A clear, checkable account of legislation, budget wins, and advocacy for the Upper Peninsula. Every item is labeled by its current status and linked to an official source.
Legislation
SIGNED INTO LAW
Protecting local homeownership from corporate bulk purchases
Karl was the primary sponsor of House Bill 6074. Now Public Act 32 of 2026, it bars a corporation that already owns more than 100 single-family homes in Michigan from purchasing additional single-family homes in the state. The bill passed the House 102–3.
PASSED THE HOUSE
Expanding access to mental-health counseling
House Bill 4591 would add Michigan to the interstate counseling compact, allowing eligible licensed professional counselors to serve patients across member states, including through telehealth. The House passed the bill 83–23 and sent it to the Senate.
PASSED THE HOUSE
Creating stronger medical-debt protections
Karl was the primary sponsor of House Bill 6073, part of a bipartisan medical-debt package addressing the collection and reporting of medical debt. The House passed the bill 94–12 and sent it to the Senate.
DELIVERED FOR THE U.P.
$250 million for rural hospitals
The bipartisan fiscal year 2026 state budget included a $250 million grant program for rural hospitals. Karl has continued advocating for rural healthcare dollars to reach genuinely rural communities.
$682,000 for Baraga County Flood Recovery
The state budget included critical funding for flood recovery work in Baraga County.
$500,000 for the Gluski Park outdoor recreation area
Funding supports the Marquette-area project and 906 Adventure Team’s youth and community programming.
$35,000 for free tax-preparation assistance
Funding supports United Way of Marquette County’s Volunteer Income Tax Assistance program.
Standing up for care close to home
Karl has pushed to protect rural healthcare grants and make sure funding standards reflect the distances and realities of the Upper Peninsula.
