SCR24, As Adopted by Senate, November 12, 2009

            Senators Kuipers, Van Woerkom, Allen, Gilbert, Garcia, Jelinek, Kahn, Cassis, Cropsey, Pappageorge, McManus, Hardiman, Jansen, Birkholz, Stamas and Brown offered the following concurrent resolution:

            Senate Concurrent Resolution No. 24.

            A concurrent resolution to disapprove Executive Order No. 2009-45, setting forth changes in the organization of the executive branch.

            Whereas, Article 5, Section 2 of the Constitution of the state of Michigan provides that the Governor may make changes in the organization of the executive branch or in the assignment of functions within the executive units. Where these changes require the force of law, they must be set forth in executive orders that are submitted to the Legislature. The Legislature shall have 60 calendar days of a regular session to disapprove each executive order by a resolution concurred in by a majority of the members elected and serving in each house of the Legislature; and

            Whereas, On October 8, 2009, Governor Granholm issued Executive Order No. 2009-45, which creates the Department of Natural Resources and Environment, abolishes the Department of Natural Resources and the Department of Environmental Quality, and removes the decision-making power of the Commission of Agriculture and vests that power in a Director of Agriculture appointed by the Governor; and

            Whereas, The Commission of Agriculture ensures transparent and collaborative decision making. Through its selection of the Director of Agriculture, it also ensures selection of an individual with a strong understanding of and appreciation for Michigan's agriculture industry; now, therefore, be it

            Resolved by the Senate (the House of Representatives concurring), That we hereby disapprove Executive Order No. 2009-45, issued October 8, 2009, and proposing the reorganization of the executive branch of government through the creation of the Department of Natural Resources and Environment; the abolishment of the Department of Environmental Quality and the Department of Natural Resources; and the reorganization of responsibilities among the Department of Agriculture, the Department of Energy, Labor, and Economic Growth, and the Department of Treasury; and be it further

            Resolved, That copies of this resolution be transmitted to the Office of the Governor.