This week in Lansing, I helped pass several key reforms aimed at keeping our communities safe, restoring local control, and implementing better hiring practices in our state departments.

Also, as a member of the House Oversight Committee, my office continues to fight to improve the quality of public services provided by state departments.

Vote Record Update

Since Day One, I honor my promise to report every vote with a reason for each one. Here are my most recent votes and reasons:

Banning Sanctuary Cities – HB 4338–4339 & HB 4342

YES – this bill package prohibits sanctuary city policies anywhere in the state of Michigan.

These bills make it illegal for local governments to adopt ordinances or policies that interfere with federal immigration enforcement—including blocking communication with ICE, refusing detainer requests, or creating “safe zones” for illegal immigrants.

Federal law already prohibits such interference under 8 U.S.C. § 1373 and criminalizes harboring illegal aliens under 8 U.S.C. § 1324. But without explicit state enforcement, it’s easier for some municipalities to ignore or undermine these statutes.

These bills close that gap and make it clear: Michigan will not become a sanctuary state. Public safety must come before politics. Local officials should not be allowed to shield individuals who have violated federal immigration law from detection and removal.

HB4338 PASSED 58-48; HB4339 PASSED 58-48; HB4342 PASSED 57-49

Blocking Benefits for Illegal Immigrants – HB 4340–4341

YES – these bills prohibit illegal immigrants from accessing taxpayer-funded state benefits such as Medicaid, food assistance, public housing programs, and other forms of welfare.

Federal law under 8 U.S.C. § 1611(a) already bars non-qualified aliens from receiving federal public benefits. But enforcement at the state level has been inconsistent, and loopholes remain.

These bills require state agencies to verify immigration status before providing benefits and to deny aid to anyone who entered through unauthorized ports of entry.

Michigan taxpayers should not be footing the bill for individuals who are in this country unlawfully.

HB430 PASSED 63-43; HB5341 PASSED 63-43

Restoring Local Control Over Renewable Energy Projects – HB 4027 & HB 4028

YES – these repeal Public Acts 233 and 234 of 2023, which gave the Michigan Public Service Commission (MPSC) unilateral power to approve large-scale solar and wind developments—even when local governments opposed them.

Under those 2023 laws, energy developers could bypass township zoning boards and county planning commissions, stripping rural communities of their say in land use decisions that affect their farmland, property values, and quality of life.

HB 4027 and 4028 restore full control to local elected officials, who are accountable to their voters—not Lansing.

These reforms represent a victory for local control, landowner rights, and environmental responsibility. I voted yes to put decisions about local development back in the hands of local officials.

HB 4027: Passed 58–48; HB 4028: Passed 58–48

Requiring Proof of Citizenship to Vote – HJR B

YES – this would amend the Michigan Constitution to:

1. Require proof of U.S. citizenship when registering to vote
2. Direct the Department of State to audit the voter rolls and verify citizenship status for all currently registered voters

This is no longer a theoretical issue. In 2024, a Chinese national and University of Michigan student—not a U.S. citizen—illegally voted in the presidential election after registering using a university ID and a local address. His vote was cast and counted. He now faces felony charges, but there’s no way to undo the damage.

HJR B closes the loopholes that made this possible and ensures that only American citizens can cast a ballot in our elections—at every level.

This is a common-sense protection for election integrity.

HJRB FAILED 58-48 (Required 2/3 Support)

HB 4288 – Merit-Based Hiring for State Jobs

YES – This bill requires state agencies to base hiring decisions on objective qualifications—including relevant education, work experience, and job-specific credentials. Any agency that violates this rule can be fined $10,000 per instance.

For the sake of increasing the quality of work done by our government workers for the best interest of Michigan residents, State Department employees must not be hired to fill a “Diversity Bingo Card”— hires based on having a certain number of minorities instead of hiring the best and brightest.

Government jobs—especially those involving public safety, infrastructure, and budgeting—must be filled by people who are trained and qualified to do the work.

Michigan taxpayers have a right to expect the best of the best employees —not activist hires or insiders who got the job because of connections. I supported HB 4288 to protect professionalism and accountability in state government.

HB4288 PASSED 105-1

Committee Update

Secretary of State – Clerk Training Subpoena

On April 15, the oversight committee issued a subpoena to Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson demanding full access to the training materials provided to local election clerks. These materials guide how clerks are instructed to register voters, verify eligibility, and secure elections.

So far, her department has withheld much of the information our committee has requested. Without full access to these materials, the Oversight Committee cannot verify that the Department of State is properly training election clerks to uphold state and federal election laws.

The committee will continue pursuing full compliance with this subpoena.

MDHHS – Benefit Eligibility and Immigration Status

My office is also preparing a follow-up request to the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) for a full breakdown of benefit distribution by immigration status.

I want data on how many Green Card holders, asylum recipients, and illegal aliens are receiving state-administered public benefits—and whether eligibility is being verified, audited, and enforced.

While the department has claimed compliance with federal law, my team has yet to receive hard evidence to support that. Until we do, my office will continue pushing for full transparency. The public has a right to know how their tax dollars are being spent—and on whom.

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Thank you for taking the time to read my newsletter. Please feel free to share this with anyone you’d like to help stay informed. If you have any questions, comments, or event/meeting requests please call me at 517-373-0839 and/or email me at [email protected].

In God We Trust,

Representative Josh Schriver