Updates About Legislature

The Michigan Senate broke records during lame duck with a 29-hour session that ran from 10 a.m. Thursday to 3:01 p.m. Friday, passing over 90 bills before adjourning. Senate Democrats prioritized salvaging as much legislation as possible after House Democrats were unable to maintain a quorum due to a missing Democratic member and a Republican walkout. While most bills were passed in their original form and are now headed to the Governor’s desk, some were amended and sent back to the House, where they are unlikely to advance unless the House reconvenes earlier than December 31.

¶Key Bills Passed by the Senate:

• Requirement for Michigan schools to supply information to parents on firearm storage rules each year
• Allowing pharmacists to prescribe contraceptives and to require coverage of pharmacist-prescribed birth control methods
• Maternal Health bills designed to address the state’s high maternal mortality rates
• Lifting medical benefit plan caps to raise the amount public employers can contribute towards staff healthcare plans
• Prohibiting law enforcement from selling firearms obtained in gun buyback programs and requiring firearms obtained through buyback programs to be destroyed
• School Safety and Mental Health bill package intended to standardize school safety requirements

New leadership roles for Michigan’s 103rd Legislature have been announced, effective January 2025:

¶Republican Leadership

• Speaker of the House: Rep. Matt Hall (R-Richland Township) (currently serving as Minority Leader)
• Majority Floor Leader: Rep. Bryan Posthumus (R-Rockford) (currently serving as Minority Floor Leader)
• Speaker Pro Tempore: Rep. Rachelle Smit (R-Shelbyville)
• Associate Speaker Pro Tempore: Rep. Jay DeBoyer (R-Clay)
• Assistant Majority Floor Leader: Rep. Brian Begole (R-Perry)
• Majority Whip: Rep. Mike Harris (R-Clarkston)
• Chief Deputy Whip: Rep. Joseph A. Aragona (R-Clinton Township)
• Caucus Chair: Rep. Ken Borton (R-Gaylord)
• Caucus Vice Chair: Representative-elect Nancy Jenkins-Arno (R-Lenawee County)

¶Democratic Leadership

• Minority Leader: Rep. Ranjeev Puri (D-Canton) (currently serving as Majority Whip)
• Minority Floor Leader: Rep. John Fitzgerald (D-Wyoming)

Further announcements on additional Democratic leadership and committee assignments are expected in the coming weeks.

Rep. Matt Hall (R-Richland) has been selected by his Republican colleagues to serve as the next Speaker of the Michigan House of Representatives for the 2025-2026 term. With Republicans holding a 58-52 majority, Hall, currently the Minority Leader, will lead the chamber during a pivotal period where Democrats will continue to hold majority in the Senate and Governor’s Office. Hall has had a steady record of keeping his caucus unified.

Meanwhile, House Democrats are looking ahead to a new chapter of leadership under Rep. Ranjeev Puri (D-Canton), who has been elected as the next Minority Leader. Aiming to foster unity within the party, Puri’s leadership comes after current Democratic Speaker Joe Tate announced he will not be seeking another term. Puri, a member of the legislature since 2020, has emphasized the importance of collaboration and strategic decision-making within his caucus. As Minority Leader, he is focused on reshaping the caucus culture and working across the aisle with the Republican majority, all while preparing for future campaigns to regain the Democratic trifecta in Michigan.