No. 24

STATE OF MICHIGAN

Journal of the Senate

103rd Legislature

REGULAR SESSION OF 2025

Senate Chamber, Lansing, Thursday, March 13, 2025.

10:00 a.m.

The Senate was called to order by the President pro tempore, Senator Jeremy Moss.

The roll was called by the Secretary of the Senate, who announced that a quorum was present.

Albert—present Hauck—present Moss—present

Anthony—present Hertel—present Nesbitt—present

Bayer—present Hoitenga—present Outman—present

Bellino—present Huizenga—present Polehanki—present

Brinks—present Irwin—present Runestad—present

Bumstead—present Johnson—present Santana—present

Camilleri—present Klinefelt—present Shink—present

Cavanagh—present Lauwers—present Singh—present

Chang—present Lindsey—excused Theis—present

Cherry—present McBroom—present Victory—present

Daley—present McCann—present Webber—present

Damoose—present McMorrow—present Wojno—present

Geiss—present

Senator Joseph N. Bellino Jr. of the 16th District offered the following invocation:

My Creator, I am now willing that You should have all of me, good and bad. I pray that You now remove from me every single defect of character which stands in the way of my usefulness to You and my fellows. Grant me strength as I go out there to do Your bidding. Amen.

The President pro tempore, Senator Moss, led the members of the Senate in recital of the Pledge of Allegiance.

Motions and Communications

Senator Anthony entered the Senate Chamber.

Senator Lauwers moved that Senator Nesbitt be temporarily excused from today’s session.

The motion prevailed.

Senator Lauwers moved that Senator Lindsey be excused from today’s session.

The motion prevailed.

Senator Singh moved that Senators Brinks and Geiss be temporarily excused from today’s session.

The motion prevailed.

Senator Singh moved that rule 3.902 be suspended to allow the guests of Senator Brinks admittance to the Senate floor.

The motion prevailed, a majority of the members serving voting therefor.

Senator Singh moved that the rules be suspended and that the following bill, now on Committee Reports, be placed on the General Orders calendar for consideration today:

Senate Bill No. 25

The motion prevailed, a majority of the members serving voting therefor.

By unanimous consent the Senate proceeded to the order of

Introduction and Referral of Bills

Senator Santana introduced

Senate Bill No. 147, entitled

A bill to amend 1961 PA 236, entitled “Revised judicature act of 1961,” by amending section 2534 (MCL 600.2534), as amended by 2017 PA 82.

The bill was read a first and second time by title and referred to the Committee on Civil Rights, Judiciary, and Public Safety.

Senator Santana introduced

Senate Bill No. 148, entitled

A bill to amend 1978 PA 368, entitled “Public health code,” (MCL 333.1101 to 333.25211) by adding section 22224d.

The bill was read a first and second time by title and referred to the Committee on Health Policy.

Senators Damoose, Singh, Huizenga and Klinefelt introduced

Senate Bill No. 149, entitled

A bill to amend 2011 PA 152, entitled “Publicly funded health insurance contribution act,” by amending section 2 (MCL 15.562), as amended by 2013 PA 269.

The bill was read a first and second time by title and referred to the Committee on Finance, Insurance, and Consumer Protection.

Senators Bellino, Lauwers and McBroom introduced

Senate Bill No. 150, entitled

A bill to amend 1951 PA 51, entitled “An act to provide for the classification of all public roads, streets, and highways in this state, and for the revision of that classification and for additions to and deletions from each classification; to set up and establish the Michigan transportation fund; to provide for the deposits in the Michigan transportation fund of specific taxes on motor vehicles and motor vehicle fuels; to provide for the allocation of funds from the Michigan transportation fund and the use and administration of the fund for transportation purposes; to promote safe and efficient travel for motor vehicle drivers, bicyclists, pedestrians, and other legal users of roads, streets, and highways; to set up and establish the truck safety fund; to provide for the allocation of funds from the truck safety fund and administration of the fund for truck safety purposes; to set up and establish the Michigan truck safety commission; to establish certain standards for road contracts for certain businesses; to provide for the continuing review of transportation needs within the state; to authorize the state transportation commission, counties, cities, and villages to borrow money, issue bonds, and make pledges of funds for transportation purposes; to authorize counties to advance funds for the payment of deficiencies necessary for the payment of bonds issued under this act; to provide for the limitations, payment, retirement, and security of the bonds and pledges; to provide for appropriations and tax levies by counties and townships for county roads; to authorize contributions by townships for county roads; to provide for the establishment and administration of the state trunk line fund, local bridge fund, comprehensive transportation fund, and certain other funds; to provide for the deposits in the state trunk line fund, critical bridge fund, comprehensive transportation fund, and certain other funds of money raised by specific taxes and fees; to provide for definitions of public transportation functions and criteria; to define the purposes for which Michigan transportation funds may be allocated; to provide for Michigan transportation fund grants; to provide for review and approval of transportation programs; to provide for submission of annual legislative requests and reports; to provide for the establishment and functions of certain advisory entities; to provide for conditions for grants; to provide for the issuance of bonds and notes for transportation purposes; to provide for the powers and duties of certain state and local agencies and officials; to provide for the making of loans for transportation purposes by the state transportation department and for the receipt and repayment by local units and agencies of those loans from certain specified sources; to investigate and study the tolling of roads, streets, highways, or bridges; and to repeal acts and parts of acts,” by amending section 11c (MCL 247.661c), as amended by 2015 PA 182.

The bill was read a first and second time by title and referred to the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure.

Senators Victory, Daley, Bellino, Hoitenga, Hauck, McBroom and Johnson introduced

Senate Bill No. 151, entitled

A bill to amend 1967 PA 281, entitled “Income tax act of 1967,” by amending section 51 (MCL 206.51), as amended by 2023 PA 4.

The bill was read a first and second time by title and referred to the Committee on Finance, Insurance, and Consumer Protection.

Senators Webber, Damoose, Huizenga, Lauwers and Victory introduced

Senate Bill No. 152, entitled

A bill to amend 1933 PA 167, entitled “General sales tax act,” by amending section 4x (MCL 205.54x), as amended by 2009 PA 53.

The bill was read a first and second time by title and referred to the Committee on Finance, Insurance, and Consumer Protection.

Senators Damoose, Webber, Huizenga, Victory and Lauwers introduced

Senate Bill No. 153, entitled

A bill to amend 1937 PA 94, entitled “Use tax act,” by amending section 4k (MCL 205.94k), as amended by 2012 PA 429.

The bill was read a first and second time by title and referred to the Committee on Finance, Insurance, and Consumer Protection.

Senators McMorrow, Bayer, Shink, Geiss, Chang, Santana, Irwin and Cavanagh introduced

Senate Bill No. 154, entitled

A bill to prohibit certain conduct at or near a health facility and prescribe penalties; to provide remedies; and to provide for the powers and duties of certain state and local governmental officers and entities.

The bill was read a first and second time by title and referred to the Committee on Civil Rights, Judiciary, and Public Safety.

Senator Brinks entered the Senate Chamber.

Senators McMorrow, Bayer, Shink, Geiss, Chang, Santana, Irwin and Cavanagh introduced

Senate Bill No. 155, entitled

A bill to amend 1927 PA 175, entitled “The code of criminal procedure,” by amending section 13n of chapter XVII (MCL 777.13n), as amended by 2023 PA 63.

The bill was read a first and second time by title and referred to the Committee on Civil Rights, Judiciary, and Public Safety.

Senators Santana, McBroom, Chang, McCann, Geiss, McMorrow, Shink and Irwin introduced

Senate Bill No. 156, entitled

A bill to amend 1975 PA 46, entitled “An act to create the office of the legislative corrections ombudsman; to prescribe the powers and duties of the office, the ombudsman, the legislative council, and the department of corrections; and to provide remedies from administrative acts,” by amending sections 1, 4, 5, 7, 11, 12, 13, and 14 (MCL 4.351, 4.354, 4.355, 4.357, 4.361, 4.362, 4.363, and 4.364), sections 1 and 7 as amended by 1998 PA 318, sections 4, 5, and 13 as amended by 2018 PA 571, section 11 as amended by 1995 PA 197, and section 12 as amended by 1982 PA 170.

The bill was read a first and second time by title and referred to the Committee on Oversight.

Senator Geiss entered the Senate Chamber.

Senators Bayer, Polehanki, Shink, Geiss, Klinefelt, Moss and McCann introduced

Senate Bill No. 157, entitled

A bill to regulate pet cemeteries; to regulate the sale of pet cemetery merchandise and services; and to prescribe penalties and remedies.

The bill was read a first and second time by title and referred to the Committee on Regulatory Affairs.

House Bill No. 4003, entitled

A bill to amend 2001 PA 142, entitled “Michigan memorial highway act,” (MCL 250.1001 to 250.2092) by adding section 1073b.

The House of Representatives has passed the bill and ordered that it be given immediate effect.

The bill was read a first and second time by title and referred to the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure.

House Bill No. 4018, entitled

A bill to amend 1939 PA 288, entitled “Probate code of 1939,” by amending section 16 (MCL 712A.16), as amended by 2023 PA 290.

The House of Representatives has passed the bill and ordered that it be given immediate effect.

The bill was read a first and second time by title and referred to the Committee on Civil Rights, Judiciary, and Public Safety.

House Bill No. 4046, entitled

A bill to amend 2001 PA 142, entitled “Michigan memorial highway act,” (MCL 250.1001 to 250.2092) by adding section 11d.

The House of Representatives has passed the bill and ordered that it be given immediate effect.

The bill was read a first and second time by title and referred to the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure.

Senator Nesbitt entered the Senate Chamber.

Recess

Senator Singh moved that the Senate recess subject to the call of the Chair.

The motion prevailed, the time being 10:07 a.m.

10:38 a.m.

The Senate was called to order by the Assistant President pro tempore, Senator Geiss.

By unanimous consent the Senate returned to the order of

General Orders

Senator Singh moved that the Senate resolve itself into the Committee of the Whole for consideration of the General Orders calendar.

The motion prevailed, and the Assistant President pro tempore, Senator Geiss, designated Senator Albert as Chairperson.

After some time spent therein, the Committee arose; and the Assistant President pro tempore, Senator Geiss, having resumed the Chair, the Committee reported back to the Senate, favorably and with a substitute therefor, the following bill:

Senate Bill No. 25, entitled

A bill to amend 1974 PA 300, entitled “Motor vehicle service and repair act,” by amending sections 2, 13b, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 30, 32, 32a, 33, and 40 (MCL 257.1302, 257.1313b, 257.1314, 257.1315, 257.1316, 257.1317, 257.1318, 257.1330, 257.1332, 257.1332a, 257.1333, and 257.1340), section 2 as amended by 2020 PA 227 and sections 13b and 32a as added and sections 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 30, 32, and 33 as amended by 2016 PA 430, and by adding section 30a.

Substitute (S-1).

The Senate agreed to the substitute recommended by the Committee of the Whole, and the bill as substituted was placed on the order of Third Reading of Bills.

By unanimous consent the Senate returned to the order of

Third Reading of Bills

Recess

Senator Singh moved that the Senate recess subject to the call of the Chair.

The motion prevailed, the time being 10:43 a.m.

10:58 a.m.

The Senate was called to order by the Assistant President pro tempore, Senator Geiss.

Senator Singh moved that the Senate proceed to consideration of the following bill:

Senate Bill No. 96

The motion prevailed.

The following bill was read a third time:

Senate Bill No. 96, entitled

A bill to amend 1972 PA 230, entitled “Stille-DeRossett-Hale single state construction code act,” by amending section 28 (MCL 125.1528), as amended by 2020 PA 155, and by adding section 4i.

The question being on the passage of the bill,

The bill was passed, a majority of the members serving voting therefor, as follows:

Roll Call No. 21 Yeas—36

Albert Cherry Johnson Polehanki

Anthony Daley Klinefelt Runestad

Bayer Damoose Lauwers Santana

Bellino Geiss McBroom Shink

Brinks Hauck McCann Singh

Bumstead Hertel McMorrow Theis

Camilleri Hoitenga Moss Victory

Cavanagh Huizenga Nesbitt Webber

Chang Irwin Outman Wojno

Nays—0

Excused—1

Lindsey

Not Voting—0

In The Chair: Geiss

The Senate agreed to the title of the bill.

The following bill was read a third time:

Senate Bill No. 97, entitled

A bill to amend 1941 PA 207, entitled “Fire prevention code,” by amending section 22 (MCL 29.22), as amended by 2020 PA 154.

The question being on the passage of the bill,

The bill was passed, a majority of the members serving voting therefor, as follows:

Roll Call No. 22 Yeas—36

Albert Cherry Johnson Polehanki

Anthony Daley Klinefelt Runestad

Bayer Damoose Lauwers Santana

Bellino Geiss McBroom Shink

Brinks Hauck McCann Singh

Bumstead Hertel McMorrow Theis

Camilleri Hoitenga Moss Victory

Cavanagh Huizenga Nesbitt Webber

Chang Irwin Outman Wojno

Nays—0

Excused—1

Lindsey

Not Voting—0

In The Chair: Geiss

The Senate agreed to the title of the bill.

The following bill was read a third time:

Senate Bill No. 98, entitled

A bill to amend 1973 PA 116, entitled “An act to provide for the protection of children through the licensing and regulation of child care organizations; to provide for the establishment of standards of care for child care organizations; to prescribe powers and duties of certain departments of this state and adoption facilitators; to provide penalties; and to repeal acts and parts of acts,” (MCL 722.111 to 722.128) by adding section 3m.

The question being on the passage of the bill,

The bill was passed, a majority of the members serving voting therefor, as follows:

Roll Call No. 23 Yeas—36

Albert Cherry Johnson Polehanki

Anthony Daley Klinefelt Runestad

Bayer Damoose Lauwers Santana

Bellino Geiss McBroom Shink

Brinks Hauck McCann Singh

Bumstead Hertel McMorrow Theis

Camilleri Hoitenga Moss Victory

Cavanagh Huizenga Nesbitt Webber

Chang Irwin Outman Wojno

Nays—0

Excused—1

Lindsey

Not Voting—0

In The Chair: Geiss

The Senate agreed to the title of the bill.

The following bill was read a third time:

Senate Bill No. 71, entitled

A bill to amend 1931 PA 328, entitled “The Michigan penal code,” by amending section 552c (MCL 750.552c), as added by 2005 PA 305.

The question being on the passage of the bill,

The bill was passed, a majority of the members serving voting therefor, as follows:

Roll Call No. 24 Yeas—36

Albert Cherry Johnson Polehanki

Anthony Daley Klinefelt Runestad

Bayer Damoose Lauwers Santana

Bellino Geiss McBroom Shink

Brinks Hauck McCann Singh

Bumstead Hertel McMorrow Theis

Camilleri Hoitenga Moss Victory

Cavanagh Huizenga Nesbitt Webber

Chang Irwin Outman Wojno

Nays—0

Excused—1

Lindsey

Not Voting—0

In The Chair: Geiss

The Senate agreed to the title of the bill.

Recess

Senator Singh moved that the Senate recess subject to the call of the Chair.

The motion prevailed, the time being 11:03 a.m.

11:35 a.m.

The Senate was called to order by the President pro tempore, Senator Moss.

Senator Singh moved that the Senate return to consideration of the following bill:

Senate Bill No. 56

The motion prevailed.

The following bill was read a third time:

Senate Bill No. 56, entitled

A bill to amend 1979 PA 94, entitled “The state school aid act of 1979,” (MCL 388.1601 to 388.1896) by adding sections 11cc, 201i, and 236s.

The question being on the passage of the bill,

Senator Runestad offered the following amendments:

1. Amend page 2, following line 5, by inserting:

“Sec. 201j. (1) Not less than 30 days after the effective date of the amendatory act that added this section, each community college that receives an appropriation in section 201 must certify to the state budget director that the community college is committed to cooperating with federal immigration officials and that the community college is not a sanctuary campus.

(2) If a community college fails to provide certification under subsection (1), the state budget director must withhold that community college’s monthly installment described in section 206 until the community college provides certification.”.

2. Amend page 2, following line 9, by inserting:

“Sec. 236t. (1) Not less than 30 days after the effective date of the amendatory act that added this section, each public university that receives an appropriation in section 236 must certify to the state budget director that the university is committed to cooperating with federal immigration officials and that the university is not a sanctuary campus.

(2) If a public university fails to provide certification under subsection (1), the state budget director must withhold that public university’s monthly installment described in section 241 until the public university provides certification.”.

The question being on the adoption of the amendments,

Senator Lauwers requested the yeas and nays.

The yeas and nays were ordered, 1/5 of the members present voting therefor.

The amendments were not adopted, a majority of the members serving not voting therefor, as follows:

Roll Call No. 25 Yeas—17

Albert Hauck Lauwers Runestad

Bellino Hoitenga McBroom Theis

Bumstead Huizenga Nesbitt Victory

Daley Johnson Outman Webber

Damoose

Nays—19

Anthony Chang Klinefelt Santana

Bayer Cherry McCann Shink

Brinks Geiss McMorrow Singh

Camilleri Hertel Moss Wojno

Cavanagh Irwin Polehanki

Excused—1

Lindsey

Not Voting—0

In The Chair: Moss

Senator Albert offered the following amendments:

1. Amend page 2, following line 5, by inserting:

“Sec. 228a. A community college may not use funds appropriated in section 201 for programming, staffing, or other costs related to diversity, equity, and inclusion programs.”.

2. Amend page 2, following line 9, by inserting:

“Sec. 275n. A public university may not use funds appropriated in section 236 for programming, staffing, or other costs related to diversity, equity, and inclusion programs.”.

The question being on the adoption of the amendments,

Senator Lauwers requested the yeas and nays.

The yeas and nays were ordered, 1/5 of the members present voting therefor.

The amendments were not adopted, a majority of the members serving not voting therefor, as follows:

Roll Call No. 26 Yeas—17

Albert Hauck Lauwers Runestad

Bellino Hoitenga McBroom Theis

Bumstead Huizenga Nesbitt Victory

Daley Johnson Outman Webber

Damoose

Nays—19

Anthony Chang Klinefelt Santana

Bayer Cherry McCann Shink

Brinks Geiss McMorrow Singh

Camilleri Hertel Moss Wojno

Cavanagh Irwin Polehanki

Excused—1

Lindsey

Not Voting—0

In The Chair: Moss

Senator Theis offered the following amendment:

1. Amend page 1, following line 5, by inserting:

“Sec. 11dd. In addition to the funds appropriated in section 11, for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2025, there is appropriated the sum of $500,000,000.00 from the state school aid fund for the purposes described in section 98c.

Sec. 98c. (1) Subject to subsection (3), from the state school aid fund money appropriated in section 11dd, there is allocated $500,000,000.00 for 2024-2025 only to provide per-pupil payments to eligible districts to address learning loss.

(2) A district that meets all of the following is an eligible district under this section:

(a) By not later than October 30, 2025, at a public meeting of the board of the district, the board of the district ensures that a presentation is provided to the board, to the parents and legal guardians of pupils enrolled in the district, and to other members of the community. The presentation must include a plan on how funding received under this section will be used to address learning loss.

(b) The board of the district posts the plan described in subdivision (a) on the district’s website.

(c) The board of the district posts any updates to the plan described in subdivision (a), as applicable, on the district’s website.

(3) The amount of funding provided to each eligible district under this section must be an equal amount per pupil in membership.

(4) By not later than August 15, 2026, an eligible district that has received funding under this section shall provide a report to the chairs of the house and senate appropriations subcommittees on school aid, to the house and senate fiscal agencies, and to the state budget director indicating how funds received under this section were spent, detailing the amounts spent, the services provided with the funding, students reached with the funding, and any outcomes that measure how the funds that were used to address learning loss impacted student achievement.

(5) Funds must be spent to increase instructional time to address students that are behind academically. Eligible students are those that can be identified as being in need of increased instructional time by standardized testing, school administrator or teacher recommendation, parent, guardian, or student request, or any other method by which a student can reasonably be determined to be in need of remedial instruction. Eligible uses of these funds include, but are not limited to, tutoring, before- and after-school programming, summer school, or any other use that focuses on offering increased instructional time for academic improvement.

(6) If funds received under this section were not used to address learning loss in accordance with an eligible district’s plan as described in subsection (2)(a), including any updates to the plan, as applicable, as evidenced by findings in the report described in subsection (4), by not later than September 30, 2026, the eligible district shall remit to the department the amount of funds received under this section that were not used to address learning loss.

(7) The funds allocated under this section for 2024-2025 are a work project appropriation, and any unexpended funds for 2024-2025 are carried forward into 2025-2026. The purpose of the work project is to continue support for the programs under this section. The estimated completion date of the work project is September 30, 2026.” and adjusting the totals in enacting section 1 accordingly.

The question being on the adoption of the amendment,

Senator Lauwers requested the yeas and nays.

The yeas and nays were ordered, 1/5 of the members present voting therefor.

The amendment was not adopted, a majority of the members serving not voting therefor, as follows:

Roll Call No. 27 Yeas—18

Albert Hauck Lauwers Runestad

Bellino Hertel McBroom Theis

Bumstead Hoitenga Nesbitt Victory

Daley Huizenga Outman Webber

Damoose Johnson

Nays—18

Anthony Chang McCann Santana

Bayer Cherry McMorrow Shink

Brinks Geiss Moss Singh

Camilleri Irwin Polehanki Wojno

Cavanagh Klinefelt

Excused—1

Lindsey

Not Voting—0

In The Chair: Moss

Senator Webber offered the following amendment:

1. Amend page 1, following line 5, by inserting:

“Sec. 11dd. In addition to the funds appropriated in section 11, for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2025, there is appropriated the sum of $160,000,000.00 from the state school aid fund and the sum of $16,500,000.00 from the general fund for the purposes described in section 31aa.” and adjust the totals in enacting section 1 accordingly.

The question being on the adoption of the amendment,

Senator Lauwers requested the yeas and nays.

The yeas and nays were ordered, 1/5 of the members present voting therefor.

The amendment was not adopted, a majority of the members serving not voting therefor, as follows:

Roll Call No. 28 Yeas—18

Albert Hauck Lauwers Runestad

Bellino Hertel McBroom Theis

Bumstead Hoitenga Nesbitt Victory

Daley Huizenga Outman Webber

Damoose Johnson

Nays—18

Anthony Chang McCann Santana

Bayer Cherry McMorrow Shink

Brinks Geiss Moss Singh

Camilleri Irwin Polehanki Wojno

Cavanagh Klinefelt

Excused—1

Lindsey

Not Voting—0

In The Chair: Moss

Senator McBroom offered the following amendment:

1. Amend page 1, following line 5 by inserting:

“Sec. 11dd. In addition to the appropriations in section 11, for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2025, there is appropriated the sum of $13,744,600.00 from the state school aid fund for the purposes described in section 99mm.

Sec. 99mm. (1) From the state school aid fund money appropriated in section 11dd, there is allocated $13,744,600.00 for 2024-2025 only to Menominee Area Public Schools to cover the cost of an emergency water and asbestos event, cost inflation for unfinished bond work delayed due to asbestos cleanup, and for costs related to consolidation activities.

(2) If, by June 20, 2035, Menominee Area Public Schools receives reimbursement from the settlement of a court case addressing the nonfulfillment of contracted duties regarding an emergency water and asbestos event, Menominee Area Public Schools, not later than 90 days following the receipt of that court settlement amount, must reimburse the department in the amount it received from that settlement, or the full amount received under this section, whichever is less. The department shall determine the mode of payment for the reimbursement.

(3) Notwithstanding section 18a, funds allocated under subsection (1) may be available for expenditure until September 30, 2027. The recipient of funding under subsection (1) must return any unexpended funds to the department in the manner prescribed by the department not later than October 30, 2027.

(4) Notwithstanding section 17b, the department shall make payments under this section on a schedule determined by the department.” and adjusting the totals in enacting section 1 accordingly.

The amendment was not adopted, a majority of the members serving not voting therefor.

The question being on the passage of the bill,

The bill was passed, a majority of the members serving voting therefor, as follows:

Roll Call No. 29 Yeas—19

Anthony Chang Klinefelt Santana

Bayer Cherry McCann Shink

Brinks Geiss McMorrow Singh

Camilleri Hertel Moss Wojno

Cavanagh Irwin Polehanki

Nays—17

Albert Hauck Lauwers Runestad

Bellino Hoitenga McBroom Theis

Bumstead Huizenga Nesbitt Victory

Daley Johnson Outman Webber

Damoose

Excused—1

Lindsey

Not Voting—0

In The Chair: Moss

The Senate agreed to the title of the bill.

Senators Runestad, Anthony, Albert, Theis, Webber and McBroom asked and were granted unanimous consent to make statements and moved that the statements be printed in the Journal.

The motion prevailed.

Senator Runestad’s statement is as follows:

Mr. President, our public universities and community colleges receive hundreds of millions of dollars from taxpayers every year. That’s the people’s money that is being given to higher education. In return for such a tremendous financial investment, you would think that at the bare minimum they would be expected to follow the law. My amendment is very simple. It stipulates that any public university or community college indicating that they won’t follow our immigration laws shall not receive taxpayer funds. If they won’t follow the law, they won’t get money, period. These organizations have been openly ignoring the law, and this must end. I ask for support of my amendment.

Senator Anthony’s statement is as follows:

While I appreciate the comments from the Senator from the 23rd District, as I’ve reviewed this amendment and the other amendments before us, I ask for a “no.” I believe that there’s a time and place to discuss these issues, but now is not the time during our close-of-books supplemental discussions.

Senator Albert’s statement is as follows:

We must reinvest and expand access to needed educational resources. Preparing our future workforce should be our focus, not divisive identity-based mandates. Every kid deserves a fair shot to succeed and shouldn’t be treated differently under the guise of so-called diversity, equity, and inclusion. The DEI policy mandates undermine the value of hard work and personal achievement. My amendment would follow the Trump administration’s executive order to end DEI practices at all publicly-funded universities and community colleges, restoring fairness and merit-based opportunity. Thank you, and I encourage a “yes” vote on this amendment.

Senator Theis’ statement is as follows:

We recently learned that 75 percent of Michigan fourth graders are not reading at grade level; three out of every four students. It’s no better for our eighth graders; 76 percent are not reading at grade level. We can’t wait to help our kids. They need help right now. My amendment would make $500 million available immediately for additional supports like tutoring, before and after school programming, and summer school. If helping our students read really is a priority for our Governor, why wait until next year to start providing more support? They need the help now. I urge a “yes” vote.

Senator Webber’s statement is as follows:

Our schools saw the budgets slashed last year with a 50 percent cut in safety and mental health funding. My amendment would simply restore this critical funding to its full amount for the current budget year. Let’s ensure our schools have the vital safety and mental health funding they need to finish out the remaining half of this academic year. I ask for a “yes” vote to restore these critical dollars.

Senator McBroom’s statement is as follows:

Mr. President, a few years ago, this school in my district—Menominee Public Schools—endeavored to do the right thing and remove asbestos from its building. Then, a few years later, they needed to do a serious project for HVAC. In the midst of that project, the contractor they hired really let them down. I think it’s a scandal and right now they’re being looked at for a lawsuit for what they have done to the school. But on top of their mismanagement of the project, we had a historic rain event that caved in the metal coverings that they had put on the holes in the roof—flooded the building. Only then did they discover in the clean up from that, that the asbestos abatement from a few years earlier had not been properly done. They ended up using all of their millage money they had collected for the HVAC project to mitigate—again, properly this time—the asbestos project, where they discovered improper records had been kept. It’s just a whole chain of mishaps for this school that now finds itself in a legal battle as well as a financial battle, and they still have holes in the roof from a project that they haven’t been able to pay to finish. This budget amendment seeks to help the school get through this time while they pursue the legal opportunities. It has a claw-back proportion in it so that if they win, the state would regain that money back. I ask for a “yes” vote.

Senator Singh moved that the Senate return to consideration of the following bill:

Senate Bill No. 55

The motion prevailed.

The following bill was read a third time:

Senate Bill No. 55, entitled

A bill to make, supplement, and adjust appropriations for various state departments and agencies for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2024; to provide for certain conditions on appropriations; and to provide for the expenditure of the appropriations.

The question being on the passage of the bill,

Senator Bellino offered the following amendments:

1. Amend page 21, following line 7, by inserting:

“PART 1A

LINE-ITEM APPROPRIATIONS
FOR FISCAL YEAR 2024-2025

Sec. 151. There is appropriated for various state departments and agencies to supplement appropriations for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2025, from the following funds:

Sec. 151. DEPARTMENT OF TREASURY

(1) APPROPRIATION SUMMARY

GROSS APPROPRIATION $ 0

Interdepartmental grant revenues:

Total interdepartmental grants and intradepartmental transfers 0

ADJUSTED GROSS APPROPRIATION $ 0

Federal revenues:

Total federal revenues 0

Special revenue funds:

Total local revenues 0

Total private revenues 0

Total other state restricted revenues 0

State general fund/general purpose $ 0

(2) REVENUE SHARING

City, village, and township revenue sharing $ 333,547,300

City, village, and township revenue sharing (333,547,300)

County revenue sharing 291,111,400

County revenue sharing (291,111,400)

GROSS APPROPRIATIONS $ 0

Appropriated from:

Sales tax 0

State general fund/general purpose $ 0”.

2. Amend page 21, following line 7, by inserting:

“PART 2A

PROVISIONS CONCERNING APPROPRIATIONS
FOR FISCAL YEAR 2024-2025

Sec. 1201. Pursuant to section 30 of article IX of the state constitution of 1963, total state spending from state sources under part 1a for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2025 is $0.00 and total state spending from state sources to be paid to local units of government is $0.00.

Sec. 1202. The appropriations made and expenditures authorized under this part and part 1a and the departments, commissions, boards, offices, and programs for which appropriations are made under this part and part 1a are subject to the management and budget act, 1984 PA 431, MCL 18.1101 to 18.1594.

TREASURY

Sec. 1301. (1) The funds appropriated in part 1 for city, village, and township revenue sharing are for grants to cities, villages, and townships and must be distributed as provided in this section.

(2) From the first $299,126,400.00 appropriated in part 1 for city, village, and township revenue sharing, each city, village, or township shall receive an amount equal to 100.0% of the revenue sharing payment for which the city, village, or township would have been eligible to receive under section 952 of article 5 of 2023 PA 119, rounded to the nearest dollar, regardless of whether any limitation or eligibility criteria under section 952 of article 5 of 2023 PA 119 was satisfied.

(3) The remaining amount appropriated in part 1 for city, village, and township revenue sharing after the distributions under subsection (2) must be distributed as follows:

(a) 1/3 shall be distributed as taxable value payments as provided under subsection (4).

(b) 1/3 must be distributed as unit type population payments as provided under subsection (5).

(4) A taxable value payment must be made to each city, village, and township, determined as follows:

(a) Determine the per capita taxable value for each city, village, and township by dividing the taxable value of that city, village, or township by the population of that city, village, or township.

(b) Determine the statewide per capita taxable value by dividing the total taxable value of all cities, villages, and townships by the total population of all cities, villages, and townships.

(c) Determine the per capita taxable value ratio for each city, village, and township by dividing the statewide per capita taxable value by the per capita taxable value for that city, village, or township.

(d) Determine the adjusted taxable value population for each city, village, and township by multiplying the per capita taxable value ratio as determined under subdivision (c) for that city, village, or township by the population of that city, village, or township.

(e) Determine the total statewide adjusted taxable value population, which is the sum of all adjusted taxable value population for all cities, villages, and townships.

(f) Determine the taxable value payment rate by dividing the amount to be distributed under this subsection by the total statewide adjusted taxable value population as determined under subdivision (e).

(g) Determine the taxable value payment for each city, village, and township by multiplying the result under subdivision (f) by the adjusted taxable value population for that city, village, or township.

(5) A unit type population payment must be made to each city, village, and township, determined as follows:

(a) Determine the unit type population weight factor for each city, village, and township as follows:

(i) For a township with a population of 5,000 or less, 1.0.

(ii) For a township with a population of more than 5,000 but less than 10,001, 1.2.

(iii) Except as otherwise provided in subparagraph (xix), for a township with a population of more than 10,000 but less than 20,001, 1.44.

(iv) For a township with a population of more than 20,000 but less than 40,001, 4.32.

(v) For a township with a population of more than 40,000 but less than 80,001, 5.18.

(vi) For a township with a population of more than 80,000, 6.22.

(vii) For a village with a population of 5,000 or less, 1.5.

(viii) For a village with a population of more than 5,000 but less than 10,001, 1.8.

(ix) For a village with a population of more than 10,000, 2.16.

(x) For a city with a population of 5,000 or less, 2.5.

(xi) For a city with a population of more than 5,000 but less than 10,001, 3.0.

(xii) For a city with a population of more than 10,000 but less than 20,001, 3.6.

(xiii) For a city with a population of more than 20,000 but less than 40,001, 4.32.

(xiv) For a city with a population of more than 40,000 but less than 80,001, 5.18.

(xv) For a city with a population of more than 80,000 but less than 160,001, 6.22.

(xvi) For a city with a population of more than 160,000 but less than 320,001, 7.46.

(xvii) For a city with a population of more than 320,000 but less than 640,001, 8.96.

(xviii) For a city with a population of more than 640,000, 10.75.

(xix) For a township that has a population of not less than 10,000 and provides documentation to the department of treasury that the township provides for or makes available all of the following, the unit type population weight factor for a city with the same population:

(A) Fire services.

(B) Police services on a 24-hour basis either through contracting for or directly employing personnel.

(D) Sewer services to 50% or more of its residents.

(b) Determine the adjusted unit type population for each city, village, and township by multiplying the unit type population weight factor for that city, village, or township as determined under subdivision (a) by the population of the city, village, or township.

(c) Determine the total statewide adjusted unit type population, which is the sum of the adjusted unit type population for all cities, villages, and townships.

(d) Determine the unit type population payment rate by dividing the amount to be distributed under this subsection by the total statewide adjusted unit type population as determined under subdivision (c).

(e) Determine the unit type population payment for each city, village, and township by multiplying the result under subdivision (d) by the adjusted unit type population for that city, village, or township.

(6) A yield equalization payment must be made to each city, village, and township in an amount that is sufficient to provide the guaranteed tax base for a local tax effort, but not to exceed 0.02. The payment must be determined as follows:

(a) The guaranteed tax base is the maximum combined state and local per capita taxable value that can be guaranteed in a state fiscal year to each city, village, and township for a local tax effort, not to exceed 0.02, if an amount equal to the amount described in subsection (3)(c) is distributed to cities, villages, and townships whose per capita taxable value is below the guaranteed tax base.

(b) The full yield equalization payment to each city, village, and township is the product of the amounts determined under subparagraphs (i) and (ii):

(i) An amount greater than zero that is equal to the difference between the guaranteed tax base determined in subdivision (a) and the per capita taxable value of the city, village, or township.

(ii) The local tax effort of the city, village, or township, not to exceed 0.02, multiplied by the population of that city, village, or township.

(7) For purposes of this section, any city, village, or township that completely merges with another city, village, or township must be treated as a single entity, so that when determining the eligible city, village, and township revenue sharing payment under section 952 of article 5 of 2023 PA 119 for the combined single entity, the city, village, and township revenue sharing amount that each of the merging local units of government was eligible to receive under section 952 of article 5 of 2023 PA 119 is summed.

Sec. 1302. (1) Cities, villages, and townships receiving a payment under section 1301(2) and counties receiving a payment under section 1303(2) shall receive 1/6 of their total payment on the last business day of October, December, February, April, June, and August. On the last business day of February 2025, cities, villages, and townships receiving a payment under section 1301(3) and counties receiving a payment under section 1303(3) shall receive 50% of the estimated payment to be received under section 1301(3) or 1303(3), as applicable. On the last business day of June 2025, cities, villages, and townships receiving a payment under section 1301(3) and counties receiving a payment under 1303(3) shall receive any remaining payment calculated under section 1301(3) or 1303(3), as applicable.

(2) Payments distributed under section 1301 or section 1303 may be withheld in accordance with sections 17a and 21 of the Glenn Steil state revenue sharing act of 1971, 1971 PA 140, MCL 141.917a and 141.921.

(3) If a city, village, or township that receives a payment under section 1301 is determined to have a retirement pension benefit system in underfunded status under section 5 of the protecting local government retirement and benefits act, 2017 PA 202, MCL 38.2805, the city, village, or township must allocate to its pension unfunded liability an amount equal to 50% of the difference between its current year payment under section 1301 and the amount the city, village or township would have been eligible to receive under section 952 of article 5 of 2023 PA 119, rounded to the nearest dollar, regardless of whether any limitation or eligibility criteria under section 952 of article 5 of 2023 PA 119 was satisfied. A city, village, or township that has issued a municipal security under section 518 of the revised municipal finance act, 2001 PA 34, MCL 141.2518, is exempt from this requirement.

(4) If a county that receives a payment under section 1303 is determined to have a retirement pension benefit system in underfunded status under section 5 of the protecting local government retirement and benefits act, 2017 PA 202, MCL 38.2805, the county must allocate to its pension unfunded liability an amount equal to 50% of the difference between its current year payment under section 1303 and the amount the county would have been eligible to receive under section 955 of article 5 of 2023 PA 119, rounded to the nearest dollar, regardless of whether any limitation or eligibility criteria under section 955 of article 5 of 2023 PA 119 was satisfied. A county that has issued a municipal security under section 518 of the revised municipal finance act, 2001 PA 34, MCL 141.2518, is exempt from this requirement.

(5) If a city, village, township, or county adopts or has adopted a resolution declaring that city, village, township or county is a sanctuary community or that directs employees of that city, village, township or county not to cooperate with Federal immigration officials, then that city, village, township, or county is not eligible to receive any additional scheduled payments under subsection (1) for the remainder of the fiscal year for the amounts formulated under either section 1301 or section 1303.

Sec. 1303. (1) The funds appropriated in part 1 for county revenue sharing are for grants to counties and must be distributed as provided in this section.

(2) From the first $261,069,700.00 appropriated in part 1, each county shall receive an amount equal to 100.0% of the revenue sharing payment for which the county would have been eligible to receive under section 955 of article 5 of 2023 PA 119, rounded to the nearest dollar, regardless of whether any limitation or eligibility criteria under sections 952 and 955 of article 5 of 2023 PA 119 was satisfied.

(3) From the remaining amount appropriated in part 1 for county revenue sharing after the distributions under subsection (2), a taxable value payment must be made to each county, determined as follows:

(a) Determine the per capita taxable value for each county by dividing the taxable value of that county by the population of that county.

(b) Determine the statewide per capita taxable value by dividing the total taxable value of all counties by the total population of all counties.

(c) Determine the per capita taxable value ratio for each county by dividing the statewide per capita taxable value by the per capita taxable value for that county.

(d) Determine the adjusted taxable value population for each county by multiplying the per capita taxable value ratio as determined under subdivision (c) for that county by the population of that county.

(e) Determine the total statewide adjusted taxable value population, which is the sum of all adjusted taxable value population for all counties.

(g) Determine the taxable value payment for each county by multiplying the result under subdivision (f) by the adjusted taxable value population for that county.

Sec. 1304. A term that is defined in the Glenn Steil state revenue sharing act, 1971 PA 140, MCL 141.901 to 141.921, has the same meaning when used in sections 950 to 956.

REPEALERS

Sec. 1352. Section 952 of article 5 of PA 121 of 2024 is repealed.

Sec. 1353. Section 954 of article 5 of PA 121 of 2024 is repealed.

Sec. 1354. Section 955 of article 5 of PA 121 of 2024 is repealed.

Sec. 1355. Section 957 of article 5 of PA 121 of 2024 is repealed.”

The question being on the adoption of the amendments,

Senator Lauwers requested the yeas and nays.

The yeas and nays were ordered, 1/5 of the members present voting therefor.

The amendments were not adopted, a majority of the members serving not voting therefor, as follows:

Roll Call No. 30 Yeas—17

Albert Hauck Lauwers Runestad

Bellino Hoitenga McBroom Theis

Bumstead Huizenga Nesbitt Victory

Daley Johnson Outman Webber

Damoose

Nays—19

Anthony Chang Klinefelt Santana

Bayer Cherry McCann Shink

Brinks Geiss McMorrow Singh

Camilleri Hertel Moss Wojno

Cavanagh Irwin Polehanki

Excused—1

Lindsey

Not Voting—0

In The Chair: Moss

Protests

Senators Irwin, Moss, Singh, Geiss, McMorrow, Anthony, Santana, Shink, Chang, McCann, Cherry, Cavanagh, Klinefelt and Wojno, under their constitutional right of protest (Art. 4, Sec. 18), protested against adoption of the amendments offered by Senator Bellino to Senate Bill No. 55.

Senator Irwin moved that the statement he made during the discussion of the amendments be printed as his reasons for voting “no.”

The motion prevailed.

Senator Irwin’s statement, in which Senators Moss, Singh, Geiss, McMorrow, Anthony, Santana, Shink, Chang, McCann, Cherry, Cavanagh, Klinefelt and Wojno concurred, is as follows:

We just heard some remarks from the good Senator from the 16th District who offered this amendment, and he said that some communities in our state are engaging in, “a willingness to break the law in order to take a political stance.” Now, I would challenge that assertion when it comes to local governments who are refusing to spend their own taxpayer resources on breaking federal laws but what was curiously left out of this—when I first heard this coming forward, a bill to affect communities in this state that had adopted political stances contrary to law, I was curious whether this was going to apply to the most glaring example of this here in the state of Michigan.

Here in the state of Michigan, we have 50 counties—50 of the 83 counties here in Michigan have passed resolutions naming themselves as sanctuary counties. These 50 sanctuary counties have passed resolutions that in the words of the Senator from the 16th District, show they are, quote, Willing to break the law to take a political stance. But it’s not rounding up immigrants who’ve broken no laws that we’re talking about here, we’re talking about counties who’ve taken a political stance to refuse to enforce state laws. We’re talking about counties who’ve gone on record saying they have no intention of enforcing state laws that are meant to protect people against violent crimes here in the state of Michigan. I wonder, why is it that this amendment that seeks to focus on sanctuary communities is leaving out the 50 counties who have passed resolutions declaring themselves sanctuary counties and declaring that they have no intention to enforce Michigan’s gun regulations?

Because this amendment is geared toward a certain set of communities, it’s geared toward making a certain political point, I felt it was necessary to stand up here in the Senate and remind my colleagues on the other side of the aisle, through you, Mr. President, that we have 50 sanctuary counties in this state that have passed resolutions indicating that their political stance is more important than state laws that protect us from violent criminals that they have sworn to uphold. This seems very curious. It seems very politically motivated, and it seems not very focused on the public interest of keeping Michigan people safe.

Senator Nesbitt offered the following amendments:

“PART 1A

LINE-ITEM APPROPRIATIONS
FOR FISCAL YEAR 2024-2025

Sec. 151. There is appropriated for various state departments and agencies and the legislative branch to supplement appropriations for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2025, from the following funds:

Sec. 151. DEPARTMENT OF TECHNOLOGY, MANAGEMENT, AND BUDGET

(1) APPROPRIATION SUMMARY

GROSS APPROPRIATION $ 0

Interdepartmental grant revenues:

Total interdepartmental grants and intradepartmental transfers 0

ADJUSTED GROSS APPROPRIATION $ 0

Federal revenues:

Total federal revenues 0

Special revenue funds:

Total local revenues 0

Total private revenues 0

Total other state restricted revenues 0

State general fund/general purpose $ 0

(2) CIVIL SERVICE COMMISSION

Executive direction $ (9,815,300)

Executive direction 9,815,300

GROSS APPROPRIATIONS $ 0

Appropriated from:

State restricted funds 1% 0

State general fund/general purpose $ 0”.

4. Amend page 21, following line 7, by inserting:

“PART 2A

PROVISIONS CONCERNING APPROPRIATIONS
FOR FISCAL YEAR 2024-2025

Sec. 1201. Pursuant to section 30 of article IX of the state constitution of 1963, total state spending from state sources under part 1 for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2025 is $0 and total state spending from state sources to be paid to local units of government is $0.

Sec. 1202. From the funds appropriated in part 1, the Civil Service Commission shall require that state employees in the classified civil service perform their work in-person at least four days per week, unless their job duties specifically require work performed off-site.”

The question being on the adoption of the amendments,

Senator Lauwers requested the yeas and nays.

The yeas and nays were ordered, 1/5 of the members present voting therefor.

The amendments were not adopted, a majority of the members serving not voting therefor, as follows:

Roll Call No. 31 Yeas—17

Albert Hauck Lauwers Runestad

Bellino Hoitenga McBroom Theis

Bumstead Huizenga Nesbitt Victory

Daley Johnson Outman Webber

Damoose

Nays—19

Anthony Chang Klinefelt Santana

Bayer Cherry McCann Shink

Brinks Geiss McMorrow Singh

Camilleri Hertel Moss Wojno

Cavanagh Irwin Polehanki

Excused—1

Lindsey

Not Voting—0

In The Chair: Moss

Senator Hauck offered the following amendments:

1. Amend page 17, following line 12, by inserting:

“PART 1A

LINE-ITEM APPROPRIATIONS
FOR FISCAL YEAR 2024-2025

Sec. 151. There is appropriated for various state departments and agencies to supplement appropriations for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2025, from the following funds:

Sec. 151. DEPARTMENT OF STATE

(1) APPROPRIATION SUMMARY

GROSS APPROPRIATION $ 150,000

Interdepartmental grant revenues:

Total interdepartmental grants and intradepartmental transfers 0

ADJUSTED GROSS APPROPRIATION $ 150,000

Federal revenues:

Total federal revenues 0

Special revenue funds:

Total local revenues 0

Total private revenues 0

Total other state restricted revenues 0

State general fund/general purpose $ 150,000

(2) ELECTION REGULATION

Election administration and services 150,000

GROSS APPROPRIATION $ 150,000

Appropriated from:

State general fund/general purpose $ 150,000”.

2. Amend page 21, following line 7, by inserting:

“PART 2A

PROVISIONS CONCERNING APPROPRIATIONS
FOR FISCAL YEAR 2024-2025

Sec. 1201. Pursuant to section 30 of article IX of the state constitution of 1963, total state spending from state sources under part 1a for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2025 is $150,000.00 and total state spending from state sources to be paid to local units of government is $150,000.00.

Sec. 1301. From the funds appropriated in part 1 for election administration and services, up to $150,000.00 may be used to reimburse local governments for costs associated with holding a special election in the 35th state senate district during the state fiscal year ending September 30, 2025.”.

The question being on the adoption of the amendments,

Senator Lauwers requested the yeas and nays.

The yeas and nays were ordered, 1/5 of the members present voting therefor.

The amendments were not adopted, a majority of the members serving not voting therefor, as follows:

Roll Call No. 32 Yeas—17

Albert Hauck Lauwers Runestad

Bellino Hoitenga McBroom Theis

Bumstead Huizenga Nesbitt Victory

Daley Johnson Outman Webber

Damoose

Nays—19

Anthony Chang Klinefelt Santana

Bayer Cherry McCann Shink

Brinks Geiss McMorrow Singh

Camilleri Hertel Moss Wojno

Cavanagh Irwin Polehanki

Excused—1

Lindsey

Not Voting—0

In The Chair: Moss

Senator Hoitenga offered the following amendments:

1. Amend page 17, following line 12, by inserting:

“PART 1A

LINE-ITEM APPROPRIATIONS
FOR FISCAL YEAR 2024-2025

Sec. 151. There is appropriated for various state departments and agencies to supplement appropriations for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2025, from the following funds:

Sec. 151. DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES

(1) APPROPRIATION SUMMARY

Full-time equated unclassified positions 0.0

GROSS APPROPRIATION $ 0

Interdepartmental grant revenues:

Total interdepartmental grants and intradepartmental transfers 0

ADJUSTED GROSS APPROPRIATION $ 0

Federal revenues:

Total federal revenues 0

Special revenues funds:

Total local revenues 0

Total private revenues 0

Total other state restricted funds 0

State general fund/general purpose $ 0

(2) DEPARTMENTAL ADMINISTRATION AND SUPPORT

Unclassified salaries—FTEs (6.0) (964,400)

Unclassified salaries—FTEs 6.0 964,400

GROSS APPROPRIATION $ 0

Appropriated from:

Special revenues funds:

Total other state restricted revenues 0

State general fund/general purpose $ 0”.

2. Amend page 21, following line 7, by inserting:

“PART 2A

PROVISIONS CONCERNING APPROPRIATIONS
FOR FISCAL YEAR 2024-2025

Sec. 1301. The director of the department of natural resources shall not use funds appropriated in part 1 to approve the sale or lease of forested state land for solar projects without an affirmative resolution of support from all affected local units of government.”.

The question being on the adoption of the amendments,

Senator Lauwers requested the yeas and nays.

The yeas and nays were ordered, 1/5 of the members present voting therefor.

The amendments were not adopted, a majority of the members serving not voting therefor, as follows:

Roll Call No. 33 Yeas—16

Albert Damoose Johnson Runestad

Bellino Hauck McBroom Theis

Bumstead Hoitenga Nesbitt Victory

Daley Huizenga Outman Webber

Nays—20

Anthony Chang Klinefelt Polehanki

Bayer Cherry Lauwers Santana

Brinks Geiss McCann Shink

Camilleri Hertel McMorrow Singh

Cavanagh Irwin Moss Wojno

Excused—1

Lindsey

Not Voting—0

In The Chair: Moss

Senator Hauck offered the following amendment:

1. Amend page 21, following line 7, by inserting:

“PART 2A

PROVISIONS CONCERNING APPROPRIATIONS
FOR FISCAL YEAR 2024-2025

Sec. 1202. (1) Funds remaining within work project account #20753 shall not be expended and shall remain within the work project until lapsed to the general fund.

(2) Any funds lapsed to the general fund as a result of any lapse described under subsection (1) shall be appropriated and distributed as follows:

(a) 64.2% to the county road commissions, distributed according to the formula established under section 12 of 1951 PA 51, MCL 247.662.

(b) 35.8% to cities and villages for road repairs and reconstructions, distributed according to the formula established under section 13 of 1951 PA 51, MCL 247.663.”.

The question being on the adoption of the amendment,

Senator Lauwers requested the yeas and nays.

The yeas and nays were ordered, 1/5 of the members present voting therefor.

The amendment was not adopted, a majority of the members serving not voting therefor, as follows:

Roll Call No. 34 Yeas—18

Albert Hauck Lauwers Runestad

Bellino Hertel McBroom Theis

Bumstead Hoitenga Nesbitt Victory

Daley Huizenga Outman Webber

Damoose Johnson

Nays—18

Anthony Chang McCann Santana

Bayer Cherry McMorrow Shink

Brinks Geiss Moss Singh

Camilleri Irwin Polehanki Wojno

Cavanagh Klinefelt

Excused—1

Lindsey

Not Voting—0

In The Chair: Moss

Senator Bellino offered the following amendment:

1. Amend page 21, following line 7, by inserting:

“PART 2A

PROVISIONS CONCERNING APPROPRIATIONS
FOR FISCAL YEAR 2024-2025

Sec. 1201. (1) $500,000,000.00 from the strategic outreach and attraction reserve fund shall become unassigned and lapse to the general fund on the effective date of this act.

(2) $500,000,000.00 from the state general fund shall be appropriated and distributed as follows:

(a) 64.2% to the county road commissions, distributed according to the formula established under section 12 of 1951 PA 51, MCL 247.662.

(b) 35.8% to cities and villages for road repairs and reconstructions, distributed according to the formula established under section 13 of 1951 PA 51, MCL 247.663.

REPEALERS

Sec. 1301. Section 351 of article 9 of PA 121 of 2024 is repealed.”

The amendment was not adopted, a majority of the members serving not voting therefor.

Senator Nesbitt offered the following amendments:

1. Amend page 21, following line 7, by inserting:

“PART 1A

LINE-ITEM APPROPRIATIONS
FOR FISCAL YEAR 2024-2025

Sec. 151. There is appropriated for various state departments and agencies to supplement appropriations for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2025, from the following funds:

Sec. 151. DEPARTMENT OF TREASURY

(1) APPROPRIATION SUMMARY

GROSS APPROPRIATION $ 700,000,000

Interdepartmental grant revenues:

Total interdepartmental grants and intradepartmental transfers 0

ADJUSTED GROSS APPROPRIATION $ 700,000,000

Federal revenues:

Total federal revenues 0

Special revenue funds:

Total local revenues 0

Total private revenues 0

Total other state restricted revenues 0

State general fund/general purpose $ 700,000,000

(2) ONE-TIME APPROPRIATIONS

Income tax relief fund 700,000,000

GROSS APPROPRIATIONS $ 700,000,000

Appropriated from:

State general fund/general purpose $ 700,000,000”.

2. Amend page 21, following line 7, by inserting:

“Sec. 1201. Pursuant to section 30 of article IX of the state constitution of 1963, total state spending from state sources under part 1a for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2025 is $700,000,000.00 and total state spending from state sources to be paid to local units of government is $0.00.

Sec. 1501. (1) The income tax relief fund is created within the state treasury.

(2) From the funds appropriated in part 1a for the income tax relief, $700,000,000.00 shall be deposited into the income tax relief fund.

(3) Funds in the income tax relief fund must be used to offset any revenue losses incurred from a reduction in the state income tax to 4.05%.”.

The amendments were not adopted, a majority of the members serving not voting therefor.

Senator Nesbitt offered the following amendment:

1. Amend page 21, following line 7, by inserting:

“PART 2A

PROVISIONS CONCERNING APPROPRIATIONS

FOR FISCAL YEAR 2024-2025

Sec. 1301. (1) $500,000,000.00 from the strategic outreach and attraction reserve fund shall become unassigned and lapse to the general fund on the effective date of this act.

(2) $500,000,000.00 from the state general fund shall be appropriated to the department of transportation to repair and reconstruct state and local bridges that are classified as critical or failure rated bridges according to the department of transportation.

(3) Unexpended general fund/general purpose funds appropriated in this section are designated as a work project appropriation. Unencumbered or unallotted funds must not lapse at the end of the fiscal year and must be available for expenditures for projects under this section until the projects have been completed. The following is in compliance with section 451a of the management and budget act, 1984 PA 431, MCL 18.1451a:

(a) The purpose of the project is to support the repair and reconstruction of state and local bridges classified as critical or failed.

(b) The project will be accomplished by utilizing state employees, local road commissions, or contractors.

(d) The tentative completion date is September 30, 2029.

REPEALERS

Sec. 1351. Section 351 of article 9 of PA 121 of 2024 is repealed.”.

The amendment was not adopted, a majority of the members serving not voting therefor.

Senator McBroom offered the following amendments:

1. Amend page 17, following line 12, by inserting:

“PART 1A

LINE-ITEM APPROPRIATIONS
FOR FISCAL YEAR 2024-2025

Sec. 151. There is appropriated for various state departments and agencies to supplement appropriations for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2025, from the following funds:

Sec. 151. DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTIONS

(1) APPROPRIATION SUMMARY

GROSS APPROPRIATION $ 6,000,000

Interdepartmental grant revenues:

Total interdepartmental grants and intradepartmental transfers 0

ADJUSTED GROSS APPROPRIATION $ 6,000,000

Federal revenues:

Total federal revenues 0

Special revenue funds:

Total local revenues 0

Total private revenues 0

Total other state restricted revenues 0

State general fund/general purpose $ 6,000,000

(2) CORRECTIONAL FACILITIES ADMINISTRATION

Local ambulatory services 6,000,000

GROSS APPROPRIATION $ 6,000,000

Appropriated from:

State general fund/general purpose $ 6,000,000”.

2. Amend page 21, following line 7, by inserting:

“PART 2A

PROVISIONS CONCERNING APPROPRIATIONS
FOR FISCAL YEAR 2024-2025

Sec. 1201. Pursuant to section 30 of article IX of the state constitution of 1963, total state spending from state sources under part 1a for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2025 is $6,000,000.00 and total state spending from state sources to be paid to local units of government is $0.

Sec. 1301. From the funds appropriated in part 1 for local ambulatory services, up to $6,000,000.00 may be used to reimburse local ambulatory service providers for any unpaid and outstanding costs provided to the department and not paid by the department’s contracted provider prior to fiscal year 2024-25.”.

The amendments were not adopted, a majority of the members serving not voting therefor.

Senator Hauck offered the following amendments:

1. Amend page 17, following line 12, by inserting:

“PART 1A

LINE-ITEM APPROPRIATIONS
FOR FISCAL YEAR 2024-2025

Sec. 151. There is appropriated for various state departments and agencies to supplement appropriations for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2025, from the following funds:

Sec. 151. DEPARTMENT OF TREASURY

(1) APPROPRIATION SUMMARY

GROSS APPROPRIATION $ 1,000,000,000

Interdepartmental grant revenues:

Total interdepartmental grants and intradepartmental transfers 0

ADJUSTED GROSS APPROPRIATION $ 1,000,000,000

Federal revenues:

Total federal revenues 0

Special revenue funds:

Total local revenues 0

Total private revenues 0

Total other state restricted revenues 0

State general fund/general purpose $ 1,000,000,000

(2) TAX PROGRAMS

Families with young children tax credit 1,000,000,000

GROSS APPROPRIATION $ 1,000,000,000

Appropriated from:

State general fund/general purpose $ 1,000,000,000”.

2. Amend page 21, following line 7, by inserting:

“PART 2A

PROVISIONS CONCERNING APPROPRIATIONS
FOR FISCAL YEAR 2024-2025

Sec. 1301. (1) From funds appropriated in part 1a for families with young children tax credit, the department of treasury shall implement a tax credit or tax credit grant program as described under subsections (2) through (5)

(2) For tax years that begin on and after January 1, 2024, a qualified taxpayer may claim a credit against the tax imposed under part 1 of the income tax act, 1967 PA 281, MCL 206.1 to 206.847 equal to $5,500.00 for each qualified dependent of the qualified taxpayer for which an exemption was claimed under MCL 206.30(2)(b) for that same tax year.

(3) If the credit allowed under this section exceeds the tax liability of the qualified taxpayer for the tax year, that portion of the credit that exceeds the tax liability must be refunded.

(4) Subject to subsection (5), if an amendment to the income tax act, 1967 PA 281, MCL 206.1 to 206.847 that would effectuate the tax credit described under this section has not been enacted by the effective date of this act, the department of treasury may issue a payment or other direct relief of tax liability as described under subsections (2) and (3) as a grant payment to a qualified taxpayer using the appropriation for families with young children tax credit in part 1a.

(5) If an amendment to the income tax act, 1967 PA 281, MCL 206.1 to 206.847 that would effectuate the tax credit described under this section has been enacted by the effective date of this act, the appropriation in part 1a for families with young children tax credit must not be spent, and must lapse to the state general fund.

(6) Except as otherwise provided under this subsection, terms used in this section mean the same thing as those terms defined under part 1 of the income tax act, 1967 PA 281, MCL 206.1 to 206.847. As used in this section:

(a) “Qualified dependent” means a dependent who is 3 years of age or less on the last day of the tax year for which the credit is claimed.

(b) “Qualified taxpayer” means a taxpayer who is allowed to claim a credit under MCL 206.272 for a tax year on a return filed under this part for the same tax year.”.

The amendments were not adopted, a majority of the members serving not voting therefor.

The question being on the passage of the bill,

The bill was passed, a majority of the members serving voting therefor, as follows:

Roll Call No. 35 Yeas—19

Anthony Chang Klinefelt Santana

Bayer Cherry McCann Shink

Brinks Geiss McMorrow Singh

Camilleri Hertel Moss Wojno

Cavanagh Irwin Polehanki

Nays—17

Albert Hauck Lauwers Runestad

Bellino Hoitenga McBroom Theis

Bumstead Huizenga Nesbitt Victory

Daley Johnson Outman Webber

Damoose

Excused—1

Lindsey

Not Voting—0

In The Chair: Moss

The Senate agreed to the title of the bill.

Senators Bellino, Nesbitt, Camilleri, Hauck, Hoitenga, Irwin and McBroom asked and were granted unanimous consent to make statements and moved that the statements be printed in the Journal.

The motion prevailed.

Senator Bellino’s first statement is as follows:

Mr. President, there are communities in this state that have shown a willingness to break the law in order to take a political stance. My amendment would prevent taxpayer dollars going to any locality that willfully violates United States law by declaring themselves a sanctuary community. Public safety and the responsible use of taxpayer dollars are part of our duty as lawmakers. Think about it. When we go home, we lock our homes. We lock our offices. The Capitol is locked when nobody’s here. The schools are locked. Let’s put politics aside and listen to the message that has been sent loud and clear. People want secure borders.

Thank you, and I encourage a “yes” vote on my amendment, sir.

Senator Nesbitt’s statement is as follows:

Mr. President, channeling my inner Coleman Young II, I’d like to start with a quote. “In-person work makes us all stronger—period. When we work together, collaboration improves, innovation thrives, and accountability increases. That means better service, better solutions, and better results.” Can you guess who said that? Was it the 45th and 47th President, President Donald J. Trump, or perhaps the head of DOGE, Elon Musk? My colleagues across the aisle might recognize this as a quote from their favorite governor—or maybe second favorite governor, Gavin Newsom.

In the spirit of bipartisanship, I offer this amendment that would simply require state employees to work in person at least four days a week. We all know that even broken clocks are right twice a day, and today I hope all my colleagues would join me, Gavin Newsom, President Trump, and Elon Musk, in the sentiment that government employees should be working in person.

Senator Camilleri’s statement is as follows:

I appreciate the comments from the Senate Minority Leader. I do think it’s important that there’s collaboration and involvement when people are working towards an end goal. I do think some collaboration in person and some flexibility for those employees is an important part of today’s workforce to attract the best talent to work for the state of Michigan.

One thing I do want to point out, because it seems to be such an obsession of Republican politicians, is this version of in-person work. I would hope they take the same approach to in-person learning when we’re talking about virtual charter schools and how obsessed our Republican colleagues are with virtual charter schools. Students learn best in person with their classmates and their teachers in an environment where they are working collaboratively in a school with a physical building. As we’re talking about budgets going forward, I hope they take the same approach when we’re treating virtual charter schools with the type of equity funding they deserve.

Senator Hauck’s first statement is as follows:

As we debate spending millions upon millions of taxpayer dollars, there are 270,000 Michiganders who have no voice in this debate. Two hundred seventy thousand Michiganders who won’t have someone casting a vote for them today. We haven’t had someone casting a vote for them for months now. That’s 270,000 Michiganders who are definitely still being taxed but aren’t being represented. I seem to recall a war being fought over this notion. I know funding special elections can be challenging for local municipalities so I’m here with a solution. This amendment will provide the clerks of the vacant 35th Senate District with the resources they need to hold a special election. I encourage a “yes” vote on my amendment so we can move one step closer to giving every Michigander a voice in this chamber.

Senator Hoitenga’s statement is as follows:

Last month, Michiganders were appalled to learn that Governor Whitmer’s administration planned to replace hundreds of acres of precious state land with solar panels, all in the name of helping the environment. The irony would be amusing if this wasn’t such a serious issue. This kind of power does not belong with unelected bureaucrats in Lansing; it belongs with the people on the ground in the local communities. My amendment says these Green New Deal projects can only commence with the approval of the local unit of government. I ask for your support.

Senator Irwin’s statement is as follows:

I know this amendment comes on the heels of a considerable amount of public commentary about the clearing of 420 acres to locate a solar array. It seems there is a lot of interest in opposing solar here in the state of Michigan, so it’s sort of surprising to me given that it provides cheaper, cleaner power that is homegrown—it’s a Michigan product—rather than some of the other products that we’re burning for our warmth and using to electrify our life. The reason I rise is because while the DNR was proposing to clear 420 acres to do a solar array, simultaneously the DNR was authorizing timber sales on tens of thousands of acres. I haven’t heard anything in the Legislature about that. We are clearing tens of thousands of acres to produce lumber. We don’t allow local control over that. This has been going on for a long time. There is a process of public participation to try to make sure the right land is selected—a process that, by the way, was followed around the selection of this 420 acres in Gaylord which had been clear-cut before, which does have a solar array that’s private right next to it, that does have a transmission line running right through it, and that has been exploited for oil and gas development.

I rise to oppose this because I feel this amendment is really not about protecting our forest, it’s not about protecting our public land, it’s about opposing solar energy which I think is just daft for reasons already stated. If the sponsor would be interested in working across the aisle and applying local control to the hundreds, probably thousands of acres that are exploited for oil and gas development, then I think that would be an interesting conversation to have. If we want to reinject local control into energy development in the state of Michigan, let’s have that conversation. That seems very, very odd when it’s focused on a tiny little development to do one solar array when we’re allowing the exploitation of tens of thousands of acres for timber, or for oil and gas development, or for mining. Have you ever looked at what happens to our state land when we lease it for mining? When we lease state land for mining, which by the way we lease thousands of acres for, that land that’s left behind is destroyed. Sometimes it can’t be reclaimed for generations. You know what happens when a solar panel is at the end of its useful life? They come and take it out. It doesn’t leave behind pollution. It doesn’t devastate rivers. It doesn’t negatively affect people’s aquifers like your precious fossil fuel developments.

I rise to oppose this because I think it’s poorly oriented toward just trying to frustrate clean energy, just trying to frustrate solar. I wonder why we’ve lost the bipartisan compromise we used to have in Michigan 30 or 40 years ago, where conservation mattered to both sides, where the conversation about how to protect our water, how to protect our land, was a serious conversation that people were engaging in, rather than a political gimmick to try to heighten concern around this 400 acres while we destroy thousands of acres permanently.

Senator Hauck’s second statement is as follows:

Since it was announced that Michigan taxpayers would be funding a battery plant owned by a company affiliated with the Chinese Communist Party, residents across the state have resoundingly rejected this dangerous proposal. Just last month, Mecosta County rescinded their resolution of support for the plant operation of Gotion due to lack of information and unwillingness of the company to answer basic questions. Time and again, I and other members of this body have asked for answers related to this project and others like it but the message from the Governor and the Democratic majority remains the same: Don’t worry about it, just fork over the money. Now, as the federal government begins to truly investigate these companies, even placing some on the Pentagon’s black list, it should be clear to any reasonable person that the giveaways must stop. These taxpayer dollars should be clawed back and these agreements should be invalidated. I never thought I would have to say this in the Michigan Senate, but let’s stop putting companies affiliated with the Chinese Communist Party ahead of our own citizens and our own businesses. We need to put Michigan first. I ask for a “yes” vote on my amendment.

Senator Bellino’s second statement is as follows:

Mr. President, after a long winter, we’ve made it. No, no, no, it’s not springtime yet—it’s pothole season. Once again, Michiganders are getting a stark reminder that our roads are among the nation’s worst. While our Governor racked up over $3 billion in debt to repair some roads—and that debt will be paid off in 2047, I want to remind you—she left our local roads to crumble. My amendment would begin to fix that by investing $500 million right now to repair local roads. The roads Michiganders drive to work and school every day on. This is the most immediate action we can take to address our road funding crisis. I urge a “yes” vote from all the members.

Senator McBroom’s statement is as follows:

Mr. President, in the time I’ve been here in Lansing and seen various discussions on funding, especially for Corrections, we’ve tried a lot of different experiments—privatization of food services, privatization of health care services—and I think we could agree they’ve been pretty significant failures. The ideas behind why we’ve done that certainly have merit. The idea that the services can be provided for less cost and that a bidding process will bring fairness, but what have we found with our health provision for our prisons? We see provider after provider do a bottom-budget, bottom-dollar job that fails. They can’t make money. They leave. They take the low-hanging fruit. They leave a disaster for our prisons, for the nurses who are there, for the hospitals in the nearby area, and for our corrections officers to deal with. One disaster after another. We can’t honestly say that the programs are somehow fairer without graft, without corruption. It seems pretty clear that the process is very, very broken. We need to go back to the drawing board on how we’re providing services at our prisons. This amendment I think gets us started on that path.

We have failed to support our local ambulance providers because the contractor that we hired has left town and left our locals holding the bag. In some of my communities, this might be the end of their ambulance services while they wait for money that’s probably never going to come, and I don’t think it’s right for us to just tell them, Well, it’s too bad, you were contracted with somebody we contracted with and that’s the end of the story. We have the fiduciary responsibility to make up for this bad decision to the locals. We have the fiduciary responsibility to make sure my ambulance services don’t go under because we picked a bad contractor that couldn’t get the job done. My amendment offers $6 million to go to make up for these losses to our ambulance providers that are desperately in need of a bailout, basically, because our contractor failed. I recommend a “yes” vote.

Senator Hauck’s third statement is as follows:

After years of defending Joe Biden’s economy, Senate Democrats held a press conference yesterday finally admitting that the costs are too high for Michiganders, especially in childcare. The phrase “better late than never” comes to mind since these are the same Democrats who’ve opposed our efforts to create a childcare tax credit for years. Every time we’ve given them the opportunity, they’ve opted to grow the size of government instead. But now that they’ve had this revelation, we have an opportunity to work together to put money back in the pockets of Michigan families and we can do it right now.

My amendment will create this child tax credit immediately, not months down the road, not next fiscal year, right now. After all, to quote one of my colleagues from across the aisle, Cutting taxes for parents would put more money back in their pockets so they can afford the necessities, plan for the future, and give their kids a better opportunity to succeed. This is your chance to prove that is more than a flowery quote for a press release. I ask for a “yes” vote on this important amendment.

By unanimous consent the Senate proceeded to the order of

Resolutions

Senator Singh moved that rule 3.204 be suspended to permit immediate consideration of the following resolution:

Senate Resolution No. 17

The motion prevailed, a majority of the members serving voting therefor.

Senators McCann, McBroom, Klinefelt, McMorrow, Chang, Huizenga, Wojno, Cavanagh, Shink, Runestad, Bayer and Daley offered the following resolution:

Senate Resolution No. 17.

A resolution to recognize March 17, 2025, as Saint Patrick’s Day.

Whereas, On March 17th, Irish Americans join with men, women, and children of all different ethnicities who, for one day, become Irish and celebrate the Feast of Saint Patrick, the Patron Saint of Ireland; and

Whereas, On Saint Patrick’s Day, all who wear green live in the spirit of Saints Patrick, Brigid, and Colmcille; and

Whereas, Irish immigrants helped form the United States’ cultural foundation. Today, those of Irish lineage proudly sing support for Ireland; and

Whereas, The songs of Ireland are the tragic songs of love, the joyous songs of battle, the nostalgic reveries of the sorrows, the glories of the Emerald Isle, the lamentations of life’s myriad travails, and the odes to joy and life eternal; and

Whereas, We celebrate the establishment of the American Irish State Legislators Caucus with its aim of fostering the longstanding and equally beneficial relationship between the United States and Ireland, with leadership in all 50 states; now, therefore, be it

Resolved by the Senate, That the members of this legislative body recognize March 17, 2025, as Saint Patrick’s Day. We commemorate the celebration of the Feast of Saint Patrick, the Patron Saint of Ireland.

The question being on the adoption of the resolution,

The resolution was adopted.

Senator McCann asked and was granted unanimous consent to make a statement and moved that the statement be printed in the Journal.

The motion prevailed.

Senator McCann’s statement, in which Senators McMorrow, Daley, Shink and Cavanagh concurred, is as follows:

Well thank you, Mr. President. It’s an Irish party over here at the podium. Thank you for having my resolution considered today, colleagues. I just want to wish us all a happy St. Patrick’s Day on Monday. Since we won’t be here, this is the next closest day. I, of course, failed in wearing my green, so you can pinch like, my arm, you know, so shame on me for that. It’s just great that we can celebrate, my colleagues and I, our heritage, but it’s also a day when everybody’s Irish. Thank you very much.

By unanimous consent the Senate proceeded to the order of

Statements

Senators Bellino, Hoitenga, Daley, Shink, Camilleri and Klinefelt asked and were granted unanimous consent to make statements and moved that the statements be printed in the Journal.

The motion prevailed.

Senator Bellino’s statement is as follows:

Dear Senator Slotkin, I saw your remarks on The View in which you accused Michigan voters of going through an “angry teenager phase.” With all due respect, Madam Senator, I suspect your teenage years were much different than most Michiganders, and I know for a fact they were different than mine. While you were going to Cranbrook, one of the most exclusive private schools in the country, I was working on a cleaning crew to help my parents pay tuition at my small Catholic school. My brothers went to public school because my parents couldn’t afford more than one tuition at a time. While you were at Columbia and Cornell, I was working my way through community college.

With teenage years like yours, it’s no wonder you’re out of touch with the experiences of most Michiganders, but you did have half of your description correct. Michiganders are angry, and they let their anger out the way we best do in our country—at the ballot box. They’re angry about broken government promises of more taxes and spending way too much and delivering way too little, especially while working from home. They’re angry about prices, about the open border, and about our failing schools. Perhaps instead of mocking their anger and frustration, you could try listening. You might find you could learn a thing or two from angry teenagers.

Senator Hoitenga’s statement is as follows:

Today, I wanted to take a moment to recognize the segment of Michiganders who are often overlooked here in Lansing. Those are the hardworking middle class. These individuals are the driving force of our economy. Many are working overtime to create a better life for themselves and for their families. However, despite their efforts, the costs of living and an ever-increasing tax burden have left many feeling economically squeezed. A thriving middle class is essential for a healthy economy, but in recent years there has been a growing disparity in wealth and opportunity, leaving many of our middle class struggling. Look no further than Michigan’s bloated budgets that prioritize corporate welfare and political favors over tax relief. The forgotten middle class are the ones who most shoulder the burden of this wasteful spending. It’s time to change this narrative in Lansing. This chamber should focus on budgets and tax policies that alleviate the burdens of inflation and reflect that the Legislature, we, work for the people, not the other way around.

That is why I introduced a bill to eliminate taxes on overtime pay in Michigan. Eliminating these taxes would not only provide a much-needed financial boost but also send a clear message that we recognize and appreciate the sacrifices made by those who go above and beyond—our corrections officers, nurses, truck drivers, construction workers, and so many others who we rely on. This is not a Republican or a Democratic issue. This is just the right thing to do. So let’s work together and end taxes on overtime pay in Michigan. It’s a great place to start.

Senator Daley’s statement, in which Senator McCann concurred, is as follows:

Top o’ the morning to you all. Saint Patrick’s Day is coming up on Monday, so we wanted to wish all of you a happy St. Patrick’s Day from Senator McCann and myself. On your desks this morning is a shamrock lapel pin which, for those of you who have been here for a while, that’s my standard thing to give these out every year. Please join us in wearing them to show your support for our proud Irish American heritage.

Senator Shink’s statement is as follows:

Michigan’s ability to grow food is one of our greatest assets. In fact, agriculture is our second-greatest industry. Everyone eats, but keeping our land and farms healthy doesn’t just happen on its own, it takes real work. That’s where our 75 local conservation districts come in. They work with farmers and landowners to protect our soil, water, and forests, so that our state and agricultural industry stays productive and economically strong. But the work is under threat because the chaotic Republican Trump administration is slashing and burning the very programs that serve rural Michigan. Like my colleague from the 21st Senate District asked last week, When is enough, enough? President Trump and Musk’s actions aren’t about balancing the budget and paying America’s debts, it’s about gutting anything that helps middle class families to give tax breaks to the ultra wealthy billionaires.

Since he took office, Trump, Musk, and the rest of the Republican billionaire buddies have frozen funding, cut grants, and laid off staff from the U.S. Department of Agriculture—staff who provide critical support to Michigan farmers. A farmland preservation contract to protect 4,000 acres in my district has been paused. That’s $25 million that would result in so much more investment and help older farmers sell their land to a new generation of farmers, something that is sorely needed. Local farmers who counted on promised reimbursement have already purchased seed for essential cover crops that prevent soil erosion and nutrient depletion but now face uncertainty about whether those funds will come through. It’s more in a long line of broken contracts and promises by our Republican President.

We’ve seen the funds taken from important programs such as the Climate-Smart Commodities Project. Of the 41 programs currently withheld, 28 of them are in Michigan. These frozen funds constitute millions of dollars in economic benefits to farmers in rural communities to make sure we have food and other ag products in the future. They are now left in limbo. Those are our tax dollars and we want them back in our state and communities where they will do the things Michiganders need and want them to do.

I’ll highlight a couple of the programs that are currently withheld from our farmers. One project was called a Climate-Smart Strategy for the Michigan Foodshed. The nearly $5 million that this program was bringing to Michigan’s economy was designed to host strategic learning for farmers, field days, and climate-smart leadership, training specifically for beginning farmers by providing internships with the Future Farmers of America chapter—yes, the very same FFA that we all clapped for last week at the Capitol when they visited—college ag students, and the Michigan Farm Bureau Young Farmers Program. The organizations hit by this funding freeze include Michigan Advance, MSU Extension, and the Van Buren County Conservation District in district 20. That is nearly $5 million of our tax dollars that should be training our future farmers but is now pocketed by the Republican Trump/Musk administration.

Another program that should be administered but currently withheld by the Republican administration is the Michigan Climate-Smart Farm Project. This project planned to provide financial assistance to small-scale producers as they transition to more effective commodity production using practices like cover crops, residue and tillage management, pasture establishment, feed management, forestland improvement, wetland restoration and combustion system improvements. Those tax dollars were supposed to go to the counties of Washtenaw, Wayne, Lenawee, Monroe, and the city of Detroit—now illegally held by the Republican Trump/Musk administration.

Communities across Michigan are all hurt by the frozen and withheld funds for these 28 projects. Our people, our farmers, our small business owners, our rural constituents, our local conservation district workers and ag extension officers are stuck in purgatory waiting for a White House that doesn’t care about them. We shouldn’t ignore the sheer BS of all of this. This is the same Trump who loves to talk about supporting farmers in rural America and will be the first one to hop on a tractor for a photo op, like some of our colleagues. But when it comes time to actually do something, he’s pulling the rug right out from under them.

In Michigan, we believe in taking care of our land and our people. We believe in keeping our promises, and we’re not standing by while Trump dismantles programs that help our farmers protect our environment and keep our community strong. So to every farmer waiting on a reimbursement, to every conservation worker whose job is on the line, to every family wondering how they’re going to make ends meet, especially when they are dismissed without proper paperwork—we see what’s happening and we are going to continue to fight to make sure Michigan and everyone who lives, works, and learns here has access and opportunity for a better future.

Senator Camilleri’s statement is as follows:

Last week I was shocked, shocked to see the House Republican proposal that cut $5 billion from our public schools. That’s their opening negotiation. It’s cutting $5 billion from our students. They call it a shutdown prevention plan but what it only does is cuts services from students and ensures that teachers and counselors are laid off.

What does that $5 billion do? We’re talking, at minimum, a $1 billion reduction, a complete removal of the funding for at-risk students in Michigan, which has been a bipartisan—a bipartisan—priority over the last several years. They cut it completely. They cut the school meals for all program. For every kid who is now relying on that lunch, for the House Republicans, they said that there’s no lunch for you. They cut CTE programming, something that both Democrats and Republicans have championed for years, because we know that a college degree is not the only pathway for all kids. They completely gutted it. The transportation funding, we’re talking about over $100 million in funding to offset the cost of busing kids to and from school. You know who gets hit the hardest on that? Rural school districts. They’ve been the ones that have been spending the most amount of money out of their per-pupil allotment on moving kids from all over the county to where they need to be for classrooms.

The list goes on and on and on. If the only thing that was funded is their plan, schools will be facing $5 billion worth of cuts. Decisions are going to be placed at the hands of superintendents and union negotiators to figure out how many teachers they have to lay off, how many school lunch staff do they have to lay off. That is not a plan that works for our kids or works for Michigan families.

I was actually shocked that the Speaker put some of his vulnerable House Republicans in that position, because let’s talk about some of these school districts and how much money they would lose. Taylor Schools in my community would lose $6.5 million based on the House Republican plan. Flat Rock schools would lose $565,000. Woodhaven-Brownstown, they would lose $800,000. Riverview schools, $500,000. Wyandotte schools, $1.4 million. Wayne-Westland, $4.5 million. Van Buren schools, $1.6 million. Huron schools, $627,000. The list goes on and on and on. School districts would have significantly less money under the House Republican plan vs. what last year’s budget was.

This is a nonstarter. It is non-negotiable. If we want to have a base budget that actually funds all of these services, we need at least $20 billion. Let’s be real—every fiscal analyst has said we have more money this year than we had last year. So any proposal that we’re talking about needs to include an increase in funding, not a cut. It is something that we are going to fight for and fight against is a proposal that actually puts students first and does not cut funding to schools because just like in Washington, D.C., it is the aim of Trump and Musk to gut the Department of Education, and what we saw from House Republicans was an attempt to gut education funding here in Michigan. It is unacceptable, it cannot stand, and we’ll do everything we can to stop it.

Senator Klinefelt’s statement is as follows:

Today I heard a few of our colleagues on the other side of the aisle make reference to entities that are not following the law or violating the President’s executive orders. Let’s put at the very top of our list who we should hold accountable for following federal laws or the Constitution and have that be the President of the United States. Let’s make sure he understands that Congress creates departments and funds them, and it is through Congress that he should dismantle them and defund them.

Announcements of Printing and Enrollment

The Secretary announced that the following House bills were received in the Senate and filed on Wednesday, March 12:

House Bill Nos. 4060 4150 4151 4153

The Secretary announced that the following bills were printed and filed on Wednesday, March 12, and are available on the Michigan Legislature website:

Senate Bill Nos. 135 136 137 138 139 140 141 142 143 144 145 146

Committee Reports

The Committee on Finance, Insurance, and Consumer Protection reported

Senate Bill No. 105, entitled

A bill to amend 1956 PA 218, entitled “The insurance code of 1956,” (MCL 500.100 to 500.8302) by adding section 3406ss.

With the recommendation that the bill pass.

Mary Cavanagh

Chairperson

To Report Out:

Yeas: Senators Cavanagh, Irwin, McCann, Bayer, Huizenga, Theis and Daley

Nays: None

The bill was referred to the Committee of the Whole.

COMMITTEE ATTENDANCE REPORT

The Committee on Finance, Insurance, and Consumer Protection submitted the following:

Meeting held on Wednesday, March 12, 2025, at 12:30 p.m., Room 1200, Binsfeld Office Building

Present: Senators Cavanagh (C), Irwin, McCann, Bayer, Huizenga, Theis and Daley

Excused: Senator Camilleri

The Committee on Regulatory Affairs reported

Senate Bill No. 25, entitled

With the recommendation that the substitute (S-1) be adopted and that the bill then pass.

Jeremy Moss

Chairperson

To Report Out:

Yeas: Senators Moss, Polehanki, McCann, Wojno, Santana, Hertel, Singh, Hauck, Webber, Lauwers and Bellino

Nays: None

The bill was referred to the Committee of the Whole.

COMMITTEE ATTENDANCE REPORT

The Committee on Regulatory Affairs submitted the following:

Meeting held on Thursday, March 13, 2025, at 9:00 a.m., Room 403, 4th Floor, Capitol Building

Present: Senators Moss (C), Polehanki, McCann, Wojno, Santana, Hertel, Singh, Hauck, Webber, Lauwers and Bellino

COMMITTEE ATTENDANCE REPORT

The Appropriations Subcommittee on Agriculture and Natural Resources submitted the following:

Meeting held on Wednesday, March 12, 2025, at 12:00 noon, Room 1300, Binsfeld Office Building

Present: Senators Cherry (C), Bumstead and Theis

Excused: Senators Shink and Singh

COMMITTEE ATTENDANCE REPORT

The Appropriations Subcommittee on LEO/MEDC submitted the following:

Meeting held on Wednesday, March 12, 2025, at 3:00 p.m., Room 1200, Binsfeld Office Building

Present: Senators Cavanagh (C), McCann, McMorrow, Cherry, Huizenga and Bumstead

Excused: Senator Camilleri

COMMITTEE ATTENDANCE REPORT

The Joint Committee on Administrative Rules submitted the following:

Meeting held on Wednesday, March 12, 2025, at 3:30 p.m., Room 521, 5th Floor, Anderson House Office Building

Present: Senators Wojno (C), Bayer, McMorrow, Theis and Runestad

Senator Singh moved that the Senate adjourn.

The motion prevailed, the time being 12:41 p.m.

The President pro tempore, Senator Moss, declared the Senate adjourned until Tuesday, March 18, 2025, at 10:00 a.m.

DANIEL OBERLIN

Secretary of the Senate