Today, the House of Representatives passed the Earned Sick Time Act (ESTA) and tipped wage legislation, sending the bills to the Senate. The move comes after months of advocacy work by the Chamber to push the issue to the top of the legislative agenda.
Passing 63-41, HB 4001 addresses the tipped wage for servers, maintaining the tipped minimum wage at 38% and gradually increasing the minimum wage to $15 per hour by 2028, with inflationary adjustments starting in 2029.
HB 4002, which passed 67-38, includes several key changes to the ESTA, such as allowing the frontloading of the 72 hours of earned sick time and defining small businesses as those with fewer than 50 employees.
“This is good news for businesses of all sizes. The Chamber applauds Speaker Matt Hall and the members of both parties who approved these bills and took action to address this deeply flawed legislation,” said Brad Williams, Vice President of Political Affairs at the Detroit Regional Chamber. “We encourage the Senate to act promptly and send these bills to the Governor.”
The Chamber raised its concerns in testimony earlier this month before the House Select Committee on Protecting Michigan Employees and Small Businesses.
The Chamber and its business colleagues also met with Sen. Sam Singh (D-East Lansing), the Majority Floor Leader and sponsor of the Senate package to advocate for passage and gauge interest in the legislation in the Senate. The Chamber also met with Sen. Kevin Hertel (D-St. Claire Shores), the sponsor of the minimum wage bill.
