📰 District 41 E-Newsletter | April 2026 | Rep. Julie Rogers
Dear Neighbor,

I hope this update finds you well. I’m proud to share that bipartisan legislation I sponsored to ensure death certificates are completed within 48 hours has been signed into law. This will help families navigate difficult moments with greater dignity and certainty. It remains an honor to serve you, and my office is always here to help.

In service,
Julie M. Rogers
State Representative
House District 41
In this issue:

  • Bipartisan Death Certificate Bills Signed into Law by Governor
  • Attorney General Roundtable in Kalamazoo
  • Michigan Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics Award
  • Intern Spotlight
  • Next Coffee Hour – April 17
  • Join Me for Earth Day Clean Up – April 25
  • Save the Date for Burdick Street Block Party

Legislative & Community Updates

📑 Bipartisan Death Certificate Bills Signed Into Law
I’m proud to share that my bipartisan death certificate package, House Bills 4077 (Rogers) and 4078 (Mueller), has been signed into law! This is an important step toward a more dignified and timely process for grieving families across Michigan.

When someone passes away, loved ones deserve the ability to honor that life and begin the difficult work of saying goodbye without unnecessary delays. Funerals, burial or cremation arrangements, insurance claims, and settling legal estates all depend on timely death certificates, yet families can be left waiting for days to receive them.

This new law sets a clear expectation that death certificates must be completed within 48 hours and submitted through the secure, online system already in place at the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services, while also streamlining outdated requirements so physicians, funeral directors and medical examiners can move the process forward more efficiently.

I would like to personally thank my staff and the various groups and affected families over the past four years who have met with my office to help get this important legislation over the finish line.

⚖️ Attorney General Roundtable In Kalamazoo
I was grateful to help recently convene a roundtable in Kalamazoo with the attorney general and community partners as special guests to ensure our region is informed, coordinated and prepared when it comes to public safety, lawful enforcement and protecting constitutional rights.

The goal of this conversation was to create space for local leaders, service providers and community members to speak candidly about what they are seeing on the ground, what questions they have and what support is needed. We have all seen how quickly confusion and fear can spread when events unfold without clear communication. That is why proactive coordination matters.

I appreciate the attorney general and her team for coming to Kalamazoo, YWCA Kalamazoo for hosting and everyone who made time to participate. My focus remains on making sure families feel safe, communities have accurate information and residents know where to turn for help when questions arise.

⚕️Michigan Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics Award
Photo: Rep. Rogers receives the 2026 Michigan Public Policy Leadership Award from the Michigan Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics .

I’m honored to receive the Michigan Public Policy Leadership Award from the Michigan Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics during the group’s 2026 Legislative Day in Lansing. I’m grateful for this recognition and for the opportunity to keep working toward a healthier Michigan.

During my time as chair of the House Health Policy Committee, I worked to advance bipartisan solutions that strengthen public health, improve access to care and support better health outcomes for Michiganders. Nutrition professionals and registered dietitians play a critical role in prevention-focused care, and I appreciate their work to improve the health and well-being of families across our state.

Thank you to MiAND for their advocacy and partnership, and congratulations on achieving licensure for dieticians in Michigan.

🎓 Intern Spotlight: Owen!

We would like to introduce you to our intern this semester, Owen. Owen is a senior at Western Michigan University in the Capitol Intern Program, studying history and political science. He is from Woodridge, Ill., and his favorite restaurant in Kalamazoo is HopCat.

We are grateful for his assistance in our office this semester and are excited to see what he accomplishes after graduation.

☕ Next Coffee Hour – April 17

I’m hosting my next legislative coffee hour on Friday, April 17, from 9 to 10 a.m. at This is a Bookstore, located at 3019 Oakland Dr. in Kalamazoo. These coffee hours are a great opportunity to connect informally, ask questions and share what’s on your mind. I look forward to seeing you there! While registration is not required, if you have a specific question in mind, you can email it to us in advance at [email protected].

🌍 Join Me for Earth Day Clean Up – April 25

As we head into spring, I hope you’ll join me for an Earth Day community clean up on Saturday, April 25, from 11 a.m. to noon. We’ll be cleaning up the block in front of our local office in downtown Kalamazoo at 315 N. Burdick St.

Garbage bags and light refreshments will be provided. It is recommended that participants bring their own work gloves.

🎉 Annual Burdick Street Block Party – May 15

Please mark your calendar for our annual North Burdick Street Block Party which will take place from 4 to 6 p.m. on Friday, May 15, in front of the Kalamazoo office located at 315 N. Burdick St. We will host community organizations showcasing their resources and services, activities for children, free giveaways, live music, a food truck and more. This event is free and fun for the whole family.