Brenda Carter

Votes by issue

Their recorded votes on bills that divided the chamber (unanimous votes left out), grouped by topic. A bill can sit under more than one topic. "With" and "against" compare each vote with how most Democrats voted. How topics are assigned

• ›Jobs & cost of living161 with · 9 against171 votes

  Most contested

  • No

    Require certain agencies to designate certain employees to certain positions to manage the issuance of permits.

    Requires state departments that issue permits to sort them into subject areas by industry and assign an employee to manage permit issuance in each area, and bars departments from hiring additional full-time employees for this work.

    Jun 4, 2026 · Passed 57–51 · with most DemocratsOfficial record ↗

  • No

    Youth employment standards act: amend the title and sections 2, 5, 7, 10, 15, and 20

    Replaces work permits and the state permit and registration system with employer-kept proof of age for minors, adds limits for under-16 workers of 8 hours a day when school is out and 6 days a week, and removes the bar on night-work and hazardous-work deviations.

    Jul 1, 2026 · Passed 57–49 · with most DemocratsOfficial record ↗

  • No

    Skilled trades regulation act: amend section 907

    Requires the Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs to let holders of a class 5B boiler installer or class IV boiler repairer license perform periodic maintenance and testing of boiler system controls and safety devices.

    Feb 4, 2026 · Passed 56–48 · with most DemocratsOfficial record ↗

  All jobs & cost of living votes
• ›Rights & public safety95 with · 9 against106 votes

  Most contested

  • No

    An act to provide civil immunity to persons who operate or use certain sport shooting ranges; and to regulate the application of state and local laws, rules, regulations, and ordinances regarding…

    Extends the noise-related civil, criminal, and nuisance protections for sport shooting ranges to ranges that are updated, upgraded, or expanded, if the changes follow generally accepted operation practices.

    Mar 10, 2026 · Passed 56–51 · with most DemocratsOfficial record ↗

  • No

    Revised judicature act of 1961: amend section 1631

    Removes the provision making the county containing the state capital a proper venue for actions the attorney general starts for the state, keeping it as a proper venue when no other venue provision applies.

    Jan 21, 2026 · Passed 56–49 · with most DemocratsOfficial record ↗

  • No

    Of certain state officers: amend section 28

    Limits the attorney general's intervention in other courts in cases involving the state to when the governor or either legislative chamber requests it, removing intervention on the attorney general's own judgment.

    Jan 21, 2026 · Passed 56–49 · with most DemocratsOfficial record ↗

  All rights & public safety votes
• ›Education & families70 with · 2 against72 votes

  Most contested

  • No

    Make appropriations for the department of lifelong education, advancement, and potential for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2026; and to provide for the expenditure of the appropriations.

    As passed by the House, appropriates about $640 million for fiscal year 2025-26 for the Department of Lifelong Education, Advancement, and Potential, which runs child care, early childhood, and postsecondary scholarship programs; about $3.5 million less than current-year funding.

    Jun 11, 2025 · Passed 56–53 · with most DemocratsOfficial record ↗

  • No

    The state school aid act of 1979: amend sections 11 and 17b

    As passed by the House, appropriates $21.9 billion in total funds for 2025-26 school aid (up 5.5%), raises the per-pupil foundation allowance by $417 to $10,025, and adds per-pupil payments tied to school resource officer and mental health staff commitments.

    Jun 11, 2025 · Passed 56–53 · with most DemocratsOfficial record ↗

  • No

    Make appropriations for the department of education for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2026; and to provide for the expenditure of the appropriations.

    As passed by the House, appropriates $133.2 million for the Department of Education in 2025-26, 19.2% below the current year, and removes authorization for 118 positions.

    Jun 11, 2025 · Passed 56–53 · with most DemocratsOfficial record ↗

  All education & families votes
• ›Health & care68 with · 1 against69 votes

  Most contested

  • No

    Public health code: amend sections 16170a, 16222, 16231, 16238, and 17201

    Enters Michigan into the Nurse Licensure Compact, letting nurses with a multistate license from a compact state practice in Michigan without a separate Michigan license.

    Jun 11, 2025 · Passed 57–52 · with most DemocratsOfficial record ↗

  • No

    The social welfare act: add section 106c.

    Limits retroactive Medicaid coverage starting January 1, 2027 to one month before application for the expansion population and two months for others, down from three months.

    Jun 17, 2026 · Passed 57–50 · with most DemocratsOfficial record ↗

  • No

    The Michigan penal code: add section 473a.

    Bans growing, synthesizing, selling, giving, importing or distributing kratom or synthetic variants like 7-OH, a misdemeanor with up to 90 days in jail, a $5,000 fine, or both; higher penalties for repeat offenses and sales to minors; FDA-approved kratom products are exempt.

    Mar 18, 2026 · Passed 56–48 · with most DemocratsOfficial record ↗

  All health & care votes
• ›Climate & energy47 with · 2 against51 votes

  Most contested

  • No

    Natural resources and environmental protection act: amend section 30311d

    Requires the environment department to adopt wetland mitigation rules including expedited permit review, 1:1 ratios for wetlands relocated within a parcel, temporary mitigation credits and off-site mitigation near transportation projects; also sets statutory timing and financial-assurance requirements for mitigation.

    Jun 4, 2026 · Passed 57–51 · with most DemocratsOfficial record ↗

  • No

    Natural resources and environmental protection act: amend sections 30301, 30307, and 30308

    Narrows the state wetland definition to features adjacent to, and continuously surface-connected with, waters of the United States, while provisions on local wetland ordinances keep the broader prior definition.

    Jun 4, 2026 · Passed 57–51 · with most DemocratsOfficial record ↗

  • No

    Natural resources and environmental protection act: amend section 5503

    Requires the state environment department to use the longest time period the federal Clean Air Act allows when calculating emission rates for an emissions inventory.

    Jun 4, 2026 · Passed 58–50 · with most DemocratsOfficial record ↗

  All climate & energy votes
• ›Transportation27 with · 0 against27 votes

  Most contested

  • No

    Michigan vehicle code: amend sections 601b and 682

    Requires drivers to stop 20 feet or more from a school bus showing flashing yellow lights, if a safe stop is possible, and otherwise to slow and pass with caution; civil fines are $100 to $250, or up to $500 if camera-based.

    Jun 26, 2025 · Failed 52–51 · with most DemocratsOfficial record ↗

  • No

    Michigan vehicle code: amend section 676b

    Makes blocking or impeding traffic on a public street or highway while participating in an assembly on a highway a misdemeanor punishable by up to 93 days in jail, a fine up to $5,000, or both; other violations stay civil infractions.

    Sep 16, 2025 · Passed 61–42 · with most DemocratsOfficial record ↗

  • No

    An act to provide for the classification of all public roads, streets, and highways in this state, and for the revision of that classification and for additions to and deletions from each…

    Creates the Neighborhood Road Fund: $100 million a year through 2029-30 goes to repairing closed, restricted and critical bridges, and the rest is distributed to county road commissions and city and village road agencies by road mileage, for local road upkeep.

    Mar 19, 2025 · Passed 63–45 · with most DemocratsOfficial record ↗

  All transportation votes
• ›Housing & rent21 with · 1 against22 votes

  Most contested

  • No

    State housing development authority act of 1966: add section 13.

    Bars people who are not U.S. citizens or federally defined qualified aliens from receiving services or grants or taking part in programs under the State Housing Development Authority Act, except where federal law provides otherwise.

    May 1, 2025 · Failed 58–48 · with most DemocratsOfficial record ↗

  • No

    Income tax act of 1967: amend sections 623 and 695

    Changes how corporate income tax revenue is distributed: after $50 million for housing, up to $2.2 billion a year goes 90% to local road agencies and 10% to the State Trunkline Fund; the rest goes to the general fund.

    Mar 19, 2025 · Passed 63–45 · with most DemocratsOfficial record ↗

  • No

    An act to prohibit certain mortgage lending practices by a credit granting institution; to prescribe the powers and duties of the commissioner of the financial institutions bureau in relation to…

    Mar 19, 2026 · Passed 72–29 · with most DemocratsOfficial record ↗

  All housing & rent votes
• ›Foreign affairs & defense15 with · 0 against15 votes

  Most contested

  • No

    The revised school code: add section 1346.

    Bars public schools from agreements or grants with China, Cuba, Iran, North Korea, Russia, Syria or Venezuela that limit contracting freedom, let that country direct curriculum or values, or promote an agenda against U.S. security; cultural exchange deals need federal review first.

    May 6, 2025 · Passed 59–51 · with most DemocratsOfficial record ↗

  • No

    The management and budget act: add section 261g.

    Bars public entities from contracting, starting one year after the law takes effect, to buy drones with software made in whole or part by entities on specified federal lists, including the Chinese military company list; takes effect only if HB 5330 is enacted.

    May 13, 2026 · Passed 57–49 · with most DemocratsOfficial record ↗

  • No

    The management and budget act: add section 261g.

    Bars public entities from buying (after two years) and operating (after five years) drones made in whole or part by companies on specified federal Chinese-military, sanctions, and export-control lists, with an exception during governor-declared emergencies.

    May 13, 2026 · Passed 57–45 · with most DemocratsOfficial record ↗

  All foreign affairs & defense votes
• ›Technology & privacy8 with · 1 against9 votes

  Most contested

  • No

    The management and budget act: add section 261g.

    Bars public entities from contracting, starting one year after the law takes effect, to buy drones with software made in whole or part by entities on specified federal lists, including the Chinese military company list; takes effect only if HB 5330 is enacted.

    May 13, 2026 · Passed 57–49 · with most DemocratsOfficial record ↗

  • No

    Create the digital oversight office; and to prescribe the powers and duties of the office, certain officials, and state agencies.

    Creates a Digital Oversight Office in the legislature, led by an officer appointed by both chambers for three years, to investigate state agency IT projects and purchases and join or take over troubled projects, with access to agency records.

    May 20, 2026 · Passed 57–46 · with most DemocratsOfficial record ↗

  • No

    Create the state digital service office; to require reports; and to provide for the powers and duties of certain state governmental officers and entities.

    Creates a State Digital Service Office in the technology department for five years to promote modern software development practices and review software projects costing $1 million or more; its chief officer may block or redirect projects risking significant unnecessary costs.

    May 20, 2026 · Passed 57–46 · with most DemocratsOfficial record ↗

  All technology & privacy votes

Where they stood out

Voted against most of their party on 14 of 170 party-divided votes on file.

Most often on: Rights & public safety (5), Jobs & cost of living (5), Climate & energy (2)

• The Michigan penal code: amend section 520c

  Voted yes · most Democrats voted no · Democrats 22–24, Republicans 56–1

  Sep 23, 2026Official record ↗

• Natural resources and environmental protection act: amend section 40111a

  What it does: Allows people to put out feed for wildlife and birds, despite Natural Resources Commission deer and elk feeding orders, if it is within 300 feet of a residence and totals no more than two gallons; requires feeding ord…

  Voted yes · most Democrats voted no · Democrats 19–32, Republicans 57–0

  Jul 3, 2026Official record ↗

• The code of criminal procedure: amend section 16t of chapter XVII

  What it does: Adds the proposed first-responder buffer-zone felonies to the sentencing guidelines: a violation causing injury is a Class G felony (up to 2 years), and one causing death is a Class C felony (up to 15 years).

  Voted yes · most Democrats voted no · Democrats 16–31, Republicans 57–0

  Jun 9, 2026Official record ↗

• The Michigan penal code: add section 409d.

  What it does: Defines "first responder" for the proposed buffer-zone offense as law enforcement officers, corrections officers, firefighters and emergency medical personnel, and defines "harass" as intentionally causing substantial…

  Voted yes · most Democrats voted no · Democrats 14–33, Republicans 57–0

  Jun 9, 2026Official record ↗

• The Michigan penal code: add section 409c.

  What it does: Makes it a crime to violate a verbal warning not to approach a first responder and stay within 25 feet intending to impede, threaten or harass: a misdemeanor (60 days, $500), or a felony if the responder is injured (2…

  Voted yes · most Democrats voted no · Democrats 17–30, Republicans 57–0

  Jun 9, 2026Official record ↗

How this is counted

Their votes on the most contested roll calls

The votes in their chamber that came out closest and most divided by party, among those they voted on. How we rank

• No

  Make appropriations for the department of lifelong education, advancement, and potential for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2026; and to provide for the expenditure of the appropriations.

  With most of their party · Passed 56–53 · Yes 56–No 53 · Democrats 0–51, Republicans 56–2

  Jun 11, 2025Official record ↗

• No

  The state school aid act of 1979: amend sections 11 and 17b

  With most of their party · Passed 56–53 · Yes 56–No 53 · Democrats 0–51, Republicans 56–2

  Jun 11, 2025Official record ↗

• No

  Make appropriations for the department of education for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2026; and to provide for the expenditure of the appropriations.

  With most of their party · Passed 56–53 · Yes 56–No 53 · Democrats 0–51, Republicans 56–2

  Jun 11, 2025Official record ↗

• No

  Public health code: amend sections 16170a, 16222, 16231, 16238, and 17201

  With most of their party · Passed 57–52 · Yes 57–No 52 · Democrats 0–51, Republicans 57–1

  Jun 11, 2025Official record ↗

• No

  The revised school code: amend sections 501, 521, 551, 1231, 1233, 1311b, 1526, 1535a, and 1809

  With most of their party · Passed 57–52 · Yes 57–No 52 · Democrats 0–51, Republicans 57–1

  Mar 12, 2025Official record ↗

• No

  An act to provide civil immunity to persons who operate or use certain sport shooting ranges; and to regulate the application of state and local laws, rules, regulations, and ordinances regarding…

  With most of their party · Passed 56–51 · Yes 56–No 51 · Democrats 0–50, Republicans 56–1

  Mar 10, 2026Official record ↗

• No

  The social welfare act: add section 106c.

  With most of their party · Passed 57–50 · Yes 57–No 50 · Democrats 0–50, Republicans 57–0

  Jun 17, 2026Official record ↗

• No

  Revised judicature act of 1961: amend section 1631

  With most of their party · Passed 56–49 · Yes 56–No 49 · Democrats 0–49, Republicans 56–0

  Jan 21, 2026Official record ↗