No. 80

STATE OF MICHIGAN

Journal of the Senate

103rd Legislature

REGULAR SESSION OF 2025

Senate Chamber, Lansing, Monday, September 22, 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—excused

Bayer—present Hoitenga—excused Outman—excused

Bellino—excused Huizenga—present Polehanki—present

Brinks—present Irwin—present Runestad—excused

Bumstead—excused Johnson—excused Santana—present

Camilleri—present Klinefelt—present Shink—present

Cavanagh—present Lauwers—present Singh—present

Chang—present Lindsey—excused Theis—present

Cherry—present McBroom—excused Victory—present

Daley—excused McCann—present Webber—present

Damoose—present McMorrow—present Wojno—excused

Geiss—present

Senator John N. Damoose of the 37th District offered the following invocation:

Heavenly Father, we love You and we humble ourselves before You, and ask that You would give us wisdom, Lord, and give us ideas—help us to get this budget done so that we can give the people of Michigan the reassurance they need—and, frankly, the funds they need—and that You inspire what needs to be inspired this week—inspire new relationships and a new spirit of working together. I pray You would especially touch all of the staff in our offices and those who work for the Senate, Lord God, because they are put under such pressure based on the decisions we make or do not make as legislators. I pray that You lift each one of them up, comfort each one of them, and strengthen each one of them this week. We love You and pray all this in Your precious name. Amen.

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

Senators Cherry, Santana and Shink entered the Senate Chamber.

Motions and Communications

Senator Lauwers moved that Senators Bellino, Bumstead, Daley, Hoitenga, Johnson, Lindsey, Nesbitt, Outman, McBroom and Runestad be excused from today’s session.

The motion prevailed.

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

The motion prevailed.

Senator Singh moved that Senator Wojno be excused from today’s session.

The motion prevailed.

Recess

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

The motion prevailed, the time being 10:03 a.m.

10:32 a.m.

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

During the recess, Senators Anthony, Brinks and Geiss entered the Senate Chamber.

The following communication was received and read:

Office of the Senate Majority Leader

September 19, 2025

Pursuant to Senate Rule 3.203, I am requesting that Senate Bill 579 be referred to the Senate Appropriations Committee.

If you have any questions regarding this matter, please do not hesitate to contact me.

Sincerely,

Winnie Brinks

Senate Majority Leader

The communication was referred to the Secretary for record.

The following communication was received:

Office of Senator Sue Shink

September 17, 2025

Pursuant to Senate Rule 1.110(c), I respectfully request that my name be added as a cosponsor of Senate Bill 538 sponsored by Senator Cherry. The bill is currently referred to the Senate Natural Resources and Agriculture Committee. This bill will designate the wild turkey as the state game bird.

Sincerely,

Sue Shink

State Senator

14th District

The communication was referred to the Secretary for record.

The following communications were received:

Department of State

Administrative Rules

Notices of Filing

September 10, 2025

In accordance with the provisions of Section 46 of Act No. 306 of the Public Acts of 1969, being MCL 24.246, and paragraph 16 of Executive Order 1995-6, this is to advise you that the Michigan Office of Administrative Hearings and Rules filed Administrative Rule #2023-015-EQ (Secretary of State
Filing #25-09-01) on this date at 1:15 p.m. for the Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy entitled, “2023-15 EQ Part 10. Intermittent Testing and Sampling.”

These rules become effective immediately after filing with the Secretary of State unless adopted under section 33, 44, or 45a(9) of the administrative procedures act of 1969, 1969 PA 306, MCL 24.233, 24.244, or 24.245a. Rules adopted under these sections become effective 7 days after filing with the Secretary of State.

September 11, 2025

In accordance with the provisions of Section 46(1) of Act 306, Public Acts of 1969, as amended, and Executive Order 1995-6, this is to advise you that the Michigan Office of Administrative Hearings and Rules filed Administrative Rule #2022-064-ST (Secretary of State Filing #25-09-02) on this date at 9:17 a.m. for the Department of State, entitled “Electronic Return of Absent Voter Ballots by Eligible Voters.”

September 11, 2025

In accordance with the requirements of Section 46 of Act No. 306 of the Public Acts of 1969, being MCL 24.246, and paragraph 16 of Executive Order 1995-6, this is to advise you that the Michigan Office of Administrative Hearings and Rules filed Administrative Rule #2023-059-HS (Secretary of State
Filing #25-09-03) on this date at 10:16 a.m. for the Department of Health and Human Services entitled,
“Body Art Facilities.”

Sincerely,

Jocelyn Benson

Secretary of State

Lashana Threlkeld, Departmental Supervisor

The communications were referred to the Secretary for record.

Messages from the Governor

The following messages from the Governor were received and read:

September 18, 2025

I respectfully submit to the Senate the following appointments to office pursuant to Public Act 230 of 1972, MCL 125.1503a:

State Construction Code Commission

Tyrese West, of 20000 Shrewsbury Road, Detroit, Michigan 48221, Wayne County, succeeding Daryl Gallant, whose term has expired, appointed as a member from the field of organized labor for a term commencing September 18, 2025, and expiring January 31, 2028.

Nicholas White, of 927 East Lake Street, Petoskey, Michigan 49770, Emmet County, succeeding Justin Schott, whose term has expired, appointed as a member of the general public for a term commencing September 18, 2025, and expiring January 31, 2028.

September 18, 2025

I respectfully submit to the Senate the following appointment to office pursuant to Public Act 207 of 1941, MCL 29.3b:

State Fire Safety Board

Sarah Glann, of 2672 North 8 Mile Road, Sanford, Michigan 48657, Midland County, succeeding Ruth Ann Knapp, whose term has expired, appointed as an individual employed by a school district, a public school academy, or an intermediate school district in an administrative capacity for a term commencing September 18, 2025, and expiring July 15, 2029.

September 18, 2025

I respectfully submit to the Senate the following appointment to office pursuant to Public Act 451 of 1994, MCL 324.1905:

Michigan Natural Resources Trust Fund Board

Brandy Brown, of 2988 North 30th Street, Kalamazoo, Michigan 49048, Kalamazoo County, will be reappointed as a resident of the state for a term commencing October 2, 2025, and expiring October 1, 2029.

September 18, 2025

I respectfully submit to the Senate the following appointment to office pursuant to Public Act 451 of 1994, MCL 324.78102:

Michigan State Waterways Commission

Stephen Remias, of 52503 Royal Forest Drive, Shelby Township, Michigan 48315, Macomb County, succeeding Erik Krueger, who has resigned, appointed as a representative of the marine-trades industry who does not own or operate a harbor or marina for a term commencing September 18, 2025, and expiring September 18, 2026.

Respectfully,

Gretchen Whitmer

Governor

The appointments were referred to the Committee on Government Operations.

By unanimous consent the Senate proceeded 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 President pro tempore, Senator Moss, designated Senator Damoose as Chairperson.

After some time spent therein, the Committee arose; and the President pro tempore, Senator Moss, having resumed the Chair, the Committee reported back to the Senate, favorably and without amendment, the following bills:

Senate Bill No. 419, entitled

A bill to amend 1982 PA 249, entitled “An act to establish the state children’s trust fund in the department of treasury; and to provide certain powers and duties of the department of treasury with respect to the trust fund,” by amending section 1 (MCL 21.171), as amended by 2014 PA 306.

Senate Bill No. 420, entitled

A bill to amend 1976 PA 267, entitled “Open meetings act,” by amending section 3a (MCL 15.263a), as amended by 2023 PA 214.

Senate Bill No. 421, entitled

A bill to amend 1949 PA 300, entitled “Michigan vehicle code,” by amending section 811j (MCL 257.811j), as amended by 2006 PA 562.

The bills were placed on the order of Third Reading of Bills.

The Committee of the Whole reported back to the Senate, favorably and with a substitute therefor, the following bill:

Senate Bill No. 418, entitled

A bill to amend 1982 PA 250, entitled “Child abuse and neglect prevention act,” by amending the title and sections 2, 3, 4, 9, 10, and 12 (MCL 722.602, 722.603, 722.604, 722.609, 722.610, and 722.612), section 2 as amended by 2018 PA 60 and section 4 as amended by 2005 PA 82.

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 proceeded to the order of

Statements

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

The motion prevailed.

Senator Chang’s statement is as follows:

Over the summer, I visited First Step—it’s a Wayne County organization serving domestic and sexual violence survivors. They provide crisis response, have a shelter, provide counseling, and support families with food, toys, clothing, books, and other needs. Jeni Hooper, the interim executive director, told me how domestic violence is on the rise, and strangulation is becoming more common and more deadly. She talked about how they had plans to open a second shelter for survivors of domestic violence on the east side of Detroit but had to end those plans due to funding uncertainty.

I’ve been a friend and supporter of Avalon Healing Center for several years. Based in Detroit, they are a 24-hours-a-day sexual assault center providing crisis intervention, advocacy, medical forensic health care, transportation, and counseling. Kim Hurst, the founder of Avalon Healing Center, recently posted a blog post. She said:

I never paid much attention to politics, because the issues of sexual violence and trafficking are not partisan. Perpetrators don’t care if you’re a republican, democrat, independent, libertarian… take your pick. Sexual violence is an issue that affects EVERYONE. In the current political climate, now I have to pay attention because it is threatening our organization’s ability to continue to provide imperative crisis services. … Avalon needs your help! Due to cuts in Victims of Crime Act (VOCA) funding…along with cuts at the state level…we are looking at a potential 20% decrease in services that are vital to survivors and their families. The crisis at hand is that the impact of these cuts will result in staff layoffs, crisis line closures, reduced shelter beds and diminished access to counseling services, legal advocacy, trauma-informed advocacy by both agencies like Avalon, as well as law enforcement – who also rely on VOCA funding.

As public servants, we have the responsibility to support and protect survivors of domestic and sexual violence. Jeni Hooper and Kim Hurst are not the only ones speaking out. Leaders of organizations in West Michigan, Northern Michigan, and around the state are publicly expressing their concerns, and we need to listen to them. In the House Republican budget, crime victim sustaining grants to support organizations losing VOCA dollars were cut—$4 million less than the Senate, and much less than the need.

During this time when more people are trying to get help, we should not and can not force organizations to try to do more with less. I hope that the final budget delivers what victim service organizations and their clients require. The Senate budget that we passed in May also included $2 million for a trauma center pilot to support survivors—the House Republican budget did not. The Senate budget that we passed in May included $4 million for the YWCA in Kalamazoo to support survivors—the House Republican budget did not.

The House Republican budget deleted language requiring state dollars to be used to test sexual assault kits in order to eliminate backlogs, assist with prosecution investigation, and provide victim services. As someone who once served on the Sexual Assault Evidence Tracking Commission and as a Detroiter who knows the history of thousands of untested rape kits, I know that eliminating this funding is unconscionable. In addition, the massive cuts proposed in the House Republican budget for the Attorney General’s office would, as described by MLive, “effectively defund the address confidentiality program which for the past two years has concealed the addresses of 459 victims.”

One in four women and one in six men will be the victims of sexual violence sometime in their lives, and Michigan is unfortunately fourth in the country for the number of sexual assaults. One in four women and one in seven men who are adults in the U.S. have been the victim of severe physical violence by an intimate partner in their lifetime. If you’ve experienced domestic or sexual violence and want to talk to someone, the Michigan hotline is 1-855-VOICES4.

A budget is a reflection of our values. As the clock ticks, I hope that we’ll all reflect on whether we value support for survivors of domestic violence, sexual assault, and human trafficking. I do, do you?

Recess

Senator Singh moved that the Senate recess until 2:00 p.m.

The motion prevailed, the time being 10:44 a.m.

The Senate reconvened at the expiration of the recess and pursuant to rule 1.101, in the absence of the Presiding Officers, was called to order by the Secretary of the Senate.

By unanimous consent the Senate proceeded to the order of

Introduction and Referral of Bills

Senator McBroom introduced

Senate Bill No. 580, entitled

A bill to amend 1949 PA 300, entitled “Michigan vehicle code,” by amending section 304 (MCL 257.304), as amended by 2024 PA 113.

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

Senator Hertel introduced

Senate Bill No. 581, entitled

A bill to amend 2018 PA 57, entitled “Recodified tax increment financing act,” by amending section 201 (MCL 125.4201).

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

House Bill No. 4418, entitled

A bill to amend 1998 PA 386, entitled “Estates and protected individuals code,” (MCL 700.1101 to 700.8206) by adding part 6 to article V; and to repeal acts and parts of acts.