As former Chair of the House Great Lakes and Environment Committee and current Minority Vice-Chair of the Senate Natural Resources, Environment and Great Lakes Committee, Rebekah prioritizes those policies that both preserve our environment and protect our health. In order to meet these two objectives, Rebekah sponsored and shepherded through the House legislation to phase-out the sale of mercury-added products in Michigan. At the same time, she co-sponsored legislation to prohibit the manufacture, sale, or distribution of certain products containing dangerous decabromodiphenyl ethers (deca-BDEs), and a bill to prohibit the sale or use of human lice treatments containing a hazardous toxin called lindane.

Over the last few years, the recall of millions of toys and other children’s products found to contain hazardous levels of lead has sparked national concern. Recognizing the severe detrimental effects of lead poisoning, Rebekah joined with her colleagues to pass legislation to prohibit lead in children’s jewelry, toys and lunch boxes. She also served as one of the chief sponsors of the Children’s Safe Products Act, a package of bills that seek to give parents the right to know what chemicals are being used in their children’s toys and products.