STATE OF MICHIGAN
JOURNAL
OF THE
House of Representatives
102nd Legislature
REGULAR SESSION OF 2024
House Chamber, Lansing, Wednesday, December 18, 2024.
10:00 a.m.
The House was called to order by the Speaker.
The roll was called by the Clerk of the House of Representatives, who announced that a quorum was not present.
Rep. Amos O’Neal, from the 94th District, offered the following invocation:
“Heavenly Father, we come to You today thankful for the opportunity to convene in this great Chamber and do the business of the people of this great state. Lord God, we ask for Your divine guidance as we deal with those important issues that affect the lives of every man, woman and child who live in this state. Father, we ask that Your will be done in Your way and let us do what is right. This prayer we ask in Christ’s name we pray, that everyone say, Amen.”
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The Speaker called the Speaker Pro Tempore to the Chair.
Motions and Resolutions
The Speaker, on behalf of the entire membership of the House of Representatives, offered the following resolution:
House Resolution No. 320.
A resolution of tribute to for the Honorable Andrew Beeler.
Whereas, For serving this legislative body with great commitment, we commend and thank Representative Andrew Beeler. He has worked diligently for four years on behalf of the residents of first the Eighty-third and now the Sixty-fourth District located in Port Huron and communities in Sanilac County and St. Clair County, as well as the people of the entire state of Michigan; and
Whereas, Representative Beeler
graduated from the United States Naval Academy in 2014 and went on to serve on
the USS Chancellorsville and the USS Decatur. During his service,
he deployed to the South China Sea, East China Sea, and the Middle East, and he
was awarded the Navy Achievement Medal, the Navy Commendation Medal, and the
Navy and Marine Corps Junior Officer Leadership Award. Representative Beeler
then continued service with the Navy Reserve following his five years of
commissioned service; and
Whereas, Representative Beeler proudly served on the Joint Committee on Administrative Rules and, from 2021 to 2023, served as the vice minority chair on the Military, Veterans and Homeland Security Committee in addition to contributing as a member of the Education, Health Policy, and Tax Policy committees. During his time in office, Representative Beeler sponsored a law to extend the income tax filing deadline during the COVID-19 pandemic and spearheaded laws to update state insurance regulations to protect consumers. He has also led efforts to help Michigan residents save on prescription drugs, cut red tape to help veterans become teachers, and prohibit discriminatory race and gender stereotyping in Michigan’s public school curriculum; now, therefore, be it
Resolved by the House of Representatives, That we offer this expression of tribute to commend and thank the Honorable Andrew Beeler for his notable contributions to this legislative body and to our state; and be it further
Resolved, That copies of this resolution be transmitted to Representative Andrew Beeler as evidence of our appreciation and best wishes as he leaves this legislative body.
The resolution was referred to the Committee on Government Operations.
The Speaker, on behalf of the entire membership of the House of Representatives, offered the following resolution:
House Resolution No. 321.
A resolution of tribute for the Honorable Andrew Fink.
Whereas, It is with great admiration for his commitment to the Michigan House of Representatives and people of the Thirty-fifth District, which encompasses all of Branch and Hillsdale counties and the city of Hudson in Lenawee County, that we honor Representative Andrew Fink upon completion of his service as a member of this legislative body. During his four years of service, his ongoing dedication to improving the lives of Michiganders has benefited not only his constituents but the entire state of Michigan; and
Whereas, Representative Fink was well-prepared for legislative service before entering the House of Representatives. He earned a juris doctor from the University of Michigan and graduated from Hillsdale College with a bachelor’s degree in politics. Representative Fink worked as an attorney and small business owner, but was no stranger to public service, having served in the United States Marines before coming to Lansing; and
Whereas, Representative Fink drew upon his education and experience while serving as the minority vice chair of the Judiciary Committee. In addition, he proudly served on the Economic Development and Small Business Committee, the Subcommittee on Housing, and the Appropriations Committee, where he advocated for responsible state spending; now, therefore, be it
Resolved by the House of Representatives, That we offer this expression of admiration and thanks to the Honorable Andrew Fink for his service to the people of this state as a member of this legislative body; and be it further
Resolved, That copies of this resolution be transmitted to Representative Fink as evidence of our appreciation and best wishes.
The resolution was referred to the Committee on Government Operations.
The Speaker, on behalf of the entire membership of the House of Representatives, offered the following resolution:
House Resolution No. 322.
A resolution of tribute for the Honorable Jenn Hill.
Whereas, We now take this opportunity to recognize and thank the Honorable Jenn Hill’s dedicated service to this chamber as the Representative for the One Hundred-ninth District. Since assuming office in 2023, Representative Hill has honorably served not only her constituents in the counties of Alger, Baraga, Dickinson, and Marquette, but Michiganders statewide; and
Whereas, Representative Hill’s
prior educational and professional experiences marked her as an excellent
candidate to serve in this chamber. The Illinois native received a bachelor’s
degree in anthropology from Barnard College in New York City as well as a
master’s degree in city planning from the Massachusetts Institute of
Technology. The Honorable Representative leveraged these experiences to launch
a successful decades-long career building sustainable communities and leading
community-centered nonprofit programs. Before her election to this chamber,
Representative Hill was also appointed by Governor Whitmer to the Upper
Peninsula Energy Task Force, served as Vice President of the Citizens Utility
Board of Michigan, and was active in various community programs, including the
Marquette Community Garden, Noquemanon Trail Network, and Marquette Regional
History Center; and
Whereas, Since her election to this chamber, Representative Hill has demonstrated a deep commitment to serving her constituents in the One Hundred-ninth District. She has served with distinction as the vice chair of the Natural Resources, Environment, Tourism, and Outdoor Recreation Committee and as a member of the House committees on Energy, Communications, and Technology; Higher Education; and Local Government and Municipal Finance. The Representative’s involvement in numerous committees during her tenure of service stands as a testament to her devotion to improving the lives of Michiganders statewide; now, therefore, be it
Resolved by the House of Representatives, That we offer this expression of tribute to commend and thank the Honorable Jenn Hill for her notable contributions to this legislative body and the state of Michigan; and be it further
Resolved, That copies of this resolution be transmitted to Representative Jenn Hill as evidence of our appreciation and best wishes as she leaves this legislative body.
The resolution was referred to the Committee on Government Operations.
The Speaker, on behalf of the entire membership of the House of Representatives, offered the following resolution:
House Resolution No. 323.
A resolution of tribute for the Honorable Christine Morse.
Whereas, It is with great appreciation for her hard work and dedication to the Michigan House of Representatives and the citizens of the Fortieth District, and the former Sixty-first District, that we commend Representative Christine Morse upon completion of her service as a member of this chamber. Throughout the last four years, her passion and commitment to improving the lives of Michiganders have benefited not only her constituents in portions of Portage and Kalamazoo, as well as the townships of Oshtemo and Texas, but the whole of our state’s citizenry; and
Whereas, Representative Morse joined the Legislature in 2021, bringing a wealth of knowledge from her experience as a legal advocate and her tenure as a Kalamazoo County Commissioner. A graduate of Wayne State University Law School, she served her constituents dutifully – sitting on various House committees including the Energy, Health Policy, and Appropriations committees, as well as the Appropriations subcommittees on Corrections; Licensing and Regulatory Affairs, Insurance and Financial Services; and Military and Veterans Affairs and State Police. Representative Morse additionally served as the chair of the Appropriations Subcommittee on Health and Human Services, where she worked tirelessly for all Michiganders’ continued access to necessary and critical services; and
Whereas, Representative Morse focused on policies to improve the lives and health of Michiganders during her time in the House. In collaboration with colleagues across the state, she conducted multiple town halls on community violence intervention to garner insight from the communities most impacted on how to reduce gun violence. As part of the “Reproductive Health Act” package, Representative Morse assisted in strengthening access and removing barriers to reproductive healthcare. In managing the largest Appropriations subcommittee, she guaranteed that resources were concentrated in behavioral health, maternal and infant health, gun violence prevention, and access for Medicaid services. As part of a telehealth bill package, Representative Morse ensured that Medicaid beneficiaries have continued access to telehealth services. Representative Morse supported children in the child welfare system by offering legislation to establish court-appointed special advocates statutorily, as well as ensuring that funding was available for court-appointed special advocate programs in the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services’ budget. She also offered resolutions to raise awareness in the areas of breast cancer and cholangiocarcinoma. Even as she worked on policies that affected people across the state, Representative Morse never forgot the people of her district. She worked to secure state funding for residents of her district who were affected by natural disasters, including over two million dollars for a flooding infrastructure project; now, therefore, be it
Resolved by the House of Representatives, That we offer this expression of tribute to commend and thank the Honorable Christine Morse for her many contributions to this legislative body and to the state of Michigan. Recently elected to Kalamazoo County’s 9th Circuit Court, we wish her the best as she begins the next step of her career; and be it further
Resolved, That copies of this resolution be transmitted to Representative Christine Morse as evidence of our deepest gratitude and best wishes as she leaves this legislative body.
The resolution was referred to the Committee on Government Operations.
The Speaker, on behalf of the entire membership of the House of Representatives, offered the following resolution:
House Resolution No. 324.
A resolution of tribute for the Honorable Nate Shannon.
Whereas, It is with gratitude that we recognize Representative Nate Shannon for his work on behalf of the citizens of Michigan and, in particular, his constituents in the Twenty-fifth and Fifty-eighth Districts. Throughout his tenure in the House, Representative Shannon’s hard work has benefited not only the people in portions of Warren, Sterling Heights, Utica, and Shelby Township, but all of Michigan’s citizens; and
Whereas, Prior to joining the Legislature, Representative Shannon worked to better the lives of Michigan youth. He obtained a bachelor’s degree in political science from Oakland University and then attended Wayne State University to obtain a master’s degree in secondary education. He utilized his education as a high school teacher with L’Anse Creuse Public Schools, while also serving on the Sterling Heights City Council; and
Whereas, Since his election to the House of Representatives in 2018, Representative Shannon has continued to work to better the lives of Michiganders across our state. He served as the chair of the Transportation, Mobility and Infrastructure Committee, as well as a member of the House committees on Education; Energy; Local Government and Municipal Finance; Natural Resources, Environment, Tourism and Outdoor Recreation; and Transportation. Representative Shannon’s dedication and integrity stand as clear examples of what it takes to be a successful public servant and strong leader; now, therefore, be it
Resolved by the House of Representatives, That we offer this expression of tribute to commend and thank the Honorable Nate Shannon for his notable contributions to this legislative body and to our state; and be it further
Resolved, That copies of this resolution be transmitted to Representative Nate Shannon as evidence of our appreciation and best wishes as he leaves this legislative body.
The resolution was referred to the Committee on Government Operations.
Announcement by the Clerk of Printing and Enrollment
The Clerk announced that the following bills and joint resolution had been reproduced and made available electronically on Friday, December 13:
House Bill Nos. 6292 6293 6294 6295
House Joint Resolution V
The Clerk announced that the following bill had been reproduced and made available electronically on Wednesday, December 18:
Senate Bill No. 1199
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The Speaker Pro Tempore declared the House adjourned until Thursday, December 19, at 12:00 Noon.
RICHARD J. BROWN
Clerk of the House of Representatives