No. 21

STATE OF MICHIGAN

Journal of the Senate

102nd Legislature

REGULAR SESSION OF 2024

 

 

 

 

 

Senate Chamber, Lansing, Thursday, February 29, 2024.

 

10:00 a.m.

 

 

The Senate was called to order by the President, Lieutenant Governor Garlin D. Gilchrist II.

 

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—present

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                               McDonald Rivet—present                Wojno—present

Geiss—present                                    McMorrow—present                       


 

Senator Lana Theis of the 22nd District offered the following invocation:

O Lord, our Governor, whose glory is in all the world: We commend this state and this nation to Your merciful care, that being guided by Your providence, we may dwell secure in Your peace. Grant this body and all in authority, wisdom and strength to know and to do Your will. Fill these legislators with the love of truth and righteousness and make them ever mindful of their calling to serve all the people.

The Lord bless you and keep you. The Lord make His face to shine upon you and be gracious to you. The Lord turn His face toward you and give you peace. Amen.

 

The President, Lieutenant Governor Gilchrist, led the members of the Senate in recital of the Pledge of Allegiance.

 

 

Motions and Communications

 

 

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

The motion prevailed.

 

 

The following communication was received:

Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity

February 28, 2024

In accordance with Section 8 of the Michigan Employment Security Act, being Section 421.8 of the Michigan Compiled Laws, the Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity, Unemployment Insurance Agency is required to report annually to the Governor and the Legislature any amount, in excess of $1.00, that the maximum weekly unemployment benefit rate would increase if the annual increase in the United States Department of Labor’s Consumer Price Index (CPI) were applied to the maximum weekly benefit rate for Michigan.

I am, therefore, transmitting to the Governor, and to the House and Senate for publication along with this letter in the Journals of their respective bodies, the enclosed report showing that since the last increase in the maximum weekly benefit rate to $362.00, the increase in the CPI would result in an increase in the maximum weekly unemployment benefit rate to $600.67.

                                                                                       Respectfully submitted,

                                                                                       Julia Dale, Director

                                                                                       Unemployment Insurance Agency

The communication was referred to the Secretary for record.

 

By unanimous consent the Senate proceeded to the order of

Introduction and Referral of Bills

 

 

Senators Bayer, Shink, Wojno, Polehanki, Geiss, Klinefelt, Chang and Irwin introduced

Senate Bill No. 735, entitled

A bill to require notices and warnings if consumer products or packaging contains certain fluorinated organic chemicals; to authorize the promulgation of rules; to provide for the powers and duties of certain state or local governmental officers or entities; and to provide for civil sanctions and remedies.

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

 

 

Senators Victory, Singh, Chang, Santana, Wojno, Daley and McMorrow introduced

Senate Bill No. 736, entitled

A bill to amend 1976 PA 451, entitled “The revised school code,” (MCL 380.1 to 380.1852) by adding section 1170c.

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

 

 

Senator McCann introduced

Senate Bill No. 737, entitled

A bill to create a coordinated cybersecurity defense organization and security operations center for this state’s public universities; to provide for the extension of the cybersecurity defense program to certain other public entities; and to provide for the powers and duties of certain state governmental officers and entities.

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

House Bill No. 4279, entitled

A bill to amend 1976 PA 451, entitled “The revised school code,” by amending sections 681 and 684 (MCL 380.681 and 380.684), section 681 as amended by 2016 PA 532 and section 684 as amended by 2016 PA 535.

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 Education.

 

 

Recess

 

 

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

The motion prevailed, the time being 10:04 a.m.

 

11:20 a.m.

 

The Senate was called to order by the President, Lieutenant Governor Gilchrist.

 

During the recess, Senator Anthony entered the Senate Chamber.

 

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. 721

The motion prevailed.

 

 

The following bill was read a third time:

Senate Bill No. 721, 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 sections 1 and 3 (MCL 565.101 and 565.103), section 1 as amended by 2018 PA 572 and section 3 as amended by 2020 PA 294.

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—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 Senate agreed to the title of the bill.

 

 

The following bill was read a third time:

Senate Bill No. 690, entitled

A bill to amend 1980 PA 523, entitled “Michigan code of military justice of 1980,” by amending sections 2, 3, 6, 10, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 23, 24, 26, 27, 29, 32, 34, 36, 43, 48, 52, 54, 58, 61, 65, 66, 67, 121, and 147 (MCL 32.1002, 32.1003, 32.1006, 32.1010, 32.1015, 32.1016, 32.1017, 32.1018, 32.1019, 32.1020, 32.1023, 32.1024, 32.1026, 32.1027, 32.1029, 32.1032, 32.1034, 32.1036, 32.1043, 32.1048, 32.1052, 32.1054, 32.1058, 32.1061, 32.1065, 32.1066, 32.1067, 32.1121, and 32.1147), sections 2, 3, 15, 16, 26, 27, and 29 as amended and section 121 as added by 2005 PA 186, and by adding sections 6a, 30a, 38a, 58a, 58b, 93a, 106, 106a, 112a, 120, 121a, 121b, 122, 123, 128, 131a, 131b, 131c, 132a, 134a, 134b, 134c, and 134d; and to repeal acts and parts of acts.

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—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 Senate agreed to the title of the bill.

 

 

The following bill was read a third time:

House Bill No. 4127, entitled

A bill to amend 1931 PA 328, entitled “The Michigan penal code,” by amending section 234d (MCL 750.234d), as amended by 1994 PA 158.

The question being on the passage of the bill,

Senator Runestad offered the following amendment:

1.  Amend page 3, line 9, after “officer” by striking out “acting in the course of the officer’s duties”.

The question being on the adoption of the amendment,

Senator Lauwers requested the yeas and nays.

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

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

 

 

Roll Call No. 43                                             Yeas—36

 

 

Albert                                Cherry                               Lauwers                            Polehanki

Anthony                             Daley                                 Lindsey                             Runestad

Bayer                                 Damoose                            McBroom                          Santana

Bellino                               Hauck                                McCann                             Shink

Brinks                                Hertel                                 McDonald Rivet                 Singh

Bumstead                           Hoitenga                            McMorrow                        Theis

Camilleri                            Huizenga                            Moss                                 Victory

Cavanagh                           Johnson                             Nesbitt                               Webber

Chang                                Klinefelt                             Outman                             Wojno

 

 

                                                                      Nays—1

 

 

Irwin                                                                                                                    

 

 

                                                                   Excused—0

 

 

                                                                 Not Voting—1

 

 

Geiss                                                                                                                    

 

 

In The Chair: President

 

 

Senator Runestad offered the following amendment:

1.  Amend page 3, following line 15, by inserting:

     “(d) An individual conducting lawful, non-election-related business.”.

The question being on the adoption of the amendment,

Senator Lauwers requested the yeas and nays.

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

The amendment was not adopted, a majority of the members serving not voting therefor, as follows:

 

 

Roll Call No. 44                                             Yeas—18

 

 

Albert                                Hauck                                Lindsey                             Runestad

Bellino                               Hoitenga                            McBroom                          Theis

Bumstead                           Huizenga                            Nesbitt                               Victory

Daley                                 Johnson                             Outman                             Webber

Damoose                            Lauwers                                                                     

                                                                     Nays—20

 

 

Anthony                             Chang                                Klinefelt                            Polehanki

Bayer                                 Cherry                               McCann                             Santana

Brinks                                Geiss                                 McDonald Rivet                 Shink

Camilleri                            Hertel                                 McMorrow                        Singh

Cavanagh                           Irwin                                  Moss                                 Wojno

 

 

                                                                   Excused—0

 

 

                                                                 Not Voting—0

 

 

In The Chair: President

 

 

Senator Runestad offered the following amendment:

1.  Amend page 3, line 16, after “Subsection” by striking out “(3)(c)” and inserting “(3)”.

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

 

Senator Runestad offered the following amendment:

1.  Amend page 3, line 12, after “property” by inserting “or any other person who has permission to possess a firearm in that person’s residence or on that person’s private property”.

The amendment 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. 45                                             Yeas—21

 

 

Anthony                             Cherry                               Klinefelt                            Polehanki

Bayer                                 Geiss                                 McCann                             Santana

Brinks                                Hertel                                 McDonald Rivet                 Shink

Camilleri                            Irwin                                  McMorrow                        Singh

Cavanagh                           Johnson                             Moss                                 Wojno

Chang                                                                                                                   

 

 

                                                                     Nays—17

 

 

Albert                                Hauck                                Lindsey                             Runestad

Bellino                               Hoitenga                            McBroom                          Theis

Bumstead                           Huizenga                            Nesbitt                               Victory

Daley                                 Lauwers                             Outman                             Webber

Damoose                                                                                                              

 

 

                                                                   Excused—0

 

 

                                                                 Not Voting—0

 

 

In The Chair: President

Recess

 

 

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

The motion prevailed, the time being 11:34 a.m.

 

11:48 a.m.

 

The Senate was called to order by the President, Lieutenant Governor Gilchrist.

 

 

Senator Singh moved to reconsider the vote by which the bill was passed.

The motion prevailed, 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. 46                                             Yeas—20

 

 

Anthony                             Chang                                Klinefelt                            Polehanki

Bayer                                 Cherry                               McCann                             Santana

Brinks                                Geiss                                 McDonald Rivet                 Shink

Camilleri                            Hertel                                 McMorrow                        Singh

Cavanagh                           Irwin                                  Moss                                 Wojno

 

 

                                                                     Nays—18

 

 

Albert                                Hauck                                Lindsey                             Runestad

Bellino                               Hoitenga                            McBroom                          Theis

Bumstead                           Huizenga                            Nesbitt                               Victory

Daley                                 Johnson                             Outman                             Webber

Damoose                            Lauwers                                                                     

 

 

                                                                   Excused—0

 

 

                                                                 Not Voting—0

 

 

In The Chair: President

 

 

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

“An act to revise, consolidate, codify, and add to the statutes relating to crimes; to define crimes and prescribe the penalties and remedies; to provide for restitution under certain circumstances; to provide for the competency of evidence at the trial of persons accused of crime; to provide immunity from prosecution for certain witnesses appearing at criminal trials; to provide for liability for damages; and to repeal certain acts and parts of acts inconsistent with or contravening any of the provisions of this act,”

The Senate agreed to the full title.

 

 

Senator Runestad asked and was granted unanimous consent to make statements and moved that the statements be printed in the Journal.

The motion prevailed.

Senator Runestad’s first statement is as follows:

This bill contains no exceptions for off-duty police officers who are often required to carry a firearm, including when they are at or near a polling location. Obviously, cops can be trusted just as much off duty as when they’re in uniform. My amendment removes the language that specifies that only on-duty police officers are allowed to carry their guns unconcealed near polling places and drop boxes. There have been countless crimes foiled because an off-duty cop was nearby with a firearm. My amendment will fix this foolhardy provision.

 

Senator Runestad’s second statement is as follows:

Currently under this bill, open carry within 100 feet of a ballot box is prohibited, but keep in mind elections are now in Michigan 40 days prior to the actual election. That’s how long the prohibition would last. Although this might sound reasonable, keep in mind these drop boxes are all over the place, often nondescript, sometimes streets, town halls, schools, countless places, community buildings, it would be so easy to violate this law inadvertently. My amendment simply says that a person is allowed to carry if they are conducting lawful, non-election-related business; they would not be subject to this prohibition.

 

Senator Runestad’s third statement is as follows:

The way this bill was crafted poorly allows a person to drive to and from the polling location or past the polling location with a gun secured but does not allow you to park and then with your gun secured in the car go and vote, which is the craziest thing I can imagine in terms of encouraging people to vote. My amendment fixes this by simply permitting you to travel within that jurisdiction of these drop boxes, as well as to park, without breaking the law.

 

Senator Runestad’s fourth statement is as follows:

This final amendment is to fix an issue in the way the bill was crafted. The bill says that if your personal property, your home, business, whatever, is within 100 feet of a polling place or one of these polling boxes, that you would be able to have your gun on the property. However, it does not apply to people who are visiting—guests to the home—which is just a bad aspect of the way the bill was written. This simply says that your personal guests at your property would have the same protection from being prosecuted that you would at your property.

 

 

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

House Bill No. 5096

The motion prevailed.

 

 

The following bill was read a third time:

House Bill No. 5096, entitled

A bill to amend 1996 PA 376, entitled “Michigan renaissance zone act,” by amending sections 3, 4, 6, 8a, and 12 (MCL 125.2683, 125.2684, 125.2686, 125.2688a, and 125.2692), sections 3 and 8a as amended by 2010 PA 277, section 4 as amended by 2014 PA 27, section 6 as amended by 2016 PA 118, and section 12 as amended by 2010 PA 83.

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. 47                                             Yeas—24

 

 

Anthony                             Daley                                 McBroom                          Santana

Brinks                                Damoose                            McCann                             Shink

Camilleri                            Geiss                                 McDonald Rivet                 Singh

Cavanagh                           Hertel                                 McMorrow                        Victory

Chang                                Huizenga                            Moss                                 Webber

Cherry                               Klinefelt                             Polehanki                          Wojno

                                                                     Nays—14

 

 

Albert                                Hauck                                Lauwers                            Outman

Bayer                                 Hoitenga                            Lindsey                             Runestad

Bellino                               Irwin                                  Nesbitt                               Theis

Bumstead                           Johnson                                                                      

 

 

                                                                   Excused—0

 

 

                                                                 Not Voting—0

 

 

In The Chair: President

 

 

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 full title of the act shall be inserted to read as follows:

“An act to create and expand certain renaissance zones; to foster economic opportunities in this state; to facilitate economic development; to stimulate industrial, commercial, and residential improvements; to prevent physical and infrastructure deterioration of geographic areas in this state; to authorize expenditures; to provide exemptions and credits from certain taxes; to create certain obligations of this state and local governmental units; to require disclosure of certain transactions and gifts; to provide for appropriations; and to prescribe the powers and duties of certain state and local departments, agencies, and officials,”

The Senate agreed to the full title.

 

 

Recess

 

 

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

The motion prevailed, the time being 11:53 a.m.

 

12:03 p.m.

 

The Senate was called to order by the President, Lieutenant Governor Gilchrist.

 

 

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

House Bill No. 4128

The motion prevailed.

 

 

The following bill was read a third time:

House Bill No. 4128, entitled

A bill to amend 1931 PA 328, entitled “The Michigan penal code,” by amending section 234d (MCL 750.234d), as amended by 1994 PA 158.

The question being on the passage of the bill,

Senator Runestad offered the following amendments:

1.  Amend page 3, line 9, after “officer” by striking out “acting in the course of the officer’s duties”.

2.  Amend page 3, line 23, after “a” by striking out “uniformed”.

3.  Amend page 3, line 24, after “officer” by striking out “acting in the course of the officer’s duties”.

The amendments were not adopted, a majority of the members serving not voting therefor.

 

The Assistant President pro tempore, Senator Geiss, assumed the Chair.

Senator Runestad offered the following amendments:

1.  Amend page 3, following line 15, by inserting:

     “(d) An individual conducting lawful, non-election-related business.”.

2.  Amend page 3, line 23, by striking out all of subsection (7) and inserting:

     “(7) Subsection (6) does not apply to any of the following:

(a) A law enforcement officer.

(b) An individual conducting lawful, non-election-related business.”.

The amendments were not adopted, a majority of the members serving not voting therefor.

 

Senator Runestad offered the following amendment:

1.  Amend page 3, line 16, after “Subsection” by striking out “(3)(c)” and inserting “(3)”.

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

 

Senator Runestad offered the following amendment:

1.  Amend page 3, line 12, after “property” by inserting “or any other person who has permission to possess a firearm in that person’s residence or on that person’s private property”.

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

 

Senator Hertel offered the following amendment:

1.  Amend page 3, line 9, after “officer” by striking out “acting in the course of the officer’s duties”.

The amendment 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. 48                                             Yeas—20

 

 

Anthony                             Chang                                Klinefelt                            Polehanki

Bayer                                 Cherry                               McCann                             Santana

Brinks                                Geiss                                 McDonald Rivet                 Shink

Camilleri                            Hertel                                 McMorrow                        Singh

Cavanagh                           Irwin                                  Moss                                 Wojno

 

 

                                                                     Nays—18

 

 

Albert                                Hauck                                Lindsey                             Runestad

Bellino                               Hoitenga                            McBroom                          Theis

Bumstead                           Huizenga                            Nesbitt                               Victory

Daley                                 Johnson                             Outman                             Webber

Damoose                            Lauwers                                                                     

 

 

                                                                   Excused—0

 

 

                                                                 Not Voting—0

 

 

In The Chair: Geiss

 

 

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

“An act to revise, consolidate, codify, and add to the statutes relating to crimes; to define crimes and prescribe the penalties and remedies; to provide for restitution under certain circumstances; to provide for the competency of evidence at the trial of persons accused of crime; to provide immunity from prosecution for certain witnesses appearing at criminal trials; to provide for liability for damages; and to repeal certain acts and parts of acts inconsistent with or contravening any of the provisions of this act,”

The Senate agreed to the full title.

Protests

 

 

Senators Johnson and Daley, under their constitutional right of protest (Art. 4, Sec. 18), protested against the passage of House Bill Nos. 4127 and 4128.

Senator Johnson’s statement, in which Senator Daley concurred, is as follows:

These bills would serve to restrict the rights of law-abiding citizens in our state. An individual who lawfully possesses a firearm could be charged with a crime under these bills for inadvertently walking within 100 feet of an absentee ballot drop box during any of the 40 days before an election in our state. I urge my colleagues in voting “no” on these bills.

 

 

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

The motion prevailed.

Senator Runestad’s statement is as follows:

Again, I’m offering my amendment to allow a person who is simply conducting lawful, non-election-related business that just happens to walk past a ballot box or polling location to not be prosecuted under this law. My staff reminded me that the language we’ve included in this amendment is the exact same language on a very similar bill in the blue state of New Mexico.

 

By unanimous consent the Senate proceeded to the order of

Statements

 

 

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

The motion prevailed.

Senator Webber’s statement is as follows:

An appeals panel affirmed a lower court’s ruling that public school teachers are not a part of a public body and therefore don’t have to produce materials under the Freedom of Information Act. This ruling should concern all lawmakers as parents have a right to see what is being taught inside their kids’ classroom. That’s why I introduced legislation to clarify who is covered under the Freedom of Information Act.

A shocking Oakland County Circuit Court ruling found a union-member teacher’s class curriculum was not accountable to FOIA despite the educator being an employee of a public school system. My bill would expand access to information to meet what the citizens already believe is covered under the current law. Parents have demanded accountability for their schools, and I am listening. The need for my bill—Senate Bill No. 154—has become more urgent as the appeals panel affirmed the lower court’s ruling.

Madam President, no parent should be denied access to what is being taught inside the classroom. We must support parents and provide them greater awareness and accountability when it comes to their children’s education.

 

Senator Runestad’s statement is as follows:

This past week I visited the southern border to see for myself the immigration disaster plunging our country into the abyss. I saw for myself parts of the border that former President Trump had secured with walls extended 40 feet up. I saw parts of the border wall that former President Bush put up with walls extending a fraction of that. Then I saw President Biden’s border; there were no walls, no security, just a wide-open road leading straight into our country that I put on social media.

The fact is, President Biden is endangering our national security with only cartel-approved individuals from around the world permitted to cross over the border. These are often individuals who want to do us harm, disrupting our neighborhoods, straining our resources. Biden is allowing cartel partners—his cartel partners—to make millions pouring dangerous drugs and human trafficking victims across the border and into our open communities.

The public approval of securing the border is now 70 percent. I still hear not a peep in opposition to Biden’s border policy from Michigan Democrats. In fact, they’re rolling out their own red carpet through proposing drivers licenses for illegal immigrants, taxpayer-funded housing subsidies, and apparently unlimited funding for immigrant populations, regardless of their citizenship status. Meanwhile, the same resources are desperately needed by our own American citizens who actually deserve that help but are then left to their own devices.

The Governor now breathlessly calls for volunteers to take in the migrants, but ignores the 3,600 foster care children under our care who are in great need of loving homes themselves. If the Governor really believed her welcome-home core policy, she would lead by example. She would take these huge taxpayer-funded homes she has at her disposal that can hold, I figure, dozens of immigrants and open it up to them.

Illegal immigrants are currently being bussed all throughout Michigan at taxpayer expense, without the public having a clue about any of this. Who are these people? No one knows. So why are the Democrats all-in for this, regardless of the horrific consequences? The answer is simple, it is power. Democrats see every new illegal immigrant as a potential new voter. More illegal immigrants means more potential voters for them as they offer unlimited taxpayer largess for their votes after achieving the long-sought-after amnesty. Republicans could not and should not try to outbid the Democrats. So more illegal immigrant voters for the Democrats, they hope, means staying in power permanently. Here in Michigan, our left-wing leaders are proud to stand behind sanctuary cities that benefit criminals and other illegal immigrants but put American citizens at risk and in danger. Yesterday, 19 on the other side of the aisle voted to support the sanctuary-city policies and also against cracking down on fentanyl.

At the border, I learned firsthand about the horrific details many of these trafficking victims endure by the cartels. I heard testimony from people captured in the Darién Gap, one of the most dangerous places in the entire world, that trafficking is exploding because of Biden’s effective cartel partners and the open border that they terrorize. Young girls are raped and brutalized and forced into sex trafficking; men are forced into drug packaging, and death in this work is no idle threat. But Democrats seem not to care that the open border remains, the cartels remain in power, fentanyl floods in and kills our communities, little children are routed into horrific sex trafficking starting at age nine or ten years old—it just keeps getting worse, and worse, and worse.

Colleagues across the aisle, if you had seen what I saw at the border, maybe you would have voted differently yesterday. Maybe, just maybe, you would have had the compassion to vote to protect and care for Michigan citizens. Maybe, but then again, maybe not.

 

Senator Irwin’s statement is as follows:

I just want to take a moment to note that we were just treated to five solid minutes of bellicose nonsense. The idea that Democrats don’t care about Michigan’s people or the idea that Democrats support fentanyl coming across the border is nonsense. It’s silly, political gobbledygook. Wouldn’t it be nice if here on the floor of the Senate we actually focused on trying to make our substance-abuse treatment programs work for our state? Maybe we could focus on reducing demand and desperation that leads to these drugs coming into our state. But sometimes I feel like we don’t have a serious partner in that conversation. Sometimes I feel like folks just tumble out of the clown car and come in here and make political speeches when they should be serious about serving the people. So anybody who wants to get serious in this place about protecting lives, anybody who wants to get serious about trying to prevent fentanyl from killing people and causing overdoses in our state, you’ve got a willing partner for that. But anybody who wants to use poor and desperate people, anybody who wants to stand up and tell lies about what I believe and what I stand for on this floor—they’re not going to get a lot of attention from me. And I hope that it’ll get a lot of attention from the voters, because they’re not being serious. It’s pure politics, and it’s disgusting.

 

 

Announcements of Printing and Enrollment

 

 

The Secretary announced that the following House bill was received in the Senate and filed on Wednesday, February 28:

House Bill No.     4279

 

The Secretary announced that the following bill was printed and filed on Wednesday, February 28, and is available on the Michigan Legislature website:

House Bill No.     5526

 

The Secretary announced that the following bills were printed and filed on Thursday, February 29, and are available on the Michigan Legislature website:

Senate Bill Nos.      729    730    731    732    733    734

Committee Reports

 

 

The Committee on Health Policy reported

House Bill No. 4608, entitled

A bill to amend 1978 PA 368, entitled “Public health code,” by amending sections 16141 and 16145 (MCL 333.16141 and 333.16145), as amended by 1993 PA 80, and by adding section 16346 and part 183A.

With the recommendation that the bill pass.

Kevin Hertel

Chairperson

To Report Out:

Yeas: Senators Hertel, Santana, Wojno, Klinefelt, Geiss, Webber, Hauck and Huizenga

Nays: Senator Runestad

The bill was referred to the Committee of the Whole.

 

 

COMMITTEE ATTENDANCE REPORT

 

The Committee on Health Policy submitted the following:

Meeting held on Wednesday, February 28, 2024, at 12:30 p.m., Room 1100, Binsfeld Office Building

Present: Senators Hertel (C), Santana, Wojno, Klinefelt, Geiss, Webber, Hauck, Huizenga and Runestad

Excused: Senator Cherry

 

 

COMMITTEE ATTENDANCE REPORT

 

The Appropriations Subcommittee on Universities and Community Colleges submitted the following:

Meeting held on Wednesday, February 28, 2024, at 8:45 a.m., Room 1100, Binsfeld Office Building

Present: Senators McCann (C), Singh and Albert

Excused: Senators Irwin and Damoose

 

 

COMMITTEE ATTENDANCE REPORT

 

The Appropriations Subcommittee on Agriculture and Natural Resources submitted the following:

Meeting held on Wednesday, February 28, 2024, at 12:00 noon, Room 1300, Binsfeld Office Building

Present: Senators Cherry (C), Shink, Singh, Bumstead and Theis

 

 

COMMITTEE ATTENDANCE REPORT

 

The Committee on Finance, Insurance, and Consumer Protection submitted the following:

Meeting held on Wednesday, February 28, 2024, at 12:30 p.m., Room 1200, Binsfeld Office Building

Present: Senators Cavanagh (C), Irwin, McCann, Bayer, Camilleri, Huizenga, Theis and Daley

 

 

COMMITTEE ATTENDANCE REPORT

 

The Appropriations Subcommittee on General Government submitted the following:

Meeting held on Wednesday, February 28, 2024, at 3:00 p.m., Room 1300, Binsfeld Office Building

Present: Senators Cherry (C), Bayer, Klinefelt and Albert

Excused: Senator Hauck

 

 

COMMITTEE ATTENDANCE REPORT

 

The Appropriations Subcommittee on LEO/MEDC submitted the following:

Meeting held on Wednesday, February 28, 2024, at 3:00 p.m., Room 1200, Binsfeld Office Building

Present: Senators Cavanagh (C), McDonald Rivet, McCann, McMorrow, Camilleri, Huizenga and Bumstead

Scheduled Meetings

 

 

Appropriations –

 

Subcommittees –

 

General Government Wednesday, March 6, 3:00 p.m., Room 1300, Binsfeld Office Building (517) 373-2768

 

Military, Veterans, State Police and House Appropriations on Military and Veterans Affairs and State Police, Joint – Tuesday, March 5, 9:00 a.m., Room 352, House Appropriations Room, 3rd Floor, Capitol Building (517) 373-2768

 

 

Senator Singh moved that the Senate adjourn.

The motion prevailed, the time being 12:22 p.m.

 

The Assistant President pro tempore, Senator Geiss, declared the Senate adjourned until Tuesday, March 5, 2024, at 10:00 a.m.

 

 

DANIEL OBERLIN

Secretary of the Senate