Dear Friends,

To better serve the great people of West Michigan, I’m offering this e-newsletter on what’s happening in the 30th Senate District and across our state.

I am active on social media to help keep you updated. You can check out my Facebook page, my  official account on X or my Instagram for recent updates.

I encourage you to contact me with any state issues. You can call toll-free at 855-347-8030 or email SenMHuizenga@senate.michigan.gov.  Let me know if I can assist you in any way or if you have an idea to help move our state forward.

Working for you,

Mark Huizenga
State Senator

I was proud to support Senate passage of a bipartisan package of bills aimed at reducing the financial burden of medical debt and helping ensure a medical emergency does not lead to long-term financial hardship for Michigan families — continuing my focus on solving problems for West Michigan.

I first voted to approve Senate Bills 449, 450, 451, 701 and 702 when they were considered by the Senate Health Policy Committee and again when they were passed by the entire Senate.

The bills would cap interest rates applied to medical debt and significantly rein in debt collection practices such as personal liens, wage garnishment and home foreclosures.

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.

In this week’s episode of Conversations with Mark, I sat down with Kent District Library Executive Director Lance Werner as he explained how their work provides a strong return on investment for the community and has even contributed to a tax decrease.

Click here or on the image below to watch the podcast. The episode is now available on all major platforms, and new episodes drop every other Thursday at noon.

Please come visit me during my in-person office hours next week. Office hours are open to all residents, and no appointment is necessary.

On Monday, March 23, I will be available to meet on a one-on-one basis with constituents at the following times and locations:

These meetings give residents a chance to express their viewpoints about what needs to be done and receive help with a variety of state issues. Anyone who is unable to attend may contact my office.

I want to remind families that my office is hosting the 2026 Reading Contest for students across Michigan’s 30th Senate District. From March 1-31, K-12 students can read as many books as they’d like, take a photo with their books and enter for a chance to win a day in Lansing.

To learn more, please visit SenatorMarkHuizenga.com/reading.

Click here to watch a short video about the contest I recorded while visiting the Coopersville Area District Library.

March is Reading Month, and it’s in full swing. One of my favorite parts is visiting schools throughout the district and reading to classrooms of eager students.

Thank you to all the kids and staff at NorthPointe Christian for inviting me into your classrooms. It was a pleasure to spend the afternoon sharing my love of reading and the importance of literacy with students.

I will be visiting with many other schools throughout the month of March, follow along on my social media as we go around the district to classrooms.

I had the honor of attending a recent Rockford City Council meeting to present a tribute to retiring Police Chief Dave Robinson. After 32 years in law enforcement, I want to wish him the very best in his retirement and congratulate the new chief, Brandon Boelema. Thank you for your service and for your commitment to keeping the community safe.

Click here or on the image below to watch a short video from my visit to the city council meeting.

Join Paws With A Cause on Monday, March 23, for a fun and informative event designed for businesses and community partners who want to better understand ADA laws, service animal access, and how to create welcoming spaces for people and dogs.

Enjoy donuts, meet a few PAWS dogs and leave with practical guidance you can use immediately.

Click here to learn more and RSVP.

Did you know that Michigan passed Public Act 246 in 2013 to require the Department of Natural Resources to use $1 from the sale of every hunting, angling and trapping license to fund the activities of the Michigan Wildlife Council?

The council’s purpose is to market the essential economic and conservation benefits of hunting, fishing and trapping to the many Michigan residents who don’t participate in these activities. To learn more about their work and mission, check out NimrodSociety.org/Michigan.

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.

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.

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.

June 13-14 is Michigan’s summer free fishing weekend, which is an excellent opportunity for new anglers to get out at explore fishing and our state’s great outdoors.

Serving the people of West Michigan is very important to me and I encourage you to contact me with any state issues. You may contact me by calling toll-free 1-855-347-8030 or emailing SenMHuizenga@senate.michigan.gov.

I look forward to serving you, and I encourage you to contact me if I can assist you in any way or if you have an idea to help move our state forward.