Updates About Legislation

The Michigan House of Representatives has announced it will not be sending nine bills from the previous legislative term to the Governor for signature. This announcement was made by passing resolution HR 41, which declares that only legislation passed by both chambers of the 103rd Legislature will be presented to the Governor. The move follows a recent Court of Claims ruling that the state Constitution does require the House to transmit the bills. However, Judge Sima Patel also elected to follow judicial non-interference in the legislative process, indicating that a mandate to present the bills will not be enforced by the court. House Republicans, led by Speaker Matt Hall, argued that legal ambiguities require further clarification, while House Democrats strongly opposed the resolution, calling it unconstitutional.

The bills in question include:

• HB 4177 of 2023, HB 5817 of 2024, and HB 5818 of 2024 - Collectively allow history museums in the city of Detroit to request a property tax millage from residents of Wayne County
• HB 4665 of 2023, HB 4666 of 2023, and HB 4667 of 2023 - Expands the Michigan State Police pension system to include corrections officers
• HB 4900 of 2023 and HB 4901 of 2023 - Exempts public assistance, disability, and worker’s compensation from being garnished for debt repayment
• HB 6058 of 2024- Increases public employer contributions towards medical benefit plans for public employees

The decision is likely to prompt further legal challenges, with Senate Democrats expected to appeal the ruling to enforce bill transmission and House Republicans seeking a review of the court’s interpretation of constitutional requirements. Speaker Hall has indicated plans to take the matter to the Court of Appeals to establish a clearer legal precedent.

Related Article: SENATE DEMOCRATS FILE LAWSUIT AGAINST SPEAKER HALL

Governor Whitmer has signed two bipartisan bills aimed at supporting Michigan’s workforce by expanding paid sick leave and increasing our state’s minimum wage. Senate Bill 8 gradually raises the minimum wage to $15 an hour by 2027, giving small businesses time to adjust to the pay increase for over 730,000 Michigan employees. Following 2027, the minimum wage will continue to rise based on inflation. It also increases the tipped wage credit over time to align more closely with wages in our neighboring states.

The second bipartisan bill—House Bill 4002— expands paid sick leave policies, allowing employees to use earned time off for medical appointments, illness, or caregiving without being required to find their own replacement. Both bills were crafted through bipartisan collaboration to balance worker protections with business sustainability, reinforcing Michigan’s commitment to a strong and competitive workforce.

Related Article: SENATE PASSES TIPPED MINIMUM WAGE BILL WITH CAUCUS RESISTANCE

The Michigan Senate has passed a bipartisan bill, SB 8, that will gradually raise the tipped minimum wage to 50% of the regular minimum wage by 2031, rather than completely phasing it out as originally planned. The bill, introduced by Democratic Senator Kevin Hertel (D-Saint Clair Shores), received more support from Republicans than Democrats, with a 20-12 vote in favor. Under the bill, the tipped wage will remain at 38% for the rest of 2025, then increase by 2% annually until it reaches 50%. This compromise comes as the Legislature faces a February 21 deadline to amend the minimum wage and Earned Sick Time Act (ESTA) before they take effect.

SB 8 is tie-barred to HB 4002, the ESTA bill, which remains in a Senate committee. As a result, the minimum wage changes cannot be signed into law without also changing the paid sick time bill. While many businesses and Republicans view the bill as a necessary adjustment to avoid job losses in the restaurant industry, some Democrats and labor advocates criticize it for rolling back worker protections originally mandated by a court order.

Despite the mixed response, legislative leaders view the bill as a step toward a bipartisan solution. Senate Majority Leader Winnie Brinks (D-Grand Rapids) and Hertel expressed optimism about continued negotiations, while Republican leaders emphasized the need to balance business interests with wage increases. House Speaker Matt Hall (R-Richland Township) highlighted the importance of compromise, stating that the deal should benefit workers rather than just businesses or labor unions. With the deadline approaching, both parties acknowledge more work is needed to finalize a consensus on the state’s wage and sick leave laws.