No. 53
STATE OF
MICHIGAN
Journal of
the Senate
103rd
Legislature
REGULAR
SESSION OF 2025
Senate Chamber, Lansing, Tuesday, June 10, 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—present Theis—present
Cherry—present McBroom—present Victory—present
Daley—present McCann—present Webber—present
Damoose—present McMorrow—present Wojno—present
Geiss—present
Senator Edward
McBroom of the 38th District offered the following invocation:
Dear Father, we come before You this morning
grateful for a new day, and grateful for the opportunities You lay before us to
serve the people of this state, to represent their needs, and to represent
their dreams. Father, we pray You would give us guidance, that You would help
us to seek laws and justice for them in a righteous way. Father, I pray that
You would help us ever to be mindful of our own shortcomings, our weaknesses,
our sinfulness, and our dependence on You for every good and perfect thing.
Father, help us to be humble. Help us to be gracious to one another.
Father, we pray for the people of this state,
that You would bless them and their posterity, and that You would help them
through their difficult times and their needs. Father, we pray that You would
help each of us to be mindful of them. We pray for our Governor, we pray for
our President, we pray for all who are in authority, that You would help them
to rule with justice and righteousness.
I pray this in Jesus’ name. Amen.
The President pro tempore, Senator Moss, led
the members of the Senate in recital of the Pledge
of Allegiance.
Motions and Communications
The following
communication was received:
Office
of Senator Paul Wojno
May 6, 2025
Per Senate
Rule 1.110(c), I am requesting that my name be added as a co-sponsor to Senate
Bill 283 which was introduced on May 6, 2025 by Senator Polehanki.
Warmest
regards,
Paul
Wojno
State
Senator
10th
District
The
communication was referred to the Secretary for record.
Senator Lauwers moved that Senator Nesbitt be
temporarily excused from today’s session.
The motion prevailed.
Senator Singh moved that Senator Geiss be
temporarily excused from today’s session.
The motion prevailed.
Messages from the Governor
The
following message from the Governor was received on June 5, 2025, and read:
EXECUTIVE ORDER
No. 2025-7
Declaration
of State of Emergency
On May 15, 2025, a
strong system of severe storms brought tornadoes, straight-line winds, heavy
rains and flash flooding, which impacted many areas of the state. In the Upper
Peninsula, localized heavy rainfall in Baraga County, up to four inches in the overnight
hours, created flash flooding that flooded and washed out many roads and caused
overflow issues and release into public waterways at a nearby wastewater
treatment plant. Downstate, these severe storms brought a total of 11 confirmed
tornadoes across lower Michigan. In the City of Lansing, a confirmed EF-1
tornado combined with straight-line winds caused significant damage to the
utility infrastructure in a heavily populated area of the capital city. Power
poles were snapped and lines brought down, affecting thousands of residents.
Trees and other vegetative debris blocked roads and created obstacles for first
responders and utility crews. In Allegan County, two EF-1 tornadoes and
straight-line winds of up to 95 miles per hour caused significant damage to
thousands of residents in 11 communities. Power poles and lines fell as well as
trees, causing damage to homes and public infrastructure throughout these
communities.
Two weeks after this
storm system, all communities are still cleaning up and recovering from the
event. Local officials in Baraga and Allegan counties, as well as the City of
Lansing, have taken several actions to respond to the situation, including but
not limited to issuing local declarations. Despite these efforts, local
resources have proven insufficient to address the situation. State assistance
and other outside resources are necessary to effectively respond to and recover
from the impacts of this emergency, protect public health, safety, and
property, and lessen or avert the threat of more severe and lasting harm.
Section 1 of article 5
of the Michigan Constitution of 1963 vests the executive power of the State of
Michigan in the governor. Under the Emergency Management Act, 1976 PA 390, as
amended, MCL 30.403(4), “[t]he governor shall, by executive order or
proclamation, declare a state of emergency if he or she finds that an emergency
has occurred or that the threat of an emergency exists.”
Therefore, acting
under the Michigan Constitution of 1963 and Michigan law, including the
Emergency Management Act, 1976 PA 390, as amended, MCL 30.401 to 30.421, I find
it reasonable and necessary to order the following:
1. A state of emergency is declared for Baraga County, Allegan County,
and the City of Lansing.
2. The Emergency Management and Homeland Security Division of the
Department of State Police must coordinate and maximize all state efforts and
may call upon all state departments to use available resources to assist in the
designated areas pursuant to the Michigan Emergency Management Plan.
3. The state of emergency is terminated at such time as the threats to
public health, safety, and property caused by the emergency no longer exist,
and appropriate programs have been implemented to recover from the effects of
this emergency, but in no case later than July 3, 2025, unless extended as
provided by the Emergency Management Act.
Date: June 3, 2025
Time: 2:29 p.m.
Gretchen Whitmer
[SEAL] Governor
By the Governor:
Jocelyn Benson
Secretary of State
The
executive order was referred to the Committee on Government Operations.
The following
messages from the Governor were received and read:
June 5, 2025
I respectfully
submit to the Senate the following appointments to office pursuant to Public
Act 180 of 1981, MCL 400.583:
Commission on Services to the Aging
Guillermo
Lopez of 1927 Pleasant View Avenue, Lansing, Michigan 48910, Ingham County,
will be reappointed as a Democrat, for a term commencing July 29, 2025, and
expiring July 28, 2028.
Jennifer Lepard of 302 Crane Avenue, Royal Oak, Michigan 48067,
Oakland County, will be reappointed as a Democrat, for a term commencing July
29, 2025, and expiring July 28, 2028.
Jimmy Bruce of
1215 South 16th Street, Escanaba, Michigan 49829, Delta County, will be
reappointed as a Democrat, for a term commencing July 29, 2025, and expiring
July 28, 2028.
Robert
Schlueter of 212 4th Street, Leland, Michigan 49654, Leelanau County, will be
reappointed as an Independent, for a term commencing July 29, 2025, and
expiring July 28, 2028.
William Bupp
of 3991 White Pine Drive, DeWitt, Michigan 48820, Clinton County, will be
reappointed as a Democrat, for a term commencing July 29, 2025, and expiring
July 28, 2028.
June 5, 2025
I respectfully
submit to the Senate the following appointment to office pursuant to Public Act
299 of 1980, MCL 339.302, 339.303, and 339.2002:
Michigan Board of Architects
Zachary Funk
of 1250 Ross Street, Plymouth, Michigan 48170, Wayne County, succeeding Annette Gleason
whose term has expired, appointed as an architect, for a term commencing June
5, 2025, and expiring March 30, 2029.
June 5, 2025
I respectfully
submit to the Senate the following designation and appointments to office
pursuant to Public Act 230 of 1972, MCL 125.1503a:
State Construction Code Commission – Chair
Designation
Shanna Draheim of 158 Oakland Drive, East Lansing, Michigan 48823,
Ingham County, designated as Chair, for a term commencing June 5, 2025, and expiring at the pleasure of the
Governor.
State Construction Code Commission
Shanna Draheim
of 158 Oakland Drive, East Lansing, Michigan 48823, Ingham County, reappointed
as a general public member, for a term commencing June 5, 2025, and expiring
January 31, 2028.
Ramsey Saymuah of 401 South Lafayette Street, Dearborn, Michigan
48124, Wayne County, succeeding David
Tomlinson whose term has expired, appointed as a building contractor, for a
term commencing June 5, 2025, and expiring January 31, 2027.
June 5, 2025
I respectfully
submit to the Senate the following appointment to office pursuant to Public Act
296 of 2003, MCL 125.2243:
Michigan Early Stage Venture Investment
Corporation Board of Directors
Jeffrey Rinvelt of 2631 English Oak Drive, Ann Arbor, Michigan
48103, Washtenaw County, will be reappointed as a representative of a statewide
organization exempt from taxation under section 501(c)(3) or 501(c)(4) of the
internal revenue code, the members of which represent more than 50% of the
venture capital companies in this state, for a term commencing June 14, 2025,
and expiring June 13, 2028.
June 5, 2025
I respectfully
submit to the Senate the following appointment to office pursuant to Public Act
176 of 1939, MCL 423.3 and 423.4:
Michigan Employment Relations Commission
William Young
of 209 Liberty Street, Spring Lake, Michigan 49456, Ottawa County, will be
reappointed as a Democrat, for a term commencing July 1, 2025, and expiring
June 30, 2028.
June 5, 2025
I respectfully
submit to the Senate the following appointment to office pursuant to Public Act
299 of 1980, MCL 339.301, 339.302, 339.303, and 339.1802:
Michigan Board of Examiners in Mortuary
Science
Richard
Bowerman of 1646 Sand Point Road, Munising, Michigan 49862, Alger County, will
be reappointed as a member representing funeral directors, for a term
commencing July 1, 2025, and expiring June 30, 2029.
June 5, 2025
I respectfully
submit to the Senate the following appointment to office pursuant to Public Act
164 of 1975, MCL 18.302:
Hispanic/Latino Commission of Michigan
Evelyn
Esparza-Gonzalez of 4496 Brookmeadow Drive, S.E.,
Kentwood, Michigan 49512, Kent County, succeeding Jesse Bernal who has
resigned, appointed for a term commencing June 5, 2025, and expiring December
12, 2027.
June 5, 2025
I respectfully
submit to the Senate the following appointment to office pursuant to Public Act
96 of 1987, MCL 125.2303, as amended by Executive Reorganization Order No.
1997-12, MCL 445.2002, and Executive Order No. 2010-9:
Manufactured Housing Commission
Paul Jarvis of
13838 Forest Ridge Circle, South Lyon, Michigan 48178, Livingston County,
succeeding Veronica D’Hondt whose term has expired, appointed as an operator of
manufactured housing parks, for a term commencing June 5, 2025, and expiring
May 9, 2028.
June 5, 2025
I respectfully
submit to the Senate the following appointment to office pursuant to Public Act
368 of 1978, MCL 333.16121 and 333.17305:
Michigan Board of Nursing Home Administrators
Greta Laho of
2020 Alexander Drive, Westland, Michigan 48186, Wayne County, succeeding Rita Williams
whose term has expired, will be appointed as a representative of the general
public, for a term commencing July 1, 2025, and expiring June 30, 2028.
June 5, 2025
I respectfully
submit to the Senate the following appointment to office pursuant to Public Act
299 of 1980, MCL 339.301, 339.302, 339.303, and 339.2502:
Michigan Board of Real Estate Brokers and
Salespersons
Andrew Gutman
of 29281 Canal Street, Novi, Michigan 48377, Oakland County, will be
reappointed as a real estate broker or salesperson, for a term commencing July
1, 2025, and expiring June 30, 2029.
June 5, 2025
I respectfully
submit to the Senate the following appointment to office pursuant to Public Act
299 of 1980, MCL 339.302, 339.303, and 339.2402, as amended by Executive Reorganization
Order No. 2024-2, MCL 16.735:
Residential Builders’ and Maintenance and
Alteration Contractors’ Board
Zeak DeWyse of
N6829 Sherry Lynn Drive, Engadine, Michigan 49827,
Mackinac County, succeeding Troy Young who
has resigned, appointed as a licensed residential builder, for a term
commencing June 5, 2025, and expiring March 31, 2027.
June 5, 2025
I respectfully
submit to the Senate the following appointment to office pursuant to Public Act
411 of 2012, MCL 286.943:
Rural Development Fund Board
Erin Kricher of 1763 Apache Pass, Traverse City, Michigan 49686,
Grand Traverse County, reappointed as a Democrat and resident of the Lower
Peninsula, for a term commencing June 5, 2025, and expiring December 31, 2028.
Respectfully,
Gretchen
Whitmer
Governor
The
appointments were referred to the Committee on Government Operations.
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 10:05
a.m.
11:09 a.m.
The Senate was called to order by the
President pro tempore, Senator Moss.
During the recess, Senator Geiss entered the
Senate Chamber.
Third Reading of Bills
The following bill was read a third time:
Senate
Bill No. 134, entitled
A bill to amend 1976 PA 331, entitled “Michigan
consumer protection act,” by amending the title and sections 2, 4, 5, 10, and
15 (MCL 445.902, 445.904, 445.905, 445.910, and 445.915), the title as amended by 2022 PA 153, section 2 as amended by 2018 PA
189, section 4 as amended by 2014 PA 251, and section 5 as amended by
2020 PA 296, and by adding sections 4a, 5a, 8a, and 21a.
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. 158 Yeas—19
Anthony Chang Klinefelt Santana
Bayer Cherry McCann Shink
Brinks Geiss McMorrow Singh
Camilleri Hertel Moss Wojno
Cavanagh Irwin Polehanki
Nays—18
Albert Hauck Lindsey Runestad
Bellino Hoitenga McBroom Theis
Bumstead Huizenga Nesbitt Victory
Daley Johnson Outman Webber
Damoose Lauwers
Excused—0
Not Voting—0
In The Chair: Moss
The Senate agreed to the title of the bill.
The following bill was read a third time:
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 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. 159 Yeas—37
Albert Daley Klinefelt Polehanki
Anthony Damoose Lauwers Runestad
Bayer Geiss Lindsey Santana
Bellino Hauck McBroom Shink
Brinks Hertel McCann Singh
Bumstead Hoitenga McMorrow Theis
Camilleri Huizenga Moss Victory
Cavanagh Irwin Nesbitt Webber
Chang Johnson Outman Wojno
Cherry
Nays—0
Excused—0
Not Voting—0
In The Chair: Moss
The Senate agreed to the title of the bill.
The following bill was read a third time:
Senate
Bill No. 157, entitled
A bill to regulate pet cemeteries;
to regulate the sale of pet cemetery merchandise and services; to provide for
the powers and duties of certain local governmental officers and entities; and
to prescribe penalties and remedies.
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. 160 Yeas—19
Anthony Chang Klinefelt Santana
Bayer Cherry McCann Shink
Brinks Geiss McMorrow Singh
Camilleri Hertel Moss Wojno
Cavanagh Irwin Polehanki
Nays—18
Albert Hauck Lindsey Runestad
Bellino Hoitenga McBroom Theis
Bumstead Huizenga Nesbitt Victory
Daley Johnson Outman Webber
Damoose Lauwers
Excused—0
Not Voting—0
In The Chair: Moss
The Senate agreed to the title of the bill.
The following bill was read a third time:
Senate
Bill No. 229, entitled
A bill to amend 1933 PA 167, entitled “General
sales tax act,” by amending section 2d (MCL 205.52d), as added by 2019 PA 143.
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. 161 Yeas—37
Albert Daley Klinefelt Polehanki
Anthony Damoose Lauwers Runestad
Bayer Geiss Lindsey Santana
Bellino Hauck McBroom Shink
Brinks Hertel McCann Singh
Bumstead Hoitenga McMorrow Theis
Camilleri Huizenga Moss Victory
Cavanagh Irwin Nesbitt Webber
Chang Johnson Outman Wojno
Cherry
Nays—0
Excused—0
Not Voting—0
In The Chair: Moss
The Senate agreed to the title of the bill.
Senator Singh moved that the Senate proceed to
consideration of the following bill:
Senate
Bill No. 285
The motion prevailed.
The following bill was read a third time:
Senate
Bill No. 285, entitled
A bill to amend 1846 RS 83, entitled “Of
marriage and the solemnization thereof,” by amending section 7 (MCL 551.7), as
amended by 2014 PA 278.
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. 162 Yeas—22
Anthony Chang McCann Santana
Bayer Cherry McMorrow Shink
Brinks Geiss Moss Singh
Bumstead Hertel Nesbitt Webber
Camilleri Irwin Polehanki Wojno
Cavanagh Klinefelt
Nays—15
Albert Hauck Lauwers Runestad
Bellino Hoitenga Lindsey Theis
Daley Huizenga McBroom Victory
Damoose Johnson Outman
Excused—0
Not Voting—0
In The Chair: Moss
The Senate agreed to the title of the bill.
Protest
Senator Daley, under his constitutional right
of protest (Art. 4, Sec. 18), protested against the passage of Senate Bill No.
285.
Senator Daley’s
statement is as follows:
I believe this
legislation represents another blow to the sanctity of marriage, an institution
which has already taken a beating in recent years. Allowing just anybody to
officiate a wedding will further weaken what should be a very serious
undertaking. I know supporters of this bill will point out that the current
process to become a minister is nothing more than a formality. I respond that,
rather than encouraging couples to think even less about their officiant, we
should be empowering them to be more thoughtful and intentional with their
choices.
I would be
glad to support legislation to require real training to become a wedding
officiant, thus adding an extra layer of dignity and importance to the
proceedings. This bill moves things in the wrong direction, and I encourage a “no”
vote.
The following bill was read a third time:
Senate
Bill No. 286, entitled
A bill to amend 1887 PA 128, entitled “An act
establishing the minimum ages for contracting marriages; to require a civil
license in order to marry and its registration; to provide for the
implementation of federal law; and to provide a penalty for the violation of
this act,” by amending sections 1, 4, and 6 (MCL 551.101, 551.104, and
551.106).
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. 163 Yeas—22
Anthony Chang McCann Santana
Bayer Cherry McMorrow Shink
Brinks Geiss Moss Singh
Bumstead Hertel Nesbitt Webber
Camilleri Irwin Polehanki Wojno
Cavanagh Klinefelt
Nays—15
Albert Hauck Lauwers Runestad
Bellino Hoitenga Lindsey Theis
Daley Huizenga McBroom Victory
Damoose Johnson Outman
Excused—0
Not Voting—0
In The Chair: Moss
The Senate agreed to the title of the bill.
Senator Klinefelt asked and was granted unanimous consent to make a
statement and moved that the statement be printed in the Journal.
The motion prevailed.
Senator Klinefelt’s statement is as follows:
When I was engaged and getting ready to get married, my husband was
stationed down in Louisiana, we were in Philadelphia, and we’re getting married
at a military base in New Jersey. I met with the priest in New Jersey and
my husband met with the priest down in Louisiana. The trained priest determined
that I had no business getting married. We had to rush to find another priest
to marry us. This year marks 40 years of marriage. I think the priest who was
trained may not have gotten it right, No. 1. No. 2, when a couple gets to
choose the person who is doing the ceremony that’s one of the most important
things in their lives, they’re likely to choose somebody who knows a lot more
than an absolute stranger as to whether or not those two should be getting
married. That’s all I have.
The following bill
was read a third time:
Senate Bill No. 287, entitled
A
bill to amend 1846 RS 83, entitled “Of marriage and the solemnization thereof,”
by amending section 16 (MCL
551.16), as amended by 2006 PA 419.
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. 164 Yeas—22
Anthony Chang McCann Santana
Bayer Cherry McMorrow Shink
Brinks Geiss Moss Singh
Bumstead Hertel Nesbitt Webber
Camilleri Irwin Polehanki Wojno
Cavanagh Klinefelt
Nays—15
Albert Hauck Lauwers Runestad
Bellino Hoitenga Lindsey Theis
Daley Huizenga McBroom Victory
Damoose Johnson Outman
Excused—0
Not Voting—0
In The Chair: Moss
The Senate agreed to
the title of the bill.
The following bill
was read a third time:
Senate Bill No. 132, entitled
A
bill to amend 1967 PA 281, entitled “Income tax act of 1967,” (MCL 206.1 to
206.847) by adding section 261.
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. 165 Yeas—26
Anthony Daley McBroom Shink
Bayer Damoose McCann Singh
Brinks Geiss McMorrow Theis
Camilleri Hertel Moss Victory
Cavanagh Huizenga Polehanki Webber
Chang Irwin Santana Wojno
Cherry Klinefelt
Nays—11
Albert Hauck Lauwers Outman
Bellino Hoitenga Lindsey Runestad
Bumstead Johnson Nesbitt
Excused—0
Not Voting—0
In The Chair: Moss
The Senate agreed to the title of the bill.
By unanimous consent the Senate proceeded to
the order of
Introduction and Referral of
Bills
Senators Theis, Lauwers, Bellino, Runestad and
Outman introduced
Senate
Joint Resolution C, entitled
A joint resolution proposing an amendment to
the state constitution of 1963, by adding section 21a to article V, to provide
for the election of the director of the department of natural resources.
The joint resolution was read a first and
second time by title and referred to the Committee on Government Operations.
Senators Theis, Daley, Lauwers, Bellino and
Huizenga introduced
Senate
Bill No. 367, entitled
A bill to designate an official beverage of
this state.
The bill was read a first and second time by
title and referred to the Committee on Government Operations.
Senators Theis, Daley, Lauwers, Bellino,
Runestad, Johnson, Nesbitt, Lindsey, Huizenga, Victory, Outman, Damoose and McBroom introduced
Senate
Bill No. 368, entitled
A bill to amend 2000 PA 161, entitled “Michigan
education savings program act,” by amending section 2 (MCL 390.1472), as
amended by 2024 PA 195.
The bill was read a first and second time by
title and referred to the Committee on Education.
Senators Theis, Daley, Lauwers,
Bellino, Outman, Runestad,
Johnson, Lindsey, Hoitenga and McBroom introduced
Senate
Bill No. 369, entitled
A bill to amend 1939 PA 3, entitled “An act to
provide for the regulation and control of public and certain private utilities
and other services affected with a public interest within this state; to
provide for alternative energy suppliers and certain providers of electric
vehicle charging services; to provide for licensing; to include municipally
owned utilities and other providers of energy under certain provisions of this
act; to create a public service commission and to prescribe and define its
powers and duties; to abolish the Michigan public utilities commission and to
confer the powers and duties vested by law on the public service commission; to
provide for the powers and duties of certain state governmental officers and
entities; to provide for the continuance, transfer, and completion of certain
matters and proceedings; to abolish automatic adjustment clauses; to prohibit
certain rate increases without notice and hearing; to qualify residential
energy conservation programs permitted under state law for certain federal
exemption; to create a fund; to encourage the utilization of resource recovery
facilities; to prohibit certain acts and practices of providers of energy; to
allow for the securitization of stranded costs; to reduce rates; to provide for
appeals; to provide appropriations; to declare the effect and purpose of this
act; to prescribe remedies and penalties; and to repeal acts and parts of acts,”
(MCL 460.1 to 460.11) by adding section 6y.
The bill was read a
first and second time by title and referred to the Committee on Energy and
Environment.
Senator Singh
introduced
Senate Bill No. 370, entitled
A bill to create a
Tricare premium reimbursement program; and to provide for the powers and duties
of certain state governmental officers and entities.
The bill was read a
first and second time by title and referred to the Committee on Veterans and
Emergency Services.
Senators Geiss, Bayer
and Shink introduced
Senate Bill No. 371, entitled
A bill to amend 1956
PA 218, entitled “The insurance code of 1956,” (MCL 500.100 to 500.8302) by
adding section 3406mm.
The bill was read a
first and second time by title and referred to the Committee on Health Policy.
Senators Bayer,
Cavanagh, Irwin, Chang, Klinefelt and Geiss
introduced
Senate Bill No. 372, entitled
A bill to amend 1972
PA 348, entitled “An act to regulate relationships between landlords and
tenants relative to rental agreements for rental units; to regulate the
payment, repayment, use and investment of security deposits; to provide for
commencement and termination inventories of rental units; to provide for
termination arrangements relative to rental units; to provide for legal
remedies; and to provide penalties,” by amending the title and section 1 (MCL
554.601), the title and section 1 as amended by 2024 PA 179, and by adding
sections 1e, 1f, 1g, and 1h.
The
bill was read a first and second time by title and referred to the Committee on
Housing and Human Services.
Senators Cavanagh,
Bayer, Chang, Klinefelt and Geiss introduced
Senate Bill No. 373, entitled
A bill to amend 1978
PA 454, entitled “Truth in renting act,” by amending section 3 (MCL 554.633),
as amended by 1998 PA 72.
The
bill was read a first and second time by title and referred to the Committee on
Housing and Human Services.
Senators Geiss,
Bayer, Cavanagh, Irwin and Chang introduced
Senate Bill No. 374, entitled
A bill to amend 1961
PA 236, entitled “Revised judicature act of 1961,” (MCL 600.101 to 600.9947) by
adding section 5755.
The
bill was read a first and second time by title and referred to the Committee on
Housing and Human Services.
Senators Irwin,
Bayer, Cavanagh, Chang, Klinefelt and Geiss
introduced
Senate Bill No. 375, entitled
A bill to amend 1978
PA 454, entitled “Truth in renting act,” by amending sections 2 and 3 (MCL
554.632 and 554.633), section 3 as amended by 1998 PA 72.
The
bill was read a first and second time by title and referred to the Committee on
Housing and Human Services.
Senators Albert, Damoose,
Webber, Theis, Bellino, Hauck and Nesbitt introduced
Senate
Bill No. 376, entitled
A bill to amend 1976 PA 451, entitled “The
revised school code,” by amending section 1280f (MCL 380.1280f), as
amended by 2024 PA 146.
The bill was read a first and second time by
title and referred to the Committee on Education.
Senators Albert, Damoose,
Johnson, Webber, Theis, Bellino, Hauck and Nesbitt introduced
Senate
Bill No. 377, entitled
A bill to amend 1976 PA 451, entitled “The
revised school code,” by amending sections 1278a, 1278b, and 1531e (MCL
380.1278a, 380.1278b, and 380.1531e), sections 1278a and 1278b as amended by
2022 PA 105 and section 1531e as added by 2024 PA 147, and by adding
sections 1278e and 1526c.
The bill was read a first and second time by
title and referred to the Committee on Education.
Senators Johnson, Webber, Theis, Damoose, Bellino, Hauck and
Nesbitt introduced
Senate
Bill No. 378, entitled
A bill to amend 1976 PA 451, entitled “The
revised school code,” (MCL 380.1 to 380.1852) by adding section 1280h.
The bill was read a first and second time by
title and referred to the Committee on Education.
Senators Damoose,
Johnson, Webber, Theis, Bellino, Hauck and Nesbitt introduced
Senate
Bill No. 379, entitled
A bill to amend 1976 PA 451, entitled “The
revised school code,” by amending sections 1248, 1249, 1249a, 1249b, and 1280f
(MCL 380.1248, 380.1249, 380.1249a, 380.1249b, and 380.1280f), section 1248 as
amended by 2023 PA 116, sections 1249, 1249a, and 1249b as amended by 2023 PA
224, and section 1280f as amended by 2024 PA 146, and by adding sections 1250a,
1531l, and 1531m.
The bill was read a first and second time by
title and referred to the Committee on Education.
Senators Johnson, Webber, Theis, Damoose, Bellino, Hauck and
Nesbitt introduced
Senate
Bill No. 380, entitled
A bill to amend 1937 (Ex Sess)
PA 4, entitled “An act relative to continuing tenure of office of certificated
teachers in public educational institutions; to provide for probationary
periods; to regulate discharges or demotions; to provide for resignations and
leaves of absence; to create a state tenure commission and to prescribe the
powers and duties thereof; and to prescribe penalties for violation of the
provisions of this act,” by amending section 4 of article I, sections 2a and 3b
of article II, and section 3 of article III (MCL 38.74, 38.82a, 38.83b, and 38.93), section 4 of article I and sections 2a and
3b of article II as amended by 2023 PA 225 and section 3b of article III
as amended by 2024 PA 134.
The bill was read a first and second time by
title and referred to the Committee on Education.
Senators Albert, Damoose,
Johnson, Webber, Theis, Bellino, Hauck and Nesbitt introduced
Senate
Bill No. 381, entitled
A bill to amend 1947 PA 336, entitled “An act
to prohibit strikes by certain public employees; to provide review from
disciplinary action with respect thereto; to provide for the mediation of
grievances and the holding of elections; to declare and protect the rights and
privileges of public employees; to require certain provisions in collective
bargaining agreements; to prescribe means of enforcement and penalties for the
violation of the provisions of this act; and to make appropriations,” by
amending section 15 (MCL 423.215), as amended by 2023 PA 143.
The bill was read a first and second time by
title and referred to the Committee on Education.
Senator Anthony introduced
Senate
Bill No. 382, entitled
A bill to create a financial aid program for
certain residents of this state who attend certain postsecondary educational
institutions in this state; to provide for the administration of the financial
aid program; to provide for the promulgation of rules; and to provide for the
powers and duties of certain state officers and entities.
The bill was read a first and second time by
title and referred to the Committee on Appropriations.
Senator Anthony introduced
Senate
Bill No. 383, entitled
A bill to create a financial aid program for
certain residents of this state who attend certain occupational training
programs in this state; to provide for the administration of the financial aid
program; to provide for the promulgation of rules; and to provide for the
powers and duties of certain state officers and entities.
The bill was read a first and second time by
title and referred to the Committee on Appropriations.
Senator Anthony introduced
Senate
Bill No. 384, entitled
A bill to amend 1978 PA 368, entitled “Public
health code,” by amending section 17745a (MCL 333.17745a), as amended by
2016 PA 379.
The bill was read a first and second time by
title and referred to the Committee on Health Policy.
Senators Chang, Irwin, McMorrow, Polehanki, Klinefelt, Bayer and
Shink introduced
Senate
Bill No. 385, entitled
A bill to amend 1969 PA 306, entitled “Administrative
procedures act of 1969,” by amending section 7 (MCL 24.207), as amended by 2022
PA 134.
The bill was read a first and second time by
title and referred to the Committee on Energy and Environment.
Senators Shink, Irwin, McMorrow, Chang, Polehanki and Klinefelt
introduced
Senate
Bill No. 386, entitled
A bill to amend 1994 PA 451, entitled “Natural
resources and environmental protection act,” by amending sections 20126 and
20140 (MCL 324.20126 and 324.20140), section 20126 as amended by 2014 PA 542
and section 20140 as amended by 2000 PA 254, and by adding section 20136.
The bill was read a first and second time by
title and referred to the Committee on Energy and Environment.
Senators McMorrow, Irwin, Chang, Polehanki, Klinefelt, Bayer and
Shink introduced
Senate
Bill No. 387, entitled
A bill to amend 1961 PA 236, entitled “Revised
judicature act of 1961,” (MCL 600.101 to 600.9947) by adding section 5830.
The bill was read a first and second time by
title and referred to the Committee on Energy and Environment.
Senator Singh introduced
Senate
Bill No. 388, entitled
A bill to amend 1937 PA 10, entitled “An act
to define the use of travel aids by blind persons; to provide protection
against accidents to such persons; to require instruction and examination in
certain circumstances; and to provide penalties for violation hereof,” by
amending sections 1a, 2, and 3 (MCL 752.51a, 752.52, and 752.53), sections
1a and 2 as amended by 2002 PA 401 and section 3 as amended by 1986 PA 62.
The bill was read a first and second time by
title and referred to the Committee on Civil Rights, Judiciary, and Public
Safety.
Senator Singh introduced
Senate
Bill No. 389, entitled
A bill to amend 1927 PA 175, entitled “The
code of criminal procedure,” by amending section 17b of chapter XVII (MCL
777.17b), as added by 2002 PA 28.
The bill was read a first and second time by
title and referred to the Committee on Civil Rights, Judiciary, and Public
Safety.
Senator Singh introduced
Senate
Bill No. 390, entitled
A bill to amend 1961 PA 236, entitled “Revised
judicature act of 1961,” (MCL 600.101 to 600.9947) by adding section 2980.
The bill was read a first and second time by
title and referred to the Committee on Civil Rights, Judiciary, and Public
Safety.
Senators Irwin, McMorrow, Chang, Klinefelt, Polehanki, Bayer and
Shink introduced
Senate
Bill No. 391, entitled
A bill to amend 1994 PA 451, entitled “Natural
resources and environmental protection act,” by amending sections 20101,
20107a, 20112a, 20114, 20114b, 20114c, 20114d, 20114e, 20119, 20126, 20126a,
20137, and 20139 (MCL 324.20101, 324.20107a, 324.20112a, 324.20114, 324.20114b,
324.20114c, 324.20114d, 324.20114e, 324.20119, 324.20126, 324.20126a,
324.20137, and 324.20139), sections 20101, 20114d, and 20114e as amended by 2018 PA 581, sections 20107a, 20114, 20114c, and
20126 as amended by 2014 PA 542, section 20112a as amended by 2010 PA 234,
section 20114b as added by 2010 PA 228, section 20119 as amended by 1995
PA 71, section 20126a as amended by 2010 PA 227, and sections 20137 and 20139
as amended by 2010 PA 230, and by adding sections 20113a and 20139a; and to
repeal acts and parts of acts.
The bill was read a first and second time by
title and referred to the Committee on Energy and Environment.
Senators Moss, Irwin, McMorrow, Chang, Polehanki, Klinefelt, Bayer and
Shink introduced
Senate
Bill No. 392, entitled
A bill to amend 1994 PA 451, entitled “Natural
resources and environmental protection act,” by amending sections 20118,
20120a, 20120b, 20120e, and 20121 (MCL 324.20118, 324.20120a, 324.20120b,
324.20120e, and 324.20121), section 20118 as amended and section 20121 as added
by 2014 PA 542, section 20120a as amended by 2024 PA 7, section 20120b as
amended by 2018 PA 581, and section 20120e as amended by 2012 PA 190.
The bill was read a first and second time by
title and referred to the Committee on Energy and Environment.
Senators McCann and Irwin introduced
Senate
Bill No. 393, entitled
A bill to amend 1994 PA 451, entitled “Natural
resources and environmental protection act,” by amending section 20140 (MCL
324.20140), as amended by 2000 PA 254.
The bill was read a first and second time by
title and referred to the Committee on Energy and Environment.
Senator Cherry introduced
Senate
Bill No. 394, entitled
A bill to establish the ownership of and
conveyance rights associated with subsurface pore space.
The bill was read a first and second time by
title and referred to the Committee on Energy and Environment.
Senator Bellino introduced
Senate
Bill No. 395, entitled
A bill to amend 1929 PA 16, entitled “An act
to regulate the business of carrying or transporting, buying, selling, or
dealing in crude oil or petroleum or its products, or certain substances consisting
primarily of carbon dioxide through pipe lines; to authorize the use of public
highways and the condemnation of private property; to regulate the purchase and
storage of crude oil or petroleum or certain substances consisting primarily of
carbon dioxide; to provide for the control and regulation of all corporations,
associations, and persons engaged in such business, by the Michigan public
service commission; to define the powers and duties of the commission in
relation thereto; and to prescribe penalties,” by amending section 1 (MCL
483.1), as amended by 2014 PA 85.
The bill was read a first and second time by
title and referred to the Committee on Energy and Environment.
Senator McCann introduced
Senate
Bill No. 396, entitled
A bill to amend 1994 PA 451, entitled “Natural
resources and environmental protection act,” by amending sections 502 and 1301 (MCL 324.502 and 324.1301),
section 502 as amended by 2004 PA 587 and section 1301 as amended by 2018
PA 451, by adding section 52509, and by adding subchapter 6 to chapter 3 of
article III.
The bill was read a first and second time by
title and referred to the Committee on Energy and Environment.
House
Bill No. 4023, entitled
A bill to authorize the state administrative
board to convey state-owned property in Eaton County; to prescribe conditions
for the conveyance; to provide for powers and duties of state departments,
agencies, and officers in regard to the property; and to provide for
disposition of revenue derived from the conveyance.
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 Local Government.
House
Bill No. 4113, entitled
A bill to amend 1998 PA 58, entitled “Michigan
liquor control code of 1998,” by amending section 233 (MCL 436.1233), as
amended by 2022 PA 135.
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 Regulatory Affairs.
House
Bill No. 4114, entitled
A bill to amend 1998 PA 58, entitled “Michigan
liquor control code of 1998,” (MCL 436.1101 to 436.2303) by adding section 910.
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 Regulatory Affairs.
House
Bill No. 4135, entitled
A bill to authorize the state administrative
board to convey state-owned property in Jackson County; to prescribe conditions
for the conveyance; to provide for powers and duties of state departments,
agencies, and officers regarding the property; and to provide for disposition
of revenue derived from the conveyance.
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 Local Government.
House
Bill No. 4189, entitled
A bill to amend 2001 PA 142, entitled “Michigan
memorial highway act,” (MCL 250.1001 to 250.2092) by adding section 1051.
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 Veterans and Emergency Services.
House
Bill No. 4285, entitled
A bill to amend 1976 PA 451, entitled “The
revised school code,” (MCL 380.1 to 380.1852) by adding section 1163a.
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 Natural Resources and Agriculture.
House
Bill No. 4301, entitled
A bill to amend 1949 PA
300, entitled “Michigan vehicle code,” by amending sections 2 and 698 (MCL
257.2 and 257.698), section 2 as
amended by 2011 PA 231 and section 698 as amended by 2020 PA 382.
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 Veterans and Emergency Services.
House
Bill No. 4302, entitled
A bill to amend 1949 PA 300, entitled “Michigan
vehicle code,” by amending section 312e (MCL 257.312e), as amended by 2022
PA 193.
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 Veterans and Emergency Services.
House
Bill No. 4401, entitled
A bill to amend 1994 PA 451, entitled “Natural
resources and environmental protection act,” by amending section 43525c (MCL
324.43525c), as amended by 2021 PA 6.
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 Natural Resources and Agriculture.
House Bill No. 4420, entitled
A bill to amend 1984
PA 431, entitled “The management and budget act,” (MCL 18.1101 to 18.1594) by
adding section 1365a.
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 Appropriations.
House Bill No. 4464, entitled
A bill to amend 1956
PA 218, entitled “The insurance code of 1956,” by amending sections 3403,
3406z, 3406bb, 3406hh, and 3406ii (MCL 500.3403, 500.3406z, 500.3406bb,
500.3406hh, and 500.3406ii), section 3403 as amended by 2023 PA 158,
section 3406z as added by 2023 PA 159, section 3406bb as added by 2023 PA 160,
section 3406hh as added by 2024 PA 41, and section 3406ii as added by 2023 PA
157.
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 Health Policy.
The Assistant
President pro tempore, Senator Geiss, assumed the Chair.
By unanimous consent
the Senate returned to the order of
Resolutions
Senator
Singh moved that rule 3.204 be suspended to permit immediate consideration of
the following resolutions:
Senate Resolution No. 55
Senate Resolution No. 56
The motion prevailed,
a majority of the members serving voting therefor.
Senators
Moss, Anthony, Wojno, Irwin, Chang, Cherry, Bayer, Cavanagh, Singh, Hertel,
McCann, Camilleri, Santana,
McMorrow, Shink, Geiss, Klinefelt, Polehanki and Brinks offered the following resolution:
Senate Resolution No. 55.
A
resolution to recognize June 2025 as Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender,
Queer+ (LGBTQ+) Pride Month.
Whereas, Pride began
in 1970 with the one year anniversary of the Stonewall Riots, a multi-day
protest that is credited by many for starting the modern-day LGBTQ+ movement.
In 1969, LGBTQ+ individuals, led by the efforts of Black and Brown trans women
such as activists Marsha P. Johnson and Sylvia Rivera, risked their lives to
protest the over-policing and injustice that threatened their existence on a
daily basis, and elevated the visibility of the movement to a national scale;
and
Whereas, The LGBTQ+
community has persevered through tragedies and struggles, such as the
government’s insufficient and delayed response to assisting those with HIV/AIDS
and the ongoing effort to protect the rights and ensure the safety of the
LGBTQ+ community; and
Whereas, The movement
has also celebrated victories of recognition, especially the historic Obergefell v. Hodges decision in 2015
which recognized marriage equality nationwide, the Bostock v. Clayton County decision in 2020 that upheld federal
employment protections for the LGBTQ+ community, and Rouch World v. Department of Civil Rights in 2022 that
affirmed LGBTQ+ protections are included in Michigan’s Elliott-Larsen Civil
Rights Act; and
Whereas, After a
fifty year legislative effort, the Michigan House and Senate in its 102nd
Legislature, at long last, added sexual orientation and gender identity or
expression as protected classes in the Elliott-Larsen Civil Rights Act, which
was signed into law as Public Act 6 of 2023; and
Whereas, Still today,
LGBTQ+ individuals, especially a disproportionate number of trans women of
color, continue to be a target of harassment, violence, and discrimination, yet
through community support and solidarity continue to celebrate love, authentic
living, and self-acceptance; and
Whereas, Michigan
stands out in this watershed moment as a state that embraces equality because
our communities benefit from diversity and variety in viewpoints, talents, and
cultural perspectives of its residents and from preserving the freedom, worth, and
dignity of those in the LGBTQ+ community; and
Whereas, Michigan
should expend all efforts to attract and retain talent and signal to the nation
we are welcoming to all those who wish to contribute to the economic vitality
of our state; and
Whereas, The people
of Michigan understand, appreciate, and value the cultural, civic, and economic
contributions of the LGBTQ+ community to the larger success of the state, and
commit to the learning, humility, and work necessary to make the state fair,
safe, equitable, and a refuge of stability regardless of sexual orientation,
gender identity, or expression; and
Whereas, June is recognized and celebrated as
LGBTQ+ Pride Month throughout the country and worldwide; now, therefore, be it
Resolved by the Senate, That the members of
this legislative body recognize June 2025 as Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual,
Transgender, Queer+ (LGBTQ+) Pride Month.
The question being on the adoption of the
resolution,
The resolution was adopted.
Senator Moss asked and was granted unanimous
consent to make a statement and moved that the statement be printed in the
Journal.
The motion prevailed.
Senator Moss’ statement is as follows:
It is Pride
Month, which is an opportunity for the LGBTQ community to celebrate the
hard-fought progress that we’ve earned. We have amended the Elliott-Larsen
Civil Rights Act. The anti-discrimination law now explicitly includes sexual
orientation and gender identity or expression as protected classes. No one in
the state of Michigan can be fired, evicted, or put out of places simply
because of who they are and how they identify. We have strengthened our hate
crimes statute to ensure we are pursuing justice against those who specifically
target LGBTQ Michiganders with acts of aggression or violence. We have banned
the barbaric practice of conversion therapy in Michigan. We’ve allowed the
trans community to be their true selves on state government documents. And much
more, so, yes, we should celebrate those victories.
But this Pride
Month does feel different. This June, we must take Pride Month back to its
roots. Pride did not start as a celebration but as a liberation against the
shame, bigotry, hate, and discrimination that our community has endured. And
indeed, the same hateful forces from decades ago are reemerging today. What
aggravates me most, in this moment, is the gaslighting—the blaming of this
anti-LGBTQ backlash on us, that we are asking for too much, that we’re doing
something wrong, that we’ve provoked the hatred, when all the while, they’re
trying to strip us of our gains.
I have
comments on my posts on social media that will say, Nobody cares that you’re
gay, right next to comments that say, You’re going to hell because you’re gay.
Clearly people do care. Some of this is obviously buffoonish, like the Michigan
House Republicans who are trying to re-ban same sex marriage, but most of this
is cynical and contrived—being anti-LGBTQ not to solve actual problems but to
score political points. With rising costs; threats to Medicaid, Medicare,
Social Security, and the Department of Education; and more, some people in this
chamber are blaming all of societal ills on the zero trans athletes currently
enrolled in high school athletics in Michigan. I guess it turns out we actually
didn’t need to actually amend Elliott-Larsen to prevent housing discrimination
for trans Michiganders after all, because they live rent-free in some of your
heads.
We will not
let you marginalize the marginalized. This community—our community—has survived
the Lavender Scare, police raids, Anita Bryant, the HIV epidemic, marriage
bans, and we will survive this era’s challenges too. We’re still here; get used
to it.
To all my
fellow LGBTQ Michiganders, coming out is an act of bravery, showing pride is a
protest, and living authentically will protect all of our rights. Happy Pride
Month.
Senator Bellino offered the following
resolution:
Senate
Resolution No. 56.
A resolution to recognize June 10, 2025, as
Alcoholics Anonymous Day.
Whereas, On June 10, 1935, Bill Wilson and Dr.
Bob Smith first met, and what grew out of that meeting was Alcoholics
Anonymous; and
Whereas, Out of Alcoholics Anonymous, the
12-step program, a set of spiritual guiding principles to assist in recovery
from alcoholism, was developed; and
Whereas, Alcoholics Anonymous has been a
positive guide for countless people over the world as they have battled the
disease of alcoholism; and
Whereas, Numerous people, both in America and
worldwide, are sober because of their experiences in Alcoholics Anonymous; and
Whereas, The 12-step program has been adopted
by numerous groups around the world to assist people struggling with other
addictions, such as narcotics, gambling, and overeating; and
Whereas, We stand in solidarity with our
families, friends, and neighbors struggling with alcoholism; now, therefore, be
it
Resolved by the Senate, That the members of
this legislative body recognize June 10, 2025, as Alcoholics Anonymous Day.
The question being on the adoption of the
resolution,
The resolution was adopted.
Senator Cavanagh was named co-sponsor of the
resolution.
Senator Bellino
asked and was granted unanimous consent to make a statement and moved that the
statement be printed in the Journal.
The motion prevailed.
Senator
Bellino’s statement is as follows:
Madam
President, today is a big day—not because it’s my birthday. Today is a day
associated with the beginning of a 12-step program called Alcoholics Anonymous.
Around the world today, over 200 groups use the Twelve Steps started by these
people to help them change their lives. In America, over 2 million people are
sober today because of these steps, and there’s over 140,000 meetings where
people meet to talk. It all started back in the ’30s—in 1932, ’33, ’34—a guy
named Bill Wilson, who we affectionately call Bill W., tried to get sober
many, many times. Hospitalized many, many times. At that time, if you were
drunk like I was, hospitals didn’t want you. The doctor had to put something
else on the slip, kind of like medicine today—it’s screwed up. He’s not an
alcoholic, he’s got liver problems, he’s got stomach problems, he’s got anxiety
problems. No, he’s a drunk, but hospitals didn’t want to take care of drunks.
Why? They had no cure. They couldn’t make money on them. They had no money and
couldn’t pay them back.
But he found
out at a couple hospital visits in ’33-’34 that when he worked with others, he
didn’t drink. He was on a business trip. He was a stock speculator—1935, Akron—trying
to get a proxy vote and take over a company. It lost, it burned up, it went to
the ground. He had nowhere to go. He’s in Akron. Doesn’t have enough money to
pay for his hotel room. He sees the bar, he’s got enough for a few drinks. He’s
thinking, I need to have a drink. But he didn’t drink. He looked in the phone
book, called a church, the pastor called a friend of his, a lady named
Henrietta Seiberling, who was a descendant of the Firestone family in Akron.
She knew a doctor who couldn’t stop drinking. It was her doctor when she was
younger and this guy was an old drunk. She said, Come on, let’s go visit this
guy. They made an appointment to visit Dr. Bob. Dr. Bob said—after a lot
of discussion with his wife—I will meet this man, but only for 15 minutes. He’s
got nothing for me.
Five hours
later, they walked out of the room and Dr. Bob was a changed man. As he told
his wife, I finally met somebody who’s just like me and knows what’s going on
in my head. From there, they met for a few weeks every day trying to figure out
how they could help other people. They went to the hospital, they got No. 3,
they got No. 4. No. 3 didn’t stay sober; No. 4 did. No. 5 didn’t stay sober.
That’s how it is sometimes with this disease. Sometimes we get it; sometimes we
don’t. but they knew one thing and they learned. Dr. Carl Gustav Jung, a
psychiatrist, a psychologist, from over in Europe said that I can’t help these
people. I can help a lot of people in life but I can’t help these people
because it’s beyond me. They need a spiritual experience. They need to find
something. They need a conversion, Dr. Jung said. A light clicked off in the
two men’s heads.
AA, they say,
is a different kind of place. It’s the only place in the world where complete
strangers can meet and commiserate. It doesn’t happen in any other section of
the world. All the spiritual leaders in the world recognize the Twelve Steps as
America’s donation to world spirituality. Think about it. We founded this
country because we wanted religious liberty but then we brought stuff from
Europe and other places that we planted here in America, but the Twelve Steps
were grown and festered and became huge here in America and the rest of the
world embraced it.
Besides my
birthday and AA’s anniversary, I met a friend in 1983 affectionately known as
Chicken Charlie. This guy, he chewed snuff. On his snuff can, before the
advance of apps and cell phones and stuff, he would put how many days he had
sober. Every meeting I sat with him, he’d say, My name is Chicken Charlie, I’ve
got so many days sober. Today would have been Chicken Charlie’s 69th birthday
staying sober and because of him and many friends I’ve met over the years, my
life has changed and you’ve met a person you never would have met years ago
because the old Joe was a complete asshole.
By unanimous consent the Senate proceeded to
the order of
Statements
Senators Runestad, Albert 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:
Today, I have
reintroduced a bill that should have been a law a long time ago. My bill is to
protect vulnerable seniors who rely upon the care in our nursing homes by
allowing them to place videorecording devices in their rooms. This commonsense
bipartisan legislation is long overdue. Yes, you heard me correctly when I said
bipartisan. That is because it has already been passed unanimously in this
chamber, gained bipartisan support in the chamber across the hall, and was sent
to the Governor’s desk. In addition to its broad support in the Legislature,
this measure also earned the backing of key stakeholders including AARP of
Michigan, AMAC Action, and the Michigan Long-Term
Care Ombudsman. However, instead of signing the bill, the Governor quietly
vetoed it by slipping it into a drawer to be forgotten. No explanation; no
accountability. Just silence.
Yes, this is
the same Governor who also callously put these seniors in harm’s way during the
COVID debacle, intoxicated by her unilateral and deadly emergency powers. In
fact, it was those same ill-advised COVID rules that made the need for this
bill so painfully clear. Perhaps you recall the 75-year-old nursing home
patient who was severely beaten by a 20-year-old man placed in the Westwood
Nursing Home Center in Detroit under the Governor’s COVID executive orders.
That attack which left the elderly victim with a broken jaw, broken fingers,
and broken ribs was caught on video. The veteran died weeks later. Yet, the
only reason we know this even happened is because someone had the foresight to
record and share that video with the media. Without the video, we would never
have known the truth. Just another of the thousands of forgotten victims of
this hidden violence.
The
heartbreaking reality is that all too often, vulnerable seniors suffer in
isolation and endure physical abuse not only from potential fellow residents
but also other bad actors who can masquerade as caregivers or otherwise gain
access to these facilities and victims. Allowing residents to place a camera in
their own homes, own rooms, will serve as a powerful deterrent to abuse,
enabling communication with loved ones and will prevent future tragedies that
we have been reading about.
If this
Governor refuses to act to protect seniors, then we in the Legislature must. It
is imperative that we return this legislation back to the Governor’s desk, and
this time hopefully for her signature.
Senator Albert’s
statement is as follows:
There’s no
shortage of problems facing Michigan today. One of the most consequential, both
in the near and long term, is our public school system’s declining academic
performance. My colleagues and I have introduced a package of bills to add
accountability, improve standards, and add curriculum flexibility. All of these
reforms have a unifying principle, and that is to improve student outcomes. When
looking at many different metrics, it’s clear that performance of Michigan’s
students continues to decline. There is a myriad of reasons we’re in the
situation we face today, and lack of money is not one of them. Even in the
Governor’s State of the State, she acknowledged we must realize “hard truths,”
and “we invest more per-pupil than most states and achieve bottom 10 results.”
Our state is spending 29 percent more on public K-12 schools this year than it
did five years ago, and 50 percent more than a decade ago. Despite increased
spending, results have worsened. Clearly, something is not working, and
alternative solutions are needed.
This package
proposed today strengthens accountability by restoring standards to our Read by
Grade Three law. This law required that, before any student passes to 3rd
grade, they must, at a minimum, be able to read at a 2nd grade level. There
were exemptions, ranging from kids with individualized education programs to
the superintendent granting a waiver at their own discretion. Before this law
was repealed, I saw it working in my own district. Schools were beefing up
reading supports unlike any time in the past. It was a travesty to see all the
progress wiped away by taking accountability out of this law. We are not doing
our kids any favors by promoting them to the next grade when they are unable to
read.
The plan also
restores an A-F grading system, so parents can easily understand how their
school is performing. It reinstates student growth as a component of teacher
performance evaluations. And, it restores previous provisions in collective
bargaining to ensure superintendents can make administrative decisions based on
what’s in the best interests of kids and not unions. All of these changes will
help right the ship, but I make no false promises that this is all that is
needed. I have put forth a myriad of other proposals in my School Aid budget
proposal.
The most
important of these proposals is to focus on ensuring kids are actually in the
classroom learning. This sounds like an oversimplification, but it’s a massive
problem. At a minimum, chronic absenteeism needs to be brought back to
pre-pandemic levels. Last academic year, roughly 30 percent of Michigan
students missed 10 percent or more of the school year. Some schools have
chronic absentee rates in the 90s. We can get students back in class through
targeted support and accountability. We also need to roll back changes made in recent years that allowed for more virtual
learning days and exemptions for professional development days. State
Superintendent Dr. Michael Rice was correct to point out this problem to the
Legislature. Exempting up to 22 days from the 180 required days when our
schools are failing is braindead policy.
On top of
that, we must ensure kids are not only physically in the classroom, but also
mentally present as well. Cell phones in the classroom must be addressed. I was
glad to see we passed a bill in the Senate. It was not as strong as I prefer,
but this is an issue we should be able to address in a bipartisan fashion.
The second
area of focus that we must address is helping students in failing schools. I
was pleasantly surprised to see the Governor’s proposal provided targeted
resources for intervention services, such as tutoring and requiring parents be
notified about how targeted schools are performing and spending money. I believe
her plan can be improved, though it was not a bad start.
The bottom
line is this: families should no longer be beholden to a school failing that
has been given every chance to succeed, and a school should no longer go
unchallenged in the face of persistent failure. We have a long way to go, and
we aren’t going to make a lick of progress unless we have a laser focus on
improving student outcomes. If we don’t, spending more money on schools won’t
make a difference in the long run.
Senator
McBroom’s statement is as follows:
Madam
President, a few years back, I had the special privilege of working with our
Lieutenant Governor, Garlin Gilchrist, on some legislation that many of you
supported to help citizens of our state have their driver’s licenses reinstated
after they had had a DUI or other problem that was preventing them from being
able to obtain CDLs and other parts of driving rights
that would advance their careers and their lives. I’m grateful to this body for
that help, and certainly grateful to the Lieutenant Governor for his assistance
because the first time we tried it, the bill got vetoed. So, it was really
great to get that through, and I think we’ve made a significant difference for
many people.
There is still
a huge problem going on with our Secretary of State and with our opportunities
to help people with their DUIs. I don’t know how many of you in your individual
offices get down into the weeds with constituent issues like this, but I have
personally assisted more than a dozen constituents in this term with attempting
to get their driver’s licenses reinstated when they’ve been completely
suspended. The process is a nightmare.
I’ll relay to
you a very personal story. In my family, one of my siblings struggles with
alcoholism. He, at one point in his life, had had his driver’s license removed
or been under various penalties for DUI in five different states. These are all
compact states that have entered into various agreements, and so, after a
decade of sobriety and getting his life in order—attempting to get his driver’s
license back—he had to go to each one of these states and clear his record in
order to apply for a driver’s license in the state where he now lives, which is
not Michigan. In all of those other states, it was a fair and regular process
where if you do the steps, you get permission to get your driver’s license
back—except for one. Guess which one it is. It’s Michigan. It’s a nightmare in
Michigan. It’s an incredibly arduous process—and, at the end, after filling out
dozens of pieces of paper, agreeing to counseling, agreeing to peeing in a cup,
and so many other things, and getting letters signed by people who know you,
and used to know you—testimonials, all of these things—and you appear before an
administrative law judge who then says, Oh, one of your people forgot to put a
date on their letter of reference for you. Oh, the department lost some of your
paperwork. You go back to the back of the line and you can’t reapply for six
months, or a year.
I have been
through this process with so many constituents—including one from my own
family—again and again, just to try and get their life back together again. I
have spoken with the Secretary of State’s office on this issue numerous times,
looking for their help to figure out: Why is your situation—why is your
process—such a disaster? Why do you insist on hurting more people, again and
again? I get nothing back from them to help with this. No real assistance. Just
some lip service: Yeah, we think we should fix that. But no help in why their
system is so backwards.
Just this past
week, on Friday, another one of my constituents, who has reapplied three
separate times—and I have written personal letters attesting to how he has not
been drinking, not using drugs—I was the guy who left the date off of the
letter—and the judge cites my letter’s lack of a date as a reason why he can’t
be reinstated to drive. And this constituent—a veteran, a man who’s struggling
with health issues that he brought home from Iraq, and psychological
issues—needs to drive to go to work. We’re keeping him down. He’d move out of
our state—except our state has such a hold on all of the other states that
signed this compact—that he can’t get a driver’s license anywhere he could go.
We have to get
together and do something about this. I call on the Secretary of State and her
office to put some real effort behind this problem. We have a serious problem.
It’s affecting tens of thousands of good citizens in this state who need relief
desperately.
Announcements of Printing and
Enrollment
The Secretary announced that the following
House bills were received in the Senate and filed on Thursday, June 5:
House
Bill Nos. 4023 4135 4464
The Secretary announced that the following
bills were printed and filed on Thursday, June 5, and are available on the
Michigan Legislature website:
House
Bill Nos. 4551 4552 4553 4554 4555 4556 4557 4558 4559 4560 4561 4562 4563 4564 4565 4566 4567 4568 4569 4570 4571 4572 4573 4574 4575 4576 4577 4578 4579 4580 4581
The Secretary announced that the following
bills were printed and filed on Friday, June 6, and are available on the
Michigan Legislature website:
Senate
Bill Nos. 356 357 358 359 360 361 362 363 364 365 366
Committee Reports
The Committee on Civil Rights, Judiciary, and
Public Safety reported
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.
With the recommendation that the substitute
(S-2) be adopted and that the bill then pass.
Stephanie Chang
Chairperson
To Report Out:
Yeas: Senators Chang, Shink, Wojno, Irwin and
Santana
Nays: Senators Runestad and Johnson
The bill and the substitute recommended by the
committee were referred to the Committee of the Whole.
The Committee on Civil Rights, Judiciary, and
Public Safety reported
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.
With the recommendation that the substitute
(S-2) be adopted and that the bill then pass.
Stephanie Chang
Chairperson
To Report Out:
Yeas: Senators Chang, Shink, Wojno, Irwin and
Santana
Nays: Senators Runestad and Johnson
The bill and the substitute recommended by the
committee were referred to the Committee of the Whole.
The Committee on Civil Rights, Judiciary, and
Public Safety reported
Senate
Bill No. 216, entitled
A bill to amend 1949 PA 300, entitled “Michigan
vehicle code,” by amending sections 303, 320a, 601c, and 653a (MCL 257.303,
257.320a, 257.601c, and 257.653a), section 303 as amended by 2024 PA 42,
section 320a as amended by 2023 PA 39, section 601c as added by 2001 PA 103,
and section 653a as amended by 2018 PA 349, and by adding sections 79g and 79h;
and to repeal acts and parts of acts.
With the recommendation that the substitute
(S-1) be adopted and that the bill then pass.
Stephanie Chang
Chairperson
To Report Out:
Yeas: Senators Chang, Shink, Wojno, Irwin,
Santana, Runestad and Johnson
Nays: None
The bill and the substitute recommended by the
committee were referred to the Committee of the Whole.
The Committee on Civil Rights, Judiciary, and
Public Safety reported
Senate
Bill No. 217, entitled
A bill to amend 1927 PA 175, entitled “The
code of criminal procedure,” by amending section 12e of chapter XVII (MCL
777.12e), as amended by 2011 PA 59.
With the recommendation that the bill pass.
Stephanie Chang
Chairperson
To Report Out:
Yeas: Senators Chang, Shink, Wojno, Irwin,
Santana, Runestad and Johnson
Nays: None
The bill was referred to the Committee of the
Whole.
The Committee on Civil Rights, Judiciary, and
Public Safety reported
Senate
Bill No. 224, entitled
A bill to amend 1931 PA 328, entitled “The
Michigan penal code,” by amending section 224 (MCL 750.224), as amended by
2006 PA 401.
With the recommendation that the bill pass.
Stephanie Chang
Chairperson
To Report Out:
Yeas: Senators Chang, Shink, Wojno, Irwin and
Santana
Nays: Senators Runestad and Johnson
The bill was referred to the Committee of the
Whole.
The Committee on Civil Rights, Judiciary, and
Public Safety reported
Senate
Bill No. 225, entitled
A bill to amend 1927 PA 372, entitled “An act
to regulate and license the selling, purchasing, possessing, and carrying of
certain firearms, gas ejecting devices, and electro-muscular disruption
devices; to prohibit the buying, selling, or carrying of certain firearms, gas
ejecting devices, and electro-muscular disruption devices without a license or
other authorization; to provide for the forfeiture of firearms and
electro-muscular disruption devices under certain circumstances; to provide for
penalties and remedies; to provide immunity from civil liability under certain
circumstances; to prescribe the powers and duties of certain state and local
agencies; to prohibit certain conduct against individuals who apply for or
receive a license to carry a concealed pistol; to make appropriations; to
prescribe certain conditions for the appropriations; and to repeal all acts and
parts of acts inconsistent with this act,” by amending section 5o (MCL
28.425o), as amended by 2017 PA 95.
With the recommendation that the bill pass.
Stephanie Chang
Chairperson
To Report Out:
Yeas: Senators Chang, Shink, Wojno, Irwin and
Santana
Nays: Senators Runestad and Johnson
The bill was referred to the Committee of the
Whole.
The Committee on Civil Rights, Judiciary, and
Public Safety reported
Senate
Bill No. 226, entitled
A bill to amend 1931 PA 328, entitled “The
Michigan penal code,” by amending section 234d (MCL 750.234d), as amended
by 2024 PA 158.
With the recommendation that the bill pass.
Stephanie Chang
Chairperson
To Report Out:
Yeas: Senators Chang, Shink, Wojno, Irwin and
Santana
Nays: Senators Runestad and Johnson
The bill was referred to the Committee of the
Whole.
The Committee on Civil Rights, Judiciary, and
Public Safety reported
Senate
Bill No. 331, entitled
A bill to amend 1927 PA 372, entitled “An act
to regulate and license the selling, purchasing, possessing, and carrying of
certain firearms, gas ejecting devices, and electro-muscular disruption
devices; to prohibit the buying, selling, or carrying of certain firearms, gas
ejecting devices, and electro-muscular disruption devices without a license or
other authorization; to provide for the forfeiture of firearms and
electro-muscular disruption devices under certain circumstances; to provide for
penalties and remedies; to provide immunity from civil liability under certain
circumstances; to prescribe the powers and duties of certain state and local
agencies; to prohibit certain conduct against individuals who apply for or
receive a license to carry a concealed pistol; to make appropriations; to
prescribe certain conditions for the appropriations; and to repeal all acts and
parts of acts inconsistent with this act,” (MCL 28.421 to 28.435) by adding
section 14c.
With the recommendation that the bill pass.
Stephanie Chang
Chairperson
To Report Out:
Yeas: Senators Chang, Shink, Wojno, Irwin and
Santana
Nays: Senators Runestad and Johnson
The bill was referred to the Committee of the
Whole.
The Committee on Civil Rights, Judiciary, and
Public Safety reported
Senate
Bill No. 332, entitled
A bill to amend 1927 PA 175, entitled “The
code of criminal procedure,” by amending section 11b of chapter XVII (MCL
777.11b), as amended by 2023 PA 22.
With the recommendation that the bill pass.
Stephanie Chang
Chairperson
To Report Out:
Yeas: Senators Chang, Shink, Wojno, Irwin and
Santana
Nays: Senators Runestad and Johnson
The bill was referred to the Committee of the
Whole.
COMMITTEE ATTENDANCE REPORT
The Committee on Civil Rights, Judiciary, and Public
Safety submitted the following:
Meeting held on Thursday, June 5, 2025, at
12:00 noon, Room 403, 4th Floor, Capitol Building
Present: Senators Chang (C), Shink, Wojno,
Irwin, Santana, Runestad and Johnson
COMMITTEE ATTENDANCE REPORT
The Committee on Energy and Environment
submitted the following:
Meeting held on Thursday, June 5, 2025, at
1:30 p.m., Room 403, 4th Floor, Capitol Building
Present: Senators McCann (C), Singh, Bayer,
Shink, Hertel, Camilleri, Chang, Polehanki, Lauwers, Damoose, Outman, Hauck
and Bellino
Administrative
Rules, Joint – Wednesday, June 11, 8:30 a.m., Room 521, 5th Floor, House Office
Building (517) 373-5312
Civil Rights,
Judiciary, and Public Safety – Thursday, June 12, 12:00 noon, Room 1200, Binsfeld Office Building (517)
373-5312
Energy and Environment – Wednesday, June 11, 8:30 a.m., Room 403, 4th
Floor, Capitol Building (517) 373-5323
Finance,
Insurance, and Consumer Protection – Wednesday, June 11, 12:30 p.m., Room
1200, Binsfeld Office Building (517) 373-5314
Health Policy – Wednesday, June 11, 12:30 p.m., Room
1100, Binsfeld Office Building (517) 373-5323
Labor – Thursday, June 12, 8:30 a.m., Room 1300,
Binsfeld Office Building (517) 373-5314
Natural
Resources and Agriculture – Wednesday, June 11, 2:00 p.m., Room 1300, Binsfeld Office Building (517)
373-1721
Regulatory Affairs – Thursday, June 12, 8:30 a.m., Room 403, 4th
Floor, Capitol Building (517) 373-1721
Veterans and
Emergency Services – Wednesday, June 11, 9:00 a.m., Room 1300, Binsfeld Office Building (517)
373-5312
Senator Singh moved that the Senate adjourn.
The motion prevailed, the time being 12:02
p.m.
The Assistant
President pro tempore, Senator Geiss, declared the Senate adjourned until
Wednesday, June 11, 2025, at 10:00 a.m.
DANIEL OBERLIN
Secretary of the Senate