LANSING, Mich. — State Sen. John Damoose introduced a series of bills this week, marking his first bills introduced in the new legislative term.

“The Legislature is getting right to work on things that are important to communities across the state, and to the state of Michigan as a whole,” said Damoose, R-Harbor Springs. “In addition to legislation my office has sponsored, we are also working on other measures to help people across the state with rising costs and other issues that are important to them.

“We have a lot to do and I’m ready to get to work.”

The senator’s first bills address issues ranging from our state’s critical infrastructure to local security measures. More information can be read below.

• Senate Bill 21 would designate the Mackinac Bridge, as well as other major Michigan bridges, as critical infrastructure to help ensure adequate security measures are in place. Included in the bill are the Mackinac, Zilwaukee, Rouge River and MacArthur bridges, as well as international crossings, including the Ambassador, Blue Water, International and Gordie Howe International bridges, as well as the Detroit-Windsor Tunnel.
• SB 22 seeks to improve security in our airports by allowing local authorities to prosecute weapons-related crimes at airports rather than relying on federal prosecution.
• SB 24 would allow the Michigan Department of Treasury to extend the filing deadline in the event that the IRS extends the federal deadline. This was an issue brought to light during COVID and was introduced to allow flexibility for residents should the federal government again extend the filing deadline.
• SB 30 would designate a portion of M-22 in Leelanau County as “Company K Indian Veterans 1st Michigan Sharpshooters Civil War Memorial Highway.” This bill and highway recognition serves as a reminder for residents, and a tribute to the Native American sharpshooters of the U.S. Civil War.

“I’m happy to get my first bills introduced,” Damoose said. “These bills are the result of discussions with local officials in the district and state priorities, and I look forward to working with my colleagues to get them to the governor’s desk.”

The senator also co-sponsored SB 35, a bipartisan effort to eliminate asset testing to help more families in need qualify for Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program assistance, or SNAP benefits.

“A lot of families are really hurting right now, and I think this is a great step in the right direction of getting help to those who need it,” Damoose said. “I think this is an unnecessary bureaucratic barrier that too many people have gotten caught up in when they could least afford it.”

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