Volume MMXXIV – Issue 45 November 15, 2024 GOV WHITMER SIGNS MULTIPLE BILLS INTO LAW–Governor Gretchen Whitmer signed six bills into law this week. The bigger picture: The bills signed by Governor Whitmer this week range from bills aimed at protecting homeowners to legislation that creates a tax credit for organ donors. Governor Whitmer said in a press release that the bills signed this week “cuts red tape, protects Michiganders’ assets, and helps save lives.” To read more, please click here. HOUSE PASSES LEGISLATION ACROSS THREE SESSION DAYS–As the 2024 election is wrapped up, the House returned to session this week with three session days being held where the chamber took up a wide range of bills. The bigger picture: With the House set to go from a 56-54 Democratic majority to a 58-52 Republican majority in 2025, the House ramped up activity this week by passing a plethora of bills across Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday even amid attendance issues. Given the slim majority House Democrats hold, every Democratic member is likely needed to ensure legislation is able to pass. The bills passed ranged from economic development bills, hate crime bills, health care bills and everything in between. To read more, please click here. DETROIT MAYOR MIKE DUGGAN NOT SEEKING REELECTION IN 2025–Detroit Mayor Mike Duggan announced Wednesday that he is not seeking a fourth term as Detroit’s Mayor, which ramped up speculation that he may be running for Governor in 2026. Why it matters: Mayor Duggan has been Mayor of Detroit since 2014 and played a key role in Detroit’s rapid growth since first being elected. Mayor Duggan, a Democrat, has been rumored to be one of the key Democratic candidates that could run for Governor in 2026 after Governor Gretchen Whitmer is termed out. Mayor Duggan did not announce any future plans but hinted that a big announcement is coming soon. To read more, please click here. ELECTIONS - Michigan Democratic Party chair Lavora Barnes announced this week that she is not seeking reelection as state party chair. A new chair will be elected at the next Michigan Democratic Party convention which is expected to be held in February 2025.
ODDS AND ENDS - The Senate Appropriations Committee reported legislation this week that would permanently expand the Michigan Reconnect program to 21-24 year olds. Senate Bills 406and407would codify the temporary expansion of the program that added 21-24 year olds to qualify. The program was originally for those 25 years or older but would expand the program to 21 plus until 2032 under the bills. The bills were reported by a margin of 15-3.
- The Senate Appropriations Committee also reported a bill that would create an Office of Tribal Legislative Liaison. House Bill 5600 was reported 17-1.
- The House Criminal Justice Committee took testimony only on legislation that makes changes to cash bail and the state’s pretrial detention system by limiting cash bail to keep defendants detained. House Bills 4655-4661are the culmination of Governor Gretchen Whitmer’s Joint Task Force on Jail and Pretrial Incarceration according to the sponsors.
- The Senate Finance, Insurance and Consumer Protection Committee reported legislation that would amend the Michigan Consumer Protection Act to specify that the law would not apply to a specific method, act or practice that was authorized under state law by the state or any court ruling. It aims to provide protections for individuals who are targeted by fraud attempts because a 1999 Michigan Supreme Court ruling stated that all businesses were protected from litigation, as long as it was a legal transaction. Senate Bill 1022 was reported by a margin of 5-2.
- The House Education Committee took testimony on legislation that would modify what courses K-12 students would need to take to graduate from High School. Specifically, House Bill 5735 would make changes to what courses students would be required to take and allows students to enroll in career and technical education programs, or welding programs instead of certain math, social studies and science courses.
- The Senate Education Committee reported a bill package that would require charter schools to provide additional financial information and also prohibit charter schools from entering a lease or purchase agreement with the school’s education management organization, or any individual associated with the management organization. Senate Bills 943-947had pushback from numerous stakeholders and was reported along party lines.
- The Senate Housing and Human Services Committee took up legislation on a bill that would create the Reproductive Health Data Privacy Act, which would aim to regulate the collection, processing and selling of reproductive health data. Senate Bill 1082heard divided testimony from stakeholders and members on the committee.
- The Senate Housing and Human Services Committee also reported legislation this week that would allow the Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) to release certain information on child abuse and child neglect cases to media outlets, but require the outlets to maintain confidentiality on information that would identify the person. Senate Bill 999was reported 8-1.
- The House Regulatory Reform Committee took up multiple pieces of legislation, one of which would give the Great Lakes Water Authority the power to adopt ordinances and establish a police agency to enforce the ordinances .House Bills 5906-5909 took testimony only.
- The Senate Transportation and Infrastructure Committee reported legislation this week that would enshrine current Department of State policy into law that would ban personalized license plates that contain obscene content. Senate Bills 1060and1061were reported unanimously.
- The House Elections Committee reported legislation this week that delays with early voting provisions, expanding the on-demand ballot printing systems and modifying the timeline requirements for electing a charter commission. House Bills 5816and6052-6055were all reported to the House floor.
- The House Transportation Committee reported legislation on Tuesday that would allow prosecutors to go for more strict penalties for drivers who injure or kill vulnerable roadway users. Senate Bills 617and618received support from stakeholders before being sent to the House floor.
- The House Energy, Communications and Technology Committee reported legislation that would make changes to the Michigan Energy Assistance Act and revise the eligibility for low-income energy support services. Senate Bills 353,880,881 and House Bill 6075aim to make more families eligible for the Michigan Energy Assistance Program by lowering the threshold to be considered low-income, according to supporters.
- The Senate Elections and Ethics Committee reported a bill that would set a civil fine of up to $1,000 per violation for a person who makes false statements or misrepresentations about an election with the intent to impede or prevent a person from voting. Senate Bill 707was reported after receiving testimony in support.
- The House Judiciary Committee reported a 20-bill package that works to expand what type of convictions are eligible for expungement for victims of human trafficking. House Bills 5836-5854 and Senate Bills 515-517were all reported after hearing testimony in support of the bills.
- The House Agriculture Committee reported a bill this week that would prohibit any research to be conducted on dogs in a manner that would cause pain or distress. House Bill 4849 had testimony from individuals in support and opposition before the bill was eventually reported.
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