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For Michigan Rep. Gary Howell (R-Deerfield Township), the 2020 legislative session was productive.

He was able to get four bills approved by the Michigan House of Representatives.

“While the virus has certainly kept us apart in a physical sense, I have been working the phones and educating my colleagues regarding my legislation,” Howell said, according to Michigan House Republicans. “My goal as state representative for Lapeer County has been to be as productive and effective as possible. I am pleased that my legislation has received such favorable responses.”

The legislation -- House Bills 5697, 5804, 5046, and 5050 -- passed with “strong bipartisan majorities,” the legislator told Michigan House Republicans.

HB 5697 reclassifies various criminal misdemeanors -- hunting issues, such as supplemental feeding of deer -- as civil infractions.

HB 5804 makes the first offense of driving on a suspended license a civil infraction, as long as the suspension did not involve drunken driving, reckless driving or any driving violation that causes serious injury or death.

“The problem is that many license suspensions have nothing to do with safe driving, but instead are barriers to people keeping their jobs and supporting their families,” Howell said, according to Michigan House Republicans.

The Michigan State Police, Michigan Sheriffs' Association, Michigan Association of Chiefs of Police and Prosecuting Attorneys Association of Michigan are among the organizations supporting the bill, Howell said.

HB 5046 and 5050 tighten asbestos safety standards.

“These bills give very specific guidelines as to who may handle asbestos demolition projects and how they report their activity,” Howell said. “A 2017 audit found that the state was not properly monitoring building demolitions in which asbestos could be released, not acting on reported violations and not overseeing asbestos disposal at landfills. This is a major health hazard.”

The legislation would allow local governments to withhold payment from asbestos abatement contractors who violate safety or demolition standards, until the violation is corrected.