Updates About Legislature

Michigan’s U.S. Senators Gary Peters and Elissa Slotkin have announced they are accepting applications for several key federal positions in Michigan, including a U.S. District Court judgeship, U.S. attorney, and U.S. marshal roles for both the eastern and western districts. Traditionally, the process involves Senators recommending candidates for these roles to the President. After nomination by the President, candidates must be reviewed by the U.S. Senate Judiciary Committee before reaching the floor for a full Senate vote.

Senators Peters and Slotkin emphasized the importance of selecting highly qualified candidates with the legal expertise and temperament necessary to serve Michigan effectively. U.S. attorneys and marshals are typically appointed for four-year terms, while federal judges serve lifetime appointments.

Senate Majority Leader Winnie Brinks (D-Grand Rapids) and the Senate have escalated their legal battle with the House, filing appeals with both the Michigan Court of Appeals and the Michigan Supreme Court. The dispute centers on the House’s refusal to present nine bills, passed last session, to the governor. Leader Brinks is seeking an expedited ruling, arguing that withholding the bills violates the state constitution by allowing one chamber to indefinitely block legislation. In response, the Senate also adopted a rule change allowing its secretary to present House-approved bills to the governor if the House fails to do so.

House Speaker Matt Hall (R-Richland Township) pushed back, stating the Michigan Constitution does not permit the current House to present bills from a prior session. He criticized Brinks’ alternative proposal that the House send the bills to the Senate for presentation, calling it unconstitutional. Meanwhile, Brinks defended the Senate’s rule change as a way to ensure legislative compliance with the court’s ruling. The legal fight continues as the courts weigh whether to intervene.

Related Articles: MICHIGAN HOUSE DECLINES TO SEND NINE BILLS TO GOVERNOR, SENATE DEMOCRATS FILE LAWSUIT AGAINST SPEAKER HALL

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