January 22nd-February 3rd, 2025

House Speaker Matt Hall (R-Richland Township) has announced committee assignments for the 2025-2026 legislative term. On average, Republican members received four committee assignments, while Democratic members received two. All members were placed in at least one committee assignment.

¶House Committee Chairs:

• Appropriations: Rep. Ann Bollin (Brighton)
• Agriculture: Rep. Jerry Neyer (Shepherd)
• Communications and Technology: Rep. Jaime Greene (Richmond)
• Economic Competitiveness: Rep. Mike Hoadley (Au Gres)
• Education and Workforce: Rep. Nancy De Boer (Holland)
• Election Integrity: Rep. Rachelle Smit (Shelbyville)
• Energy: Rep. Pauline Wendzel (Watervliet)
• Families and Veterans: Rep. Kathy Schmaltz (Jackson)
• Finance: Rep. Mark Tisdel (Rochester Hills)
• Government Operations: Rep. Brian BeGole (Perry)
• Health Policy: Rep. Curt VanderWall (Ludington)
• Insurance: Rep. Mike Harris (Waterford)
• Natural Resources and Tourism: Rep. David Martin (Davison)
• Regulatory Reform: Rep. Joseph Aragona (Clinton Township)
• Rules: Rep. Bill Schuette (Midland)
• Transportation and Infrastructure: Rep. Pat Outman (Six Lakes)
• Judiciary: Rep. Sarah Lightner (Springport)
• Oversight: Rep. Jay DeBoyer (Clay)

¶Appropriations Subcommittee Chairs:

• Agriculture and Rural Development and Natural Resources: Rep. Ken Borton (Gaylord)
• Corrections and Judiciary: Rep. Bradley Slagh (Zeeland)
• Higher Education and Community Colleges: Rep. Greg Markkanen (Hancock)
• Environment, Great Lakes and Energy: Rep. Cam Cavitt (Cheboygan)
• Human Services: Rep. John Roth (Interlochen)
• Labor and Economic Opportunity: Rep. Nancy Jenkins-Arno (Clayton)
• LARA and Insurance and Financial Services: Rep. Timmy Beson (Bay City)
• Medicaid and Behavioral Health: Rep. Greg VanWoerkom (Norton Shores)
• General Government: Rep. Thomas Kuhn (Troy)
• Michigan State Police: Rep. Mike Mueller (Linden)
• Military and Veterans Affairs: Rep. Ron Robinson (Utica)
• Public Health: Rep. Phil Green (Watertown Township)
• State and Local Transportation: Rep. Donni Steele (Orion Township)
• School Aid and Education: Rep. Tim Kelly (Saginaw Township)

¶Committee Vice Chairs:

• Appropriations: Rep. Matt Maddock (Milford)
• Agriculture: Rep. Jennifer Wortz (Quincy)
• Communications and Technology: Rep. Tom Kunse (Clare)
• Economic Competitiveness: Rep. Karl Bohnak (Negaunee)
• Education and Workforce: Rep. Rylee Linting (Wyandotte)
• Election Integrity: Rep. Joseph Fox (Fremont)
• Energy: Rep. David Prestin (Cedar River)
• Families and Veterans: Rep. Doug Wozniak (Shelby Township)
• Finance: Rep. Steven Frisbie (Battle Creek)
• Government Operations: Rep. Mike Harris (Waterford Township)
• Health Policy: Rep. Jamie Thompson (Brownstown)
• Insurance: Rep. Mark Tisdel (Rochester Hills)
• Natural Resources and Tourism: Rep. Alicia St. Germaine (Harrison Township)
• Regulatory Reform: Rep. Parker Fairbairn (Harbor Springs)
• Rules: Rep. Joe Aragona (Clinton Township)
• Transportation and Infrastructure: Rep. Greg Alexander (Carsonville)
• Judiciary: Rep. Brian BeGole (Perry)
• Oversight: Rep. Matt Bierlein (Vassar)

¶Committee Minority Vice Chairs:

• Appropriations: Rep. Alabas Farhat (Dearborn)
• Agriculture: Rep. Veronica Paiz (Harper Woods)
• Communications and Technology: Rep. Helena Scott (Detroit)
• Economic Competitiveness: Rep. Kristian Grant (Grand Rapids)
• Education and Workforce: Rep. Jimmie Wilson (Ypsilanti)
• Election Integrity: Rep. Stephen Wooden (Grand Rapids)
• Energy: Rep. Joe Tate (Detroit)
• Families and Veterans: Rep. Stephanie Young (Detroit)
• Finance: Rep. Jason Hoskins (Southfield)
• Government Operations: Rep. John Fitzgerald (Wyoming)
• Health Policy: Rep. Karen Whitsett (Detroit)
• Insurance: Rep. Brenda Carter (Pontiac)
• Natural Resources and Tourism: Rep. Mike McFall (Hazel Park)
• Regulatory Reform: Rep. Tullio Liberati (Allen Park)
• Rules: Rep. Angela Witwer (Delta Township)
• Transportation and Infrastructure: Rep. Peter Herzberg (Westland)
• Judiciary: Rep. Tyrone Carter (Detroit)
• Oversight: Rep. Reggie Miller (Van Buren Township)

Senate Democrats have filed a lawsuit in the Court of Claims against House Speaker Matt Hall (R-Richland Township), alleging that he is unconstitutionally withholding nine bills passed in the 2023-2024 session from being presented to Governor Whitmer for signature.

Senate Majority Leader Winnie Brinks (D-Grand Rapids) announced the lawsuit, emphasizing that legislative leadership cannot override constitutional requirements. The bills in question cover various issues, including increasing public employer contributions to employee health insurance, allowing Detroit history museums to seek a property tax millage, adjusting corrections officers’ pensions, and protecting certain public benefits from debt garnishment.

Hall’s office has cited legal and technical concerns as the reason for the delay, but Democrats argue that the governor has the sole authority to review legislation once passed.

U.S. Senator Gary Peters has announced he will not be seeking re-election in 2026, concluding a political career spanning over 30 years and positions ranging from local to federal government. Citing a desire to spend more time with family, Peters emphasized his commitment to finishing his term while continuing to advocate for issues affecting Michiganders.

The announcement surprised many, as his retirement marks the second consecutive open Senate race in Michigan, following Senator Debbie Stabenow’s retirement. Peters confirmed he has no plans to seek future elected office.

The Governor has announced new appointments and reappointments to several state boards and commissions. Below is a summary of some of the latest appointments

• Board of Chiropractic: Cecil Forbes (reappointed)

• Board of Interpreters for the Deaf, DeafBlind, and Hard of Hearing: April Davidson and Mitchell Holaly (both reappointed).

• Board of Licensed Midwifery: Sarah Andrews (succeeding Heather Robinson) and Celeste Groenenberg (reappointed).

• Board of Occupational Therapy: Cristian LaBar (reappointed).

• Board of Osteopathic Medicine and Surgery: Ronald Bishop (reappointed).

• Board of Physical Therapy: Benjamin Eggleston (succeeding Nora Cascardo).

• Board of Psychology: Harper West and Melissa Grey (both reappointed).