Michigan Legislature Takes Key Votes With Hours to Spare

Per the Michigan Constitution, a bill must sit in the other house for five calendar days after passing its first house. This means any bill that wants to see the light of day must pass through its first chamber today, Dec. 13, to be voted on by Dec. 19, the expected last day of session.

The Michigan Senate adjourned this morning, Dec. 13, at 5:30 a.m., after a nearly 20-hour session in which they were successful in moving many anti-business bills to the House before the deadline. The Michigan House took the other route and decided to adjourn last night and begin session again this morning during a rare Friday session day.

Why it matters: The legislature made drastic moves by passing legislation that will impact businesses here in the state for the long term, from hiring processes to environmental clean-up and allowing local governments to set their own minimum wages for the entire municipality.

The Democratic legislature has decided to focus on radical ideas instead of responding to the real issues at hand, like addressing the implementation of unreasonable earned sick time requirements, fixing the ever-shrinking road fund that cannot keep up with Gov. Gretchen Whitmer’s promise of fixing the roads, figuring out talent attraction, and adding more money into an economic development tool that has brought thousands of high-paying jobs to the state.

Below is a summary of all key bills that the Chamber’s Public Policy and Business Advocacy team have been monitoring and the position that they are fighting for:

• HB 6056 and 6057 fixes key issues with the Earned Sick Time Act. The House has not taken any action on this issue.
  • The Chamber SUPPORTS this package.
• SB 1173 allows local governments to create minimum wages, creating a patchwork of labor regulations across the Detroit Region and state. The Senate passed these bills, which are now in the House.
  • The Chamber OPPOSES these bills.
• SB 954–956 limits price increases during a declared state of emergency to 10%, resulting in the potential for $1 million penalties for violating businesses. The Senate passed these bills, and they are in the House.
  • The Chamber OPPOSES this package.
• HB 5865–5868 removes “dark stores” from property tax evaluations and modifies tax tribunal. The House took testimony on this package and would need to vote on it today, Dec. 13.
  • The Chamber OPPOSES this package, which was kept in committee.
• HB 5618–5627 creates new hiring burdens, including modifications to job descriptions and interview processes. The House reported this bill out of committee and is now on the floor.
  • The Chamber OPPOSES this package.
• SB 605–611 creates overburdensome clean-up standards for sites. The Senate passed this package and it is now in the House.
  • The Chamber OPPOSES this package.
• SB 447 creates a tax credit for biomass-generated aviation fuel. The Senate passed this bill and it is now in the House.
  • The Chamber SUPPORTS this bill.
• SB 1131–1133 allows for carbon capture in Michigan. The Senate passed this bill and it is now in the House.
  • The Chamber SUPPORTS this bill.
• HB 6051 requires prevailing wage on certain broadband projects. The House reported this bill out of committee and is now on the floor.
  • The Chamber OPPOSES this bill.
• SB 943, 944, 946, and 947 places unnecessary restrictions to charter schools. The Senate passed these bills, and they are in the House.
  • The Chamber OPPOSES this package.
• SB 861–864 would count the passing of prison programs towards “productivity credits” to earn reduced inmates’ sentences. The Senate passed these bills, and they are in the House.
  • The Chamber SUPPORTS this package.

Now is the time to call your legislator and voice your concerns for the many anti-growth items on the House’s agenda. Find your state legislator. 

Remember, Chamber members can receive specialized advice and assistance with reaching out to legislative leaders from the Chamber’s Public Policy and Business Advocacy team. Contact them here.