STATE OF MICHIGAN
Journal of the Senate
102nd Legislature
REGULAR SESSION OF 2023
Senate Chamber, Lansing, Wednesday, January 11, 2023.
12:00 noon.
In conformity with the requirements of the Constitution of the state of Michigan, the Senators of the 102nd Legislature of the state of Michigan assembled in the Senate Chamber in the Capitol at Lansing this day (being the second Wednesday of January 2023), at twelve o’clock noon, and were called to order by the President, Lieutenant Governor Garlin D. Gilchrist II.
Reverend Christopher Roe of Fountain Street Church of Grand Rapids offered the following invocation:
Spirit of life that neither time nor religious conviction or political orientation can contain, we give thanks for the gift of life and living on this new day. On this day of a new season and the opening of a new session we give thanks for the gift of life, the fullness of living, and for the opportunity to ensure that all who call this great state their home will know this human right and profound freedom as their own just as much as we do. We enter this day and this new legislative session aware of our shortcomings and the shortcomings of our society and we pray that through humility, openness, courage, and commitment we will resolve to work together with one accord to bring love, justice, inclusion, and peace to all that we work for and all who we work for in this state together.
We know, friends, that the ancient commandment to love one another manifests and incarnates itself in virtually all of the great wisdom traditions, and so in that spirit and in the spirit of a more loving and just world may we resolve to put work, may we resolve to put love at the center of all that we do and the work we share. Where there is difference and discord, let it be disarmed with love. Where there is tenacity and tension, let it be disassembled with love. Where there is immense disagreement and even profound dysfunction, let it be deconstructed with love. And where there is hate, injustice, oppression, and exploitation, let it be dismantled with the revolutionary, restorative, and regenerative powers of love. Let love be at the core of the work we share.
This morning we particularly give thanks for the people of this state who have entrusted us to do the work of making this a more livable, loving, and liberatory place to call home. In that spirit of gratitude for the many who call this their home, let us commit ourselves to the service necessary to make this a safe, secure, and sustainable place for all to feel like they are truly welcome and that they truly belong. In service to a greater purpose and in accordance with a higher power we now commit ourselves to the ultimate gift of service leadership, in which all that we do and all we are is in service to the health, growth, wellbeing, and flourishing of the very people who have called each of us to serve.
May it be so, may it be so. May it be so that the leadership of this chamber is indeed in service to the health of our state. May it be so that the office we’ve been called to is rightfully committed to the wellbeing of our community. May it be so that the egos and expectations that accompany great power are eclipsed by our loyalty and devotion to the growth of our neighbors. And may it be so that our dedication and our allegiance not be to agenda or affiliation but rather to the ultimate flourishing of the ones we serve, so that the greatest commandment to love one another might finally be known by all and for all.
May it be so, may it be so, may it be so. Amen.
The President, Lieutenant Governor
Gilchrist, led the members of the Senate in recital of the Pledge of Allegiance.
Senator Singh moved that rule 3.902 be suspended to allow the guests of Senators and the Secretary of the Senate admittance to the Senate floor.
The motion prevailed, a majority of the members serving voting therefor.
Senator Singh moved that rule 3.902 be suspended to allow Supreme Court Chief Justice Elizabeth T. Clement, elected officers of the Senate and their guests and families, and Senate staff photographers admittance to the Senate floor, including the center aisle.
The motion prevailed, a majority of the members serving voting therefor.
The following communication was received and read:
Department of State
November 29, 2022
Enclosed please find the certified listing of the candidates elected to the office of State Senator at the November 8, 2022 General Election. Copies of the official returns certified for this election are also provided for your reference.
Please do not hesitate to contact this office if we can be of any further assistance.
Sincerely,
Jonathan Brater
Director of Elections
State of Michigan
Department of State
I, Jocelyn Benson, Secretary of State and Custodian of the Great Seal of the State of Michigan, certify that the persons named on the attached listing were duly elected at the November 8, 2022 General Election to the Office of State Senator for a term commencing on January 1, 2023 and ending on January 1, 2027, as shown by the official returns certified for the election and placed on file in this office.
In witness whereof, I have hereto attached my signature and the Great Seal of the State of Michigan, at Lansing, on November 28, 2022.
[SEAL] Jocelyn Benson
Secretary of State
OFFICIAL CANVASS OF VOTES
NOVEMBER 8, 2022 GENERAL ELECTION
Based on an examination of the election returns received by the Secretary of State for the November 8, 2022 General Election, we, the undersigned members of the Board of State Canvassers, certify that the attached report is a true statement of the votes cast at the election for the offices certified by this Board.
We further certify that the persons named on the attached listing were duly elected for the indicated offices, and that State Proposals 22-1, 22-2, and 22-3 passed.
In Witness Whereof, we have subscribed our names at Lansing, Michigan this 28th day of November, 2022.
Time of certification 11:57 a.m.
Anthony R. Daunt Mary Ellen Gurewitz
Chairperson Vice Chairperson
Richard Houskamp Jeannette L. Bradshaw
Member Member
Members-Elect of the Senate
District Party Name Address
1 Dem Erika Geiss P.O. Box 854, Taylor 48180
2 Dem Sylvia Santana 5700 Brace Street, Detroit 48228
3 Dem Stephanie Chang 2900 E. Jefferson, #8, Detroit 48207
4 Dem Darrin Camilleri 2964 Harrison Avenue, Trenton 48183
5 Dem Dayna Polehanki P.O. Box 51843, Livonia 48151
6 Dem Mary Cavanagh 14965 Aubrey, Redford 48239
7 Dem Jeremy Moss 18405 Melrose Avenue, Southfield 48075
8 Dem Mallory McMorrow P.O. Box 2136, Royal Oak 48068
9 Rep Michael Webber 2315 Cumberland Road, Rochester Hills 48307
10 Dem Paul Wojno 32025 Margaret Court, Warren 48093
11 Dem Veronica Klinefelt 16143 Wilson Avenue, Eastpointe 48021
12 Dem Kevin Hertel 22401 Lavon Street, St. Clair Shores 48081
13 Dem Rosemary K. Bayer 2961 Prynne Street, #5, Keego Harbor 48320
14 Dem Sue Shink 600 W. Joy Road, Ann Arbor 48105
15 Dem Jeff Irwin 2542 Bellwood Avenue, Ann Arbor 48104
16 Rep Joseph Bellino, Jr. 1285 Hollywood Drive, Monroe 48162
17 Rep Jonathan Lindsey 130 S. Parham Road, Bronson 49028
18 Rep Thomas A. Albert 30 Flat River Drive, S.E., Lowell 49331
19 Dem Sean McCann 4041 E. Hillandale Drive, Kalamazoo 49008
20 Rep Aric Nesbitt P.O. Box 400, Lawton 49065
21 Dem Sarah Anthony 1230 George, Lansing 48910
22 Rep Lana L. Theis 12149 Larkins Road, Brighton 48114
23 Rep Jim Runestad 2210 Teggerdine Road, White Lake 48386
24 Rep Ruth Johnson 8500 Gail Drive, Holly 48442
25 Rep Daniel V. Lauwers 12401 Speaker Road, Brockway 48097
26 Rep Kevin Daley 3387 Daley Road, Lum 48412
27 Dem John D. Cherry 1025 Kensington Avenue, Flint 48503
28 Dem Sam Singh 1837 Cricket Lane, East Lansing 48823
29 Dem Winnie Brinks 2060 Osceola Drive, S.E., Grand Rapids 49506
30 Rep Mark Huizenga 3841 Butterworth Street, Walker 49534
31 Rep Roger Victory 5790 22nd Avenue, Hudsonville 49426
32 Rep Jon C. Bumstead 2447 Memorial Drive, North Muskegon 49445
33 Rep Rick Outman 6481 N. Miles Road, Six Lakes 48886
34 Rep Roger Hauck P.O. Box 985, Mount Pleasant 48804
35 Dem Kristen McDonald Rivet 2600 Center Avenue, Bay City 48708
36 Rep Michele Hoitenga 226 Roberts Street, Manton 49663
37 Rep John N. Damoose P.O. Box 95, Harbor Springs 49740
38 Rep Edward McBroom N470 Thaler Drive, Vulcan 49892
The roll was called by the Secretary of the Senate.
District Name District Name
1st Erika Geiss 20th Aric Nesbitt
2nd Sylvia Santana 21st Sarah E. Anthony
3rd Stephanie Chang 22nd Lana Theis
4th Darrin Camilleri 23rd Jim Runestad
5th Dayna Polehanki 24th Ruth A. Johnson
6th Mary Cavanagh 25th Dan Lauwers
7th Jeremy Moss 26th Kevin Daley
8th Mallory McMorrow 27th John Cherry
9th Michael Webber 28th Sam Singh
10th Paul Wojno 29th Winnie Brinks
11th Veronica Klinefelt 30th Mark Huizenga
12th Kevin Hertel 31st Roger Victory
13th Rosemary Bayer 32nd Jon Bumstead
14th Sue Shink 33rd Rick
Outman
15th Jeff Irwin 34th Roger Hauck
16th Joseph N. Bellino, Jr. 35th Kristen McDonald Rivet
17th Jonathan Lindsey 36th Michele Hoitenga
18th Thomas Albert 37th John N. Damoose
19th Sean McCann 38th Edward W. McBroom
The Secretary of the Senate announced that 38 Senators having answered the roll call, a quorum of the Senate was present.
Oath of Office
The foregoing named Senators took and subscribed to the Constitutional Oath of Office, which was administered by Chief Justice Elizabeth T. Clement, and entered upon the performance of their duties as Senators.
By unanimous consent the Senate proceeded to the order of
Senator Singh offered the following resolution:
Senate Resolution No. 1.
A resolution notifying the Governor and the House of Representatives that the Senate is ready to proceed with the business of the session.
Resolved by the Senate, That the Secretary of the Senate inform the Governor and the House of Representatives that a quorum of the Senate is present and that the Senate is ready to proceed with the business of the session.
Senator Singh moved that the rule be suspended.
The motion prevailed, a majority of the members serving voting therefor.
Senator Singh offered the following resolution:
Senate Resolution No. 2.
A resolution prescribing the Standing Rules of the Senate.
CHAPTER I – SECTION 1
SENATE ORGANIZATION
1.100 TRANSMISSION OF MESSAGES.
Per Joint Rule 1, all messages necessary for conducting legislative business between the two houses shall be communicated in writing and delivered electronically by the Secretary of the Senate and the Clerk of the House of Representatives.
1.101 PRESIDING OFFICER
a) The Lieutenant Governor shall be the President of the Senate and shall preside over all sessions of the Senate. If the Lieutenant Governor is absent, the President pro tempore, Assistant President pro tempore, or Associate President pro tempore shall preside.
b) The Lieutenant Governor may vote only when the Senators are equally divided in their vote (see Const. Art. 5, Sec. 25).
c) In the absence of the President of the Senate, President pro tempore, Assistant President pro tempore, and Associate President pro tempore, the Secretary of the Senate shall preside until the Senate shall appoint a Senator to act as presiding officer or until the President of the Senate, President pro tempore, Assistant President pro tempore, or Associate President pro tempore shall appear. In the absence of all Senators, or all but one Senator, the Secretary of the Senate shall preside.
1.102 AUTHORITY OF THE PRESIDING OFFICER
a) The presiding officer shall call the Senate to order at the hours provided by the Constitution and these rules and at the hour established by the Senate at its last meeting.
b) Except as provided in Rule 1.205(b),
following the invocation and Pledge of Allegiance, the presiding officer shall
instruct the Secretary of the Senate to record the attendance. The attendance
roll call shall be taken using the electronic voting system for one minute;
however, on the first session in January, or if the electronic voting system is
not operational, the presiding officer shall instruct the Secretary of the
Senate to call the roll orally and record and announce the results.
1.103 THE PRESIDING OFFICER’S CONTROL WITHIN THE CHAMBER
The presiding officer shall preserve order and decorum and shall have general control within the Chamber. During every session of the Senate, the Sergeant at Arms is under the direct supervision of the presiding officer. Every question of order and procedure shall be decided by the presiding officer, subject to an appeal by the Senate.
1.104 ELECTION OF SENATE OFFICERS
a) At the first session of a quadrennium, a President pro tempore, Assistant President pro tempore, and Associate President pro tempore shall be elected by a vote of a majority of the Senators elected and serving. All officers elected by the Senate hold office until their successors are elected and qualified or until the expiration of their Senate term, whichever occurs first.
b) Prior to the commencement of the quadrennium session, the majority party shall meet in an organizational caucus and elect a Majority Leader, Majority Floor Leader, Majority Whip, Majority Caucus Chairperson, Assistant Majority Leader, Assistant Majority Floor Leaders, Assistant Majority Whip, and Assistant Majority Caucus Chairperson. At a similar organizational caucus, the minority party shall elect a Minority Leader, Minority Floor Leader, Minority Whip, Minority Caucus Chairperson, Assistant Minority Leader, Assistant Minority Floor Leader, Assistant Minority Whip, and Assistant Minority Caucus Chairperson.
c) All majority party Senate officers shall serve at the pleasure of the majority party caucus. All minority party Senate officers shall serve at the pleasure of the minority party caucus.
d) All majority and minority party caucuses shall be subject to Section 8 of the Open Meetings Act (see MCL 15.268).
1.105 APPOINTMENT OF COMMITTEES
a) The Senate Majority Leader shall make appointments of Senators to committees and subcommittees established under these rules. The Senate Majority Leader shall make appointments of minority party members from a list submitted by the Senate Minority Leader, and shall consider the preferences, seniority, and experience of the members in making appointments. The Senate Majority Leader may accept the list submitted by the Senate Minority Leader in whole or in part. If the Senate Majority Leader rejects names on the list and their corresponding committee assignments, the Senate Minority Leader shall submit replacement nominations.
b) The Senate Majority Leader may remove members from their appointment to committees and subcommittees established under these rules.
c) All appointments to standing and select committees and subcommittees are subject to the approval of the Senate by a majority of the Senators elected and serving. All removals from committees and subcommittees and all appointments to conference committees shall be effective upon the removal or appointment until disapproved by the Senate by a majority of the Senators elected and serving.
1.106 ELECTION OF SECRETARY OF THE SENATE
At the first session of a quadrennium, a Secretary of the Senate shall be elected as an officer of the Senate. The Secretary of the Senate shall take and subscribe to the Constitutional Oath of Office for the true and faithful discharge of the duties of office. The Secretary of the Senate shall serve until a successor is elected and qualified. If a vacancy occurs in the office of the Secretary of the Senate, the Assistant Secretary of the Senate shall assume the duties of the Secretary of the Senate until a successor is elected and qualified. The Secretary shall name a Reading Clerk who is able to handle rostrum duties normally assigned to the Secretary or Assistant Secretary in the event either are absent.
1.107 SENATE PARLIAMENTARIAN
The Secretary of the Senate, or a member of the staff of the Secretary of the Senate, shall serve as the Senate Parliamentarian to advise the Senate on questions relating to parliamentary law and procedure.
1.108 SENATE BROADCAST AND WEBCAST
The Secretary of the Senate, with the concurrence of the Senate Majority Leader, may broadcast and webcast Senate session.
1.109 SENATE JOURNALS
a) The Secretary of the Senate shall keep a correct Journal of each day’s proceedings of the Senate, supervise its publication, and make corrections from day to day as may be necessary. During the consideration and passage of general and supplemental appropriation bills, the Secretary of the Senate may correct summative totals that may have been affected by amendments made to items in the bills. The corrections shall be made in the bills and the Journal.
b) The Secretary of the Senate shall make the Journal available online daily for use by the President of the Senate, Senators, and the general public.
c) When the Senate goes into Executive
Session, the proceedings of the Senate shall be kept in a separate Journal,
which shall be open to inspection by Senators only, unless otherwise ordered.
The separate Journal shall be published after the close of the session at
the end of the regular Journals of the Senate proceedings, unless otherwise ordered
by the Senate.
1.110 INTRODUCTION OF BILLS, JOINT RESOLUTIONS, AND ALTERNATIVE MEASURES
a) All bills, joint resolutions, and alternative measures to be introduced shall be submitted to the Secretary of the Senate, accompanied by seven true copies, for introduction on the next succeeding Senate legislative day unless the Senate Majority Leader otherwise determines to allow for bills to be introduced the same day if session is still in order. Only a currently serving Senator may sign a bill, joint resolution, or alternative measure for introduction. Once submitted to the Secretary of the Senate, all bills, joint resolutions, and alternative measures become the property of the Senate and cannot be withdrawn. Each bill, conference report, substitute bill, joint resolution, and alternative measure shall be approved as to form and numbering of sections by the Legislative Service Bureau prior to submission to the Secretary of the Senate. Bills, joint resolutions, and alternative measures may be submitted for introduction during the interim between legislative sessions.
b) Each Senate bill, joint resolution, and alternative measure shall be read a first and second time by title when introduced in the Senate. Each House bill, joint resolution, and alternative measure shall be read a first and second time by title when first received from the House.
c) At any time after introduction and upon final action on a Senate bill, joint resolution, or alternative measure, Senators may move to co-sponsor the bill, joint resolution, or alternative measure when it is in possession of the Senate. Senators may also submit a written request to the Secretary of the Senate to be added as a co-sponsor of the bill, joint resolution, or alternative measure, and the Secretary of the Senate shall print the request in the Journal as an official communication under Senate Rule 3.105. After final passage of a Senate bill or adoption of a Senate joint resolution or alternative measure, or upon final action on a Senate bill, joint resolution, or alternative measure returned from the House, the presiding officer may open the voting board to allow Senators to add their names as co-sponsors.
d) A sponsor or co-sponsor may move to remove his or her name from a Senate bill, joint resolution, or alternative measure when it is in possession of the Senate, provided that at least one Senator remains listed as the sponsor. A sponsor or co-sponsor may also submit a written request to the Secretary of the Senate to remove his or her name from a Senate bill, joint resolution, or alternative measure when it is in possession of the Senate, provided that at least one Senator remains listed as the sponsor, and the Secretary of the Senate shall print the request in the Journal as an official communication under Senate Rule 3.105.
1.111 NUMBERING, LETTERING, AND PRINTING OF BILLS, JOINT RESOLUTIONS, AND ALTERNATIVE MEASURES
a) The Secretary of the Senate shall assign numbers to all Senate bills, resolutions, and alternative measures in the order they are submitted for introduction. The Secretary of the Senate shall assign letters to all joint resolutions in the order they are submitted for introduction.
b) The Secretary of the Senate shall attend to the printing and reproduction of all bills, resolutions, joint resolutions, alternative measures, acts, and other documents ordered printed or reproduced by the Senate. The heading of every bill, resolution, joint resolution, and alternative measure ordered or reproduced shall contain the number of the bill, resolution, or alternative measure or letter of the joint resolution; name of the Senator or Senators introducing the bill, resolution, joint resolution, or alternative measure; date of introduction; and the name of the committee to which the bill, resolution, joint resolution, or alternative measure is referred.
1.112 ANNOUNCEMENT OF PRINTING AND ENROLLMENT OF BILLS, JOINT RESOLUTIONS, AND ALTERNATIVE MEASURES
The Secretary of the Senate shall print in
the Journal each day (a) the number of all Senate and House bills, resolutions,
and alternative measures and letters of all joint resolutions that have been
printed or reproduced and distributed to the offices of the President of the
Senate and Senators and (b) the numbers of the Senate bills that have
been enrolled and presented to the Governor.
1.113 CARE AND PRESERVATION OF BILLS, RESOLUTIONS, AND ALTERNATIVE MEASURES
The Secretary of the Senate shall be responsible to the Senate for the care and preservation of every bill, resolution, joint resolution, and alternative measure introduced in the Senate and each bill, resolution, and alternative measure received from the House, which responsibility shall only be relieved by a receipt from an authorized person.
1.114 ENROLLMENT OF BILLS AND PRESENTATION TO THE GOVERNOR
a) After a Senate bill has passed both houses, the Secretary of the Senate shall attend to the enrollment printing of the bill. The Secretary of the Senate shall present the enrolled bill to the Governor and obtain a receipt verifying the exact date and time the bill was deposited in the Executive Office.
b) Unless otherwise ordered by the
Senate, the Secretary of the Senate may enroll a Senate bill while the Senate
is not in session if that bill has passed both houses and no action is pending
on the bill. If the only action pending on such a bill is the granting of
immediate effect, and the Senate has adjourned sine die, immediate effect shall
not be given, and the Secretary shall enroll the bill. The Secretary of the
Senate shall notify the Senate of such action on the next Senate legislative
day.
c) When a Senate bill is approved by the Governor, the Secretary of the Senate shall obtain a receipt from the Executive Office verifying the exact date and time the bill was filed with the Secretary of State. At the end of each year, the Secretary of the Senate shall deposit with the Secretary of State the official printed copy of the Senate bill as passed by both houses and obtain a receipt.
1.115 ENROLLMENT OF JOINT RESOLUTIONS AND ALTERNATIVE MEASURES
a) After a Senate joint resolution or alternative measure has been adopted by both houses, the Secretary of the Senate shall attend to the enrollment printing in accordance with Joint Rule 16. The Secretary of the Senate shall certify and file the enrolled joint resolution or alternative measure with the Secretary of State and, in the case of a joint resolution, with others as directed by the joint resolution.
b) Unless otherwise ordered by the Senate, the Secretary of the Senate may enroll a Senate joint resolution or alternative measure while the Senate is not in session if that joint resolution or alternative measure has been adopted by both houses and no action is pending on the joint resolution or alternative measure. The Secretary of the Senate shall notify the Senate of such action on the next Senate legislative day.
c) When filing an enrolled Senate joint resolution or alternative measure with the Secretary of State, the Secretary of the Senate shall obtain a receipt verifying the exact date and time filed. At the end of each year, the Secretary of the Senate shall deposit with the Secretary of State the official printed copy of the Senate joint resolution or alternative measure as adopted by both houses and obtain a receipt.
1.116 BILL, RESOLUTION, AND ALTERNATIVE MEASURE HISTORY
The Secretary of the Senate shall keep a record and index of all bills, resolutions, joint resolutions, and alternative measures received by the Senate. This record shall include the title; bill, resolution, or alternative measure number; joint resolution letter; name of the sponsor and any co-sponsors introducing the bill, resolution, joint resolution, or alternative measure; name of the committee to which the bill, resolution, joint resolution, or alternative measure is referred; and an entry of all action, including the date, taken on the bill, resolution, joint resolution, or alternative measure.
1.117 SENATE ADMINISTRATION AND OFFICE BUDGETS
a) The Senate Majority Leader is the Chief Administrator of the Senate, shall assign duties to Senate employees not specified by other rules, and may authorize and have final approval authority for all expenses for the operation of the Senate, except as provided by law.
b) In the absence of the Senate Majority Leader, the Assistant Majority Leader shall assume the duties and responsibilities of the Senate Majority Leader.
c) The Director of the Business Office
shall create a budget with the concurrence of the Senate Majority Leader. The
form of the budget shall parallel, as closely as practical, the departmental
budgets presented to the Committee on Appropriations.
d) The Senate financial records shall be open for public inspection. Upon a written request that describes the financial record sufficiently to enable the Senate to find the financial record, a person has a right to inspect, copy, or receive copies of that financial record of the Senate. Documents shall be available for inspection during normal business hours. The Director of the Business Office shall keep a record of these requests.
1) A copy of the Senate financial records shall be on file with the Senate Business Office, which shall have overall authority to administer the Senate financial records under the direction of the Senate Majority Leader.
2) As used in this section, “financial record” means a budget, account, contract, purchase order, expenditure authorization, voucher, check, warrant, lease, audit report, balance sheet, travel voucher, or other such summaries of financial transactions.
3) The following information contained in Senate financial records is exempt from disclosure under this rule:
A) Information of a personal nature contained in financial records where the public disclosure of the information would constitute a clearly unwarranted invasion of an individual’s privacy. Such exempt information includes, but is not limited to, the following:
(i) An employee’s social security account number, financial institution record, electronic transfer fund number, deferred compensation, savings bonds, W-2 and W-4 forms, and any court enforced judgment.
(ii) An employee’s benefit selection.
(iii) Telephone bill detail including the telephone number and name of individual called.
(iv) Unemployment compensation and workers’ disability compensation records.
B) Records and information specifically described and exempted from disclosure under statute or subject to attorney-client privilege.
C) A bid or proposal by a person to enter into a contract or agreement, until the time for the public opening of bids or proposals, or if a public opening is not to be conducted, until the time for the receipt of bids or proposals has expired.
D) Commercial or financial information or
trade secrets voluntarily provided to the Senate.
E) Communications, notes, and electronic data within the Senate or between the Senate and other public bodies of an advisory nature.
F) Internet-use records.
G) Any other document or record protected from public disclosure by agreement, contract, Senate rule, or law.
4) The Senate may charge a reasonable fee for providing a copy of a financial record. The fee shall be limited to actual mailing costs and to the actual incremental cost of duplication or publication including labor related to the search, and deletion of exempt information from nonexempt information.
5) The Senate may also charge a reasonable fee for providing for the inspection of financial records. This fee may include the actual incremental cost of supervising the inspection including labor related to the search, examination, review, and deletion of exempt information from nonexempt information.
6) The Senate may adopt any such other rules and policies as are necessary to provide for the orderly dissemination of materials to the public.
e) Each Senator shall may be
allotted separate budget amounts for the annual staff account and the annual
office operations account, as determined by the Senate Majority Leader, to be
used on a fiscal year basis. Each standing committee chairperson shall may
be allotted a separate budget amount for the annual committee operations
account, as determined by the Senate Majority Leader. The amounts allocated to
these accounts may be adjusted for all Senate offices by the Senate Majority
Leader. Any unused amount in a fiscal year shall not be carried into the
succeeding year. A Senator shall not exceed the annual limits for each of these
accounts without approval of the Senate Majority Leader.
f) The Senate Majority Leader shall establish guidelines to allow Senators to transfer a limited amount of funds between their own staff account and their office operations account.
1.118 SECRETARY OF THE SENATE; ADMINISTRATIVE DUTIES
a) With the approval of the Senate
Majority Leader, the Secretary of the Senate, shall appoint a staff to conduct
the legislative administration of the Senate, including Administrative Office
Staff, Session Staff, Committee Clerks, and Senate Television Staff. Pursuant
to the authority granted to the Secretary of the Senate by the Senate Majority Leader
under these rules, the Secretary of the Senate shall appoint staff to conduct
the legislative administration of the Senate.
b) The Secretary of the Senate shall exercise supervisory care and control of the Senate Chamber and all Senate rooms, corridors, furniture, and equipment in the Capitol and all committee and meeting rooms not located in the Capitol. The Secretary will cooperate with the Director of the Business Office in carrying out these duties.
c) The Secretary of the Senate shall have responsibility for the development and maintenance of a system for preserving legislative records of the Senate and its committees. The Secretary of the Senate shall issue guidelines for the organization and preservation of these records.
d) The Secretary of the Senate shall be responsible for keeping the Senate seal and for affixing the Senate seal to official Senate documents, as authorized by the Senate Majority Leader. The Senate seal shall be comprised of the coat of arms of the State of Michigan encompassed by the words: “Senate - State of Michigan”.
e) The Secretary of the Senate shall maintain a schedule of Senate committee rooms.
f) The Secretary of the Senate shall make
and maintain an official tapes recording of all sessions of the
Senate. Copies of the official tape recordings shall be made only
upon application approved by the Senate Majority Leader. All official tapes
recordings of the Senate sessions shall be transferred to the State
Archives four years following the end of each biennial session of the
Senate.
g) The Secretary of the Senate shall compile and maintain a list of appointments by the Governor subject to the advice and consent power of the Senate. This list shall contain the name and function of the office, the holder of the office, the date of appointment, and the expiration date of the officeholder’s term. This list shall be posted on the Senate Website.
h) The Secretary of the Senate shall compile and maintain a list of the appointments that the Senate Majority Leader or the Senate Minority Leader are authorized to make to various boards and commissions. This list shall contain the name and function of the office, the holder of the office, the date of appointment, and the expiration date of the officeholder’s term. This list shall be posted on the Senate Website.
1.119 DIRECTOR OF THE BUSINESS OFFICE; ADMINISTRATIVE DUTIES
a) The Director of the Business Office shall serve at the pleasure of the Senate Majority Leader.
b) With the approval of the Senate
Majority Leader, the Director of the Business Office shall appoint a staff to
conduct the business of the Senate, including Business Office Staff, Finance
Staff, Human Resources Staff, Information Services Staff, General Services
Staff, Physical Properties Staff, and Security Staff. Pursuant to the
authority granted to the Director of the Senate Business Office by the Senate
Majority Leader under these rules, the Director of the Senate Business Office
shall appoint staff to conduct the business of the Senate.
c) The Director of the Business Office shall be responsible for the business and financial records of the Senate.
d) The Director of the Business Office shall exercise supervisory care and control of all Senate property not located in the Capitol and cooperate with the Secretary of the Senate as identified in Rule 1.118b.
e) With the approval of the Senate Majority Leader, the Director of the Business Office shall purchase all necessary furniture, carpet, equipment, postage, supplies, and services for use by the Senate.
f) The Director of the Business Office shall install and maintain any equipment approved for use by the Senate.
g) As authorized by the Senate Majority Leader, the Director of the Business Office may sign papers, forms, documents, and contracts on behalf of the Senate.
1.120 DUTIES OF THE SERGEANT AT ARMS
a) The Sergeant at Arms shall be the chief security officer of the Senate. Under the direction of the Senate Majority Leader, the Director of the Business Office shall supervise and direct the work of the Sergeant at Arms and Assistant Sergeants at Arms, and may commission the Sergeant at Arms and Assistant Sergeants at Arms, who meet the certification requirements of this state, as law enforcement officers with the powers provided under the Legislative Sergeant at Arms Police Powers Act (see MCL 4.381-4.382).
b) The Sergeant at Arms shall attend the Senate during its sessions and maintain order under the direction of the presiding officer. The Sergeant at Arms shall execute the commands of the presiding officer and of the Senate and all processes issued by authority thereof.
c) The Sergeant at Arms shall have general charge, and maintain order, in the Chamber, gallery, areas immediately outside the Chamber, and committee rooms of the Senate. The Sergeant at Arms shall see that all staff and visitors are seated when appropriate.
1.121 EXECUTIVE SESSION
On a motion made and carried that the Senate go into Executive Session, the presiding officer shall direct all persons, except Senators, the Secretary of the Senate, and personnel as authorized by the Senate, to withdraw. The vote of a majority of the Senators voting shall be required on a motion for Executive Session, except for Executive Sessions called under Senate Rule 2.104. During an Executive Session, the doors shall remain closed and every Senator, officer, and authorized personnel shall keep confidential all proceedings and matters enjoined by order of the Senate.
CHAPTER I - SECTION 2
MEMBER RESPONSIBILITIES
1.201 OATH OF OFFICE
The oath of office to Senators-elect shall be administered following the November general election up to and including the first day of regular session, or as soon thereafter as a Senator-elect may appear. The oath shall be administered by the Lieutenant Governor, a Justice of the Supreme Court, a Judge of the Court of Appeals, Senate President Pro Tempore, or the Secretary of the Senate (see Const. Art. 11, Sec. 1).
1.202 CONTESTED ELECTIONS
a) A petition for a recount shall be filed not later than 48 hours following the completion of the canvass of the votes cast at an election. A copy of the petition shall be given by the contestant to the Secretary of the Senate (see MCL 168.879). Notice of receipt of the petitions shall be announced by the Secretary of the Senate and printed in the Journal.
b) Each contestant requesting a recount
shall deposit with the Secretary of State, Bureau of Elections, the amount
provided by law for each precinct in which he or she has requested a recount
(see MCL 168.881).
b) Upon completion of a recount, the Board of State Canvassers shall forward a report of the results to the Secretary of the Senate, and the report shall be announced by the Secretary of the Senate and printed in the Journal (see MCL 168.879).
1.203 PROCEDURE FOR EXCLUSION
a) A Senator-elect shall not be given the oath of office or seated as a Senator if he or she has been convicted of subversion or has, within the preceding 20 years been convicted of a felony involving breach of the public trust (see Const. Art. 4, Sec. 7), or has within the preceding 20 years, been convicted of a felony involving dishonesty, deceit, fraud, or a breach of public trust and the conviction was related to the person’s official capacity while the person was holding any elective office or position of employment in local, state, or federal government (see Const. Art. 11, Sec. 8). Upon finding by a majority vote of the Senators elected and serving that a Senator-elect has committed an offense within the provisions of this rule, he or she shall be declared to be unqualified for membership in the Senate and his or her office declared vacant.
b) Questions arising from challenges to the elections or returns of Senators shall be decided by a vote of a majority of the Senators elected and serving. In cases of contested elections or returns, notice setting forth the grounds of the contest shall be given by the contestant to the Secretary of the Senate not later than January 7 following the general election, or not later than 20 days following the special election.
c) The Senate, with concurrence of
two-thirds of Senators elected and serving, may expel a member. The
reasons for such expulsion shall be printed in the Journal (see Const. Art. 4,
Sec. 16).
1.204 EXCUSED ABSENCE
The Senate may excuse any Senator from attendance for any stated period, and the excused absence shall be printed in the Journal. The Senate may revoke an excuse at any time.
1.205 SENATORS DEEMED PRESENT UNLESS EXCUSED
a) A Senator who answers an attendance roll call or who enters after an attendance roll call and reports his or her presence to the Secretary of the Senate shall be considered present thereafter unless an excused absence is granted.
b) A Senator may be recognized prior to the invocation and the attendance roll call only for the purpose of presenting a motion to adjourn. Should such a motion to adjourn prevail, there shall be no official invocation and attendance roll call for that day.
1.206 COMPENSATION FOR SENATORS
The compensation of Senators is determined by the State Officers Compensation Commission, as provided by law. Senators shall not collect from the Senator’s staff account any compensation, expense allowance, or mileage reimbursement.
1.207 FACILITIES FOR SENATORS
Each Senator shall be entitled to facilities, equipment, furnishings, and expenses that are necessary to fulfill the duties of office. The location of facilities and the sufficiency of equipment, furnishings, and expenses shall be determined through guidelines established by the Director of the Business Office, under the direction of the Senate Majority Leader.
1.208 EXPENSE REIMBURSEMENT
Expense reimbursement for travel, lodging, meals, registration fees, and related items shall be made in accordance with regulations established by the Director of the Business Office, under the direction of the Senate Majority Leader. The regulations shall set forth the guidelines for amounts, methods of payment, and time of payment for such items. When, in the judgment of the Senate Majority Leader, the regulations need revision, the Senate Majority Leader may direct the Director of the Business Office to make the revision upon a 15 day notice to all Senators. The regulations shall include the following:
a) Out-of-state expenses of a Senator, or Senate employee, shall not be paid by the Senate unless a written request has been approved by the Senate Majority Leader and filed with the Director of the Business Office prior to departure.
b) A travel request shall state the purpose of the trip, the relevance of the trip to legislative matters, and an estimate of the cost.
c) The Senator, or Senate employee, shall file a written and signed post-travel report with the Director of the Business Office not more than 20 calendar days after returning from travel. These reports shall be retained by the Director of the Business Office as required by applicable law and regulation. If a report is not filed within 20 calendar days after returning from travel, no expenses will be reimbursed by the Senate, and any Senate funds received in advance of departure shall be returned in full to the Senate Business Office. The post-travel report shall include a summary of the relevant legislative information, material pertinent thereto, and itemized expenditures.
d) An expenditure for travel by a Senator, or Senate employee, shall not be paid by the Senate unless that expenditure is itemized and documented with a receipt or other approved documentation.
e) Expenses for out-of-state travel by Senators shall be printed in the Journal on a quarterly basis.
f) A Senator, or an employee of a Senator, shall not incur out-of-state travel expenses after the Senator is defeated in a Senate primary or general election, or upon the failure of the Senator to file for election while serving the balance of his or her unexpired term, unless approved by the Senate Majority Leader.
1.209 MAILING
a) The mailing or printing at Senate expense of any personal or campaign material is prohibited.
b) A Senator, or committee of the Senate, shall not use state funds to mail 1,000 or more pieces of substantially similar material within 30 days before a primary or general election in which the Senator is a candidate. This rule does not apply if the mailing is a summary of a ballot proposal that is approved by the Senate Majority Leader.
c) The Senate shall not make payment for a mass mailing sent outside the district of the Senator making the mailing. In determining whether a violation of this rule has occurred, recognition shall be given to established mass mailing techniques.
d) The Director of the Business Office, under the direction of the Senate Majority Leader, shall develop and disseminate guidelines for printing and mass mailing.
e) The cost of pieces mailed by a Senator that were paid for with Senate funds shall be tabulated and recorded by the Director of the Business Office.
CHAPTER I – SECTION 3
LEGISLATIVE CONDUCT AND ETHICS
1.301 LEGISLATIVE CONDUCT
Each Senator shall conduct himself or
herself to justify the confidence placed in him or her by the people and shall,
by personal example and admonition to colleagues, maintain the integrity and
responsibility of his or her office.
1.302 ATTENDANCE AND VOTING
Every Senator is expected to vote on each roll call vote, unless absent or prohibited from voting by Rule 1.306. A Senator who misses a roll call vote may request that a vote intention be printed in the Senate Journal reflecting how he or she would have voted.
1.303 IMPROPER INFLUENCE
A Senator shall not accept anything that will influence his or her official act, decision, or vote.
1.304 CONFLICTING EMPLOYMENT
A Senator shall not allow any personal employment to impair his or her independence of judgment in the exercise of his or her official duties.
1.305 UNDUE INFLUENCE
A Senator shall not use his or her influence in any matter that involves substantial conflict between his or her personal interest and his or her duties in the public interest.
1.306 DISCLOSURE AND DISQUALIFICATION
A Senator having a personal, private, or professional interest in a bill or alternative measure, of which he or she has knowledge, shall not vote on the bill or alternative measure and shall disclose in writing his or her interest in the bill or alternative measure. A personal, private, or professional interest in a bill or alternative measure is an interest that would provide a benefit particular to a Senator or a benefit particular to any individual or entity to whom the Senator is financially or legally obligated or is personally related. The disclosure shall be filed with the Secretary of the Senate to be printed in the Journal immediately following the record of the vote on the bill or alternative measure. If a Senator votes on a bill or alternative measure that might appear at the time of the vote to provide a benefit particular to that Senator or a benefit particular to any individual or entity to whom the Senator is financially or legally obligated or is personally related, a Senator may submit a statement explaining his or her reasons for voting. The statement shall be printed in the Journal.
1.307 SEXUAL HARASSMENT
Sexual harassment is prohibited and will not be tolerated by the Senate. The Director of the Business Office shall establish a policy to implement this rule.
1.308 SENATE EMPLOYEES AND CONFLICTS
Senate employees, including those elected by the Senate or those employees specifically provided for by other Senate rules, shall be held accountable to the intent of Chapter I, Section 3 of these rules where applicable. The Director of the Business Office shall establish policies to implement this rule.
1.309 IMPROPER USE OF STAFF AND FACILITIES
a) A Senator shall not convert for personal, business, or
campaign use, unrelated to Senate business, any supplies, services, equipment,
facilities, or staff provided by the Senate or State of
Michigan. This includes, but is not limited to, telephones, facsimile
machines, computers, postage, and copy machines.
b) Personal business and incidental
campaign calls, when charged to the Senate or State of Michigan, constitute
improper use of Senate facilities.
c) Personal and business calls must be
charged to the caller’s residence telephone, personal credit card, special
billing number, or made from a cellular telephone or pay station. Individuals
making unreimbursed personal calls from Senate or State facilities shall be
subject to appropriate sanctions.
d) In situations where it is not
possible to utilize any of the methods outlined above to make a personal call,
or when other incidental expenses are incurred, the Senate’s operating
procedure shall allow reimbursement to the Senate or State of Michigan for such
calls and expenses.
1.310 ADVISORY OPINIONS
All questions relating to the interpretation and enforcement of Chapter I, Section 3 of these rules concerning legislative conduct and ethics shall be referred to the Committee on Government Operations. A Senator who has a question regarding legislative conduct and ethics may submit a factual situation to the Committee on Government Operations with a request for an advisory opinion establishing the standard of public duty. The Committee shall respond to each inquiry. All opinions issued by the committee shall, after a hearing, be numbered, dated, and printed in the Journal. No opinion shall identify the requesting Senator without his or her consent.
1.311 PENALTIES FOR VIOLATION
If a Senator is alleged to have violated
the provisions of Chapter I, Section 3 of these rules, the Committee on
Government Operations shall determine if the facts underlying the allegation
are sufficient to merit a hearing. If a hearing is held, the Senator charged
with a violation shall be given notice and an opportunity to appear at the
hearing and be represented by counsel. The determination and any disciplinary
action shall be made and taken only by a two-thirds vote of the Senators
elected and serving on recommendation of the Committee on Government
Operations. A Senator determined to have violated the provisions of the rules
regulating ethics and conduct may be reprimanded, censured, or expelled. Any
actions undertaken under this section shall be separate from any prosecutions
or penalties otherwise provided by law.
CHAPTER I – SECTION 4
SENATE EMPLOYEES
1.401 EMPLOYEES OF EACH SENATOR
a) All Senators may appoint necessary staff in accordance with Senate rules and subject to policies established by the Senate Majority Leader and administered by the Director of the Business Office. These employees shall be directly responsible to the Senator. A Senator shall not appoint any employee who is related within the first degree of consanguinity or direct affinity to any Senator elected or serving. A Senator shall not appoint any employee who is related within the second or third degree of consanguinity or direct affinity to any Senator elected or serving without permission of the Senate Majority Leader.
b) A person shall not begin employment nor receive any compensation until a Senator has provided the Senate Business Office with the necessary information about the employee. The Director of the Business Office shall establish policies to implement this rule.
c) A Senate employee shall not convert for personal, business, or campaign use, unrelated to Senate business, any supplies, services, equipment, facilities, or staff provided by the Senate or State of Michigan. This includes, but is not limited to, telephones, facsimile machines, computers, postage, and copy machines.
d) Personal business and incidental
campaign calls, when charged to the Senate or State of Michigan, constitute
improper use of Senate facilities.
e) Personal and business calls must be
charged to the caller’s residence telephone, personal credit card, special
billing number, or made from a cellular telephone or pay station. Individuals
making unreimbursed personal calls from Senate or State facilities shall be
subject to appropriate sanctions.
f) In situations where it is not
possible to utilize any of the methods outlined above to make a personal call,
or when other incidental expenses are incurred, the Senate’s
operating procedure shall allow reimbursement to the Senate or State of
Michigan for such calls and expenses.
1.402 COMMITTEE CLERKS
Clerks for standing committees shall
serve under the direction of the Secretary of the Senate. The person designated
as committee clerk must perform all duties established by the State
Constitution and Senate rules and must attend committee clerk training sessions
provided by the Secretary of the Senate. The Secretary of the Senate may
appoint additional committee personnel if needed as authorized by the Senate
Majority Leader. The Senate Majority Leader may authorize joint utilization of
personnel with the House of Representatives and may authorize the Senate to
share in the cost.
1.4023 EMPLOYEE APPOINTMENT
The Senate Majority Leader shall appoint employees as necessary for the work of the Senate. The Senate Majority Leader shall appoint minority staff employees from a list submitted by the Senate Minority Leader.
1.4034 EMPLOYEE COMPENSATION
a) Compensation for Senate employees shall be established by each Senator within the limits of the budget guidelines in accordance with Senate rules and subject to policies issued by the Director of the Business Office, under the direction of the Senate Majority Leader.
b) The Senate general fund shall provide benefit packages for the staff of each majority and minority Senator in accordance with policies established by the Senate Majority Leader and administered by the Director of the Business Office.
1.4045 EMPLOYEES AS CANDIDATES
Any Senate employee or any officer of the Senate who files a nominating petition, pays a fee for ballot access, files an affidavit of candidacy, or campaigns for the employee’s or officer’s election to a full-time office, shall resign, or, subject to approval of the Senate Majority Leader, be placed on an unpaid leave of absence. This rule shall not be construed as having any application to the Lieutenant Governor or any Senator.
1.4056 EMPLOYMENT ACTIONS AT WILL OF THE MAJORITY
LEADER
Except as otherwise provided in these rules, the Senate Majority Leader, or the Senate Majority Leader’s designee, shall appoint all employees of the Senate. Unless otherwise provided by law, the compensation for all employees and officers of the Senate shall be fixed by the Senate Majority Leader, or the Senate Majority Leader’s designee. All employees of the Senate shall maintain a status as non-tenured, at-will employees. All employees of the Senate work at the pleasure of the Senate Majority Leader, or the Senate Majority Leader’s designee, shall be subject to the Senate Majority Leader’s, or the Senate Majority Leader’s designee’s, orders, and may be transferred to a different position, demoted, suspended, or summarily removed by the Senate Majority Leader, or the Senate Majority Leader’s designee.
CHAPTER II – SECTION 1
COMMITTEE ORGANIZATION
2.101 AUTHORIZATION FOR STANDING COMMITTEES
a) Permanent standing committees and
commissions of or appointed by the Senate, when created by rule of the Senate,
shall exist and function both during and between sessions (see MCL 4.221).
Permanent standing committees and commissions of or appointed by the Senate may
by resolution perform and exercise such powers and authority in the interim
between sessions as shall be delegated to such committees or commissions in the
resolutions.
b) The Senate Majority Leader may, from time to time, establish subcommittees of permanent standing committees of the Senate. Such subcommittees shall include at least one majority party member and one minority party member who are members of that standing committee and shall have at least one more majority party member than minority party member.
2.102 POWERS AND RESPONSIBILITIES OF COMMITTEES
a) Any Senator, while acting as a member of a committee, shall have authority to administer oaths to such persons as shall be examined before the committee of which he or she is a member (see MCL 4.85).
b) Any committee may, by resolution of the Senate, be authorized to administer oaths, issue subpoenas, and examine books, records, and files (see MCL 4.101 and MCL 4.541).
c) Any witness, or attorney representing a witness, may be punished for contempt by the Legislature (see MCL 4.82 and 4.101), under either of the following circumstances:
1) During a committee investigation and pursuant to a committee subpoena, he or she:
A) Refuses to be sworn or testify,
B) Fails on demand to produce any papers, books, or documents regarding any matter under investigation, or
C) Otherwise neglects or refuses to obey the committee subpoena.
2) He or she is guilty of deliberately interfering with the duties and powers of the Legislature while in attendance at a committee hearing.
d) Contempt of the Legislature shall be punishable as provided by law (see MCL 4.82 and 4.83).
2.103 STANDING COMMITTEES
The standing committees of the Senate shall be:
Advice and Consent (4 members)
Agriculture (5 members)
Appropriations (18 19
members)
Civil Rights, Judiciary, and Public Safety (7 members)
Economic and Small Business Community
Development (9 10 members)
Education and Career Readiness (6
7 members)
Elections and Ethics (4 8
members)
Energy and Technology Environment
(12 14 members)
Environmental Quality (7 members)
Families, Seniors, and Veterans (7
members)
Finance, Insurance, and Consumer
Protection (7 8 members)
Government Operations (5 members)
Health Policy and Human Services
(10 members)
Housing and Human Services (11 members)
Insurance and Banking (9 members)
Judiciary and Public Safety (7 members)
Labor (4 members)
Local Government (5 7
members)
Natural Resources and Agriculture (5
7 members)
Oversight (4 6 members)
Regulatory Reform Affairs (9 10 members)
Transportation and Infrastructure (9
11 members)
Veterans and Emergency Services (4 members)
Statutory standing committees:
Administrative Rules (5 members) (see MCL 24.235)
Legislative Council (6 members and 3 alternates) (see MCL 4.1103)
Legislative Retirement Board of Trustees (2 members) (see MCL 38.1026)
Library of Michigan Board of Trustees (1
2 members) (see MCL 397.14)
Michigan Commission on Uniform State Laws (2 members) (see MCL 4.1301)
Michigan Council on Future Mobility (2 members) (see MCL 257.665)
Michigan Law Revision Commission (2 members) (see MCL 4.1401)
Senate Fiscal Agency Board of Governors (5 members) (see MCL 4.1501)
2.104 COMMITTEE ON ADVICE AND CONSENT GOVERNMENT
OPERATIONS
a) Except as otherwise provided by Senate rule, all executive business shall be referred to the Committee on Government Operations.
b) Executive orders issued by the
Governor, except those dealing with matters of appropriations or expenditure
reductions, shall be referred to the Committee on Government Operations. Any
executive order dealing with matters of executive reorganization may be
disapproved by a resolution concurred in by a majority of members elected to
and serving in each house within 60 calendar days after receipt at a regular
session, or a full regular session if of shorter duration. Unless disapproved
within that time, the executive order shall become effective at a date
thereafter to be designated by the Governor (see Const. Art. 5, Sec. 2).
c) Executive orders dealing with matters of appropriations or expenditure reductions shall be referred to the Committee on Appropriations (see MCL 18.1391).
d) The Committee on Oversight shall
receive for review all reports issued by the Auditor General. Upon written
notice to the Secretary of the Senate, the chairperson of the Committee on
Oversight (or a vote by committee if you prefer) may request a Senate standing
committee to hold hearings and make written recommendations to the Committee on
Oversight on any audit report referred to the Committee on Oversight. The
Senate standing committee may adopt by a committee vote a recommendation to the
Committee on Oversight.
e) Upon written notice to the Secretary of the Senate, the chairperson of the Committee on Government Operations may request a Senate standing committee to hold hearings and make written recommendations to the Committee on Government Operations on any executive business referred to the Committee on Government Operations. The Senate standing committee may adopt by a committee vote a recommendation to the Committee on Government Operations.
af) All appointments to office
submitted by the Governor to the Senate shall be referred to the Committee on Advice
and Consent Government Operations. Effective upon written
notification to the Secretary of the Senate, the chairperson of the Committee
on Advice and Consent Government Operations may request a Senate
standing committee to hold hearings and make written recommendations to the
Committee on Advice and Consent Government Operations on a gubernatorial
appointment. The Senate standing committee may adopt by committee vote a
recommendation to the Committee on Advice and Consent Government
Operations.
1) No appointment shall be voted upon until it has been printed in the Journal.
2) On all appointments to office reported
favorably or without recommendation by the Committee on Advice and Consent
Government Operations, the question before the Senate shall be on
advising and consenting to the appointment. On all appointments reported unfavorably,
the question shall be on the disapproval of the appointment.
3) The vote of a majority of the Senators elected and serving by record roll call vote shall be required to approve or disapprove any appointment to office submitted by the Governor. Any appointments considered by the Senate shall be in open session, unless a majority of the Senators elected and serving shall vote in favor of an Executive Session.
4) Any appointment not disapproved within 60 session days after receipt shall stand confirmed (see Const. Art. 5, sec. 6).
bg) If an appointment is made at
a time when the 60 days would lapse during an extended recess of the Senate,
the Senate Majority Leader may schedule a session of the Senate for the sole
purpose of carrying out the Senate’s constitutional duties to advise and consent on
gubernatorial appointments. The Senate Majority Leader shall notify the
Secretary of the Senate at least 10 calendar days prior to the date of the
scheduled session. The Secretary of the Senate shall take all reasonable steps
to notify the members of the Senate of the scheduled session.
2.105 COMMITTEE ON GOVERNMENT OPERATIONS
2.1056 COMMITTEE CHAIRPERSONS AND TEMPORARY
MEMBERS
a) The first named member of any committee shall be the chairperson, the second named member shall be the majority vice chairperson, and the remaining members of the committee shall rank in the order in which they are named. The first named member of the minority party shall be the minority vice chairperson. In the temporary absence of the chairperson and majority vice chairperson, the highest ranking member in attendance shall act as chairperson.
b) In the apparent prolonged absence of a member of a committee, the Senate Majority Leader shall fill the vacancy by appointing a committee member who shall serve until the absent Senator returns. A temporary committee member shall not be appointed chairperson of the committee by the Senate Majority Leader.
2.1067 CALLING OF A COMMITTEE
It shall be the duty of any committee to meet at the call of the chairperson, or on the written request of a majority of the members of the committee. The call or request must contain the date, time, and place of the meeting. No committee of any status shall sit during a session of the Senate, except during recess, unless leave is granted by the Senate. No committee shall use the Senate Chamber for a meeting during any regular or special session of the Legislature.
2.1078 NOTICE OF MEETINGS
a) A committee may hold a meeting on any bill, resolution, joint resolution, or alternative measure referred to the committee and on any issue relevant to the subject matter of the committee. Notice of the meeting, including the subject, date, time, and place, shall be given in writing to the Secretary of the Senate who shall print it in the Journal and on the Senate calendar and post it where appropriate (see Const. Art. 4, Sec. 17). Oral announcement regarding a meeting may be given to the Senate during a session by the chairperson, or a member of the committee holding the meeting.
b) Notice of all committee meetings shall
comply with the Michigan Open Meetings Act (see MCL 15.261‑15.275).
2.1089 COMMITTEE STAFFING
In addition to staff as provided in
Rule 1.402, Clerks for standing
committees shall serve under the direction of the Secretary of the Senate. The
committee clerk must perform all duties established by the State Constitution
and Senate rules and must attend committee clerk training sessions provided by the
Secretary of the Senate. The Secretary of the Senate may appoint additional
committee personnel as authorized by the Senate Majority Leader. The Senate
Majority Leader may authorize joint utilization of personnel with the House of
Representatives and may authorize the Senate to share in the cost.
2.10910 COMMITTEE EXPENSES
No committee may receive reimbursement for expenses unless authorized by the Senate Majority Leader. A report of committee expenses, prepared by the chairperson and the Director of the Business Office from the documents on file in the Senate Business Office and approved by the chairperson, shall be filed quarterly with the Director of the Business Office. The report shall include the date, payee, amount, and purpose of the expenditure. The Director of the Business Office shall notify the Secretary of the Senate, for printing in the Journal, that the expense report is on file and open for public inspection.
CHAPTER II – SECTION 2
COMMITTEE PROCEDURE
2.201 COMMITTEE QUORUM
A quorum of a committee is a majority of the committee. The affirmative vote of a majority of the committee members serving is required to adopt an amendment or substitute to a bill, resolution, joint resolution, or alternative measure and to report any matter to the Senate. A member must be present at the time a roll call is taken for his or her vote to count toward the required majority concurrence.
2.202 COMMITTEE RECORDS
a) Each committee clerk shall keep a record of the assigned committee proceedings, including the date and time of each meeting, the committee members present and absent, and all action on bills, resolutions, joint resolutions, and alternative measures in the committee with the names and votes of members (see Const. Art. 4, Sec. 17). A member of the committee wishing to explain his or her vote may file a written explanation with the clerk of the committee within two legislative days after the vote is taken, which explanation shall be attached to the minutes. All minutes shall be available for public inspection during reasonable business hours. The committee record of its proceedings shall be transmitted biennially to the Secretary of the Senate within 30 days of the final adjournment of the Legislature. The Secretary of the Senate shall be responsible for the storage of the committee minutes and records of its proceedings, which shall be available for public inspection upon request to the Secretary of the Senate.
b) The committee clerk of each committee
shall keep the committee files, recordings, tapes, records,
memoranda, or written documents in storage cabinets separate from his or her
other records according to the guidelines issued by the Secretary of the
Senate.
2.203 COMMITTEE REPORTS
a) All committees shall file a report of their activities following each meeting. All reports shall be submitted on a form prescribed and furnished by the Secretary of the Senate. The reports shall include the date, time, and place of the committee meeting, the members in attendance, the vote of each committee member on any bill, resolution, joint resolution, alternative measure, or other business, and the committee’s recommendation on immediate effect for any bill and shall be submitted to the Secretary of the Senate. The committee recommendation for immediate effect shall be considered on House bills at the time of Senate passage and on Senate bills upon their return from the House unless the Senate has previously given the bill immediate effect. All committees shall submit an attendance report to the Secretary of the Senate within two Senate legislative days of the committee meeting. The Secretary of the Senate shall print all committee reports and attendance reports in the Journal.
b) Except for a committee report recommending a substitute, any bill, resolution, joint resolution, alternative measure, or other business reported out of any committee shall be filed with the Secretary of the Senate as soon as possible and not later than 4:00 p.m. on the next calendar day (excluding weekends and holidays). A committee report recommending a substitute shall be filed not later than 4:00 p.m. on the second calendar day (excluding weekends and holidays). The Secretary of the Senate shall have the authority to retrieve any report not filed by these deadlines.
c) If a bill, resolution, joint resolution, alternative measure, or other business is reported to the Senate with a recommendation that it be referred to a second committee, the reported bill, joint resolution, alternative measure, or other business, and any amendments, shall be referred to that committee in accordance with Senate Rule 3.106.
d) All business not reported by a committee shall be archived in accordance with the Secretary of the Senate guidelines at the conclusion of each biennium.
2.204 ITEMS REPORTED WITHOUT RECOMMENDATION
All items reported without recommendation,
with or without amendments, by any committee shall lie on the table unless
otherwise ordered by the Senate. To take from the table any item placed on the
table in this manner shall require the vote of a majority of the Senators
elected and serving.
2.205 MANUAL OF COMMITTEE PROCEDURE
The rules of parliamentary law and practice in the most recent edition of Mason’s “Manual of Legislative Procedure” shall govern committee procedure in all cases except when those rules are inconsistent with the standing rules and published precedents of the Senate and its committees.
2.206 COMMITTEE TELEVISING, WEBCASTING, AND CONDUCT
a) The Senate may tape record,
televise live, or webcast Senate committee meetings.
b) No person shall engage in any conduct during a Senate committee meeting that undermines the decorum of the meeting. All individual electronic devices during a committee meeting shall be turned off or left on non-audible alert.
CHAPTER III – SECTION 1
ORDER OF BUSINESS
3.101 TIME OF SESSION
The Senate shall convene at 10:00 a.m. Tuesday through Thursday except on state holidays, unless otherwise ordered by the Senate.
3.102 ORDER OF BUSINESS
Unless otherwise ordered by the Senate, the order of business of the Senate shall be as follows:
1. Call to Order
2. Invocation
3. Pledge of Allegiance
4. Attendance Roll Call
5. Motions and Communications
6. Messages from the Governor
7. Messages from the House
8. Conference Reports
9. Third Reading of Bills
10. General Orders
11. Resolutions
12. Introduction and Referral of Bills
13. Statements
14. Adjournment
3.103 CHANGE OF ORDER OF BUSINESS
The Senate may change, bypass, or return to any order of business at any time by the consent of a majority of those voting.
3.104 QUORUM OF THE SENATE
a) A majority of Senators elected and serving shall constitute a quorum (see Const. Art. 4, Sec. 14).
b) Routine business on which no vote of the Senate is required may be disposed of on any day, with or without a quorum present, and proper entries shall be printed in the Journal. For purposes of this rule, “routine business” includes referral of appointments to office submitted by the Governor, referral of executive business not including veto messages, introduction and referral of bills, and announcement of enrollment printing.
c) In the absence of a quorum, a motion is in order to order a Call of the Senate, recess, or adjourn.
3.105 COMMUNICATIONS TO THE SENATE
The Secretary of the Senate shall compile official communications received by the Senate and shall make them available to all Senators. The presiding officer shall refer all communications that are informational only to the Secretary of the Senate for printing in the Journal.
3.106 COMMITTEE REPORTS ON THE CALENDAR
a) All committee reports in the possession of the Secretary of the Senate shall be placed on the Senate calendar under the heading of Committee Reports. The Senate calendar shall be closed for printing at 4:00 p.m. on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday. If a Senate committee is scheduled to meet on a Friday, Saturday, or Sunday, the Senate calendar for a Tuesday session shall be closed for printing at 9:30 a.m. on Monday; however if Monday is a state holiday, the committee report may be placed on the next Senate calendar following the 4:00 p.m. deadline on Tuesday.
b) A Senator may object to a committee report on the basis of its sufficiency or proper authorization. The presiding officer shall place the objection before the Senate for its decision.
c) All committee reports shall be laid over one day. After one session day a committee report shall be considered accepted and the item shall be referred as appropriate.
3.107 RESOLUTION CONSENT CALENDAR
a) The Senate Majority Floor Leader and
the Senate Minority Floor Leader, or their member designees, shall jointly
compile a list known as the resolution consent calendar. It shall consist of
Senate resolutions, Senate concurrent resolutions, and House concurrent
resolutions that do not require committee referral and consideration, the
adoption of which may be accomplished by a majority of Senators voting.
Resolutions that are subject to the voting requirements of Senate Rule 3.501,
or governed by a voting requirement in statute, shall not be placed on the
resolution consent calendar.
b) Matters on the resolution consent
calendar shall be disposed of in a single vote. Before stating the question of
adoption of the consent calendar, the presiding officer shall ask if there are
objections. The objection of any Senator to the placement of one or more items
on the resolution consent calendar shall result in the removal of the stated
item or items from that calendar. Any items removed from the resolution consent
calendar may be considered under the order of Resolutions.
CHAPTER III – SECTION 2
INTRODUCTION OF BILLS
3.201 FIVE DAYS’ POSSESSION
No bill shall be passed or become law, and no alternative measure shall be adopted, at any regular session of the Legislature until it has been printed or reproduced and in possession of the Senate for at least five days (see Const. Art. 4, Sec. 26).
3.202 BILLS, RESOLUTIONS, AND ALTERNATIVE MEASURES AMENDED BY THE HOUSE
All bills, joint resolutions, concurrent resolutions, and alternative measures returned by the House with amendments shall be laid over one day. Consideration of bills, joint resolutions, and alternative measures shall be resumed the following day under the same order of business. Consideration of concurrent resolutions shall be resumed the following day under the order of Resolutions.
3.203 REFERRAL OF BILLS, JOINT RESOLUTIONS, AND ALTERNATIVE MEASURES
a) The Senate Majority Leader shall refer all bills, joint resolutions, and alternative measures to a standing committee no later than one Senate legislative day after being submitted to the Secretary of the Senate. The presiding officer shall announce the referral of all bills, joint resolutions, and alternative measures.
b) A bill introduced pursuant to the timely filing of a notice of objection by the Joint Committee on Administrative Rules to a proposed administrative rule shall be read twice and placed on the Senate calendar under the order of business of General Orders (see MCL 24.245a).
c) The Senate Majority Leader may change the original referral of a bill, resolution, joint resolution or alternative measure by oral notice to the Senate or written communication submitted to the Secretary of the Senate before the end of session on the next Senate legislative day following the day of the original referral. Notices of the written communication shall be announced by the Secretary of the Senate during session and both oral and written notifications shall be printed in the Journal.
d) It shall be in order at any time before the final passage of any bill or the adoption of any joint resolution or alternative measure to move its commitment or recommitment to committee.
e) The vote of a majority of the Senators elected and serving shall be required to discharge a committee from further consideration of any item referred to that committee.
3.204 RESOLUTIONS
a) All resolutions to be introduced shall be submitted to the Secretary of the Senate, accompanied by three true copies. Only a currently serving Senator may sign a resolution for introduction. Except as otherwise provided by Senate rule, resolutions shall be read once by title to the Senate and referred to the Committee on Government Operations. Once submitted to the Secretary of the Senate, resolutions become the property of the Senate and shall remain in the possession of the Secretary of the Senate. Concurrent resolutions shall be transmitted to the House on adoption.
b) Once a resolution is submitted to the Secretary of the Senate, the President of the Senate and any Senator wishing to co-sponsor the resolution shall complete a form provided by the Secretary of the Senate. While a resolution is in possession of the Senate, the President or a Senator may request that, for purposes of co‑sponsorship, their name be removed or added to the resolution with a letter or request (see 3.507a). After adoption of a Senate resolution, the presiding officer may, upon a proper motion, open the voting board to allow Senators to add their names as co-sponsors.
c) After a Senate concurrent resolution has been adopted by both houses and is returned to the Senate, the Secretary of the Senate is authorized to order the printing of the concurrent resolution unless amended by the House or otherwise directed by the Senate.
3.205 PRINTING
All bills, joint resolutions, and alternative measures shall be printed or reproduced after introduction unless otherwise ordered by the Senate. No bill, joint resolution, or alternative measure shall be reported from a standing committee until it has been printed or reproduced.
3.206 TITLE OF BILLS AND ALTERNATIVE MEASURES
The title of a bill or alternative measure shall include (a) the object of the bill or alternative measure and (b) a reference to the act, sections, and compilation numbers when amending any act that has been compiled.
3.207 THREE SEPARATE READINGS
Every bill, joint resolution, and alternative measure shall receive three separate readings prior to final passage or adoption. The presiding officer shall announce the first, second, and third reading of the bill, joint resolution, or alternative measure. The first and second readings may be by title only. The third reading of a bill, joint resolution, or alternative measure shall be in full unless otherwise ordered unanimously by the Senate. The third reading of a bill, joint resolution, or alternative measure shall be on a day subsequent to that on which it is read a second time or is reported by the Committee of the Whole (see Const. Art. 4, Sec. 26).
3.208 INITIATIVE PETITIONS
a) The Secretary of the Senate shall stamp all initiative petitions received by it from the Secretary of State to verify the date and time of receipt by the Secretary of the Senate. The Secretary of the Senate shall deliver the initiative petition to the Senate Majority Leader to be available for referral to committee on the next Senate legislative day (see Const. Art. 2, Sec. 9).
b) Each initiative petition, when introduced, shall be read a first and second time by title and referred to committee. When reported out of committee, each initiative petition shall be placed on the order of Third Reading of Bills.
c) Any law proposed by initiative petition shall be either enacted or rejected by the Legislature without change or amendment within 40 calendar days from the time such petition is received in the office of the Secretary of the Senate (see Const. Art. 2, Sec. 9).
d) If the Senate rejects a law proposed by initiative petition, the Senate may propose a different (“alternative”) measure upon the same subject. An alternative measure shall be labeled “Alternative Measure No. ___ to a law proposed by initiative petition”. An alternative measure shall not be considered for a second reading unless a law proposed by initiative petition has been rejected by a house. An alternative measure shall require a majority vote of Senators elected and serving for adoption, and the vote shall be by record roll call. If the alternative measure is adopted by both Houses of the Legislature, both measures shall be submitted to the electors for approval or rejection at the next general election (see Const. Art. 2, Sec. 9).
CHAPTER III – SECTION 3
MOTIONS
3.301 RECOGNITION
The presiding officer shall recognize Senators to speak in the order in which they request to speak, except when a Senator seeks recognition to introduce guests or to raise a point of order. A Senator, when recognized, shall address the presiding officer, standing at the microphone nearest to his or her desk.
3.302 PRECEDENCE OF MOTIONS
The following motions shall take precedence in the order listed:
1. To fix the time to which to adjourn
2. To adjourn
3. To take a recess
4. To lay on the table
5. For the previous question
6. To postpone to a day certain
7. To commit or recommit to committee
8. To amend
9. To postpone indefinitely
3.303 MOTION IN WRITING
The presiding officer shall allow for debate on any debatable motion currently before the Senate. A motion shall be reduced to writing on the demand of the presiding officer or on the request of any Senator. The written motion shall be presented to the Secretary of the Senate and read before it is debated.
3.304 MOTION WITHDRAWAL
Any motion may be withdrawn by the movant before it is amended or adopted.
3.305 NONDEBATABLE MOTIONS
a) A motion to adjourn, to recess, to reconsider, to lay on the table, for the previous question, to suspend the rules, and all questions relating to the priority of business shall be decided without debate.
b) A nondebatable motion is not in order if the movant speaks immediately before offering the motion, except a member may explain an amendment and then move to withdraw it from consideration.
3.306 CONSIDERATION FOLLOWING A RECESS
When a recess is taken during the pendency of any question, the consideration of the question shall be resumed on the reassembling of the Senate.
3.307 MOTION TO LAY ON THE TABLE
A motion to lay on the table shall carry
with it all pending subsidiary questions except in the case of laying an appeal
or a motion to reconsider on the table. A motion taken from the table shall be
divested of all subsidiary motions except motions to amend. The vote of a
majority of the Senators elected and serving shall be required for a motion to
remove any item from the table. Items laid on the table must first be removed
from the table before they are eligible for further consideration by the
Senate.
3.308 MOVE THE PREVIOUS QUESTION
a) Any Senator may move the previous question. The previous question shall be ordered by a majority of the Senators voting. The motion for the previous question may be limited by the movant to one or more of the questions preceding the main question. The effect of ordering the previous question shall be to close debate instantly, bringing the Senate to an immediate vote on the pending question or questions in their regular order. If the previous question is ordered on the third reading of a bill, joint resolution, or alternative measure, only amendments to the bill, joint resolution, or alternative measure that have been filed with the Secretary of the Senate prior to the motion calling for the previous question shall be considered, but the amendments shall not be debated. The yeas and nays may be demanded on any vote taken while the previous question is in effect
b) A motion to reconsider is in order under operation of the previous question before voting is completed on all pending items affected by the previous question.
c) A motion for a Call of the Senate shall not be in order after the previous question has been ordered. No Senator shall dissent orally by making a statement of protest while the previous question is in effect. The previous question having been ordered, any question of order or appeal from the decision of the presiding officer shall be decided without debate.
3.309 MOTION TO DIVIDE
Any Senator may call for a division of the question. If supported by a majority of the Senators voting, the question shall be divided providing it contains propositions sufficiently distinct in substance that, if one is taken away, a substantive proposition remains for the decision of the Senate.
3.310 MOTION TO STRIKE OUT AND INSERT
A motion to amend by striking out and inserting other words shall be indivisible. However, the words proposed to be struck out or inserted may be amended.
3.311 MOTION TO RECONSIDER
a) No motion for the reconsideration of any vote shall be in order unless:
1) The subject matter on which the vote was taken is in the possession of the Senate, and
2) It is made on the same day the vote is taken or within the next two Senate legislative days.
b) The same question shall not be reconsidered more than once.
c) The vote of a majority of the Senators elected and serving shall be required to reconsider the vote by which any bill, joint resolution, or alternative measure was passed or adopted (or failed to pass or be adopted) or the vote by which an amendment or substitute (but not an amendment to an amendment or a substitute) was adopted or defeated on Third Reading by the Senate.
d) A motion to reconsider may be laid on the table. The tabling of a motion to reconsider the vote by which any bill, joint resolution, or alternative measure failed to pass or be adopted by the Senate shall require the vote of a majority of the Senators elected and serving and shall postpone indefinitely the consideration of the bill, joint resolution, or alternative measure.
e) Tabling of a motion to reconsider shall not carry with it the original question but shall be a refusal to reconsider. It shall not be in order to take from the table a motion to reconsider, nor shall the vote whereby any motion to reconsider was laid on the table be reconsidered.
3.312 INDEFINITE POSTPONEMENT
To postpone indefinitely further consideration of any bill, resolution, joint resolution, alternative measure, or other matter shall require the vote of a majority of the Senators elected and serving, and the vote on such a motion shall not be reconsidered.
3.313 MOTION FOR CALL OF THE SENATE
A Call of the Senate during session shall be ordered by a majority of the Senators voting whether a quorum or not, but the total vote in favor of a Call of the Senate shall not be less than one-fifth of the Senators elected and serving. After a Call of the Senate is ordered, the doors shall be closed and the Senators shall not be permitted to leave the Senate floor without permission of the Senate. The attendance roll call of the Senate shall be taken by the Secretary of the Senate and the absentees noted. The Sergeant at Arms, or persons duly empowered by a majority of the Senators voting, may be dispatched and may arrest any or all of the Senators absent without leave. While a Call of the Senate is in effect, only staff permitted by the Senate Majority Leader are allowed on the Senate floor; provided, however, the chief of staff, legal counsel, and legislative director for the Senate Majority Leader and the Senate Minority Leader and one staff person for each of the Majority and Minority Floor Leaders may remain on the Senate floor while a Call of the Senate is in effect.
CHAPTER III – SECTION 4
AMENDMENTS
3.401 TWO READINGS BEFORE AMENDMENT
No bill, joint resolution, or alternative
measure shall be amended until it has been read twice.
3.402 AMENDMENTS ON THIRD READING
a) The vote of a majority of the Senators elected and serving shall be required to adopt any amendment on Third Reading.
b) If a series of amendments is offered to a bill, joint resolution, or alternative measure and it becomes obvious the amendments are being used as a basis of obstruction, a motion may be made that the amendments be declared obstructive and the motion shall not be debatable. If the motion prevails, the amendments shall be read en bloc and a single vote shall be taken immediately on all of the amendments, and no division of the question shall be allowed.
3.403 PRINTING OF AMENDMENTS IN THE JOURNAL
a) No bill, joint resolution, or alternative measure that has been reported with amendment or amendments by any committee shall be considered in the Committee of the Whole until the amendment or amendments have been printed in the Journal. No bill, joint resolution, or alternative measure amended in the Committee of the Whole shall be considered on the order of Third Reading of Bills until all amendments made in the Committee of the Whole have been printed in the Journal.
b) All amendments shall be submitted in writing and with six copies and all substitutes shall be submitted with six copies.
CHAPTER III – SECTION 5
VOTING PROCEDURE
3.501 ACTIONS REQUIRING AN EXTRAORDINARY MAJORITY
Action by the Senate on the following matters shall require a vote of two-thirds of the Senators elected and serving except as otherwise noted:
a) Amendment or Repeal of Initiated Law, three-fourths of the Senators elected and serving (Const. Art. 2, Sec. 9)
b) Expulsion of Member (Const. Art. 4, Sec. 16)
c) Immediate Effect (Const. Art. 4, Sec. 27)
d) Local or Special Act (Const. Art. 4, Sec. 29)
e) Private or Local Purpose Appropriation (Const. Art. 4, Sec. 30)
f) Overriding Veto (Const. Art. 4, Sec. 33)
g) Bank and Trust Company Law (Const. Art. 4, Sec. 43)
h) Courts of Limited Jurisdiction (Const. Art. 6, Sec. 1)
i) Removal of Judge (Const. Art. 6, Sec. 25)
j) State Borrowing (Const. Art. 9, Sec. 15)
k) State Land Reserve Designation (Const. Art. 10, Sec. 5)
l) Rejection or Reduction of Civil Service Pay Increases (Const. Art. 11, Sec. 5)
m) Amendments to Michigan Constitution (Const. Art. 12, Sec. 1)
n) Mackinac Bridge Bonds Refunding (Const. Schedule, Sec. 14)
o) Amendments to increase the February 1, 1994 statutory limits on the maximum amount of ad valorem property taxes that may be levied for school district operating purposes, three-fourths of the Senators elected and serving (Const. Art. 9, Sec. 3)
3.502 MAJORITY VOTE ON QUESTIONS SHORT OF THE FINAL QUESTION
When a bill, joint resolution, or alternative measure requires, pursuant to the Constitution, the concurrence of more than a majority of the Senators elected and serving, the concurrence of such majority shall not be requisite to decide any question for amendment or relating to the merits, being short of the final question, except on the question of the adoption of a conference report, concurring in House amendments, or receding from Senate amendments to any such bill, joint resolution, or alternative measure returned from the House to the Senate for final action.
3.503 FINAL PASSAGE BY REQUIRED VOTE
a) The vote on the final passage of any bill or the adoption of any joint resolution or alternative measure, including a joint resolution ratifying a proposed amendment to the federal Constitution, shall be taken by a record roll call vote, which shall be printed in the Journal (see Const. Art. 4, Sec. 26).
b) When any bill, joint resolution, or alternative measure receives the constitutionally required assent, that fact shall be certified on the bill, joint resolution, or alternative measure by the Secretary of the Senate.
c) When a bill is given immediate effect by a two-thirds vote of the Senators elected and serving, that action remains in effect as the bill proceeds through the legislative process, unless the vote for immediate effect is reconsidered and defeated.
3.504 DEMAND FOR RECORDED VOTE
The record of the votes and names of the
Senators voting on any question shall be printed in the Journal at the request
of one-fifth of the Senators present (see Const. Art. 4, Sec. 18), except
during the Committee of the Whole.
3.505 VOTING
a) After a question is presented to the Senate by the presiding officer, and after the time for debate, no motion shall be in order and no Senator shall be entitled to speak until the vote is finished and the result declared.
b) The electronic voting system shall be used, if operational, to determine the question before the body when the vote is taken by roll call or by division and shall display the votes of each Senator. At the direction of the presiding officer, the Secretary of the Senate shall immediately activate the electronic voting system for one minute for a roll call vote, after which the vote shall be closed and no further votes shall be entered in the record. If all Senators present have voted before one minute has elapsed, the presiding officer may ask Senators if there is objection to closing the vote. If no Senator objects, the presiding officer shall instruct the Secretary of the Senate to close the board immediately and record the vote.
c) The presiding officer may close a division vote at his or her discretion when it appears that all members present have had a reasonable opportunity to vote.
d) If the electronic voting system is not operational, the presiding officer shall direct the Secretary of the Senate to conduct a roll call or a division vote orally and to announce the results and record the roll call.
e) A Senator shall not vote for another Senator. A person who is not a Senator shall not vote for any Senator. In addition to penalties prescribed by law, any Senator may be punished as the Senate may determine for voting for another Senator. If a person who is not a Senator votes or attempts to vote, he or she, in addition to penalties prescribed by law, shall be barred from the Senate floor for the remainder of the day’s session and may receive further punishment in the discretion of the Senate Majority Leader.
3.506 A SENATOR’S RIGHT TO DISSENT
a) A Senator may dissent from or protest against any act, proceeding, or resolution that he or she believes is injurious to any person or the public, and have the reason for his or her dissent printed in the Journal upon request (see Const. Art. 4, Sec. 18).
b) A Senator may dissent orally by making a statement of protest, unless the previous question is in effect, which shall not be limited in length, or by moving that a statement made personally during session on any order of business (other than during the Committee of the Whole) be his or her protest. A Senator may also dissent by concurring with another Senator’s protest or statement previously moved to be printed in the Journal during that day’s session. Dissent statements not made during the debate preceding or immediately following the vote from which a Senator is dissenting shall be made under the order of Statements.
c) A Senator may submit a dissent in writing to be printed in the Journal if:
1) He or she gives oral notice during session of an intent to file a written protest,
2) On that day or prior to the end of session on the next Senate legislative day, a signed copy of the written protest is placed on each Senator’s desk and filed with the Secretary of the Senate, and
3) No objections are raised and sustained by the end of session on the first Senate legislative day following the day oral notice was given.
d) The Secretary of the Senate may refuse to print statements containing insulting and contemptuous matter under the guise of a protest and material that would violate copyright law.
e) No statement of any Senator shall be printed in the Journal unless moved by that Senator.
3.507 ANNOUNCEMENTS AND STATEMENTS
a) Announcements may be made during any order of business. Announcements are remarks concerning the session schedule, committee meetings, introduction of guests, congratulations, condolences or illness, requests to co-sponsor bills, resolutions, and alternative measures, requests to be removed as a sponsor or co-sponsor of bills, resolutions, and alternative measures, past vote intentions, or intentions of introducing legislation or resolutions. Announcements also include memorial remarks concerning the passing of individuals and may be made during any order of business except General Orders.
b) Statements on topics, issues, and items not properly before the Senate shall be made during the order of business of Statements. Dissent statements may be made under the order of business of Statements.
c) A Senator is limited to one statement each day under the order of business of Statements, except for dissent statements, which are unlimited in number.
d) Each statement shall be limited to five minutes, except an oral dissent statement made on the order of Statements shall not be limited in length.
e) With the leave of the Senate, the President of the Senate may request that a statement made by the President be printed in the Journal.
CHAPTER III – SECTION 6
APPROPRIATION BILLS
3.601 GENERAL APPROPRIATION BILLS
The general appropriation bills for the
succeeding fiscal year covering items set forth in the budget shall be passed
or defeated in the Senate before the Senate passes any appropriation bill for
items not in the budget, except bills supplementing appropriations for the
current fiscal year’s operation (see Const. Art. 4, Sec. 31).
3.602 BILLS REQUIRING APPROPRIATIONS
Any bill containing an appropriation to carry out its purpose shall be considered an appropriation bill (see Const. Art. 4, Sec. 31). Appropriation bills, when reported back to the Senate favorably by a committee other than the Committee on Appropriations, shall, together with amendments proposed by that committee, be referred to the Committee on Appropriations for consideration.
3.603 ESTIMATED REVENUE
One of the general appropriation bills as passed by the Senate shall contain an itemized statement of estimated revenue by a major source in each operating fund for the ensuing fiscal year, the total of which shall not be less than the total of all appropriations made from each fund in the general appropriation bills as passed.
CHAPTER III – SECTION 7
COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE
3.701 FAVORABLE REPORTS
All bills, joint resolutions, and alternative measures reported back to the Senate favorably shall be referred to the Committee of the Whole with amendments, if any, proposed by the committee, which amendments shall be considered first by the Committee of the Whole. Any bill, joint resolution, or alternative measure may, after having been reported favorably to the Senate by a committee, be referred to a second committee. If the second committee reports the bill, joint resolution, or alternative measure back to the Senate, the report shall include amendments, if any, that were recommended by the first committee. The reported bill, joint resolution, or alternative measure, and any amendments, shall be referred to the Committee of the Whole.
3.702 BUSINESS IN ORDER
When the Senate resolves itself into the Committee of the Whole, General Orders shall be the only matter of business that shall be in order until the Committee rises.
3.703 BILLS, JOINT RESOLUTIONS, AND ALTERNATIVE MEASURES CONSTITUTING GENERAL ORDERS
a) Bills, joint resolutions, and alternative measures referred to the Committee of the Whole shall constitute General Orders and shall be considered in the Committee of the Whole on a day subsequent to such referral in the order of their reference, unless the Senate or the Committee of the Whole otherwise determines.
b) No bill, joint resolution, or alternative measure shall bypass consideration by the Committee of the Whole.
3.704 CHAIRPERSON OF THE COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE
The presiding officer shall, when the Senate resolves itself into the Committee of the Whole, designate a Senator as chairperson of the Committee, unless otherwise ordered by the Senate. Senators shall be designated alphabetically, except as otherwise ordered by the Senate Majority Leader. The Majority and Minority Floor Leaders shall submit to the Secretary of the Senate names of designees for members of their respective caucuses when they are unable to serve as chairperson of the Committee.
3.705 RULES IN THE COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE
a) The rules of the Senate shall be observed in the Committee of the Whole so far as may be applicable, except limiting debate, ordering the previous question, suspension of rules, or taking the yeas and nays. However, no speech shall exceed five minutes. A motion that the Committee rise shall always be in order and decided without debate. Motions in the Committee of the Whole recommending action by the Senate shall take precedence in the same order as identical motions made during a session of the Senate. Motions to recess or reconsider are in order in the Committee of the Whole.
b) No statement made during the Committee of the Whole shall be printed in the Journal.
c) In the event the Senate is in session in the Committee of the Whole at 11:55 p.m., it shall be the duty of the chairperson to declare the Committee of the Whole to have risen. The Committee of the Whole shall automatically rise and the presiding officer of the Senate shall resume the chair.
3.706 BILLS ORDERED TO THIRD READING
The Secretary of the Senate shall place on the order of Third Reading of Bills all bills, joint resolutions, and alternative measures recommended for passage or adoption by the Committee of the Whole. Items on the order of Third Reading of Bills shall be taken up in the same order as they were advanced to the order of Third Reading of Bills unless otherwise ordered by the Senate.
CHAPTER III – SECTION 8
PARLIAMENTARY PROCEDURE
3.801 AUTHORITY AND PRECEDENCE OF SENATE RULES
a) The principal sources of legal authority for the Senate are, in the order of precedence, as follows:
1) Constitutional Rules
2) Fundamental Legal Principles
3) Statutory Rules
4) Adopted Rules
5) Adopted Parliamentary Authority
6) Parliamentary Law
7) Customs and Usages
8) Judicial Decisions
Judicial decisions have the lowest precedence of the sources cited except to the extent they are interpretations of rules from one of the other sources. In those instances, they take the same precedence as the source that is interpreted.
b) Rules from the source with the higher precedence prevails when there are conflicts between rules from different sources.
3.802 MANUAL OF LEGISLATIVE PROCEDURE
The rules of parliamentary practice in the most recent edition of Mason’s “Manual of Legislative Procedure” shall govern all cases except when they are inconsistent with the Standing Rules and precedents of the Senate.
3.803 RULES OF A NEWLY CONVENED SENATE
The Senate rules that are in effect when the Senate adjourns sine die in an even numbered year shall be the temporary rules of the Senate when it convenes at twelve o’clock noon on the second Wednesday in January of the following odd numbered year and shall remain in effect until other temporary or permanent rules are adopted (see MCL 4.42).
3.804 AMENDMENT OR REPEAL OF SENATE RULES
The repeal or amendment of any rule shall be accomplished only by resolution. All proposed amendments or repeals of Senate rules shall be referred to the Committee on Government Operations for consideration. The adoption of a proposed resolution for the repeal or amendment of any rule shall require a majority of the Senators elected and serving.
3.805 SUSPENSION OF RULES
The suspension of any Senate rule or adopted parliamentary authority shall require a majority of the Senators elected and serving.
CHAPTER III – SECTION 9
PRIVILEGE AND CONDUCT ON FLOOR
3.901 MEMBERS OF THE MEDIA
Members of the media shall register with the Secretary of the Senate and may have their registration reviewed at any time. The Secretary of the Senate shall provide a list of registered members of the media to the Sergeant at Arms. The following provisions shall govern the registration process:
1) A member of the media shall be defined as a person employed by or working as:
a) A newspaper (as defined by U.S. postal regulations);
b) A broadcast station licensed by the Federal Communications Commission, or a network serving one or more licensed broadcast stations;
c) A cable television system with a franchise granted by a Michigan unit of government, or a network serving one or more franchised cable systems;
d) A wire service; or
e) An independent contractor on assignment to report state government news for an organization described above.
2) Subject to approval of the Senate Majority Leader, the Secretary of the Senate shall establish a written policy to allow for the daily registration of visiting members of the media. The written policy shall allow for registration of visiting members of the media prior to the start of session.
3) The Secretary of the Senate may, under special circumstances, register representatives of the media not defined above if determined to be in the public interest.
4) Technicians for broadcast or cable stations shall also be registered when accompanying members of the media and shall be subject to the same rules.
5) The Secretary of the Senate may revoke the registration of any member of the media for cause. Cause shall include, but not be limited to, a change in employment status, lobbying or acting as a lobbyist agent, disrupting Senate proceedings, or refusing to comply with Senate rules or the directives of the presiding officer, Senate Majority Leader, or Secretary of the Senate. A decision to revoke registration may be appealed to the Committee on Government Operations.
6) Members of the media may talk with only
a currently serving Senator or a member of his or her staff in the front entry,
or the hallway behind the Senate rostrum, or at the media desk as
long as the proceedings of the Senate are not disrupted, and the Senate is not
in the order of Third Reading of Bills or Messages from the House.
Notwithstanding Senate Rule 3.902, members of the media may leave the media’s designated
area and talk with only a currently serving Senator or a member of his or her
staff in the Chamber immediately following adjournment.
7) Members of the media shall enter from the north main door or the two south doors on either side of the rostrum and shall proceed directly to the areas designated for the media. If a member of the media enters through the north main door, he or she shall proceed directly to the areas designated for the media using the east or west side aisles only. Members of the media shall not enter the cloak room or the restrooms of the Senate Chamber.
8) Members of the media may film, videotape, or photograph the Senate session from the media’s designated area. During the first 20 minutes after the attendance roll call, with permission from the Senate Secretary, members of the media shall be allowed to film, videotape, or photograph from along the full length of the east and west side aisles.
9) A member of the media, including a broadcast technician, shall be entitled to record Senate session as long as it does not disrupt the proceedings of the Senate. “Record” shall mean videotaping, photographing, filming, taping, or electronically transmitting Senate proceedings or activities on the Senate floor when the Senate is in session.
3.902 FLOOR PRIVILEGE AND CONDUCT
a) A session of the Senate shall be defined, for the purposes of this rule, as any period of time when the Senate is in session, any recess, and any 15-minute period before the Senate convenes and five minutes after it adjourns. The Senate floor is defined as the Senate Chamber and adjoining Rooms S201, S202, S204 (E. Lakin Brown Room), S204A, S207, and S212. Access to the Senate floor shall to others be restricted as outlined below during any session of the Senate, except that members of the public are permitted in Room S204 when a scheduled press conference is held there during session. Access to caucus rooms shall be determined by the majority and minority leaders respectively.
1) No person, other than the following, shall be admitted to the Senate floor:
aA) Currently serving
Representatives.
bB) The President of the Senate.
cC) The Governor and any
necessary security detail.
dD) Senators or Representatives
in Congress.
eE) Former Michigan Senators.
fF) The Secretary of the Senate
and related session support staff.
gG) Legislative staff as
authorized in guidelines issued by the Senate Majority Leader.
hH) One representative of the
Governor., which shall include the Attorney General or their staff
and the Secretary of State or their staff.
I) From time to time, as authorized by the Senate Majority Floor Leader, one additional representative of the Governor shall be admitted to the floor.
J) From time to time, as authorized by the Senate Majority Floor Leader, one representative of the Attorney General or one representative of the Secretary of State.
iK) On special occasions, from
time to time, one family member of a Senator or the President of the Senate, as
authorized by the Senate Majority Floor Leader.
jL) Registered members of the
media pursuant to Senate Rule 3.901.
kM) A guest who has been invited
by a Senator to offer the invocation, and a family member of that guest.
lN) Other guests approved from
time to time by the Senate Majority Leader and Majority Floor Leader.
2) No registered lobbyist or lobbyist agent, including former Legislators, shall be allowed on the Senate floor. They shall not be allowed in the hallway behind the Senate rostrum, unless en route to or from the Lieutenant Governor’s Office (S215) or the Elijah Myers Room (S208). This subsection does not apply to the person or persons listed under subdivisions H, I, and J of Senate Rule 3.902.
3) A former Legislator shall not lobby on
the Senate floor, except if they are admitted under Senate Rule 3.902(a)(1)
(g)G or (h)H.
b) No person shall engage in any conduct on the Senate floor during any session of the Senate that undermines the decorum of the Senate. All persons who are admitted to the Senate floor shall observe the following guidelines:
1) No Senator shall speak until recognized by the presiding officer, unless the Senator rises to make a point of order.
2) Except as otherwise provided by Senate rule, no Senator shall speak on any matter not properly before the Senate.
3) No Senator shall speak more than twice
in any one debate on the same day, without leave of the Senate, except the
Senator who sponsored the matter under consideration; the Senator who sponsored
the bill, resolution, joint resolution, or alternative measure if an amendment
is under consideration; and the chairperson of the committee or subcommittee
that reported the matter under consideration. Each speech shall not exceed five
minutes, except there is no limit on the length of an oral dissent statement.
4) No Senator shall speak impertinently or submit in writing impertinent statements, attack the motives of any Senator who proposes or advocates a particular position, use indecent language or other disorderly words, or refer to another Senator by name in a disparaging way.
5) No Senator shall use a display, exhibit, or prop on the Senate floor during discussions, debate, statements, or the announcement of the introduction of a bill, resolution, joint resolution, or alternative measure.
6) No person other than a Senator, the President of the Senate, the Secretary and Assistant Secretary of the Senate, or the Sergeants at Arms shall pass through the well of the Senate Chamber, which is immediately in front of the Senate rostrum.
7) No person other than a Senator, the President of the Senate, the Secretary of the Senate, or the Sergeants at Arms shall use the center aisle of the Chamber.
8) No person shall pass between the presiding officer and a Senator who is speaking.
9) No person other than a Senator shall sit in a Senator’s chair.
10) Except as otherwise permitted by the Senate Majority Leader, no staff shall be allowed on the Senate floor, except in the majority or minority lounge or the lounge at the rear of the Chamber unless the staff is requested by a Senator and then only if seated at a Senator’s desk.
11) Photography or videography from the Senate floor for any political purposes is not allowed.
12) No member of the media shall be allowed on the Senate floor unless he or she is in the media’s designated area, except as otherwise provided in Senate Rule 3.901.
13) No smoking shall be permitted on the Senate floor.
14) All individual electronic devices shall be turned off or on non-audible alert during Senate session.
15) Except as otherwise permitted by the Senate Majority Leader, no person may film, video, webcast, or otherwise record the Senate during session from the rostrum.
3.903 SENATE GALLERY
The presiding officer has the authority to maintain order in the Chamber which includes the gallery using the method the presiding officer determines best.
1) The public in the gallery may take photographs and video of the Senate proceedings but should do so while seated and not impede on others’ access or egress in the gallery. This provision applies to any media in the gallery.
2) The public in the gallery should not act in any manner that disrupts the Senate proceedings.
3) The public shall not vocally or with other sounds show support or opposition to any matter before the body or while in session. An exception can be made for introductions.
Senator Singh moved that the rule be suspended.
The motion prevailed, a majority of the members serving voting therefor.
The resolution was adopted, a majority of the members serving voting therefor.
The motion prevailed.
Senator Runestad’s statement is as follows:
I recently was at a conference of legislators from the Midwest and we had discussion about how things operate in our rules. I told them that in Michigan, one person can remove the entire budget, the staff, the parking spot, absolutely everything, with no consultation with anyone. They were dumbfounded; they said, One person? Yes, one person, with no allegation of wrongdoing, can just willy-nilly do this.
So, I put in an amendment request to the leadership that it require a 2/3 vote of the chamber to be able to willy-nilly—or for good reason, obviously, to get that number—to be able to have that power. That amendment was not accepted and just like I did with the minority, I was not going to allow one person in the minority rules to make arbitrary decisions that would have to go to a majority vote of 2/3 of the members. I was not able to get that amendment so I will be voting “no” on Senate Resolution No. 2.
Senator Singh offered the following concurrent resolution:
Senate Concurrent Resolution No. 1.
A concurrent resolution granting authority for adjournment for more than 2 days.
Resolved by the Senate (the House of Representatives concurring), That each house hereby grants unto the other permission to adjourn for not more than 15 intervening calendar days at such times as each house shall determine at any time during the 2023 and 2024 regular sessions.
Senator Singh moved that the rule be suspended.
The motion prevailed, a majority of the members serving voting therefor.
The concurrent resolution was adopted.
Senator Singh offered the following concurrent resolution:
Senate Concurrent Resolution No. 2.
A concurrent resolution for the adoption of the Joint Rules of the Senate and House of Representatives.
Resolved by the Senate (the House of Representatives concurring), That the following rules be and are hereby adopted as the Joint Rules of the Senate and House of Representatives:
JOINT RULES OF THE
SENATE AND HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Transmission of Messages.
Rule 1. All messages necessary for conducting legislative business between the two houses shall be communicated in writing and electronically by the Secretary of the Senate and the Clerk of the House of Representatives.
Amendments.
Rule 2. It shall be in the power of either house to amend an amendment made by the other to any bill or resolution.
Conference Committees.
Rule 3. (a) The house not concurring in the amendments of the other house shall appoint conferees and notify the amending house of its action through written communication. The amending house shall request return of the bill or resolution or appoint conferees. The conference committee shall consist of three members from each house, to be appointed as each house may determine. The first named member of the house in which the bill or resolution originated shall be chairperson of the conference committee. Upon appointment of conferees by both houses, the bill or resolution shall be referred to the conference committee. When one house amends or substitutes a bill that has been returned for concurrence from the other house, but then non-concurs in that bill as amended or substituted, those amendments or that substitute shall not be referred to the conference committee. The conference committee shall serve until the conference report has been adopted by both houses or rejected by a house.
(b) The conference committee shall consist of committees of the two houses with those two committees voting separately while in conference. The adoption of a conference report shall require concurring majorities of the members of each house. The conference committees of the two houses shall vote separately while in conference. The majority of each committee shall constitute a quorum of each committee and shall determine the position to be taken toward the propositions of the conference committee. If the conferees agree, a report shall be made which shall be signed by at least a majority of the conferees of each house who were present and voted in the conference committee meeting to adopt the report. The bill or resolution, including the original signed conference report and three copies, shall be filed in the house of origin where the question shall be on the adoption of the conference report. If the conference report is adopted in the house of origin, the bill or resolution, including the original signed conference report, and two copies of the conference report shall be transmitted to the other house where the question shall be on the adoption of the conference report. If the conference report is adopted in the other house, the bill or resolution and the original signed copy of the conference report shall be returned to the house of origin and referred for enrollment printing and presentation to the Governor, filing with the Secretary of State, or filing for record with the Secretary of the Senate or Clerk of the House of Representatives.
Conference Committee Clerk.
Rule 4. The conference committee clerk shall be from the house of origin, who shall notify the Secretary of the Senate and the Clerk of the House of Representatives of all scheduled meetings for public posting and shall deliver written notice to each member of the conference committee and the majority and minority leaders of each house indicating the time and place of all scheduled meetings. Conference committees on appropriation bills may use fiscal agency personnel from the same house as the Chairperson for clerks.
Conference Report: Rejection.
Rule 5. If the conference report is rejected by the house of origin, it shall appoint second conferees and notify the other house of its action. The procedure shall then be the same as for an original conference.
If the conference report is rejected by the other house, it
shall appoint second conferees, notify the house of origin of its action, and
transmit the bill or resolution to the house of origin. Upon receipt of the
bill or resolution, the house of origin shall appoint second conferees and
refer the bill or resolution to the second conference committee. The procedure
shall then be the same as for an original conference.
Disagreement of Conferees.
Rule 6. If the conferees are unable to agree, a report of that fact shall be made to both houses. The report, that the conferees were unable to agree, shall be signed by at least a majority of the conferees of each house who were present and voted in the conference committee meeting to adopt the report. The bill or resolution, including the original signed conference report that the conferees were unable to agree, and three copies shall be filed in the house of origin. Both houses shall appoint second conferees, and the house of origin shall refer the bill or resolution to the second conference committee. The procedure shall then be the same as for an original conference.
Second Conference: Failure.
Rule 7. When a second conference committee fails to reach agreement, or when a second conference report is rejected by either house, no further conference is in order.
Power of Conferees.
Rule 8. The conference committee shall not consider any matters other than the matters of difference between the two houses.
For all bills making appropriations, adoption of a substitute by either house shall not open identical provisions contained in the other house-passed version of the bill as a matter of difference; nor shall the adoption of a substitute by either house open provisions not contained in either house version of the bill as a matter of difference.
When the conferees arrive at an agreement on the matters of difference that affects other parts of the bill or resolution, the conferees may recommend amendments to conform with the agreement. In addition, the conferees may also recommend technical amendments to the other parts of the bill or resolution, such as, necessary date revisions, adjusting totals, cross-references, misspelling and punctuation corrections, conflict amendments for bills enacted into law, additional anticipated federal or other flow through funding, and corrections to any errors in the bill or resolution or the title.
Adoption of Conference Report.
Rule 9. Conference reports shall not be subject to amendments or division. The vote on conference reports shall be taken by “yeas” and “nays” and shall require the same number of votes constitutionally required for passage of the bill or adoption of the resolution. Conference reports shall not be considered until printed in the Journal. The Journal printing requirement may be suspended by a house by a majority vote in that house, provided that a copy of the conference report has been made available to each Member.
Conference Reports: Points of Order.
Rule 10. Points of order regarding conference reports shall be decided by the presiding officer, subject to an appeal, which appeal shall be determined by a majority vote. When a conference report is ruled out of order, the conference report is returned to the originating conference committee with instructions to eliminate from the report such matters as have been declared not within the powers of the conferees to consider.
Either House May Recede.
Rule 11. At any time while in possession of the bill or resolution, either house may recede from its position in whole or in part, and the bill or resolution upon request may be returned to the other house for that purpose. If this further action is agreed to by both houses, the bill or resolution shall be referred for enrollment printing and presentation to the Governor, filing with the Secretary of State, or filing for record with the Secretary of the Senate or Clerk of the House of Representatives.
Correction of Errors.
Rule 12. If errors are found in a bill or resolution which has been passed or adopted by both houses, the house in which the bill or resolution originated may make amendments to correct the errors and shall notify the other house of its action. If the corrective amendments are agreed to by the other house, the corrected bill or resolution shall be referred for enrollment printing and presentation to the Governor, filing with the Secretary of State, or filing for record with the Secretary of the Senate or Clerk of the House of Representatives.
In addition, the Secretary of the Senate and Clerk of the House of Representatives, as the case may be, shall correct obvious technical errors in the enrolled bill or resolution, including adjusting totals, misspellings, the omission or redundancy of grammatical articles, cross-references, punctuation, updating bill or resolution titles, capitalization, citation formats, and plural or singular word forms.
Bills and Joint Resolutions.
Rule 13. Upon introduction, no bill shall include catch lines, a severing clause, or a general repealing clause, as distinguished from a specific or an express repealing clause. The Secretary of the Senate and the Clerk of the House of Representatives shall delete such catch lines and clauses from all bills.
The same joint resolution shall
not propose an amendment to the Constitution on more than one subject matter.
However, more than one section of the Constitution may be included in the same
joint resolution if the subject matter of each section is germane to the
proposed amendment.
Yeas and Nays.
Rule 14. The yeas and nays shall be taken and printed in the Journal of the house taking action upon the passage or adoption of any bill, joint resolution, conference report, and amendments made by the other house to a bill or joint resolution.
No Members Present.
Rule 15. In the event the presiding officer and all members are absent on a day scheduled for meeting, the Secretary of the Senate or the Clerk of the House of Representatives, as the case may be, shall call that house to order at the designated time and announce the absence of a quorum. That house shall be declared adjourned until the succeeding legislative day and hour previously designated.
In any event where either or both houses of the Legislature adjourns to a date certain for more than two days, the Majority Leader of the Senate and the Speaker of the House of Representatives may, by a unanimous agreement, convene either or both houses of the Legislature at any time in case of emergency.
If a gubernatorial appointment that is subject to the advice and consent process is made at a time such that 60 days would lapse during an extended recess of the Senate, the Senate Majority Leader may schedule a session of the Senate for the sole purpose of carrying out the Senate’s constitutional duties to advise and consent on gubernatorial appointments. No other action shall be taken by the Senate during session convened under this provision. The Senate Majority Leader shall notify the Secretary of the Senate at least 10 calendar days prior to the date of the scheduled session, and the Secretary of the Senate shall take all reasonable steps to notify the members of the Senate of the scheduled session.
Passage, Adoption, and Enrollment Printing.
Rule 16. Every bill passed or joint resolution adopted by both houses and returned to the house of origin shall forthwith be enrolled and signed by the Secretary of the Senate and the Clerk of the House of Representatives. Enrolled bills shall be presented to the Governor, and enrolled joint resolutions that propose an amendment to the Constitution shall be filed with the Secretary of State with a certificate attached to the effect that the joint resolution has been adopted by the Senate and House of Representatives, respectively, in accordance with the provisions of the Constitution. If the house having last passed the bill or adopted the joint resolution requests its return and such request is granted or a motion is made in the house of origin to amend errors in the bill or joint resolution or to give the bill immediate effect, the enrollment printing shall not occur.
Every bill, joint resolution, and concurrent resolution passed or adopted by either house shall be transmitted to the other house unless a motion for reconsideration is pending.
Immediate Effect.
Rule 17. Whenever both houses, by the constitutional vote, order that a bill take immediate effect, a statement shall be added at the enrollment of the bill in words to this effect: “This act is ordered to take immediate effect.”
Joint Resolutions.
Rule 18. Joint resolutions shall be used for the following purposes:
1. Amendments to the Constitution of Michigan.
2. Ratification of amendments to the Constitution of the United States submitted by the Congress.
3. Matters upon which power is solely vested in the Legislatures of the several states by the Constitution of the United States.
Joint resolutions proposing amendments to the Constitution of Michigan shall require a 2/3 vote of the members elected and serving in each house for adoption. Other joint resolutions shall require a majority of the members elected and serving in each house for adoption. All joint resolutions shall require a record roll call vote.
Veto Override: Filing with Secretary of State.
Rule 19. When a bill is passed by both houses over the objections of the Governor or a bill is not filed by the Governor with the Secretary of State within the constitutionally mandated 14-day period, and the Legislature continues in session, an official enrolled bill with a letter from the house of origin signed by the Secretary of the Senate or the Clerk of the House of Representatives, as appropriate, shall be filed with the Secretary of State for a public act number to be assigned. The letter shall certify that the Governor’s veto has been overridden by both houses of the Legislature or that the bill has not been returned within the specified time, as the case may be, in accordance with the provisions of the Constitution.
Section Numbers of Compiled Laws - Amendments.
Rule 20. The title of every bill to amend or repeal existing laws shall be clear and explicit so as to definitely fix what is proposed to be done. Such title shall refer to the act number and the year in which it was passed. If the bill was passed at an extra session of the Legislature, the title shall designate which extra session.
Such title shall contain the last title of the act it is
proposed to amend. However, the short title (e.g., This act shall be known and
may be cited as “The revised judicature act of 1961,”) shall be used in acts
where it has been defined by legislative enactment. The title shall also
contain the chapter, part numbers and compiler’s section numbers, if any, and the year of the compilation
containing the same.
Following the passage of a bill with a short title, the house other than the house of origin shall replace the short title with the last full title of the act it is proposed to amend or repeal. Other corrective amendments to the title shall be made as may be necessary. The full title and amended title shall be agreed to by both houses.
When an amendment to a bill or a bill to amend an existing law is printed, words proposed to be added to such law shall be printed in bold type, and the words to be omitted shall be printed in stricken-through type. This style requirement also applies to joint resolutions that amend the Constitution of Michigan.
All bills and joint resolutions introduced, amendments to joint resolutions, substitute bills and joint resolutions, and conference committee reports shall be approved as to form and section numbers by the Legislative Service Bureau.
Tie-bars.
Rule 21. A bill or resolution that is tie-barred to a request number shall not be considered for passage or adoption unless that tie-barred request item has been introduced. No bill or resolution shall be passed or adopted by either house until the tie-barred item has been designated in the appropriate blank space provided.
Elections in Joint Convention.
Rule 22. Whenever there is an election of any officer in joint convention, the result shall be certified by the President of the Senate and the Speaker of the House of Representatives. The results shall be announced by the presiding officers to their respective houses, printed in the Journal of each house, and communicated to the Governor by the Secretary of the Senate and the Clerk of the House of Representatives.
Legislative Handbook.
Rule 23. The initial appointment of the standing committee members of the two houses shall be printed in their respective Journals as soon as possible after the announcement. The Secretary of the Senate and the Clerk of the House of Representatives shall prepare and have printed a legislative handbook containing these appointments and other information they deem appropriate.
Compensation.
Rule 24. Compensation for members, officers, and employees of the Legislature shall be delivered to the Secretary of the Senate or Clerk of the House of Representatives, as the case may be, and transmitted directly to the payee.
If the office of a member of the Legislature becomes vacant, the compensation for the elected successor shall begin on the date of his or her oath of office.
Committee Expenses.
Rule 25. No committee created by concurrent resolution shall incur expenses in excess of $2,500.00 unless authorized in the resolution creating that committee.
Final Adjournment of Regular Sessions.
Rule 26. In the regular session in each year, this rule for adjournment shall govern.
The Majority Floor Leader of the Senate and/or the Majority Floor Leader of the House of Representatives shall introduce a concurrent resolution providing for an adjournment schedule for the Legislature for that regular session.
Daily Adjournment.
Rule 27. Neither house shall remain in session on any legislative day beyond 12:00 midnight. If either house is in session at 12:00 midnight, the presiding officer shall declare that house adjourned until a fixed hour for meeting on the next legislative day. That house shall stand adjourned until the next fixed meeting time.
Pending Business.
Rule 28. Any business, bill, or joint resolution which has not been defeated by either house shall be considered pending under the provisions of Article 4, Section 13 of the Constitution.
It shall not be in order for either house, by suspension of rules or any other means, to reconsider in a subsequent year the vote by which any business, bill, joint resolution, or veto override was defeated in a previous year unless there is a pending motion to reconsider offered in the odd-numbered year.
Senator Singh moved that the rule be suspended.
The motion prevailed, a majority of the members serving voting therefor.
The concurrent resolution was adopted, a majority of the members serving voting therefor.
Senator Singh offered the following concurrent resolution:
Senate Concurrent Resolution No. 3.
A concurrent resolution prescribing the
Joint Convention Rules for the Legislature.
Resolved by the Senate (the House of Representatives concurring), That the following be and are hereby adopted as the Joint Convention Rules of the Senate and House of Representatives:
JOINT CONVENTION RULES OF THE
SENATE AND HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Held in Hall of House.
Rule 1. Joint conventions shall be held in the Hall of the House of Representatives, or such other location as may be agreed to by the Speaker of the House of Representatives and the Majority Leader of the Senate. The President of the Senate or, in the absence of the President of the Senate, the Speaker of the House shall preside. Before the two houses shall meet in joint convention, a concurrent resolution shall be introduced in one house setting forth the date and hour at which the joint convention shall meet, which, if adopted, shall be transmitted to the other house for concurrence.
Secretaries-Journals.
Rule 2. The Secretary of the Senate and Clerk of the House of Representatives shall be the secretaries of the joint convention. The proceedings of the joint convention shall be published with the Journals of the House, and the final result, as announced by the President on the return of the Senate to its chamber, shall be entered on the Journals of the Senate.
Rules of House to Govern.
Rule 3. The rules of the House of Representatives, so far as the same may be applicable, shall govern the proceedings in joint convention.
President pro tempore of Convention.
Rule 4. Whenever the Speaker of the House presides, he or she shall be entitled to vote on all occasions, and in case of a tie, the question shall be declared lost.
Power to Compel Attendance.
Rule 5. Joint conventions shall have the power to compel the attendance of absent members in the mode and under the penalties prescribed in the rules of the house to which such members respectively belong, and for that purpose the Sergeant at Arms of each house shall attend.
May Adjourn from Time to Time.
Rule 6. Joint conventions may adjourn from time to time, as may be found necessary, and it shall be the duty of the House of Representatives to prepare to receive the Senate, and of the Senate to proceed to the joint convention, at the time fixed by law or resolution, or to which the joint convention may have adjourned.
Senator Singh moved that the rule be suspended.
The motion prevailed, a majority of the members serving voting therefor.
The concurrent resolution was adopted, a majority of the members serving voting therefor.
Senator Singh offered the following concurrent resolution:
Senate Concurrent Resolution No. 4.
A concurrent resolution providing for a joint convention of the Senate and House of Representatives.
Resolved by the Senate (the House of Representatives concurring), That the Senate and House of Representatives meet in joint convention in the Hall of the House of Representatives, on January 25, 2023 at 6:00 p.m., to receive the message of Governor Gretchen Whitmer.
Senator Singh moved that the rule be suspended.
The motion prevailed, a majority of the members serving voting therefor.
The concurrent resolution was adopted.
By unanimous consent the Senate returned to the order of
President Pro Tempore
The President, Lieutenant Governor Gilchrist, announced that the next order of business was the election of the President pro tempore of the Senate.
Senator Brinks nominated Senator Moss as President pro tempore of the Senate.
Senator Nesbitt seconded the nomination.
The question being on the election of Senator Moss as President pro tempore of the Senate,
The election was
approved, a majority of the members serving voting therefor, as follows:
Roll Call No. 1 Yeas—38
Albert Daley Lauwers Polehanki
Anthony Damoose Lindsey Runestad
Bayer Geiss McBroom Santana
Bellino Hauck McCann Shink
Brinks Hertel McDonald Rivet Singh
Bumstead Hoitenga McMorrow Theis
Camilleri Huizenga Moss Victory
Cavanagh Irwin Nesbitt Webber
Chang Johnson Outman Wojno
Cherry Klinefelt
Nays—0
Excused—0
Not Voting—0
Oath of Office
The President pro tempore, Senator Moss, took and subscribed to the Constitutional Oath of Office, which was administered by the President, Lieutenant Governor Gilchrist, and entered upon the discharge of his respective duties.
The motion prevailed.
Senator Brinks’ statement is as follows:
As an upstanding public servant and a devoted student of the legislative process, Senator Moss is well-equipped to preside over the business of this chamber with efficiency and integrity. He serves with courage and wisdom, and therefore I am proud to nominate my friend, Senator Jeremy Moss, as President pro tempore of the Senate.
Senator Nesbitt’s statement is as follows:
I rise to second the nomination of Senator Jeremy Moss for the position of President pro tempore. This past legislative session I’ve experienced firsthand during our time in the Senate Regulatory Reform Committee and during our time in the State House his ability to reach across the aisle to accomplish strong bipartisan policy achievements while casting aside some of the partisan rhetoric that so much plagues the process at times. Having served with Senator Moss in both the House and the Senate, I can attest to his respect for this institution, his dedication to public service, and his dedication to time-honored procedures that allow this public body to operate as well as it does. Therefore, I am pleased to second the nomination of Senator Jeremy Moss for the position of President pro tempore of the Michigan State Senate.
Assistant President Pro Tempore
The President,
Lieutenant Governor Gilchrist, announced that the next order of business was
the election of the Assistant President pro tempore of the Senate.
Senator Brinks nominated Senator Geiss as Assistant President pro tempore of the Senate.
Senator Nesbitt seconded the nomination.
The question being on the election of Senator Geiss as Assistant President pro tempore of the Senate,
The election was approved, a majority of the members serving voting therefor, as follows:
Roll Call No. 2 Yeas—38
Albert Daley Lauwers Polehanki
Anthony Damoose Lindsey Runestad
Bayer Geiss McBroom Santana
Bellino Hauck McCann Shink
Brinks Hertel McDonald Rivet Singh
Bumstead Hoitenga McMorrow Theis
Camilleri Huizenga Moss Victory
Cavanagh Irwin Nesbitt Webber
Chang Johnson Outman Wojno
Cherry Klinefelt
Nays—0
Excused—0
Not Voting—0
In The Chair: President
Oath of Office
The Assistant President pro tempore, Senator Geiss, took and subscribed to the Constitutional Oath of Office, which was administered by the President, Lieutenant Governor Gilchrist, and entered upon the discharge of her respective duties.
The motion prevailed.
Senator Brinks’ statement is as follows:
Senator Geiss is fluent in our process and procedure and therefore I am happy to nominate Senator Erika Geiss as Assistant President pro tempore.
Senator Nesbitt’s statement is as follows:
I rise to second the nomination of Senator Erika Geiss for the position of Assistant President pro tempore. The citizens of the 1st Senate District have elected Senator Geiss to serve them in his honored body, and I wish her all the best as she undertakes the duties required of her in this new leadership role.
Associate President Pro Tempore
The President,
Lieutenant Governor Gilchrist, announced that the next order of business was
the election of the Associate President pro tempore of the Senate.
Senator Nesbitt nominated Senator Bellino as Associate President pro tempore of the Senate.
Senator Brinks seconded the nomination.
The question being on the election of Senator Bellino as Associate President pro tempore of the Senate,
The election was approved, a majority of the members serving voting therefor, as follows:
Roll Call No. 3 Yeas—38
Albert Daley Lauwers Polehanki
Anthony Damoose Lindsey Runestad
Bayer Geiss McBroom Santana
Bellino Hauck McCann Shink
Brinks Hertel McDonald Rivet Singh
Bumstead Hoitenga McMorrow Theis
Camilleri Huizenga Moss Victory
Cavanagh Irwin Nesbitt Webber
Chang Johnson Outman Wojno
Cherry Klinefelt
Nays—0
Excused—0
Not Voting—0
Oath of Office
The Associate President pro tempore, Senator Bellino, took and subscribed to the Constitutional Oath of Office, which was administered by the President, Lieutenant Governor Gilchrist, and entered upon the discharge of his respective duties.
The motion prevailed.
Senator Nesbitt’s statement is as follows:
I rise to nominate my good friend Senator Joe Bellino as Associate President pro tempore of the Senate. As many of you know, Senator Bellino brings a jovial demeanor and resolute work ethic to serve in his role as a public servant here in the Legislature. He has steadfastly served the people of Michigan over the past several years in the State House, and I have full confidence in him that he will continue to do so in his new role in the Senate. Therefore, I enthusiastically and without reservation nominate Senator Joe Bellino as Associate President pro tempore.
Senator Brinks’ statement is as follows:
Secretary of the Senate
The President,
Lieutenant Governor Gilchrist, announced that the next order of business was
the election of the Secretary of the Senate.
Senator Brinks nominated Daniel Oberlin as Secretary of the Senate.
Senator Nesbitt seconded the nomination.
The question being on the election of Daniel Oberlin as Secretary of the Senate,
The election was approved, a majority of the members serving voting therefor, as follows:
Roll Call No. 4 Yeas—38
Albert Daley Lauwers Polehanki
Anthony Damoose Lindsey Runestad
Bayer Geiss McBroom Santana
Bellino Hauck McCann Shink
Brinks Hertel McDonald Rivet Singh
Bumstead Hoitenga McMorrow Theis
Camilleri Huizenga Moss Victory
Cavanagh Irwin Nesbitt Webber
Chang Johnson Outman Wojno
Cherry Klinefelt
Nays—0
Excused—0
Not Voting—0
In The Chair: President
The Secretary of the Senate, Daniel Oberlin, took and subscribed to the Constitutional Oath of Office, which was administered by the President, Lieutenant Governor Gilchrist, and entered upon the discharge of his respective duties.
The motion prevailed.
Senator Brinks’ statement is as follows:
Dan Oberlin has served this chamber diligently for many years and has earned the trust of Senators from both sides of the aisle. Therefore, I am pleased to nominate Dan Oberlin as Secretary of the Senate.
Senator Nesbitt’s statement is as follows:
I rise to second the nomination of Dan Oberlin for the position of Secretary of the Senate. With his experience serving in that office as well as his adept knowledge of the workings of this chamber and the legislative process, I know Dan will faithfully execute the duties required of him. Therefore, I am pleased to second the nomination of Dan Oberlin for the position of Secretary of the Senate.
The following communication was received and read:
Office of the Secretary of the Senate
January 11, 2023
The Secretary of the Senate office is pleased to announce the appointment of Margaret O’Brien to the position of Assistant Secretary of the Senate. Margaret dutifully served as Secretary of the Senate for four years, and I am confident she will continue her admirable legacy of service to the Senate in her new capacity.
Please join me in congratulating and welcoming Margaret to the Secretary of the Senate’s office.
Sincerely,
Daniel Oberlin
Secretary of the Senate
Certified List of Representatives
The following communication was received and read:
Department of State
November 29, 2022
Enclosed please find the certified listing of the candidates elected to the office of State Representative at the November 8, 2022 General Election. Copies of the official returns certified for this election are provided for your reference.
Please do not hesitate to contact this office if we can be of any further assistance.
Sincerely,
Jonathan Brater
Director of Elections
State of Michigan
Department of State
I, Jocelyn Benson, Secretary of State and Custodian of the Great Seal of the State of Michigan, certify that the persons named on the attached listing were duly elected at the November 8, 2022 General Election to the Office of State Representative for a term commencing on January 1, 2023 and ending on January 1, 2025, as shown by the official returns certified for the election and placed on file in this office.
In witness whereof, I have hereto attached my signature and the Great Seal of the State of Michigan, at Lansing, on November 28, 2022.
[SEAL] Jocelyn Benson
Secretary of State
OFFICIAL CANVASS OF VOTES
NOVEMBER 8, 2022 GENERAL ELECTION
Based on an examination of the election returns received by the Secretary of State for the November 8, 2022 General Election, we, the undersigned members of the Board of State Canvassers, certify that the attached report is a true statement of the votes cast at the election for the offices certified by this Board.
We further certify that the persons named on the attached listing were duly elected for the indicated offices, and that State Proposals 22-1, 22-2, and 22-3 passed.
In Witness Whereof, we have subscribed our names at Lansing, Michigan this 28th day of November, 2022.
Time of certification 11:57 a.m.
Anthony R. Daunt Mary Ellen Gurewitz
Chairperson Vice Chairperson
Richard Houskamp Jeannette L. Bradshaw
Member Member
Members-Elect of the House of Representatives
District Party Name Address
1 Dem Tyrone Carter 25701 W. Outer Drive, Detroit 48217
2 Dem Tullio Liberati Jr. 9260 Reeck, Allen Park 48101
3 Dem Alabas Farhat 4795
Rosalie, Dearborn 48126
4 Dem Karen Whitsett 11406 Littlefield Street, Detroit 48227
5 Dem Natalie Price 2428 Phillips Avenue, Berkley 48072
6 Dem Regina Weiss 23470 Majestic Street, Oak Park 48237
7 Dem Helena Scott 2648 Oakman Court, Detroit 48238
8 Dem Mike McFall 1405 E. Madge Avenue, Hazel Park 48030
9 Dem Abraham Aiyash 5000 Yemans Street, Hamtramck 48212
10 Dem Joe Tate 192 Lenox Street, Detroit 48215
11 Dem Veronica Paiz 20052 Hunt Club Drive, Harper Woods 48225
12 Dem Kimberly L. Edwards 23808 Normandy, Eastpointe 48021
13 Dem Lori M. Stone P.O. Box 1435, Warren 48090
14 Dem Donavan McKinney 1754 E. Outer Drive, Detroit 48234
15 Dem Erin Byrnes 2230 Queen Street, Dearborn 48124
16 Dem Stephanie A. Young 14567 Rosemont Avenue, Detroit 48223
17 Dem Laurie Pohutsky 17476 Rexwood Street, Livonia 48152
18 Dem Jason Hoskins P.O. Box 2125, Southfield 48037
19 Dem Samantha Steckloff 31176 Country Way, Farmington Hills 48331
20 Dem Noah Arbit P.O. Box 253005, West Bloomfield 48325
21 Dem Kelly Breen 242 Linhart Street, Novi 48377
22 Dem Matt Koleszar 42533 Schoolcraft, Plymouth 48170
23 Dem Jason Morgan 416 E. Huron Street, Apt. 4, Ann Arbor 48104
24 Dem Ranjeev Puri 761 Roosevelt, Canton 48188
25 Dem Kevin Coleman 1165 Shoemaker Drive, Westland 48185
26 Dem Dylan Wegela 6909 Whitby Street, Garden City 48135
27 Dem Jaime Churches 504 Vinewood, Wyandotte 48192
28 Rep Jamie Thompson 27314 Oakcrest Drive, Brownstown 48183
29 Rep James DeSana 2230 W. Sigler Road, Carleton 48117
30 Rep William Bruck 10406 Cemetery Road, Erie 48133
31 Dem Reggie Miller 13697 Pond Bluff Drive, Belleville 48111
32 Dem Jimmie Wilson Jr. 7110 Wellington Lane, Ypsilanti 48197
33 Dem Felicia Brabec 1417 Whispering Maples Drive N, Ann Arbor 48108
34 Rep Dale W. Zorn 524 Pentecost Highway, Onsted 49265
35 Rep Andrew Fink 5680 E. Bacon, Osseo 49266
36 Rep Steve Carra 225 Heather Lane, Apt. 9, Three Rivers 49093
37 Rep Brad Paquette 1215 Fair Oaks Drive N, Niles 49120
38 Dem Joey Andrews 1288 Vineland Road, St. Joseph 49085
39 Rep Pauline Wendzel P.O. Box 811, Coloma 49038
40 Dem Christine Morse 5408 Saddle Club Drive, Kalamazoo 49009
41 Dem Julie M. Rogers 3428 Marlane Avenue, Kalamazoo 49006
42 Rep Matt Hall 4044 Lake Crest Circle, Apt. 1A, Kalamazoo 49048
43 Rep Rachelle M. Smit 216 124th Avenue, Shelbyville 49344
44 Dem Jim Haadsma 249 Snow Avenue, Battle Creek 49037
45 Rep Sarah Lightner 9915 N. Parma Road, Springport 49284
46 Rep Kathy Schmaltz 2300 Foote Manor Drive, Jackson 49203
47 Dem Carrie Rheingans 2557 Miller Avenue, Ann Arbor 48103
48 Dem Jennifer Conlin 435 Stein Road, Ann Arbor 48105
49 Rep Ann Bollin 100 Orndorf 1435, Brighton 48116
50 Rep Robert J. Bezotte 2031 Peavy Road, Howell 48843
51 Rep Matt Maddock 1150 South Milford Road, Milford 48381
52 Rep Mike Harris 5898 Chestnut Hill Drive, Clarkston 48346
53 Dem Brenda Carter 86 W. Yale Avenue, Pontiac 48340
54 Rep Donni Steele P.O. Box 826, Lake Orion 48361
55 Rep Mark Tisdel 875 Greenview Court, #59, Rochester Hills 48307
56 Dem Sharon MacDonell 724 Longfellow Drive, Troy 48085
57 Rep Thomas E. Kuhn 1595 Pebble Point Drive, Troy 48085
58 Dem Nate Shannon P.O. Box 7091, Sterling Heights 48311
59 Rep Douglas C. Wozniak 53831 Whitby Way, Shelby Township 48316
60 Rep Joseph Aragona 42033 Coulon Drive, Clinton Township 48038
61 Dem Denise Mentzer 1399 Kingsley Street, Mount Clemens 48043
62 Rep Alicia St. Germaine 38252
Mast Street, Harrison Township 48045
63 Rep Jay DeBoyer 8060 Anchor Bay Drive, Clay 48001
64 Rep Andrew Beeler 1201 Palmer Court, Port Huron 48060
65 Rep Jaime Greene 68302 Lake Angela Drive, Richmond 48062
66 Rep Josh Schriver P.O. Box 451, Oxford 48371
67 Rep Phil Green 7650 Trumbower Trail, Millington 48746
68 Rep David W. Martin 805 S. State Road, #122, Davison 48423
69 Dem Jasper Ryan Martus 612 Northwood Drive, Flushing 48433
70 Dem Cynthia R. Neeley 2305 Begole Street, Flint 48504
71 Rep Brian BeGole 1975 E. Beard Road, Perry 48872
72 Rep Mike Mueller 6127 Lobdell Road, Linden 48451
73 Dem Julie Brixie 2294 Hamilton Road, Okemos 48864
74 Dem Kara Hope P.O. Box 21002, Lansing 48909
75 Dem Penelope Tsernoglou 1197 Prescott Drive, East Lansing 48823
76 Dem Angela Witwer 2122 Boxwood Lane, Lansing 48917
77 Dem Emily Dievendorf 418 Monroe Street, Lansing 48906
78 Rep Gina Johnsen 411 Pineview Drive, Lake Odessa 48849
79 Rep Angela Rigas 6748 Chapin Avenue, S.E., Alto 49302
80 Dem Phil Skaggs 2615 Hall Street, S.E., Grand Rapids 49506
81 Dem Rachel Hood 28 Guild, N.E., Grand Rapids 49505
82 Dem Kristian Grant 429 Elliot Street, S.E., Grand Rapids 49507
83 Dem John Fitzgerald 1780 Glenvale Court, S.W., Wyoming 49519
84 Dem Carol Glanville P.O. Box 140976, Grand Rapids 49514
85 Rep Bradley Slagh P.O. Box 453, Zeeland 49464
86 Rep Nancy DeBoer 157 W. 40th Street, Holland 49423
87 Dem Will Snyder 1445 Winchester Drive, Muskegon 49441
88 Rep Greg VanWoerkom 6490 Boulder Drive, Norton Shores 49444
89 Rep Luke Meerman 14250 60th Avenue, Coopersville 49404
90 Rep Bryan Posthumus 8255 Belding Road, Apt. 2, Rockford 49341
91 Rep Pat Outman 6397 N. Miles Road, Six Lakes 48886
92 Rep Jerry Neyer 1455 E. Walton Road, Shepherd 48883
93 Rep Graham Filler 3423 N. Watson Road, St. Johns 48879
94 Dem Amos O’Neal 207 Moton Drive, Saginaw 48601
95 Rep Bill G. Schuette P.O. Box 2227, Midland 48641
96 Rep Timothy Beson 3623 Kawkawlin River Drive, Bay City 48706
97 Rep Matthew Bierlein 4724 Hanes Road, Vassar 48768
98 Rep Gregory L. Alexander 2646 Washington Road, Carsonville 48419
99 Rep Mike Hoadley 2890 E. Midshipman Drive, Au Gres 48703
100 Rep Tom Kunse P.O. Box 506, Clare 48617
101 Rep Joseph D. Fox 3928 S. Sherman Avenue, Fremont 49412
102 Rep Curt VanderWall 4906 Rasmussen Road, Ludington 49431
103 Dem Betsy Coffia 1018 Boyd Avenue, Traverse City 49686
104 Rep John R. Roth 9815 Deer Track Court, Interlochen 49643
105 Rep Ken Borton 7682 White Cloud Trail, Gaylord 49735
106 Rep Cam Cavitt 2071 Tryban Road, Cheboygan 49721
107 Rep Neil W. Friske 2691 S. Barnard Road, Charlevoix 49720
108 Rep David Prestin W988 County Road G-12, Cedar River 49887
109 Dem Jenn Hill 503 Craig Street, Marquette 49855
110 Rep Gregory Markkanen 743 Hancock Street, Hancock 49930
The following communication was received and read:
Office of the Senate Majority Leader
January 10, 2023
Pursuant to Senate Rule 1.104, I hereby submit the following Democratic Caucus leadership positions:
Majority Leader: Senator Winnie Brinks
Assistant Majority Leader: Senator Darrin Camilleri
Majority Floor Leader: Senator Sam Singh
Assistant Majority Floor Leaders: Senator Jeff Irwin and Senator Kristen McDonald Rivet
Majority Caucus Chair: Senator Dayna
Polehanki
Assistant Majority Caucus Chair: Senator Veronica Klinefelt
Majority Caucus Whip: Senator Mallory McMorrow
Assistant Majority Caucus Whip: Senator Mary Cavanagh
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 and read:
Office of the Senate Minority Leader
January 10, 2023
Pursuant to Senate Rule 1.104 the Republican Caucus held an organizational meeting on Thursday, November 10, 2022 and elected the following Senate Officers to serve during the 102nd Legislature:
Sen. Aric Nesbitt, Minority Leader
Sen. Dan Lauwers, Minority Floor Leader
Sen. Roger Victory, Minority Whip
Sen. Kevin Daley, Minority Caucus Chairman
Sen. Rick Outman, Assistant Minority Leader
Sen. Lana Theis, Assistant Minority Floor Leader
Sen. Mark Huizenga, Assistant Minority Whip
Sen. Jim Runestad, Assistant Minority Caucus Chairman
Sen. Joe Bellino, Associate President Pro Tempore
Sincerely,
Aric Nesbitt
Senate Republican Leader
District 20
The communication was referred to the Secretary for record.
The following communications were received and read:
Office of the Auditor General
December 21, 2022
Enclosed is a copy of the following report:
• Performance audit report on the Aggregate Quality Process, Michigan Department of Transportation (591-0420-21).
December 22, 2022
Enclosed is a copy of the following report:
• Performance audit report on the Business Compliance and Regulation Division, Department of State (231-0270-21).
December 29, 2022
Enclosed is a copy of the following report:
• Report on internal control, compliance, and other matters of the Michigan Veterans’ Facility Authority for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2021 (511-0101-22).
January 6, 2023
Enclosed is a copy of the following reports:
• Follow-up report of the Office of Children’s Ombudsman, Department of Technology, Management, and Budget (071-0176-17F).
• Performance audit report on the Unemployment Agency’s Claim Processing During the COVID-19 Pandemic, Unemployment Insurance Agency, Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity (186‑0319‑21).
• Performance audit on the Flint Water Service Line Replacement Expenditures, Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE) (761-3017-22).
Sincerely,
Doug Ringler
Auditor General
The audit reports were referred to the
Committee on Oversight.
The following communications were received:
Department of State
Administrative Rules
Notices of Filing
December 19, 2022
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 Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs and the State Office of Regulatory Reinvention filed Administrative Rule #2021-060-ST (Secretary of State Filing #22-12-01) on this date at 1:32 p.m. for the Department of State, entitled “Disqualification from Ballot Based Upon Contents of Affidavit of Identity.”
These rules take effect immediately upon 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.
December 19, 2022
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 Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs and the State Office of Regulatory Reinvention filed Administrative Rule #2021-061-ST (Secretary of State Filing #22-12-02) on this date at 2:07 p.m. for the Department of State, entitled “Signature Matching Standards for Absent Voter Ballot Applications and Absent Voter Ballot Envelopes.”
These rules take effect immediately upon 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.
December 19, 2022
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 Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs and the State Office of Regulatory Reinvention filed Administrative Rule #2021-062-ST (Secretary of State Filing #22-12-03) on this date at 2:30 p.m. for the Department of State, entitled “Online Absent Voter Ballot Applications.”
These rules take effect immediately upon 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.
December 20, 2022
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 #22-065-HS (Secretary of State Filing #22‑12‑04) on this date at 2:26 p.m. for the Department of Health and Human Services entitled, “Placement on Central Registry After Criminal Conviction.”
These rules become effective 7 days after filing with the secretary of state.
Sincerely,
Jocelyn Benson
Secretary of State
Lashana Threlkeld, Departmental Supervisor
Office of the Great Seal
The communications were referred to the Secretary for record.
The following communication was received:
State Court Administrative Office
December 29, 2022
Pursuant to the annual reporting requirement contained in Executive Order No. 2021-5, please find the attached 2022 year-end report from the Jail Reform Advisory Council on the implementation of jail reform legislation and measurable outcomes.
Thank you,
Ryan P. Gamby
Field Services Director
The communication was referred to the
Secretary for record.
By unanimous consent the Senate proceeded to the order of
Messages from the House
The following message was received and read:
January 11, 2023
By direction of the House of Representatives, I hereby notify you that a quorum of the House of Representatives has convened pursuant to the requirements of the Constitution and is ready to proceed with the business of the session.
Further, I am directed by the House to notify you that the House of Representatives has elected Representative Joe Tate as Speaker, and Richard J. Brown as Clerk.
Very respectfully,
Richard J. Brown, Clerk
Statements
The motion prevailed.
Senator Nesbitt’s statement is as follows:
I rise to offer my sincere congratulations to all my colleagues, and congratulate them on being elected to serve the people of the state of Michigan, putting your name forward, congratulations. For those of you who are new, the humbling feeling that comes over you when you walk onto this floor, I hope it never goes away when you walk into this building.
I have this opportunity to serve because of my amazing wife Trisha and our family, William and Katherine. We recognize our responsibility to work for a better future for our children, grandchildren, and future generations, and I’m grateful to be so blessed.
I would like to congratulate Senate Majority Leader Winnie Brinks on being chosen as the leader of her caucus. Having worked together on issues over the years, I am confident you will perform your duties and obligations of your new office with both honor and integrity, allowing for all members of this chamber to have a hand in improving the lives of Michiganders across the state.
My fellow Senators, the people of Michigan delivered, I think, a clear message this past November; a message that has been acknowledged by my friends and colleagues on both sides of the aisle, and even in the Governor’s office. It’s that we need to work together to solve the challenges our families are facing across this state. This is not Washington, D.C., thankfully. When I look around this room, I see the faces of Republican and Democratic colleagues who I have worked with on important issues, and I fully expect that we continue in this new term to work together.
The people we represent are struggling. The high cost of goods continues to burden Michigan families, whether at the grocery store or at the lumber yard. It is incumbent upon us to reduce the financial burden on all Michigan families with common-sense tax relief. We need to focus on making Michigan a better place, where small businesses can grow and prosper, and businesses want to relocate, bringing with them career opportunities, where families want to move into, and people want to seek a better education.
Finally, we need to provide students and their parents with the opportunity to pursue the path that is right for each of them. We can do this by prioritizing education funding in the classroom, providing education options for those pursuing higher education or skilled trades, and ensuring parents are included in all of these decisions.
The hardworking people of our state sent us here to work together to make Michigan an even better place to raise a family, operate a small business, retire, and enjoy this beautiful place we call home. The people have entrusted us with a great responsibility to navigate this great American experiment of representative government.
It is my hope that we can effectively serve the people of this great state. As Ronald Reagan once said, “The greatest leader is not necessarily the one who does the greatest things” but rather “gets the people to do the greatest things.” Let’s work together and empower the people of Michigan to do the greatest things for their families, community, state, and our country.
Again, congratulations and I look forward
to serving with each and every one of you. God bless.
Senator Brinks’ statement is as follows:
Mr. President, esteemed members of the Democratic and Republican caucuses, it is my great privilege to welcome you to the opening day of the 102nd Legislature of the state of Michigan. To our friends and family who are here today joining us to celebrate this occasion, we thank you for being here, but more than that and I know I speak for all of us serving here when I say that we are incredibly grateful for your support. I specifically would like to thank my in-laws who are here today—Raymond and Gladys Brinks, who are upstairs—and I would like to thank my daughter Emma and my husband Steve for being here today on this special day. Take note, you have now possibly seen my husband Steve in a suit twice in two weeks. We know the demands of public service impact our families too, and we will continue to need your support as we rise to face tomorrow’s challenges.
To returning members, welcome back. I for one am enjoying the new seating arrangement and I hope that you do too. To incoming members from the House, congratulations on making it to the upper chamber; I believe you will like it here. And to Senators brand new to the Legislature, I extend a warm welcome; I hope you never lose the sense of awe you feel right now being in this chamber in this beautiful historic building.
Minority Leader Nesbitt, thank you for your remarks and for your dedication to this institution and to the people of our state. Each of us as Senators have a special obligation to the constituents who reside within the geographic lines of our districts, and as leaders of our respective caucuses we serve and lead on behalf of our members, but the mandate to be effective problem-solvers for the people of Michigan knows no district boundary. Our oath is to uphold the Constitution and I am confident that we can find ways to work together to serve every Michigander.
Much has been made of the historic nature of this moment. It is significant that the gavel is changing hands from Republicans to Democrats for the first time in four decades, but even more significant is the fact that we are welcoming to this body members who represent an unprecedented range of ideas, experiences, and identities. People who have in the past been excluded from the halls of power due to their race, religion, sexual orientation, or gender are now Senators with leadership roles in this chamber. Personally, it is deeply humbling to realize that, as the first woman to be elected Senate Majority Leader, my portrait will soon join that of Senator Eva McCall Hamilton as one of the few women whose portraits grace the walls of this Capitol. Though our service in this chamber is separated by a century, Eva and I share many parallels. Elected from Grand Rapids, she spent her time in office fighting for the health and well-being of mothers and children, for fair salaries for teachers, and ensuring women had a voice in government through her leadership in the suffrage movement. Eva served as a Senator for only two years, but as the first woman ever elected to the Michigan State Legislature, her portrait has served as witness to the history of this chamber for decades, and I can’t help but wonder what she would think of this moment.
Like all Senate Majority Leaders, my portrait will be a simple photo—much less impressive than Eva’s portrait—and it will take its place in a small conference room lined with the photos of those who served as Senate Majority Leaders before me, all of them similar in striking ways, until mine. As I look at this class of Senators taking the oath of office today, the people elected by their communities to lead our state, I am confident that I will be joined by other firsts on that wall in the coming years, and Michigan will be stronger as a result. Because when more Michiganders are able to see themselves as leaders in our state and in the leaders of our state, they will have a greater confidence that their voices are being heard and we are passing laws and budgets that are informed by their realities. Only then will we be able to build a vision for our state that meets the challenges faced by the people we represent.
In conversations with voters last year, we heard from our neighbors that they were tired of divisive fearmongering and distraction designed for political gain. All too often in recent years, the news out of Michigan has been dominated by stories of chaos, corruption, and conspiracy. This past election the voters sent a clear message that they are hungry for our state to once again be proudly defined by good things. They want Michigan to be in the news for its talent, its beauty, and its innovative solutions to the challenges we face. All over our state, in every one of our districts, working families want good jobs, equal treatment under the law, a safe future full of opportunity for their children, clean water to drink, roads that are safe to drive on, and access to health care and medications they can afford. They are looking to us to create a Michigan where we can attract jobs and value workers, where businesses are profitable and keep the environment clean, where we put students first and respect teachers, where we have safe communities and support those whose job it is to keep them safe. But we can only do these things if we work together.
While we each have the job of representing the people of our districts, we remember that every vote we take impacts the 10 million people who make Michigan strong—from our border with Ohio to Copper Harbor, from the sunrise on Lake Huron to the sunset on Lake Michigan—so let’s identify the common causes, the shared struggles, and the ways we can lift up the people in all of our communities. I’m certain that the challenges ahead of us are not small in number or scope. Let’s decide together that we will not run from our problems, but run toward solutions. Let’s agree now that we will share ideas, engage in healthy debate, and work with one another in good faith. Let’s commit to master the art of making a point without making an enemy. If we do these things, the news coming out of Michigan will surely be about the great things we have accomplished for the people of our state.
In closing, I return for a moment to Eva McCall Hamilton. Well-known for her leadership in the suffrage movement, she received a commendation from the Governor at the time, Governor Osborn. He said, “I think no one has done better work for the cause than you have.” Colleagues, today we have begun to write the next chapter of Michigan’s story. Let’s make sure that when history looks back on us, it is said that no one has done better work for the cause than we have. Thank you to everyone for joining us on our special day, the first day of the 102nd Legislature.
Senator Singh moved that the Senate adjourn.
The motion prevailed, the time being 12:48 p.m.
The President, Lieutenant Governor Gilchrist, declared the Senate adjourned until Thursday, January 12, 2023, at 10:00 a.m.
DANIEL OBERLIN
Secretary of the Senate