Michigan House approves two highway namings, passes probate amendment; several bills advanced

LANSING — The Michigan House of Representatives on March 11, 2025, approved two bills to amend the Michigan Memorial Highway Act, passed an amendment to the Probate Code of 1939 and adopted two ceremonial resolutions, while advancing several other bills to third reading.

The measures included House Bill 4003, a highway‑naming bill moved to honor Sergeant Matthew Weber and passed 108‑0; House Bill 4046, another highway naming to honor a trooper, which passed 108‑0 and was given immediate effect; and House Bill 4018, an amendment to the Probate Code that passed 74‑34. The chamber also adopted House Resolution 38, declaring March 11, 2025, Community Volunteer Day, and House Resolution 39, declaring March 2025 Multiple Sclerosis Awareness Month.

The votes reflected largely unanimous support for the two highway‑naming bills and partisan division on the probate measure. "This legislation is more than just a name on a highway," Representative Koontz said on the floor while urging support for House Bill 4003 to name a stretch of U.S. 131 near Big Rapids for Sergeant Matthew Weber.

Representative Roth, speaking in support of House Bill 4046, recounted the trooper's death while directing traffic after fireworks and asked colleagues to "support a man who gave his life to help all of us." Both naming bills advanced to and passed on third reading with no amendments and unanimous recorded tallies of 108 yeas and 0 nays.

House Bill 4018, introduced by Representative Mueller and described on the calendar as an amendment to the Probate Code of 1939, required a recorded roll‑call vote. The clerk announced the final tally as 74 yeas and 34 nays; a majority of members elected and serving voted in favor, and the bill passed.

The chamber also adopted two resolutions by voice vote. Representative Thompson introduced House Resolution 38 to declare Community Volunteer Day and praised the Yetumas Foundation’s work serving children who have lost parents; the resolution was adopted. Representative Altman introduced House Resolution 39 declaring Multiple Sclerosis Awareness Week and noted support groups and research networks serving Michiganders with MS; the resolution was adopted.

Several other bills were reported by committees and placed on the calendar or advanced to third reading without floor debate, including House bills 4003 (third reading and passage), 4046 (third reading and passage), 4018 (third reading and passage), 4060, 4150, 4151, 4152 (with substitute amendments adopted on the floor), 4153 and a range of bills introduced earlier in the session (4174–4199, 4200–4210). Many of those were referred to relevant committees such as Natural Resources and Tourism, Government Operations, Education and Workforce, Finance, Regulatory Reform, and Transportation and Infrastructure.

Votes at a glance: House Bill 4003 (Michigan Memorial Highway Act amendment, naming for Sergeant Matthew Weber) — passed 108‑0; House Bill 4046 (Michigan Memorial Highway Act amendment, highway naming for a trooper) — passed 108‑0 and given immediate effect; House Bill 4018 (amend Probate Code of 1939) — passed 74‑34; House Resolution 38 (Community Volunteer Day) — adopted; House Resolution 39 (Multiple Sclerosis Awareness Week/Month) — adopted.

Clerical and scheduling business occupied the remainder of the session: the clerk announced committee meeting schedules and a slate of newly introduced bills (cataloged as House bills 4174–4210 on the electronic calendar). The House adjourned until Wednesday, March 12, 2025, at 1:30 p.m.