Michigan House approves tougher fentanyl-trafficking penalties after floor debate

Lansing — The Michigan House of Representatives on April 23 passed two bills that increase penalties for fentanyl trafficking and related offenses, approving House Bill 4255 on a 66–40 roll-call vote and House Bill 4256 on a 65–41 roll-call vote. Majority leaders then moved and secured immediate effect for both measures on the House floor.

The measures attracted extended debate on the House floor, with supporters saying the laws target traffickers who distribute a lethal opioid and opponents saying the bills return the state to punitive approaches that do not reduce overdoses or racial disparities in incarceration.

Supporters called fentanyl a uniquely deadly threat and argued stiffer penalties are needed to disrupt supply. Representative Preston said communities had lost children to the drug and asked colleagues to back the package: “I urge a yes vote on the package.” Representative Leitner, who sponsored House Bill 4255, and Representative Bolin urged the House to give prosecutors stronger sentencing tools for…