Updates About Legislature

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

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)