Holland Reporter

Matt Hall, the state representative for Michigan's District 42, said that new legislation and public safety funding will assist law enforcement in combating fentanyl distribution and related violence.

"The Michigan House passed strong new penalties for fentanyl dealers this week," said Hall. "Combined with our massive investment in public safety on Tuesday, we are arming our local police and prosecutors to put a stop to this poison and the violent thugs who spread it."

In April 2025, the Michigan House passed House Bills 4255 and 4256 to establish mandatory minimum prison sentences for trafficking fentanyl, heroin, and carfentanil. According to a report by Michigan House Republicans, penalties range from five to 20 years for trafficking under 50 grams to 30 years to life for trafficking over 1,000 grams. The bills received bipartisan support as part of a broader effort to confront the fentanyl crisis and deter large-scale drug distribution.

According to the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services, Michigan recorded 2,826 overdose deaths in 2023, a 5.7% decrease from 2,998 in 2022. The state's overdose death rate dropped from 31.1 per 100,000 residents in 2021 to 28.2 in 2023, reflecting gradual improvement amid ongoing prevention and enforcement efforts. While still a serious issue, the data signals progress in tackling opioid-related fatalities.

According to reporting by the Manistee News Advocate, Michigan’s Operation Overdrive has increased fentanyl interdiction efforts, especially in areas like Muskegon and Manistee. In one operation in 2025, officers seized 11.5 ounces of fentanyl and arrested ten individuals, marking a major disruption of local trafficking activity. The initiative reflects the state’s targeted approach to dismantling drug networks linked to synthetic opioid distribution.

Hall is currently serving as Speaker of the Michigan House and has represented District 42 since 2019 as a member of the Republican Party. According to Ballotpedia, he has prioritized legislation involving criminal justice, public safety, and economic development. His leadership has placed him at the forefront of recent fentanyl legislation and broader efforts to strengthen law enforcement across the state.