No. 74

STATE OF MICHIGAN

Journal of the Senate

103rd Legislature

REGULAR SESSION OF 2025

Senate Chamber, Lansing, Tuesday, September 9, 2025.

10:00 a.m.

Pursuant to rule 1.101, in the absence of the Presiding Officers, the Senate was called to order by the Secretary of the Senate.

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

Albert—present Hauck—excused Moss—present

Anthony—present Hertel—present Nesbitt—present

Bayer—present Hoitenga—present Outman—present

Bellino—present Huizenga—present Polehanki—present

Brinks—present Irwin—present Runestad—present

Bumstead—excused Johnson—excused Santana—present

Camilleri—present Klinefelt—present Shink—present

Cavanagh—present Lauwers—present Singh—present

Chang—present Lindsey—excused Theis—present

Cherry—present McBroom—present Victory—excused

Daley—present McCann—present Webber—present

Damoose—present McMorrow—present Wojno—present

Geiss—present

Senator Mark Huizenga of the 36th District offered the following invocation:

Heavenly Father, thank You for everything: for life, for health, and for Your grace. Guide us as we make decisions in this body that impact our constituents and the people of the state of Michigan. I pray that You provide us with both perseverance and wisdom. Help us to remember the words of Your servant James as described in James 1: “Consider it pure joy my brothers whenever you face trials of many kinds because you know the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work so you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.”

In Your holy name we pray. Amen.

The Secretary of the Senate, Daniel Oberlin, led the members of the Senate in recital of the Pledge of Allegiance.

Senator Irwin entered the Senate Chamber.

Motions and Communications

Senator Lauwers moved that Senators Runestad and McBroom be temporarily excused from today’s session.

The motion prevailed.

Senator Lauwers moved that Senators Bumstead, Johnson, Lindsey, Hauck and Victory be excused from today’s session.

The motion prevailed.

Senator Klinefelt entered the Senate Chamber.

Senator Singh moved that Senators Hertel, Brinks, Camilleri, Geiss, Moss and Shink be temporarily excused from today’s session.

The motion prevailed.

The following communications were received and read:

Office of the Auditor General

September 3, 2025

Enclosed is a copy of the following report:

• Follow-up report of the Michigan Integrated Tax Administration System, Department of Treasury and Department of Technology, Management, and Budget (271-0595-19F).

September 5, 2025

Enclosed is a copy of the following report:

• Performance audit report on the Michigan Veterans’ Facility Authority, Department of Military and Veterans Affairs (512-0150-24).

Sincerely,

Doug Ringler

Auditor General

The audit reports were referred to the Committee on Oversight.

The following communication was received:

Office of Senator Mallory McMorrow

September 4, 2025

Please add my signature as a co-sponsor to the following bills:

• Senate Bill 520

• Senate Bill 521

• Senate Bill 522

• Senate Bill 523

• Senate Bill 524

If there are any questions or issues, do not hesitate to reach out to me or members of my staff.

Sincerely,

Mallory McMorrow

State Senator

Michigan’s 8th District

The communication was referred to the Secretary for record.

The following communication was received:

Office of Senator Dayna Polehanki

September 9, 2025

Per Senate Rule 1.110(c), I am requesting that my name be added as a co-sponsor to Senate Bill Nos. 520, 521, 522, 523, and 524.

Sincerely,

Senator Dayna Polehanki

State Senate District 5

The communication was referred to the Secretary for record.

Recess

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

The motion prevailed, the time being 10:03 a.m.

11:09 a.m.

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

During the recess, Senators Runestad, Moss, Hertel, Camilleri, Shink, Brinks, Geiss and McBroom entered the Senate Chamber.

By unanimous consent the Senate proceeded to the order of

Introduction and Referral of Bills

Senators Daley, McBroom, Lauwers, Bellino, Theis, Victory, Nesbitt, Lindsey, Runestad, Johnson, Hoitenga, Outman, Damoose, Hauck, Webber, Huizenga and Albert introduced

Senate Joint Resolution E, entitled

A joint resolution proposing an amendment to the state constitution of 1963, by amending section 31 of article IV, section 18 of article V, and section 17 of article IX, to require certain state budget bills to be enacted into law on or before a certain date and to suspend the compensation of state legislators and the governor if those state budget bills are not enacted on or before that date.

The joint resolution was read a first and second time by title and referred to the Committee on Government Operations.

Senators Cherry, Chang, Shink and Wojno introduced

Senate Bill No. 532, entitled

A bill to amend 1949 PA 300, entitled “Michigan vehicle code,” by amending section 803i (MCL 257.803i), as amended by 2022 PA 143.

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

Senators Cavanagh and Moss introduced

Senate Bill No. 533, entitled

A bill to amend 1954 PA 116, entitled “Michigan election law,” (MCL 168.1 to 168.992) by adding section 931c.

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

House Bill No. 4017, entitled

A bill to amend 1974 PA 154, entitled “Michigan occupational safety and health act,” by amending section 35 (MCL 408.1035), as amended by 2024 PA 17.

The House of Representatives has passed the bill and ordered that it be given immediate effect.

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

House Bill No. 4024, entitled

A bill to require that certain educational institutions in this state, when providing students with multiple occupancy restrooms, changing areas, and similar facilities, do so in a manner that ensures each student’s privacy from individuals of the opposite biological sex; and to provide for the powers and duties of certain state and local governmental officers and entities.

The House of Representatives has passed the bill and ordered that it be given immediate effect.

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

House Bill No. 4218, entitled

A bill to amend 1974 PA 258, entitled “Mental health code,” by amending sections 100d and 756 (MCL 330.1100d and 330.1756), section 100d as amended by 2022 PA 214 and section 756 as added by 1995 PA 290.

The House of Representatives has passed the bill and ordered that it be given immediate effect.

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

House Bill No. 4219, entitled

A bill to amend 1974 PA 258, entitled “Mental health code,” by amending section 416 (MCL 330.1416), as amended by 2018 PA 595.

The House of Representatives has passed the bill and ordered that it be given immediate effect.

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

House Bill No. 4358, entitled

A bill to amend 1909 PA 279, entitled “The home rule city act,” (MCL 117.1 to 117.38) by adding section 3c.

The House of Representatives has passed the bill and ordered that it be given immediate effect.

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

House Bill No. 4359, entitled

A bill to amend 1895 PA 3, entitled “The general law village act,” by amending sections 4, 5, and 13 of chapter II and section 3 of chapter V (MCL 62.4, 62.5, 62.13, and 65.3), sections 4 and 5 of chapter II and section 3 of chapter V as amended by 2012 PA 551 and section 13 of chapter II as amended by 2003 PA 305.

The House of Representatives has passed the bill and ordered that it be given immediate effect.

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

House Bill No. 4362, entitled

A bill to amend 2012 PA 176, entitled “Mozelle senior or vulnerable adult medical alert act,” by amending the title and section 5 (MCL 28.715).

The House of Representatives has passed the bill and ordered that it be given immediate effect.

The bill was read a first and second time by title and referred to the Committee on Civil Rights, Judiciary, and Public Safety.

House Bill No. 4398, entitled

A bill to amend 1998 PA 58, entitled “Michigan liquor control code of 1998,” by amending section 1113 (MCL 436.2113), as amended by 2011 PA 27.

The House of Representatives has passed the bill and ordered that it be given immediate effect.

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

House Bill No. 4517, entitled

A bill to amend 2002 PA 713, entitled “Child abduction broadcast act,” by amending the title and sections 1, 2, and 5 (MCL 28.761, 28.762, and 28.765).

The House of Representatives has passed the bill and ordered that it be given immediate effect.

The bill was read a first and second time by title and referred to the Committee on Civil Rights, Judiciary, and Public Safety.

House Bill No. 4518, entitled

A bill to amend 2002 PA 712, entitled “Michigan Amber alert act,” by amending the title and section 3 (MCL 28.753), the title as amended by 2013 PA 91.

The House of Representatives has passed the bill and ordered that it be given immediate effect.

The bill was read a first and second time by title and referred to the Committee on Civil Rights, Judiciary, and Public Safety.

House Bill No. 4524, entitled

A bill to amend 1945 PA 200, entitled “An act to define a marketable record title to an interest in land; to require the filing of notices of claim of interest in such land in certain cases within a definite period of time and to require the recording thereof; to make invalid and of no force or effect all claims with respect to the land affected thereby where no such notices of claim of interest are filed within the required period; to provide for certain penalties for filing slanderous notices of claim of interest, and to provide certain exceptions to the applicability and operation thereof,” by amending the title and sections 1, 1a, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, and 8 (MCL 565.101, 565.101a, 565.102, 565.103, 565.104, 565.105, 565.106, and 565.108), sections 1 and 3 as amended by 2024 PA 20, section 1a as added and section 6 as amended by 1997 PA 154, sections 2 and 5 as amended by 2018 PA 572, and section 4 as amended by 2022 PA 235, and by adding section 5a.

The House of Representatives has passed the bill and ordered that it be given immediate effect.

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

House Bill No. 4674, entitled

A bill to amend 1949 PA 300, entitled “Michigan vehicle code,” by amending section 236 (MCL 257.236), as amended by 2024 PA 2.

The House of Representatives has passed the bill and ordered that it be given immediate effect.

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

House Bill No. 4698, entitled

A bill to amend 1909 PA 278, entitled “The home rule village act,” (MCL 78.1 to 78.28) by adding section 24e.

The House of Representatives has passed the bill and ordered that it be given immediate effect.

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

House Bill No. 4699, entitled

A bill to amend 1954 PA 116, entitled “Michigan election law,” by amending sections 362 and 370 (MCL 168.362 and 168.370), section 362 as amended by 1980 PA 112 and section 370 as amended by 2022 PA 104.

The House of Representatives has passed the bill and ordered that it be given immediate effect.

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

House Bill No. 4746, entitled

A bill to amend 1939 PA 280, entitled “The social welfare act,” (MCL 400.1 to 400.119b) by adding section 14n.

The House of Representatives has passed the bill and ordered that it be given immediate effect.

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

By unanimous consent the Senate returned to the order of

Resolutions

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

Senate Resolution No. 65

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

Senator Anthony offered the following resolution:

Senate Resolution No. 65.

A resolution to recognize September 2025 as Hunger Action Month.

Whereas, Each September, Hunger Action Month unites millions of people across the country to raise awareness, take action, and provide food to neighbors facing hunger; and

Whereas, Led by Feeding America and its network of local food banks and volunteers, this nationwide movement works to build a future where everyone has access to the food and support they need; and

Whereas, The Feeding America network of food banks launched Hunger Action Month in 2007, marking its 18th year in 2025; and

Whereas, In 2024, more than 50 million people across the United States relied on food banks, underscoring the widespread and urgent need for food assistance nationwide; and

Whereas, Michigan is home to over 150 food banks and pantries, which collectively serve thousands of residents across the state through innovative programs, partnerships, and community outreach; and

Whereas, Hunger continues to impact communities across Michigan, with approximately 1.5 million residents facing food insecurity, including more than 402,000 children; and

Whereas, The overall food insecurity rate in Michigan stands at 14.2 percent with childhood food insecurity exceeding 19 percent statewide and reaching nearly 20 percent in the Upper Peninsula; and

Whereas, To address these widespread levels of food insecurity, Michigan relies on a variety of resources including emergency food assistance, community-based initiatives, and federally funded programs that work together to help residents access the nutritious food they need; and

Whereas, The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) is a vital federal resource for more than 1.4 million low-income individuals across every region, helping families not only afford food but also access nutritious options essential for health and well-being; and

Whereas, Among SNAP recipients, more than 59 percent are families with children, 39 percent include older adults or individuals with disabilities, and 41,000 are veterans, representing a significant portion of Michigan’s most vulnerable populations; and

Whereas, Michigan residents benefit from additional food assistance programs, including the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC), which provides nutritious foods each month to more than 200,000 moms, babies, and children under the age of five; and

Whereas, In addition to these federal supports, Michigan has further demonstrated its commitment to addressing food insecurity by including funding for free school meals for all students, an investment that helps reduce household food hardship and alleviates pressure on emergency food systems across the state; and

Whereas, Despite these critical supports, food banks across Michigan have reported an 18 percent increase in demand over the past year, reflecting the persistent challenges families face in accessing enough nutritious food; and

Whereas, Hunger Action Month is a time to raise awareness, inspire action, and recognize the tireless efforts of food banks, volunteers, programs, and advocates working to end hunger in Michigan; now, therefore, be it

Resolved by the Senate, That the members of this legislative body recognize September 2025 as Hunger Action Month.

The question being on the adoption of the resolution,

Senator Singh requested the yeas and nays.

The yeas and nays were ordered, 1/5 of the members present voting therefor.

The resolution was adopted, a majority of the members voting therefor, as follows:

Roll Call No. 223 Yeas—31

Albert Cherry Klinefelt Polehanki

Anthony Daley Lauwers Santana

Bayer Damoose McBroom Shink

Bellino Geiss McCann Singh

Brinks Hertel McMorrow Theis

Camilleri Hoitenga Moss Webber

Cavanagh Huizenga Nesbitt Wojno

Chang Irwin Outman

Nays—0

Excused—5

Bumstead Johnson Lindsey Victory

Hauck

Not Voting—1

Runestad

In The Chair: Moss

Senators Bayer, Chang, Damoose, Geiss and Polehanki were named co-sponsors of the resolution.

Senators Anthony and Runestad asked and were granted unanimous consent to make statements and moved that the statements be printed in the Journal.

The motion prevailed.

Senator Anthony’s first statement is as follows:

Today I rise in support of my resolution to declare September as Hunger Action Month. Across the nation, this month ignites a movement. Advocates, volunteers, and entire communities rally to raise awareness of the serious problem and drive action to end hunger throughout the country.

Today, on Hunger Action Day, we double down. It’s not just about awareness. It’s about urgency and action, especially at this critical time. This morning I was honored to join local leaders across mid-Michigan at the Greater Lansing Food Bank. The message from them was clear: food insecurity is rising and demand is increasing. The consequences of the policy changes aren’t theoretical. They’re happening right now and they demand our attention. In Michigan alone, more than 1.5 million people face hunger, and 400,000 of them are children, children who don’t know where their next meal will come from. The crisis is spiraling, fueled by devastating cuts to SNAP and other food assistance programs that were a part of Trump’s big bad bill. Thanks to Republicans in D.C. fast-tracking this proposal full of devastating cuts across the board, over 200,000 Michiganders will lose their food benefits. They’ll see them drop, and tens of thousands could lose their benefits completely.

Instead of standing up for Michiganders, now we see House Republicans on the other side of this building copying the worst of the D.C. playbook. They slap the label of “waste, fraud, and abuse” on vital programs and deal with the fallout later. That includes slashing universal school meals, a program that feeds 1.4 million children daily and saves families an average of $850 per year. It also reduces Double Up Food Bucks by $3.8 million. When we’re talking about hungry children and struggling families, this kind of political theater isn’t just reckless, it’s dangerous. Hunger isn’t just about food. It’s about a child’s ability to learn, a worker’s ability to focus, and our economy’s ability to grow.

Many of us come here with Christian beliefs and values, so I’d like to turn our attention to the Bible. Matthew 25:35 says, “For when I was hungry, you gave me something to eat. When I was thirsty, you gave me something to drink. When I was a stranger, you invited me in. When I needed clothes, you clothed me.” Budgets are moral documents; what we do in this building, the faith and traditions we bring into this space, matter. I would ask our colleagues to join together and urge you to support this resolution as a small signal to designate our commitment to ensuring no woman, no man, and no child in this state goes to bed hungry.

Senator Runestad’s statement is as follows:

For a resolution directed at one area, my colleague on the other side of the aisle went all over the place. From SNAP benefits and the big, beautiful bill to Medicaid to free school lunches, very broad-based and she also referenced that Christian beliefs and values are important. Yeah, like telling the truth, that’s fairly important. With the SNAP benefits that the House was talking about getting control of, the massive fraud, Michigan is one of the few states in the nation that does not encrypt their cards. We have an almost 10 percent fraud rate because of that. The House has said you’ve got to encrypt the cards. They’re putting money in to do that. Why the Democrats have not done that, why they simply don’t ever seem to care about something like waste, fraud, and abuse. Almost 10 percent being looted away from the taxpayer dollars.

The Medicaid she referenced is willy-nilly all the Medicaid is going to be cut. As I have said before, it’s very clear in both the federal and the state proposed budget from the House, if you are able-bodied without dependents—again, there’s always the lie that there’s somebody with 12 kids in a wheelchair, it’s all lies—you have to be able-bodied with no dependents for those requirements to kick in. I believe, and I believe the vast majority of people if they’re told the truth, would know that this is something that benefits the person and the taxpayer. If somebody’s 40 years old in their mom’s basement playing video games and they never have any requirement to do anything for the benefit, that doesn’t help them. Having them go do either some work requirement or some volunteer work or go to school, I think the vast majority of people think that is beneficial to the recipient. It’s also beneficial to the taxpayer.

As for the free food, the Republican proposal is a 20 percent increase over the current per-pupil funding. It’s $12,000. The Democratic proposal is $10,000. The Democrats’ is very constrained about where you can use the money and the Republicans trust schools to be able to put the money where they want to put the money. If they want to do free food, they can do all the free food they want to do—they can double-up on the free food. However, if they think that some very wealthy district and they have another crying need and they don’t have that same need, that’s the choice of the school.

Again, I agree with her: Christian beliefs and values are important, like telling the truth about these bills.

Senator Anthony’s second statement is as follows:

I just want to clarify that the resolution is related to Hunger Action Day, not 40-year-olds in their basement, not waste, fraud, and abuse. I wanted to make sure the men and women in this chamber stood with Michigan families, knowing that despite some of the political rhetoric, hunger is not a partisan issue. Again, I ask our colleagues to vote “yes” on Hunger Action Day in the state of Michigan.

By unanimous consent the Senate returned to the order of

Third Reading of Bills

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

Senate Bill No. 501

The motion prevailed.

The following bill was read a third time:

Senate Bill No. 501, entitled

A bill to amend 1978 PA 368, entitled “Public health code,” by amending sections 16335, 17801, and 17821 (MCL 333.16335, 333.17801, and 333.17821), as amended by 2009 PA 55, and by adding sections 17820a and 17820b.

The question being on the passage of the bill,

Senator Santana offered the following substitute:

Substitute (S-1).

The substitute was adopted, a majority of the members serving voting therefor.

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. 224 Yeas—32

Albert Cherry Klinefelt Polehanki

Anthony Daley Lauwers Runestad

Bayer Damoose McBroom Santana

Bellino Geiss McCann Shink

Brinks Hertel McMorrow Singh

Camilleri Hoitenga Moss Theis

Cavanagh Huizenga Nesbitt Webber

Chang Irwin Outman Wojno

Nays—0

Excused—5

Bumstead Johnson Lindsey Victory

Hauck

Not Voting—0

In The Chair: Moss

The Senate agreed to the title of the bill.

The following bill was read a third time:

House Bill No. 4101, entitled

A bill to amend 1978 PA 368, entitled “Public health code,” (MCL 333.1101 to 333.25211) by adding section 16187a.

The question being on the passage of the bill,

Senator Santana offered the following substitute:

Substitute (S-2).

The substitute was adopted, a majority of the members serving voting therefor.

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. 225 Yeas—32

Albert Cherry Klinefelt Polehanki

Anthony Daley Lauwers Runestad

Bayer Damoose McBroom Santana

Bellino Geiss McCann Shink

Brinks Hertel McMorrow Singh

Camilleri Hoitenga Moss Theis

Cavanagh Huizenga Nesbitt Webber

Chang Irwin Outman Wojno

Nays—0

Excused—5

Bumstead Johnson Lindsey Victory

Hauck

Not Voting—0

In The Chair: Moss

Senator Singh moved that the bill be given immediate effect.

The motion prevailed, 2/3 of the members serving voting therefor.

Pursuant to Joint Rule 20, the bill title of the act shall be inserted to read as follows,

“An act to protect and promote the public health; to codify, revise, consolidate, classify, and add to the laws relating to public health; to provide for the prevention and control of diseases and disabilities; to provide for the classification, administration, regulation, financing, and maintenance of personal, environmental, and other health services and activities; to create or continue, and prescribe the powers and duties of, departments, boards, commissions, councils, committees, task forces, and other agencies; to prescribe the powers and duties of governmental entities and officials; to regulate occupations, facilities, and agencies affecting the public health; to regulate health maintenance organizations and certain third party administrators and insurers; to provide for the imposition of a regulatory fee; to provide for the levy of taxes against certain health facilities or agencies; to promote the efficient and economical delivery of health care services, to provide for the appropriate utilization of health care facilities and services, and to provide for the closure of hospitals or consolidation of hospitals or services; to provide for the collection and use of data and information; to provide for the transfer of property; to provide certain immunity from liability; to regulate and prohibit the sale and offering for sale of drug paraphernalia under certain circumstances; to provide for the implementation of federal law; to provide for penalties and remedies; to provide for sanctions for violations of this act and local ordinances; to provide for an appropriation and supplements; to repeal certain acts and parts of acts; to repeal certain parts of this act; and to repeal certain parts of this act on specific dates,”

The Senate agreed to the full title.

By unanimous consent the Senate proceeded to the order of

Statements

Senators Bellino, Daley, Hertel and Nesbitt asked and were granted unanimous consent to make statements and moved that the statements be printed in the Journal.

The motion prevailed.

Senator Bellino’s statement is as follows:

Recently I stood before you and laid out the truth about the condition of the state under Governor Gretchen Whitmer. And let me tell you something: judging from the reaction here and on social media, I must have hit a nerve. People were furious. But notice this: not one single person stood up or wrote online that I lied. So I ask you directly right now, Where did I lie? Was it a lie that Michigan’s budget’s way overdue, past the legal limit, while schools and governments are left in limbo? No. That was a fact.

Was it a lie that Michigan has one of the highest unemployment rates in the nation? No, very recently they told us, that’s a fact. Was it a lie that Whitmer’s economic development agency shoveled $20 million to a political ally who then splurged on luxury travel, a $4,500 coffee maker, and padded her own salary? No, that’s not a lie. Ask the Attorney General. That’s documented. Was it a lie that our kids are falling behind in reading and math year after year while the Governor spends more time cultivating the “Big Gretch” persona than fighting for classrooms? No, those are the state’s own scores. Was it a lie that over 270,000 people in Michigan will be denied representation for over a year because the Governor refused to call a special election until recently? No, that’s not a lie. In fact, if you look it up, almost 70,000 people of color were denied representation. Imagine what would be said on the other side of the aisle if it was a Republican governor?

If the other side’s mad, that’s fine, but don’t be mad at me for telling the truth. Be mad at the Governor for failing the people of Michigan because here’s the bottom line: facts don’t care about feelings. Many people in this chamber are worried about everybody’s feelings. They forget about the facts. The people of Michigan deserve better leadership. They deserve people who will attack facts head-on, not hide behind spin and slogans, social media stunts and frequent international travel. What we need is real leadership and that’s what I’ll keep fighting for.

Senator Daley’s statement is as follows:

Today I introduced Senate Joint Resolution E. It’s a very simple measure. It says quite plainly that if we don’t do our job, then we don’t get paid. This is the same language as House Joint Resolution M, which received 70 votes in the House of Representatives on August 21.

Passing an annual budget is the most basic responsibility of the Legislature. Families, schools, and our local communities are counting on us to deliver. Years ago, this body saw fit to impose a summer budget deadline in order to ensure schools could plan ahead before classes started, and guarantee that a full spending plan was in place well before the start of the state’s fiscal year on October l. Yet, just a few years later, a new school year has started without a budget and that summer deadline is months behind us. Budget negotiations have stalled—if they have actually ever got off the ground. Personally, I don’t count screaming that you don’t like someone else’s plan to be the same as offering a serious solution. And now our Governor is missing in action, globetrotting around the world instead of showing leadership here at home.

Michiganders work hard every day. They show up, put in the hours, and get the job done. They expect that from us. If we cannot do the most basic task that voters sent us to Lansing to complete, then we should not receive a paycheck funded by their hardworking tax dollars. That’s why Senate Joint Resolution E would withhold paychecks from legislators and the Governor if we fail to meet the fiscal year deadline until a balanced state budget is passed and signed into law. In the real world, you don’t get paid if you don’t do your job. It should be no different in the State Capitol. It’s time to hold ourselves accountable. It’s time to pass a budget. I hope that leadership from the other side of the aisle will put this joint resolution up for a vote.

Senator Hertel’s statement is as follows:

While my House Republican colleagues on the other side of the Capitol only needed about 25 minutes to skim an 800-page, $78 billion omnibus budget before casting their votes, it’s taken me a couple weeks to examine that document, have conversations with folks across my community, and really understand what those impacts would be. One of the most glaring of those impacts is the complete elimination of funding for a grade school STEM program called “Starbase” that is located at Southridge Air National Guard Base, as well as two other sites in Alpena and Battle Creek here in Michigan.

You might wonder, how on earth could this program possibly fall under this catchphrase of waste, fraud, and abuse? Well, according to the House Speaker—it’s in one of his recent press conferences—the program doesn’t exist anymore. In his own words, he says, “It hasn’t existed for years.” Then, after that press conference, we saw House Republicans celebrating this in their e-newsletters, calling it a phantom program. So, this was a shock to me, as just earlier this year I toured the program at Selfridge, met with parents, met with teachers and administrators, as the federal government was working to slash the programming.

Now, we were able to fight and get that funding back, but I know very well that this is not a phantom program. Exactly why I know that is: the very same day that the House Speaker was having a press conference, and that House Republicans were calling this a phantom program, there were students in the classroom at Selfridge learning all of these important things that are critical to the future job creation of our state. I want to share with you what a mother from Grosse Pointe Woods shared with us—a quote from her daughter regarding Starbase: “Starbase was one of the most amazing experiences of my life. We did amazing things that most kids will never get to do, like explore a model of the International Space Station. We got to learn so much. They taught us so many things, and there were a lot of really cool experiments. I loved interacting with the other kids and getting to do fun experiments with them.” How can you hear that and decide that you should gut this program?

You know, the program has existed for more than three decades, and it’s so popular that it currently has a ten-year waiting list for students waiting to get in. And the audacity of House Republicans—having slashed its funding and then celebrated it—is absurd; it is shameful, and our kids deserve better.

There is a bigger issue here than just Starbase. One line item in the budget is a perfect example of how we do not have a serious partner in the House to negotiate with. If they were able to skim past this in an
800-page, $78 billion budget and not realize that what they’re calling a phantom program very much exists and is benefiting students here in the state today, what else is in that 800-page document that we should be concerned about?

I am a strong believer in working together, making compromise so that we can get stuff done, but we can’t do that at the expense of our kids, our seniors, our first responders, our veterans, and our communities. And we certainly can’t be writing a budget based on political talking points—not when we’ve heard from so many people across all of the state of Michigan about what they need to see in our state budget to deliver for them and their families. We are less than a month away from the start of a new fiscal year, and because of House Republicans’ delay tactics, shady budget gimmicks, and complete lack of values, we’re running really short on time to get a responsible budget done. Our communities deserve better than that, and frankly, the people of Michigan deserve a Legislature that takes their future as seriously as they do. Let’s get together, and let’s get this done.

Senator Nesbitt’s statement is as follows:

Waste, fraud, and abuse. These aren’t just words. They’re a damning indictment of seven long years of Democrats’ grip over Michigan’s state government. While hardworking families scrape by and budgets remain in limbo, Governor Whitmer is thumbing her nose at accountability by letting us know that she’s extending her lavish, taxpayer-supported trip from Japan—now on to Germany—arm-in-arm with the folks from the MEDC—who even the Democratic Attorney General is investigating now—who funneled a staggering $20 million of taxpayer grants to one of her biggest supporters, only for it to vanish into luxury getaways and an absurd $5,000 coffee maker, first-class tickets, and high six-figure salaries—all while working families struggle to make it here in Michigan.

Are Democrats denouncing this flagrant corruption? I haven’t seen it. Are they calling for investigations? Nope. Are they passing legislation to make sure this never happens again? No. Are they doing anything to protect taxpayers and help them actually make it right here in Michigan? Nope. Instead, they’re just fighting to keep the money flowing.

The waste, fraud, and abuse in our state has gotten so bad that even President Trump shared a video earlier this week, highlighting some of the findings of the Michigan House Oversight Committee that’s been working hard to hold this administration accountable. Pause and let that sink in. Lansing Democrats’ reckless pillaging of taxpayer dollars is so egregious, so outrageous, that even the leader of the free world is taking time to shine a spotlight on it. I’m sick of it. The President is sick of it. And the people of Michigan are sick of it. They don’t want to foot the bill for the Governor and her friends to travel the world, her cronies to get rich—they want schools that teach the kids ABCs, not the DEI. They want roads that don’t shatter suspensions, windshields, and their wallets. And they want a state government that actually helps families—working families—make it here in Michigan, instead of just funding pork projects.

As President Trump fights against the waste, fraud, and abuse in Washington, D.C., we’re going to continue fighting here in Michigan. Lansing Democrats: the clock is ticking. You can keep turning a blind eye and playing the same old political games, or we can summon some guts to put Michigan first. Join us. Reject the rot. Finally deliver the bold action our people deserve. Let’s make it here in Michigan.

Announcements of Printing and Enrollment

The Secretary announced that the following House bills were received in the Senate and filed on Thursday, September 4:

House Bill Nos. 4024 4218 4219 4517 4518 4524 4674

The Secretary announced that the following bills were printed and filed on Thursday, September 4, and are available on the Michigan Legislature website:

Senate Bill Nos. 518 519 520 521 522 523 524 525 526 527 528 529 530 531

Committee Reports

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

Senate Bill No. 333, entitled

A bill to require law enforcement agencies to adopt certain policies on the use of force by law enforcement officers; to require law enforcement agencies to update the use of force policies; and to provide for the powers and duties of certain state and local governmental officers and entities.

With the recommendation that the bill pass.

Stephanie Chang

Chairperson

To Report Out:

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

Nays: Senator Runestad

The bill was referred to the Committee of the Whole.

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

Senate Bill No. 334, entitled

A bill to amend 1965 PA 203, entitled “Michigan commission on law enforcement standards act,” (MCL 28.601 to 28.615) by amending the title, as amended by 1998 PA 237, and by adding sections 9f and 9g.

With the recommendation that the substitute (S-1) be adopted and that the bill then pass.

Stephanie Chang

Chairperson

To Report Out:

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

Nays: Senator Runestad

The bill and the substitute recommended by the committee were referred to the Committee of the Whole.

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

Senate Bill No. 336, entitled

A bill to amend 1966 PA 189, entitled “An act to provide procedures for making complaints for, obtaining, executing and returning search warrants; and to repeal certain acts and parts of acts,” by amending section 6 (MCL 780.656).

With the recommendation that the bill pass.

Stephanie Chang

Chairperson

To Report Out:

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

Nays: None

The bill was referred to the Committee of the Whole.

COMMITTEE ATTENDANCE REPORT

The Committee on Civil Rights, Judiciary, and Public Safety submitted the following:

Meeting held on Thursday, September 4, 2025, at 12:00 noon, Room 1200, Binsfeld Office Building

Present: Senators Chang (C), Shink, Wojno, Irwin, Santana, Runestad and Johnson

COMMITTEE ATTENDANCE REPORT

The Committee on Labor submitted the following:

Meeting held on Thursday, September 4, 2025, at 8:30 a.m., Room 1300, Binsfeld Office Building

Present: Senators Cherry (C) and Albert

Absent: Senators Camilleri and Cavanagh

Scheduled Meetings

Administrative Rules, Joint — Wednesday, September 10, 9:00 a.m., Room 521, 5th Floor, Anderson House Office Building (517) 373‑5312

Civil Rights, Judiciary, and Public Safety — Thursday, September 11, 12:00 noon, Room 1200, Binsfeld Office Building (517) 373‑5312

Elections and Ethics — Wednesday, September 10, 3:00 p.m., Room 1100, Binsfeld Office Building (517) 373‑1721

Health Policy — Wednesday, September 10, 12:30 p.m., Room 1100, Binsfeld Office Building (517) 373‑5323

Senator Singh moved that the Senate adjourn.

The motion prevailed, the time being 11:52 a.m.

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

DANIEL OBERLIN

Secretary of the Senate