The newest debate raging across the globe right now is over COVID-19 vaccine passports, and it has the potential to be very divisive.

Never one to be shy about pursuing things she believes strongly about, our own state Rep. Sue Allor, R-Wolverine, has authored legislation in the state House that would dismiss any talk of such passports in Michigan before momentum about the subject gets rolling.

Specifically, House Bill 4667, as introduced by Allor, would “prohibit government entities in Michigan from issuing or encouraging COVID-19 vaccine passports.”

Is such legislation necessary?

Recently, the Associated Press moved a story that indicated three of the state’s 15 public universities have implemented vaccine mandates for this next school year for things such as housing. The AP reported other schools are considering similar measures.

So, yes, the legislation might be unusual, but it certainly appears timely.

And, unfortunately, like most things COVID-19-related, the bill is also rather controversial. The governors in Florida, Arizona, and Texas have barred the use of vaccine passports.

Americans seem pretty divided on the need for such documentation, and even more divided as to how far-reaching documentation should extend.

A recent Gallop Poll revealed that 57% of those polled support vaccine documentation for air travel, while 55% of them said they supported documentation before attending events that would have large crowds.

However, support falls off drastically after that for other things. For instance, only 45% supported passports for attending work, 44% for staying at a hotel, and only 40% for going to a restaurant.

And, not surprising in the least, the issue is a hot topic between Democrats and Republicans. In the Gallop Poll that asked respondents about requiring passports before attending five different scenarios, the lowest support for one of the five among those who identified as Democrats was 62%. Meanwhile, the highest support for one of the five among those who identified themselves as Republican was just 28%.

In a press release from Allor’s office last week following testimony before the House Oversight Committee, Allor said she was concerned about losing personal freedoms and individual liberties should immunization passports be required.

“This would insert a digital gatekeeper into how we go about our daily lives,” Allor said. “It concerns me that a governmental order for the passport or encouraging the passport could prevent someone from grocery shopping or seeing their child compete in athletics all based on whether or not they’ve had the COVID-19 vaccine.”

More testimony was expected this week on the bill, although, at the time this column was submitted, the results of that testimony were unknown.

If you would like to discuss this issue with Allor, she will be in Rogers City Monday from 10 to 11 a.m. at Kortman’s Restaurant as part of her traveling office hours.

I’m sure she would value your opinion.