Updates About Legislation

The legislature continued with its busy policy schedule prior to spring break by moving a number of high-profile bills, including the repeal of the current state right to work law and restoring the prevailing wage for public construction projects in Michigan.

The House of Representatives passed their version of bills with the Senate quickly moving them from committee to the full Senate floor on March 14. Both chambers passed SB 34, SB 6, HB 4004, and HB 4005 along party lines. With the passage of these bills, the state moves one step closer to reversing laws that have been in place since 2012 and 2018.

Late changes were made to both HB 4004 and HB 4005, which now include a $1 million appropriation substitution for the Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity to use for educational outreach. The Right to Work bills are now referendum-proof, a practice that has not previously been supported by Governor Whitmer under a Republican-led legislature. However, Governor Whitmer has stated that she intends on signing the legislation.

On Thursday, March 16, Governor Gretchen Whitmer signed new LGBTQ+ protections into law under the state’s Elliot-Larsen Civil Rights Act.

Over a decade in the making, the state has now added sexual orientation and gender identity and expression as protected classes against discrimination in housing, employment, and public accommodations.

A small number of Republican senators and representatives voted in support of the legislation. Those opposed to the bill shared their no-vote explanation, stating it could infringe on religious rights and freedoms. Public Act 6 of 2023 can be found here.

The Michigan House and Senate took further action on gun reform legislation by taking steps to finalize a package of bills containing legislation from both chambers. Senate Bills 79, 80, 81, and 82, along with House Bills 4138 and 4142 will head to the desk of Governor Gretchen Whitmer. House Bill 4143 will need a concurrence vote in the House prior to presentation to the Governor.

The package of bills would require background checks to be performed on all gun purchases, require individuals to obtain a license to own a firearm, enact red flag laws that would allow family, friends, or others to petition the court to remove firearms from those who may harm themselves or others, and require gun owners to safely store their firearms.

In separate but related news, President Biden issued an Executive Order this week seeking to reinforce background checks for gun buyers, strengthen red flag laws, encourage safe storage of firearms, and ask the Federal Trade Commission to analyze how gun manufacturers market firearms.