No. 26

STATE OF MICHIGAN

Journal of the Senate

103rd Legislature

REGULAR SESSION OF 2025

Senate Chamber, Lansing, Wednesday, March 19, 2025.

10:00 a.m.

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

The roll was called by the Secretary of the Senate, who announced that a quorum was present.

Albert—present Hauck—present Moss—present

Anthony—present Hertel—present Nesbitt—present

Bayer—present Hoitenga—present Outman—present

Bellino—present Huizenga—present Polehanki—excused

Brinks—present Irwin—present Runestad—present

Bumstead—present Johnson—present Santana—present

Camilleri—present Klinefelt—present Shink—present

Cavanagh—present Lauwers—present Singh—present

Chang—present Lindsey—present Theis—present

Cherry—present McBroom—present Victory—present

Daley—present McCann—present Webber—present

Damoose—present McMorrow—present Wojno—present

Geiss—present

Senator Kevin Daley of the 26th District offered the following invocation:

Loving God, we humbly ask for Your guidance and wisdom upon the members of our State Senate as they deliberate and make decisions that affect our communities and our state. Grant courage and integrity to them, our Senators, that they may be steadfast in their commitment to serve their constituents, even in the midst of difficult choices. May Your Holy Spirit in justice, compassion, and the common good, guide and lead them seeking solutions that uplift all people. Grant them Your strength to uphold the values of justice, fairness, and the common good. Help them to resist any temptations that may lead them on a wrong path. Fill the Senate with unity and peace. May they be able to set aside personal differences and work together for the betterment of our state. Help them to find common ground and to seek solutions that are just and equitable for all. Grant them wisdom, compassion, and a commitment to justice, that Your state may flourish under Your loving guidance.

Almighty God, we pray for all those who hold positions of authority, especially this morning the members of our State Senate, but also the State House of Representatives and our Governor. We also pray for those in our federal government who have authority over us. Bless each and every one of these servants. Lord, bless them from the tips of their toes to the top of their head, overflowing with Your love, peace, and joy. Keep them and their families safe from harm. We pray this day in the name of Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

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

Motions and Communications

Senator Lauwers moved that Senator Johnson be temporarily excused from today’s session.

The motion prevailed.

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

The motion prevailed.

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

The motion prevailed.

By unanimous consent the Senate proceeded to the order of

Introduction and Referral of Bills

Senator Lauwers introduced

Senate Bill No. 187, entitled

A bill to authorize the state administrative board to convey state-owned property in Tuscola County; to prescribe conditions for the conveyance; to provide for the powers and duties of certain state governmental officers and entities; and to provide for disposition of revenue derived from the conveyance.

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

Senator Hoitenga introduced

Senate Bill No. 188, entitled

A bill to amend 2006 PA 584, entitled “An act to authorize the department of natural resources to convey certain state owned property in Roscommon county and Crawford county; to prescribe conditions for the conveyance; and to provide for disposition of the revenue from the conveyance,” by amending sections 3 and 4.

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

Senator Bellino introduced

Senate Bill No. 189, entitled

A bill to amend 1976 PA 451, entitled “The revised school code,” by amending section 1531 (MCL 380.1531), as amended by 2023 PA 110.

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

By unanimous consent the Senate returned to the order of

Motions and Communications

Senator Singh moved that rule 3.902 be suspended to allow the guest of Senator McCann admittance to the Senate floor.

The motion prevailed, a majority of the members serving voting therefor.

Senator Brinks entered the Senate Chamber.

By unanimous consent the Senate proceeded to the order of

General Orders

Recess

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

The motion prevailed, the time being 10:06 a.m.

10:19 a.m.

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

During the recess, Senator Johnson entered the Senate Chamber.

Senator Singh moved that the Senate resolve itself into the Committee of the Whole for consideration of the General Orders calendar.

The motion prevailed, and the President pro tempore, Senator Moss, designated Senator Bayer as Chairperson.

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

Senate Bill No. 105, entitled

A bill to amend 1956 PA 218, entitled “The insurance code of 1956,” (MCL 500.100 to 500.8302) by adding section 3406ss.

The bill was placed on the order of Third Reading of Bills.

By unanimous consent the Senate returned to the order of

Motions and Communications

Senator Singh moved that the rules be suspended and that the following bill, now on the order of Third Reading of Bills, be placed on its immediate passage:

Senate Bill No. 105

The motion prevailed, a majority of the members serving voting therefor.

By unanimous consent the Senate proceeded to the order of

Third Reading of Bills

Recess

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

The motion prevailed, the time being 10:25 a.m.

10:32 a.m.

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

Senator Singh moved that the Senate proceed to consideration of the following bill:

Senate Bill No. 105

The motion prevailed.

The following bill was read a third time:

Senate Bill No. 105, entitled

A bill to amend 1956 PA 218, entitled “The insurance code of 1956,” (MCL 500.100 to 500.8302) by adding section 3406ss.

The question being on the passage of the bill,

The bill was passed, a majority of the members serving voting therefor, as follows:

Roll Call No. 39 Yeas—36

Albert Cherry Johnson Outman

Anthony Daley Klinefelt Runestad

Bayer Damoose Lauwers Santana

Bellino Geiss Lindsey Shink

Brinks Hauck McBroom Singh

Bumstead Hertel McCann Theis

Camilleri Hoitenga McMorrow Victory

Cavanagh Huizenga Moss Webber

Chang Irwin Nesbitt Wojno

Nays—0

Excused—1

Polehanki

Not Voting—0

In The Chair: Moss

The Senate agreed to the title of the bill.

Senator Singh moved that the Senate return to consideration of the following bill:

Senate Bill No. 83

The motion prevailed.

The following bill was read a third time:

Senate Bill No. 83, entitled

A bill to amend 1979 PA 94, entitled “The state school aid act of 1979,” by amending section 27c (MCL 388.1627c), as amended by 2024 PA 120.

The question being on the passage of the bill,

The bill was passed, a majority of the members serving voting therefor, as follows:

Roll Call No. 40 Yeas—36

Albert Cherry Johnson Outman

Anthony Daley Klinefelt Runestad

Bayer Damoose Lauwers Santana

Bellino Geiss Lindsey Shink

Brinks Hauck McBroom Singh

Bumstead Hertel McCann Theis

Camilleri Hoitenga McMorrow Victory

Cavanagh Huizenga Moss Webber

Chang Irwin Nesbitt Wojno

Nays—0

Excused—1

Polehanki

Not Voting—0

In The Chair: Moss

The Senate agreed to the title of the bill.

The following bill was read a third time:

Senate Bill No. 51, entitled

A bill to declare the powers and duties of the Black leadership advisory council; and to prescribe the powers and duties of certain state governmental officers and entities.

The question being on the passage of the bill,

The bill was passed, a majority of the members serving voting therefor, as follows:

Roll Call No. 41 Yeas—29

Anthony Daley Klinefelt Outman

Bayer Damoose Lauwers Santana

Brinks Geiss McBroom Shink

Bumstead Hauck McCann Singh

Camilleri Hertel McMorrow Victory

Cavanagh Huizenga Moss Webber

Chang Irwin Nesbitt Wojno

Cherry

Nays—7

Albert Hoitenga Lindsey Theis

Bellino Johnson Runestad

Excused—1

Polehanki

Not Voting—0

In The Chair: Moss

The Senate agreed to the title of the bill.

Protest

Senator Runestad, under his constitutional right of protest (Art. 4, Sec. 18), protested against the passage of Senate Bill No. 51 and moved that the statement he made during the discussion of the bill be printed as his reasons for voting “no.”

The motion prevailed.

Senator Runestad’s statement is as follows:

Senate Bill No. 51 seeks to codify the Black advisory council created by Governor Whitmer. The stated goal of the council is to identify issues within the Black community and to propose solutions based upon the perspectives given. The council’s broad mandate is to represent the entire Black community, and one would expect the Governor would ensure a diverse and balanced selection of members rather than using it to advance a one-sided political agenda.

The Black community is not monolithic, its members hold a wide range of political views, yet the Governor’s 15 appointees do not reflect this diversity. Instead, when looking into the backgrounds, I found that nearly every single member is a vocal partisan Democrat with strong ties to leftist organizations and a history of donating almost exclusively to Democrats. If the council’s purpose is to represent the full spectrum of the Black community, why not include other voices as well? Rather than being a nonpartisan body capable of finding real solutions, this council has become yet another liberal institution funded by Michigan taxpayers. I urge a “no” vote.

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

The motion prevailed.

Senator Geiss’ statement is as follows:

I would hope that our colleague from the 23rd Senate District would be more consistent into whether he likes diversity or does not like diversity. Yesterday was a whole different story when we had the resolution on promoting and accepting DEI. The Black Leadership Advisory Council is indeed diverse. It’s not meant to be political. It is meant to be about the broad diaspora of the Black community writ large in the state of Michigan.

I was actually one of the people who, in its initial creation, was one of the folks who was a part of the multi-generational, multi-diasporic group that created the language that eventually became the executive order. We’ve been working on this since 2015. The various parts of the Black Leadership Advisory Council are the African diaspora committee, the arts and cultural communications committee, the business leaders committee, the community safety committee, the educational committee, and the health committee, because these were the areas that were determined to be significantly relevant in terms of reducing disparities for members of the Black community, whether they are African American, ADOS, consider themselves just Black, or members of the Caribbean community, or are international members of the community who are from the continent of Africa.

This is one of the cultural commissions in the state of Michigan that is not statutory, and it needs to be. I urge a “yes” vote.

The following bill was read a third time:

Senate Bill No. 82, entitled

A bill to protect the safety of judges and certain other individuals; to protect certain information of judges and certain other individuals from disclosure; to provide for the powers and duties of certain state and local governmental officers and certain other people and entities; and to provide remedies.

The question being on the passage of the bill,

The bill was passed, a majority of the members serving voting therefor, as follows:

Roll Call No. 42 Yeas—25

Anthony Damoose Klinefelt Santana

Bayer Geiss McBroom Shink

Brinks Hertel McCann Singh

Camilleri Huizenga McMorrow Theis

Cavanagh Irwin Moss Webber

Chang Johnson Outman Wojno

Cherry

Nays—11

Albert Daley Lauwers Runestad

Bellino Hauck Lindsey Victory

Bumstead Hoitenga Nesbitt

Excused—1

Polehanki

Not Voting—0

In The Chair: Moss

The Senate agreed to the title of the bill.

The following bill was read a third time:

Senate Bill No. 116, entitled

A bill to amend 2000 PA 92, entitled “Food law,” by amending section 4105 (MCL 289.4105), as amended by 2016 PA 188.

The question being on the passage of the bill,

The bill was passed, a majority of the members serving voting therefor, as follows:

Roll Call No. 43 Yeas—30

Anthony Daley Klinefelt Santana

Bayer Damoose Lauwers Shink

Brinks Geiss McCann Singh

Bumstead Hauck McMorrow Theis

Camilleri Hertel Moss Victory

Cavanagh Huizenga Nesbitt Webber

Chang Irwin Outman Wojno

Cherry Johnson

Nays—6

Albert Hoitenga McBroom Runestad

Bellino Lindsey

Excused—1

Polehanki

Not Voting—0

In The Chair: Moss

The Senate agreed to the title of the bill.

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

The motion prevailed.

Senator Anthony’s statement is as follows:

I rise today to speak in favor of Senate Bill No. 116, which is legislation that would quite simply cut bureaucratic red tape for disabled small business owners in Michigan. This bill eliminates unnecessary fees and duplicative requirements for legally blind business owners who operate on state and federal properties—businesses we’ve personally benefitted from, including concession stands like the one across the street at the House Office Building. One of the things that makes our state great is the strong work ethic and entrepreneurial spirit of our people. We just need to make sure that state government doesn’t get in the way of that. This bill will remove economic barriers for visually impaired and blind individuals, clearing a pathway to economic prosperity and success. I ask that you please join me in voting “yes” on this common-sense bill.

By unanimous consent the Senate proceeded to the order of

Resolutions

Senator Singh moved that rule 3.204 be suspended to permit immediate consideration of the following resolutions:

Senate Resolution No. 21

Senate Resolution No. 22

Senate Resolution No. 23

The motion prevailed, a majority of the members serving voting therefor.

Senator Cavanagh offered the following resolution:

Senate Resolution No. 21.

A resolution to designate March 25, 2025, as Equal Pay Day.

Whereas, It has been 62 years since the passage of the Equal Pay Act. Even with the passage of Title VII of the Civil Rights Act just one year later, women and people of color continue to suffer the consequences of inequitable pay differentials; and

Whereas, Equal Pay Day takes place on the day of the year on which the earnings of women catch up to the average earnings of men. The calculation is based on the 2019 United States Census data on median earnings for full-time, year-round workers. Women on average make 82 cents compared to one dollar for men on average in the United States; and

Whereas, Pay discrimination also heavily impacts women in other ethnic and racial groups, with significant disparities seen for Black, Native American, Latina, and Asian American and Pacific Islander women; and

Whereas, Over a working lifetime, wage disparity costs the average American woman and her family, impacting retirement savings programs, Social Security benefits, and pensions. This has contributed to an overarching wealth gap between men and women, with women owning only 32 cents for every dollar owned by men; and

Whereas, Ongoing wage disparities for women are further exacerbated by significant shocks to the economy, such as the COVID-19 pandemic. Labor force participation among women in Michigan fell nearly six percent during the COVID-19 pandemic compared to less than one percent for men, furthering wage and wealth inequality. Economic forecasters estimate the COVID-19 pandemic will likely lead to significant challenges for women in the labor market in the future, including lower wages and fewer job opportunities; and

Whereas, Pay discrimination based on any factor is wrong. Employees should be compensated by their employers based solely on their merits; and

Whereas, Fair pay strengthens the security of families today and eases future retirement costs, while enhancing the American economy; now, therefore, be it

Resolved by the Senate, That the members of this legislative body designate March 25, 2025, as Equal Pay Day. We encourage Michigan’s citizens to recognize the full value of women’s skills and significant contributions to the labor force.

The question being on the adoption of the resolution,

The resolution was adopted.

Senators Bayer, Chang, Geiss, McMorrow and Santana were named co-sponsors of the resolution.

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

The motion prevailed.

Senator Cavanagh’s statement is as follows:

I rise today in support of my resolution—Senate Resolution No. 21—to declare March 25 as Equal Pay Day in the state of Michigan. As the youngest woman to ever be elected to serve in the Michigan State Senate, I stand before you today as a representative of the barriers that women, especially women of color, face in the fight for pay equity.

Equal Pay Day is recognized each year on the day that earnings of women catch up to the earnings of men. It took an additional 84 days into 2025 to match the average earnings of men in 2024. On average, women are still only earning 82 cents to every dollar that men earn. For Latino women, the number falls to just 58 cents for every dollar earned by white, non-Hispanic male counterparts. The pay gap is not only to the detriment of women, it is a direct impact to our entire economy. Women hold $31.8 trillion of global purchasing power in our hands. Our wages go directly back into our communities, our small businesses, and our economy.

Let this resolution demonstrate our continued commitment to combatting the dangerous precedent of underpaying individuals based on their gender, because every Michigander deserves the dignity that fair pay provides. I urge you to join me in this resolution.

Senator Hertel offered the following resolution:

Senate Resolution No. 22.

A resolution to recognize March 30, 2025, as Doctors Day.

Whereas, Physicians play an essential role in maintaining and enhancing the health and well-being of individuals and communities across Michigan; and

Whereas, March 30th is recognized nationally as Doctors Day, a time to acknowledge and honor the dedication, expertise, and compassionate care provided by physicians; and

Whereas, The physicians of Michigan tirelessly serve patients in various healthcare settings including hospitals, clinics, private practices, and research institutions, demonstrating unwavering commitment to advancing medical knowledge and patient outcomes; and

Whereas, Physicians are vital to the strength and stability of Michigan’s healthcare system, ensuring access to high-quality care and improving public health; and

Whereas, National Doctors Day is an opportunity for healthcare organizations, communities, and individuals to express gratitude for the invaluable service of physicians, acknowledging their sacrifices and dedication to the profession; and

Whereas, The observance of National Doctors Day on March 30th commemorates the historic achievements of medical pioneers such as Dr. Crawford W. Long, whose groundbreaking work in anesthesia revolutionized modern surgery; and

Whereas, Michigan honors its physicians, not only for their clinical expertise, but for their leadership, mentorship, and advocacy in promoting healthier communities; now, therefore, be it

Resolved by the Senate, That the members of this legislative body recognize March 30, 2025, as Doctors Day; and be it further

Resolved, That the people of Michigan are encouraged to celebrate the contributions of physicians to the health and well-being of our society, offering both appreciation and support to these dedicated professionals who work tirelessly to care for others.

The question being on the adoption of the resolution,

The resolution was adopted.

Senators Bayer, Chang, McMorrow and Santana were named co-sponsors of the resolution.

Senator Singh offered the following resolution:

Senate Resolution No. 23.

A resolution to recognize March 22, 2025, as Michigan Water Day.

Whereas, Since 1993, the United Nations has designated March 22 as World Water Day; and

Whereas, The theme of World Water Day 2025 is glacier preservation, emphasizing the need for global action to manage meltwater sustainably and reduce emissions, securing vital water resources for the future; and

Whereas, The Great Lakes State was shaped by glaciers, and the Great Lakes themselves contain 20 percent of the world’s surface freshwater that is not locked up in glaciers; and

Whereas, Freshwater supplies drinking water, water to grow crops and support industry, water to support recreation, and water essential to fish, wildlife, and healthy ecosystems; and

Whereas, In the past, the failure to protect water caused extensive surface water and groundwater contamination in Michigan, leading to cleanup costs that could have been prevented; and

Whereas, Even in water-rich Michigan, there are residents without access to clean, safe, and affordable water, underscoring the need for continued state and federal investment in our water infrastructure systems; and

Whereas, The abundance of water that characterizes Michigan confers a duty on all residents of the state to conserve and protect freshwater as guardians of this legacy for future generations; and

Whereas, Michigan’s boundaries include approximately 38,000 square miles of Great Lakes surface water and bottomlands, an endowment that state government is charged with protecting on behalf of the public according to the public trust doctrine; and

Whereas, Water is a human right, intrinsic to every aspect of life; and

Whereas, Indigenous communities in Michigan and across North America have long held water as sacred and integral to life, emphasizing the importance of sustainability and respect for natural resources; now, therefore, be it

Resolved by Senate, That the members of this legislative body recognize March 22, 2025, as Michigan Water Day; and be it further

Resolved, That we commit ourselves to the promotion of public awareness to prevent our precious water from pollution and depletion. On this day, we will celebrate and honor the pure water in our state, country, and our world; and be it further

Resolved, Michigan must be vigilant about threats to Great Lakes water that come from arid regions of the United States and must take actions to prevent the artificial loss of water, including strict enforcement of the Great Lakes Compact of 2008 and continued investment in groundwater data collection, monitoring, and long-term conservation measures; and be it further

Resolved, While we recognize the interconnectedness of humanity and appreciate global challenges, we also recognize our duty as Michiganders in protecting our natural resources and instilling a sense of pride in ourselves and our children for the Great Lakes; and be it further

Resolved, That we cherish and acknowledge the special responsibility of protecting Michigan’s waters for current and future generations and of assuring access to clean water and sanitation for all Michigan residents; and be it further

Resolved, That a copy of this resolution be transmitted to For Love of Water with our highest esteem.

The question being on the adoption of the resolution,

The resolution was adopted.

Senators Bayer, Chang, Geiss, McMorrow and Santana were named co-sponsors of the resolution.

Senate Resolution No. 15.

A resolution to commemorate March 2025 as Social Work Month.

(This resolution was offered on Wednesday, March 12, rules suspended and consideration postponed. See Senate Journal No. 23, p. 187.)

The question being on the adoption of the resolution,

The resolution was adopted.

Senators Anthony, Bayer, Bellino, Brinks, Camilleri, Cavanagh, Cherry, Daley, Damoose, Geiss, Hauck, Hertel, Hoitenga, Huizenga, Irwin, Johnson, Klinefelt, McBroom, McCann, McMorrow, Moss, Santana, Shink, Singh, Victory, Webber and Wojno were named co-sponsors of the resolution.

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

The motion prevailed.

Senator Chang’s statement is as follows:

As someone who proudly holds a Master’s in Social Work degree, I’m happy to offer my resolution to declare March 2025 as Social Work Month in the state of Michigan. There are more than 30,000 licensed social workers in Michigan, with over 6,000 social work students aiming to join the workforce. This year’s theme for Social Work Month is “Social Work: Compassion + Action.”

Social workers put their skills and care into action to improve living conditions, enhance community and individual well-being, and ensure that basic needs are met, especially for the most vulnerable in our communities. Social workers work in all areas of our society, including in mental health, hospitals, corrections, schools, substance abuse organizations, veterans serving organizations, social service agencies, and our justice system. Social workers work daily to help people overcome substance abuse disorders and mental illness, such as depression, anxiety, and others, so they can lead more fulfilling lives.

Social workers deploy across the United States and the world, helping people overcome earthquakes, floods, and other disasters. Social workers have pushed for decades to ensure equal rights for all, including women, people of color, people with disabilities, LGBTQ individuals, and others. Social workers help protect children from abuse and neglect and strengthen families. They help students reach their full academic and personal potential. Social workers work with older adults to improve their quality of life and ability to live independently.

Social workers are a key part of the solution for many of our state’s most-pressing challenges, including some of which we have tackled in this chamber. The work that social workers do could improve educational outcomes and health outcomes, end addiction for some, and create strong family bonds. I ask for your support so we can recognize the important role of social workers across our state.

Statements

Senators Bayer, Shink, Albert and Webber asked and were granted unanimous consent to make statements and moved that the statements be printed in the Journal.

The motion prevailed.

Senator Bayer’s statement is as follows:

Today is World Water Day, or actually March 22 is World Water Day. We are recognizing it today. It’s time for us to recognize the importance of water in our lives, not just as a resource, but as a source of life, health, and peace. This year’s theme is water for peace. In a time when we’re facing growing environmental stress, social inequality, and global conflict, water is often barely noticed, even taken for granted, especially here in Michigan. Water is more than just something we drink. It nourishes our bodies, grows our food, powers our industries, and sustains ecosystems. Water can define both challenges and solutions. It’s the thread that weaves through every part of our lives, but outside this beautiful basin that we live in, 2.2 billion people worldwide struggle every day with access to safe water.

In this country, droughts are changing the landscape—the foodscape—and entire communities, entire cities, are becoming water starved. In our state, we have challenges with contaminants getting into our drinking water, with overuse of water causing aquifers to fail, and with people lacking access to clean, safe water simply because of their income level. Without reliable access to clean water, communities—people—cannot thrive. Children miss school, families face health risks, farmers can’t grow their crops, and economies stagnate. The ripple effects are enormous. We’ve seen this in some of our own communities, but when water is managed sustainably, treated as a common good, it becomes a powerful force for improving health for individuals, as well as communities, to move forward in cooperation and peace rather than conflict. Water has the potential to bring people together. Shared water sources like our rivers, lakes, and aquafers, cross borders and connect communities. When we work together to protect and manage these resources, we build trust, cooperation, and stability. We build long-term commitment to our most-critical resource—our water—ensuring that our beautiful state stays beautiful, and people value Michigan as a home and as a destination.

We do have a serious responsibility here. We must not take this resource for granted. We must be good stewards of this rare and precious resource. We, as leaders in Michigan, are tasked with protecting the resources and people of our state, and that begins and ends with access with clean, safe, affordable water. Everyone plays a role in this story, whether it’s reducing waste at home, supporting clean water initiatives, protecting our local waterways, or simply raising awareness, every single action counts. We can all be good water stewards.

Let’s let Water Day 2025 inspire us to think bigger, not only about conserving water but about how we can use it to build bridges, resolve conflicts, sustain our people with access to health through clean, safe, affordable water. Let’s remind ourselves that every drop of water matters. Every effort to protect it matters, and every voice raised in support of sustainable, equitable water access matters. From this day, World Water Day, I hope everyone here will take a personal vow to protect our water resources, to take on the responsibility to care for this precious resource for the good of our state, the country, and the world, for all and forever.

Senator Shink’s statement is as follows:

Canada and the United States, and particularly Canada and Michigan, have a deep, mutually-beneficial relationship. The cultural connection between Michigan and Canada is strengthened through shared history, familial ties, tourism, friendship, educational exchanges, and collaborative initiatives in the arts, sports, and community development. Growing up along the St. Clair River near Port Huron, my family and friends and I shopped, ate, socialized, and pursued educational opportunities back and forth across the border. We participated in binational sailing regattas and thought of Canadians and Canada as our close and supportive friends, and yet respected that each country was sovereign and equal.

Michigan and Canada share the Great Lakes and have a longstanding agreement to ensure that our most-precious natural resource is protected from pollution, aquatic invasive species, and habitat degradation. The Republican Musk/Trump administration is harming our Great Lakes by withholding funding for projects, impeding communication under the Great Lakes Water Quality Agreement and Great Lakes Restoration Initiative between the U.S. and Canadian counterparts. Canada is Michigan’s largest trading partner, supporting jobs and business growth on both sides of the border. Michigan’s economy relies significantly on trade with Canada, including sectors such as automotive, manufacturing, agriculture, natural resources, technology, and tourism.

Our newest physical symbol of our interconnectedness is the Gordy Howe Bridge. It is a multi-billion dollar project expected to open in 2025 and will bring the citizens of Michigan and Ontario even closer together economically and culturally. Michigan exports $23.3 billion in goods to Canada annually. Michigan exports $2.3 billion in services to Canada annually. In fact, Michigan sells more goods to Canada than its next four largest foreign markets combined. Canada employs Michiganders too. Six hundred thirty-three Canadian-owned companies employ 30,200 workers in Michigan. The Michigan Milk Producers Association and Canadian-based Dairy Distillery have partnered on a $41 million ethanol plant in Constantine.

The behavior of the Republican Musk/Trump administration threatens these relationships. The bullying of the Musk/Trump administration is raising our costs and threatening the jobs of Michiganders. Canada is a vital ally to the United States as a neighbor and member of NATO. Our armed forces have served in conflict together in World War I, World War II, Korea, the Persian Gulf, and Afghanistan. Canada and the United States continue to collaborate closely for our nations’ defense through NATO’s western flank, NORAD, the North American Aerospace Defense Command, and through efforts in Michigan including the Canada-U.S. defense partnership at U.S. Army Tank-automotive and Armaments Command in Detroit.

The Trump/Musk administration is harming the close strategic relationship between Canada and the United States by imposing tariffs, by circulating rumors that Canada will be the 51st state, and circulating rumors that the United States will illegally claim Canadian territory. The Musk/Trump administration’s tactics and bullying are damaging to this important relationship and hurt both Americans and Canadians. Tariffs on Canadian products will drive up costs for Michiganders, will reduce job opportunities, and have unleashed both retaliatory tariffs and voluntary boycotts of American products and traveling in Michigan. Let’s remember that being good neighbors to our Canadian neighbors is in our best interest.

Senator Albert’s statement is as follows:

We must safeguard child development. I have two bills that I introduced which are aimed at achieving this goal. The first would require parental consent for kids under the age of 16 to have a social media account. The second bill blocks access to pornographic adult content from minors under 18 years of age. Both of these bills will be accomplished through age verification. Other states have already adopted like measures and it’s time that the state of Michigan, on behalf of concerned parents, adopt these measures as well.

Social media is harming the mental health of our children. Statistics are concerning at any measure that you try to look at. Anxiety, depression, self-harm, you name it, they’re all trending in the wrong direction. Social media is particularly troubling when it comes to young girls. We spend hundreds of millions of dollars every year addressing the symptom of mental health issues in our kids. It is time we address the main cause.

Pornography has similar issues, but it’s a little bit different. It is still harming our kids in general, but it’s especially harming young boys. It is a poison that distorts young, impressionable minds. It objectifies women and it warps what young boys see as acceptable behavior. We make sure kids can’t go see R-rated movies at a theater. We make sure that kids under 18 years of age can’t buy adult content if it’s in print material. It is time we address what’s going on on online platforms as well.

My bills are Senate Bill Nos. 190 and 191. I hope that they will be considered this term, because parents are expecting that we move. Other states are moving, and we need to be responsible as well. Parents are concerned that online platforms are fueling addiction and anxiety in our kids. Common-sense age verification is needed to safeguard our kids’ mental health.

Senator Webber’s statement is as follows:

The failures at Michigan’s state-run psychiatric hospitals have been horrific. These facilities are supposed to be safe havens—places where kids and their families find support during the most challenging times in their lives. Yet, we’ve seen patient escapes, traumatizing emergency drills that do more harm than good, we’ve seen violent attacks, multi-million dollar lawsuits, and a system that is failing the very people it was meant to protect. I also know from working with former patients and their families that these tragedies barely scratch the surface of the deep systemic issues plaguing Michigan’s broken public mental health system.

That’s why I recently introduced legislation to bring oversight and accountability in Michigan’s psychiatric hospital facilities. Our public mental health system is not accountable to patients and families, and as we await the results of the independent investigation in the Office of Recipient Rights that I requested last year, I will not stop fighting for these kids and their families, because when we stand up for our kids, when we do what’s right for their families, we build stronger families and we build stronger communities for all.

Announcements of Printing and Enrollment

The Secretary announced that the following House bills were received in the Senate and filed on Tuesday, March 18:

House Bill Nos. 4014 4065 4098 4099 4170

The Secretary announced that the following bills and joint resolution were printed and filed on Tuesday, March 18, and are available on the Michigan Legislature website:

House Bill Nos. 4243 4244 4245 4246 4247 4248 4249 4250 4251 4252 4253 4254 4255 4256 4257 4258 4259 4260 4261 4262 4263 4264 4265 4266

House Joint Resolution G

The Secretary announced that the following bills were printed and filed on Wednesday, March 19, and are available on the Michigan Legislature website:

Senate Bill Nos. 158 159 160 161 162 163 164 165 166 167 168 169 170 171 172 173 174 175 176 177 178 179 180 181 182 183 184 185 186

Committee Reports

The Committee on Civil Rights, Judiciary, and Public Safety reported

Senate Bill No. 129, entitled

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

With the recommendation that the bill pass.

Stephanie Chang

Chairperson

To Report Out:

Yeas: Senators Chang, Shink, Wojno, Irwin, Santana and Johnson

Nays: Senator Runestad

The bill was referred to the Committee of the Whole.

The Committee on Natural Resources and Agriculture reported

Senate Bill No. 93, entitled

A bill to amend 2000 PA 92, entitled “Food law,” by amending section 4105 (MCL 289.4105), as amended by 2016 PA 188.

With the recommendation that the bill pass.

Sue Shink

Chairperson

To Report Out:

Yeas: Senators Shink, Cherry, Singh, Polehanki, Daley, Victory and Hoitenga

Nays: None

The bill was referred to the Committee of the Whole.

COMMITTEE ATTENDANCE REPORT

The Committee on Natural Resources and Agriculture submitted the following:

Meeting held on Tuesday, March 18, 2025, at 1:30 p.m., Room 1300, Binsfeld Office Building

Present: Senators Shink (C), Cherry, Singh, Polehanki, Daley, Victory and Hoitenga

COMMITTEE ATTENDANCE REPORT

The Appropriations Subcommittee on PreK-12 submitted the following:

Meeting held on Tuesday, March 18, 2025, at 12:00 p.m., Harry T. Gast Appropriations Room, 3rd Floor, Capitol Building

Present: Senators Camilleri (C), Polehanki, Hertel, Klinefelt, Cavanagh, Bayer, Theis and Albert

COMMITTEE ATTENDANCE REPORT

The Appropriations Subcommittee on LARA/DIFS submitted the following:

Meeting held on Tuesday, March 18, 2025, at 1:30 p.m., Harry T. Gast Appropriations Room, 3rd Floor, Capitol Building

Present: Senators Cavanagh (C), Santana and Theis

Scheduled Meetings

Administrative Rules, Joint – Thursday, March 20, 1:30 p.m., Room 521, 5th Floor, House Office Building (517) 373‑5312

Appropriations –

Subcommittees –

Corrections & Judiciary – Thursday, March 20, 1:30 p.m., or immediately following session, Room 1300, Binsfeld Office Building (517) 373‑2768

DHHS – Thursday, March 20, 12:00 noon, or immediately following session, Harry T. Gast Appropriations Room, 3rd Floor, Capitol Building (517) 373‑2768

General Government – Thursday, March 20, 1:30 p.m., or immediately following session, Room 1200, Binsfeld Office Building (517) 373‑2768

Regulatory Affairs – Thursday, March 20, 9:00 a.m., Room 403, 4th Floor, Capitol Building (517) 373‑1721

Senator Singh moved that the Senate adjourn.

The motion prevailed, the time being 11:07 a.m.

The President pro tempore, Senator Moss, declared the Senate adjourned until Thursday, March 20, 2025, at 10:00 a.m.

DANIEL OBERLIN

Secretary of the Senate