due by 5 p.m. on May 1.

The public will vote for finalists in June. Winners will be announced later this summer, and stickers with the winning designs will be available for election clerks to order for the November election.

The 2026 Michigan Fishing Regulations guide is now available for the license season beginning April 1. The guide includes current rules, regulations and license information.

A fishing license is required for anyone age 17 and older. Annual and short-term licenses can be purchased online or through the Michigan DNR Hunt Fish app. Users can select auto-renew at the online checkout or in the Auto Renewals section of the app to automatically purchase future licenses as they become available. License fees are waived for Michigan residents who are veterans with 100% disability or active-duty military.

In response to ongoing concerns about overpopulation, the Natural Resources Commission established a coyote management season running from March 2 to Oct. 14.

The hunting and trapping season runs from Oct. 15 to March 1, with a management season for the remainder of the year, except on state park and recreation lands where hunting is prohibited from April 1 to Sept. 14. During the management season, the lethal take of coyotes is allowed from March 2 to Oct. 14 to address interspecies conflict and overabundance on private and public lands.

The NRC restored the ability to take coyotes year-round but limited the scope of the hunt during the management season.

Click here for a list of frequently asked questions about coyote management.

Licenses are on sale now for two spring turkey hunting seasons that do not require hunters to enter Michigan’s turkey hunt drawing.

Hunts 0234 and 0301 offer more flexible options for hunters, have unlimited quotas and can be purchased throughout the season.

For complete details, including eligible turkey management units for each hunt, visit the 2026 Spring Turkey Regulations Summary. Please note that the print version of the summary included incorrect season dates for statewide TMU 0234. The correct dates are May 2-31.

For licenses purchased at a license agent or online at Michigan.gov/DNRLicenses, you will receive a paper kill tag. If you purchase online, tags will be mailed within 10-15 business days. For licenses purchased through the Michigan DNR Hunt Fish app, you will receive an electronic kill tag immediately in the app. You must have a kill tag in your possession while hunting.

This year, all harvested turkeys must be reported within 72 hours or before transferring possession of the bird, whichever comes first. Similar to deer harvest reporting, harvests can be reported online or through the Michigan DNR Hunt Fish app. The reporting system provides real-time harvest information throughout the season.

The 2025 results for the state’s Master Angler Program are now available. Each year, thousands of anglers submit their biggest catch. The Department of Natural Resources compiles the results as a resource for finding big fish, the best fishing times and the most successful methods. Anglers who submit a qualifying catch receive a patch.

In 2025, the program received 4,391 entries from 3,577 anglers across 760 bodies of water statewide. The program includes more than 45 species. The top five species submitted were bluegill, crappie, pumpkinseed, white bass and yellow perch.

Applications for fish caught between Jan. 1 and Dec. 31, 2026, will be accepted until Jan. 10, 2027.

National Donate Life Month is observed each April to raise awareness about organ donation, encourage donor registration and honor those who have saved lives through donation.

In 2022, the United States reached an important milestone by completing its 1 millionth organ transplant. This achievement was made possible by the generosity of millions of registered donors.

In Michigan, residents can register as organ donors on their state income tax return by checking a box on the form. Residents can also register online or at a Secretary of State office.

For more information, visit GiftofLifeMichigan.org.