STATE OF MICHIGAN
Journal of the Senate
102nd Legislature
REGULAR SESSION OF 2024
Senate Chamber, Lansing, Tuesday, April 16, 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—excused 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—excused Victory—present
Daley—present McCann—present Webber—present
Damoose—present McDonald Rivet—present Wojno—present
Geiss—present McMorrow—present
Senator Ruth A. Johnson of the 24th District offered the following invocation:
Lord, we thank You for this day. We thank You for the fellowship of those in this chamber. We thank You for the opportunity to serve our neighbors as their representatives here in Michigan’s State Capitol.
Heavenly Father, we are Your children. Open our hearts that we may accept Your guidance and wisdom as we carry out our work. As our lands are renewed with the lushness of spring, so we ask that You, Lord, renew our minds. You told us through Your Son, Jesus, that we are the light of the world. Matthew 5:16 instructs us, Let your light so shine before others, that they may see your good deeds, and glorify your Father which is in heaven. Lord, give us the courage we need to live up to this charge which we have been given.
Work in the hearts and in our minds so that we may show others Your most precious gift: love. Through our words and through our actions, let all that we do bring about the warmth and renewal and promise of spring, and also show Your love. As You continuously strengthen us, may we seek to strengthen each other. As You ever more show us Your mercy and grace, may we also show mercy and grace to those we encounter. Help us, abiding Father, that we might be those lights that You seek in Your world, and that our deeds here on earth might glorify You in heaven.
We pray all these things in the name of Your Son, Jesus Christ. Amen.
The President, Lieutenant Governor Gilchrist, led the members of the Senate in recital of the Pledge of Allegiance.
Motions and Communications
Senator Lauwers moved that Senator Runestad be temporarily excused from today’s session.
The motion prevailed.
Senator Lauwers moved that Senators Bumstead and McBroom be excused from today’s session.
The motion prevailed.
Senator Singh moved that Senators Geiss and Wojno be temporarily excused from today’s session.
The motion prevailed.
The following communication was received:
Office of Senator John Cherry
April 10, 2024
Please add my signature as a co-sponsor to the following bills:
• Senate Bill 818
• Senate Bill 819
• Senate Bill 820
• Senate Bill 823
• Senate Bill 824
• Senate Bill 825
• Senate Bill 826
If there are any questions or issues, do not hesitate to reach out to me or members of my staff.
Sincerely,
John Cherry
State Senator
Michigan’s 27th District
The communication was referred to the Secretary for record.
The following communication was received:
Office of Senator Jeff Irwin
April 10, 2024
Please add my signature as a co-sponsor to the following bills:
• Senate Bill 818
• Senate Bill 819
• Senate Bill 820
• Senate Bill 821
• Senate Bill 822
• Senate Bill 823
• Senate Bill 824
• Senate Bill 825
• Senate Bill 826
• Senate Bill 827
If there are any questions or issues, do not hesitate to reach out to me or members of my staff.
Sincerely,
Jeff Irwin
State Senator
Michigan’s 15th District
The communication was referred to the Secretary for record.
The following communication was received:
Office of Senator Mallory McMorrow
April 10, 2024
Please add my signature as a co-sponsor to the following bills:
• Senate Bill 818
• Senate Bill 819
• Senate Bill 820
• Senate Bill 821
• Senate Bill 822
• Senate Bill 823
• Senate Bill 824
• Senate Bill 825
• Senate Bill 826
• Senate Bill 827
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
April 10, 2024
Per Senate Rule 1.110(c) I am requesting that my name be added as co-sponsor to Senate Bills 818-827.
Sincerely,
Dayna Polehanki
State Senator, District 5
The communication was referred to the Secretary for record.
By unanimous consent the Senate proceeded to the order of
Introduction and Referral of Bills
A bill to amend 1927 PA 175, entitled “The code of criminal procedure,” by amending section 14b of chapter XVII (MCL 777.14b), as added by 2002 PA 29.
The bill was read a first and second time by title and referred to the Committee on Labor.
Senator Cherry introduced
A bill to amend 1974 PA 154, entitled “Michigan occupational safety and health act,” by amending the title and sections 4, 13, 14, 14a, 14e, 14f, 14j, 14n, 24, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 33, 35, 36, 37, 41, 45, 46, 52, 54, 55, 56, 63, 65, and 91 (MCL 408.1004, 408.1013, 408.1014, 408.1014a, 408.1014e, 408.1014f, 408.1014j, 408.1014n, 408.1024, 408.1027, 408.1028, 408.1029, 408.1030, 408.1031, 408.1033, 408.1035, 408.1036, 408.1037, 408.1041, 408.1045, 408.1046, 408.1052, 408.1054, 408.1055, 408.1056, 408.1063, 408.1065, and 408.1091), the title as amended by 1986 PA 147, sections 4, 35, and 36 as amended by 2024 PA 17, section 14 as amended by 2020 PA 143, sections 14a, 14e, 14f, 14j, 24, 31, 54, and 63 as amended by 2012 PA 447, section 14n as amended by 1991 PA 105, section 33 as amended by 1996 PA 87, and section 55 as amended by 1993 PA 197; and to repeal acts and parts of acts.
The bill was read a first and second time by title and referred to the Committee on Labor.
Senator Huizenga introduced
A bill to designate the official insect of the state of Michigan.
The bill was read a first and second time by title and referred to the Committee on Natural Resources and Agriculture.
By unanimous consent the Senate returned to the order of
Messages from the Governor
The following messages from the Governor were received and read:
April 11, 2024
I respectfully submit to the Senate the following appointments to office pursuant to Public Act 368 of 1978, MCL 333.22211:
Certificate of Need Commission
Dr. Amy McKenzie of 6178 Notre Dame Boulevard, Washington Township, Michigan 48095, Macomb County, reappointed to represent nonprofit health care corporations operating pursuant to the nonprofit health care corporation reform act and Independents, appointed for a term commencing April 11, 2024, and expiring on January 1, 2027.
Renee Turner-Bailey of 4534 Strandwyck Road, West Bloomfield, Michigan 48322, Oakland County, reappointed to represent organized labor and Democrats, appointed for a term commencing April 11, 2024, and expiring on January 1, 2027.
Dr. Eric Ferguson of 8225 Huron River Drive, Dexter, Michigan 48130, Washtenaw County, reappointed to represent physicians licensed under part 170 to engage in the practice of medicine and Independents, appointed for a term commencing April 11, 2024, and expiring on April 9, 2027.
Dr. Mark DeLano of 4590 Old Grand River Trail, N.E., Ada, Michigan 49301, Kent County, succeeding Justin Dimmick whose term has expired, appointed to represent licensed physicians actively engaged in teaching at a school of medicine and Democrats, appointed for a term commencing April 11, 2024, and expiring on April 9, 2026.
Daniel Velez of 702 Patricia Place Drive, Westland, Michigan 48185, Wayne County, succeeding Donald Haney whose term has expired, appointed to represent nursing homes and Independents, for a term commencing April 11, 2024, and expiring on April 9, 2027.
April 11, 2024
I respectfully submit to the Senate the following appointment to office pursuant to Public Act 299 of 1980, MCL 339.301, 339.302, 339.303, and 339.902:
Collections Practices Board
Scott Renner of 335 Bridge Street, N.W., Unit 2800, Grand Rapids, Michigan 49504, Kent County, succeeding Kirstin Demaio whose term has expired, appointed to represent professionals, for a term commencing April 11, 2024, and expiring June 30, 2026.
April 11, 2024
I respectfully submit to the Senate the following appointment to office pursuant to Public Act 368 of 1978, MCL 333.16121 and 333.17113:
Michigan Board of Licensed Midwifery
Angela Wells of 1828 Sunhollow Court,
Haslett, Michigan 48840, Ingham County, succeeding Geradine Simkins whose
term has expired, appointed to represent nurse midwives, for a term commencing
April 11, 2024, and expiring December 31, 2027.
April 11, 2024
I respectfully submit to the Senate the following appointments to office pursuant to Public Act 368 of 1978, MCL 333.16121 and 333.17305:
Michigan Board of Nursing Home Administrators
Alethea Nichols-Taylor of 2971 Arlington Drive, Saginaw, Michigan 48601, Saginaw County, succeeding Ian Koffler whose term has expired, appointed to represent the general public, for a term commencing April 11, 2024, and expiring June 30, 2026.
LaTosha Agee-Gussman of 23650 Beech Road, Southfield, Michigan 48033, Oakland County, succeeding Helen Hartwell whose term has expired, appointed to represent the general public, for a term commencing April 11, 2024, and expiring June 30, 2026.
April 11, 2024
I respectfully submit to the Senate the following appointment to office pursuant to Public Act 299 of 1980, MCL 339.2603:
Michigan Board of Real Estate Appraisers
Jordan Wernette of 5151 Scotch Mist Drive, Saranac, Michigan 48881, Ionia County, succeeding James Hartman whose term has expired, appointed to represent certified general real estate appraisers, for a term commencing April 11, 2024, and expiring June 30, 2026.
April 11, 2024
I respectfully submit to the Senate the following appointment to office pursuant to Public Act 368 of 1978, MCL 333.16121 and 333.17605:
Michigan Board of Speech Language Pathology
Denise Ludwig of 4800 Sundial Drive, N.E., Grand Rapids, Michigan 49525, Kent County, succeeding Abaries Farhad whose term has expired, appointed to represent speech language pathologists, for a term commencing April 11, 2024, and expiring December 31, 2027.
April 11, 2024
I respectfully submit to the Senate the following appointment to office pursuant to Public Act 560 of 2016, MCL 36.105:
Michigan Veterans’ Facility Authority Board of Directors
Shawn Turner of 1456 Meadowbrook Lane, East Lansing, Michigan 48823, Ingham County, succeeding Mary Naber who has resigned, appointed to represent the nominee of the Senate Majority Leader with professional knowledge, skill, or experience in long-term care, health care licensure or finance, or medicine, for a term commencing April 11, 2024, and expiring April 15, 2025.
Respectfully,
Gretchen Whitmer
Governor
The appointments were referred to the Committee on Government Operations.
The following messages from the Governor were received and read:
April 11, 2024
Due to an error on the March 21, 2024 letter filed with your office pursuant to MCL 339.1102, Public Act 299 of 1980, please be advised of the following correction appearing in bold:
Michigan Board of Barber Examiners
Ronald Farmer of 1965 Ribble Street, Saginaw, Michigan 48601, Saginaw County, succeeding Grant Thelen whose term expired, appointed to represent the general public, for a term commencing March 21, 2024, and expiring September 30, 2027.
April 11, 2024
Due to an error on the April 2, 2024 letter filed with your office pursuant to Public Act 299 of 1980, MCL 339.301, 339.302, 339.303, and 339.902, please be advised of the following corrections appearing in bold:
Collections Practices Board
Vinita Gandhi of 3110 Chickering Court,
Bloomfield Hills, Michigan 48302, Oakland County, succeeding Lorray Brown whose
term has expired, appointed to represent the general public, for a term
commencing April 2, 2024, and expiring June 30, 2027.
Jenny Liagre of 32005 Harper Avenue, Saint Clair Shores, Michigan 48082, Macomb County, succeeding John Garrett Angelo whose term has expired, appointed to represent professionals, for a term commencing April 2, 2024, and expiring June 30, 2026.
April 11, 2024
Due to an error on the April 2, 2024 letter filed with your office pursuant to Public Act 299 of 1980, MCL 339.2603, please be advised of the following correction appearing in bold:
Michigan Board of Real Estate Appraisers
Nicholas Krieger of 319 North Rath Avenue, Ludington, Michigan 49431, Mason County, succeeding Phyllis Howard whose term has expired, appointed to represent the general public, for a term commencing April 2, 2024, and expiring June 30, 2026.
Joey Barash of 2017 Harbor Village Avenue, Keego Harbor, Michigan 48320, Oakland County, succeeding Thomas Watson whose term has expired, appointed to represent certified residential real estate appraisers, for a term commencing April 2, 2024, and expiring June 30, 2026.
Respectfully,
Gretchen Whitmer
Governor
The messages were referred to the Committee on Government Operations.
Senator Singh moved that the Senate recess subject to the call of the Chair.
The motion prevailed, the time being 10:07 a.m.
The Senate was called to order by the President pro tempore, Senator Moss.
During the recess, Senators Geiss, Runestad and Wojno entered the Senate Chamber.
By unanimous consent the Senate proceeded to the order of
General Orders
The motion prevailed, and the President pro tempore, Senator Moss, designated Senator Albert 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 with a substitute therefor, the following bill:
Senate Bill No. 682, entitled
A bill to amend 1949 PA 300, entitled “Michigan vehicle code,” (MCL 257.1 to 257.923) by adding section 628b.
Substitute (S-3).
The Senate agreed to the substitute recommended by the Committee of the Whole, and the bill as substituted was placed on the order of Third Reading of Bills.
By unanimous consent the Senate returned to the order of
Motions and Communications
Senate Bill No. 682
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
Senator Singh moved that the Senate proceed to consideration of the following bill:
Senate Bill No. 682
The
motion prevailed.
The following bill was read a third time:
Senate Bill No. 682, entitled
A bill to amend 1949 PA 300, entitled “Michigan vehicle code,” (MCL 257.1 to 257.923) by adding section 628b.
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. 93 Yeas—31
Albert Daley McCann Santana
Anthony Damoose McDonald Rivet Shink
Bayer Geiss McMorrow Singh
Brinks Hertel Moss Theis
Camilleri Huizenga Nesbitt Victory
Cavanagh Johnson Outman Webber
Chang Klinefelt Polehanki Wojno
Cherry Lauwers Runestad
Nays—5
Bellino Hoitenga Irwin Lindsey
Hauck
Excused—2
Bumstead McBroom
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:
House Bill No. 5103
The motion prevailed.
The following bill was read a third time:
House Bill No. 5103, entitled
A bill to amend 1949 PA 300, entitled “Michigan vehicle code,” by amending sections 303 and 304 (MCL 257.303 and 257.304), section 303 as amended by 2020 PA 376 and section 304 as amended by 2023 PA 125.
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. 94 Yeas—33
Albert Daley Klinefelt Outman
Anthony Damoose Lauwers Polehanki
Bayer Geiss Lindsey Santana
Bellino Hauck McCann Shink
Brinks Hertel McDonald Rivet Singh
Camilleri Hoitenga McMorrow Victory
Cavanagh Huizenga Moss Webber
Chang Irwin Nesbitt Wojno
Cherry
Nays—3
Johnson Runestad Theis
Excused—2
Bumstead McBroom
Not Voting—0
In The Chair: Moss
Pursuant to Joint Rule 20, the full title of the act shall be inserted to read as follows:
“An act to provide for the registration, titling, sale, transfer, and regulation of certain vehicles operated upon the public highways of this state or any other place open to the general public or generally accessible to motor vehicles and distressed vehicles; to provide for the licensing of dealers; to provide for the examination, licensing, and control of operators and chauffeurs; to provide for the giving of proof of financial responsibility and security by owners and operators of vehicles; to provide for the imposition, levy, and collection of specific taxes on vehicles, and the levy and collection of sales and use taxes, license fees, and permit fees; to provide for the regulation and use of streets and highways; to create certain funds; to provide penalties and sanctions for a violation of this act; to provide for civil liability of manufacturers, the manufacturers of certain devices, the manufacturers of automated technology, upfitters, owners, and operators of vehicles and service of process on residents and nonresidents; to regulate the introduction and use of certain evidence; to regulate and certify the manufacturers of certain devices; to provide for approval and certification of installers and servicers of certain devices; to provide for the levy of certain assessments; to provide for the enforcement of this act; to provide for the creation of and to prescribe the powers and duties of certain state and local agencies; to impose liability upon the state or local agencies; to provide appropriations for certain purposes; to repeal all other acts or parts of acts inconsistent with this act or contrary to this act; and to repeal certain parts of this act on a specific date,”
The Senate agreed to the full title.
The following bill was read a third time:
House Bill No. 4596, entitled
A bill to prohibit the sale, offering for sale, and distribution for sale of certain disposable wipes without meeting certain requirements; and to prohibit certain acts and provide civil sanctions.
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. 95 Yeas—23
Anthony Cherry Klinefelt Santana
Bayer Geiss McCann Shink
Brinks Hertel McDonald Rivet Singh
Camilleri Huizenga McMorrow Webber
Cavanagh Irwin Moss Wojno
Chang Johnson Polehanki
Nays—13
Albert Hauck Lindsey Runestad
Bellino Hoitenga Nesbitt Theis
Daley Lauwers Outman Victory
Damoose
Excused—2
Bumstead McBroom
Not Voting—0
In The Chair: Moss
The Senate agreed to the title of the bill.
Senator Singh moved that the Senate proceed to consideration of the following bill:
Senate Bill No. 285
The motion prevailed.
The following bill was read a third time:
Senate Bill No. 285, entitled
A bill to amend 1976 PA 451, entitled “The revised school code,” by amending sections 1147 and 1561 (MCL 380.1147 and 380.1561), section 1147 as amended by 2016 PA 192 and section 1561 as amended by 2016 PA 532.
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. 96 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—15
Albert Hauck Lindsey Theis
Bellino Hoitenga Nesbitt Victory
Daley Huizenga Outman Webber
Damoose Lauwers Runestad
Excused—2
Bumstead McBroom
Not Voting—0
In The Chair: Moss
The Senate agreed to the title of the bill.
Protests
Senators Albert, Runestad, Theis and Bellino, under their constitutional right of protest (Art. 4, Sec. 18), protested against the passage of Senate Bill No. 285.
Senator Albert moved that the statement he made during the discussion of the bill be printed as his reasons for voting “no.”
The motion prevailed.
Senator Albert’s statement, in which Senators Runestad, Theis and Bellino concurred, is as follows:
This legislation continues a troubling pattern from the majority of this Legislature. It’s another policy change that is ineffective and focusing on the wrong things. While I fully agree that all kids should start their K-12 education in kindergarten, can anyone show any objective data revealing that they’re currently not? This bill does nothing to address the real problems our kids are facing in our schools and it continues to promote the false idea that the government knows more than parents when it comes to what’s best for their children.
As introduced, this bill would have absolutely mandated that any child who was five years old by September 1 of the relevant academic school year must enroll in kindergarten, either in public school, private school, or through homeschooling. This original language was highly problematic because as many parents of kids with summer birthdays have experienced, including my wife and myself, some five year olds are not ready for kindergarten. The amendments to this bill recognize this problem and provide an opt-out process. Parents who choose to delay enrolling their children in kindergarten for a year may do so, but only after they notify their local public school district of that decision in writing.
I have five kids of my own. Some of them were ready for kindergarten at the age of five, some of them were not, so we waited a year. The jury is still out on my two-year-old twins with late-June birthdays, but my wife and I will be the ones making that determination when the time comes because we know what’s best for our girls and we want what’s best for them. This is not a decision that should be made by this Legislature or by the state.
This new opt-out process softens the
original proposed mandate and improves the legislation in some ways, but the
process itself raises potential concerns about unwarranted monitoring of a
family’s personal education decisions. Why collect information from families
who are choosing to wait a year before enrolling their kids in kindergarten?
What is the good that is going to be accomplished by making homeschooling and
private school parents report to their local public schools for when their
children are going to be starting kindergarten if they are going to do so at
the age of six? What are the districts supposed to do with this information? Is
this a step toward the tracking of some families who might homeschool or send
their kids to private school? That’s none of the state’s business. What’s the
problem we are trying to solve here? Every school district in Michigan already
offers full-time kindergarten. They do this despite the fact that there’s no
kindergarten mandate. This policy was achieved roughly a decade ago when it was
incentivized with dollars. Beginning with the 2012-2013 school year, half-day
kindergarten began translating—or funding full-time kindergarten. Many parents
also preferred full-time kindergarten, so it didn’t take long for school
districts to follow suit. Kids are going to kindergarten, and they are going
there full time right now.
This bill is really a reaction to the sharp drop in kindergarten enrollment that we saw in the 2020-2021 school year and the fact that kindergarten enrollment in Michigan public schools has not fully bounced back to pre-pandemic levels. Even this school year, we have 9,000 fewer public school kindergartners that we had in 2019. Why are there fewer kids in public school? Maybe they homeschool now, maybe they go to private school, or maybe their parents moved out of state. There’s no way to tell for sure, but it does not appear to be that kids are skipping kindergarten altogether. There’s no data or evidence to show that reasoning. I personally don’t know of a single occurrence where a parent held their child from kindergarten and started them directly in first grade. The administrators I have spoken to could not recall a single time of it happening in their career. Does this happen at all, let alone with enough frequency to demonstrate that there’s a problem requiring new mandates? If you look at the statewide data, we routinely have more kindergartners than first graders. So this bill is not fixing a real problem, it’s simply a feel-good talking point.
We all agree that kids should have access and receive a kindergarten education. This is already being achieved without a state mandate. We are spending time and energy addressing a problem that does not exist. Since we do not have a problem of children skipping kindergarten in this state, then what’s it all about? It seems that there has been a shift in how parents want to educate their kids, and this bill is an attempt to goad families to choose the state public option.
Ironically, I think it’s entirely likely that this bill is going to have the opposite effect of its intended goal. These mandates may very well lead to more people drifting away from the public school option. Mandates have consequences, and typically bad ones. In true progressive fashion, this bill instead of recognizing and cooperating with human nature attempts to subdue it. This usually backfires. People push back and the mandates will have unintended and unforeseen repercussions. Tell people that they have to do one thing and a significant number of people will say “no” and do the opposite.
So what should we be doing instead? Well, the statistics make it clear. While we do have some declining enrollment, our attendance problem is far and away more pressing. Chronic absenteeism is likely the biggest contributing factor for our students’ dwindling academic performance. These problems are quite different and we should be focusing our energy where we can make a difference. Forcing someone to enroll in school does not mean they are going to actually show up and learn anything. Schools being shut down by the government for extended periods of time has changed behavior, and I do not believe the provisions of this bill are strong enough to change that. Before the pandemic, in the 2018-2019 school year, the state reports that 19.7 percent of public school students were considered chronically absent. What are we seeing now? Thirty point eight percent of students are chronically absent for this past school year. That’s well after the mandated shutdowns were over. Shutting down schools for so long sent a terrible lasting message, even if it was an unintended one, that the state just didn’t think attending school was all that important. It’s a mistake we are still paying for, and some of our kids might not recover from this.
We need to refocus on recovering from lost learning. That’s where we should be focusing our energy. Michigan’s scores on educational assessment tests, which were not all that great before the pandemic, have by some measures gotten worse compared to the rest of the nation. We already have compulsory school attendance for our kids starting at age six. As the statistics that are out there demonstrate, that doesn’t mean that they are going to show up and learn.
The new mandate before us isn’t going to help in that regard. We need to be focusing on issues that make a difference, like addressing chronic absenteeism, restoring accountability measures that the Legislature has gutted. We took a big step backward in terms of actually helping kids learn. We did that when we did things like repealing the 3rd grade reading law and weakened evaluation standards. We should be focusing on retaining teachers, filling vacancies, and supporting our teachers with the resources they need and the standards in place to help our kids learn.
Look, I agree with the premise that kids are better off starting school in kindergarten, and that’s what we are seeing. We are not seeing any kids skipping kindergarten and going straight into first grade. At best this bill places a new mandate on Michigan families and it’s not going to move the needle on improving student performance. At worst this bill is an attempt to interfere with the parents’ choice on when their child should start school and where they should attend. I would like to think all of us in this chamber want policy changes that will improve the most pressing problems in our schools, and that will lead to an improvement for our children’s outcomes, but this bill is not the solution we need.
Thank you, and I urge a “no” vote.
The motion prevailed.
Senator Polehanki’s statement is as follows:
Today I rise in
support of my bill, Senate Bill No. 285, that makes kindergarten mandatory for
Michigan’s five-year-old
kids. If we’re serious about setting kids up for a lifetime of success, early
education is where it’s at.
As Governor Whitmer and Democrats in the Legislature push forward with our goal to make preschool universal for all four-year-olds here in Michigan, it doesn’t make sense that kindergarten continues to be optional. We must strive to create a culture and an expectation here in our state that kids’ formal education should begin early, and we’re giving parents a variety of choices to accomplish this. My bill gives parents the option for their kids to attend kindergarten in public, charter, private, parochial, or home school for a half-day or full day. And if a parent feels strongly that their kid is not ready, there is an opt-out provision.
Again, the goal of this legislation is to create a culture in which early education is valued and viewed as the indispensable building block that it is, and my bill does just that. I ask my colleagues to vote “yes” on Senate Bill No. 285.
Senator Singh moved that rule 2.106 be suspended to allow committees to meet during Senate session.
The motion prevailed, a majority of the members serving voting therefor.
By unanimous consent the Senate proceeded to the order of
Resolutions
Senate Resolution No. 108
The motion prevailed, a majority of the members serving voting therefor.
Senator Daley offered the following resolution:
Senate Resolution No. 108.
A resolution to recognize April 2024 as National Donate Life Month.
Whereas, More than about 2,500 Michigan residents are currently waiting for a life-saving organ transplant and thousands more would benefit from tissue and corneal transplants; and
Whereas, Michigan has about 4.6 million people on the Organ Donor Registry, and more than 42 percent of adults have not yet registered to save and heal others; and
Whereas, The need for organ, tissue, and eye donations remains a critical need in Michigan and in the United States; and
Whereas, Nationwide, an average of 20 people die each day because a donated organ did not become available; and
Whereas, Organ, tissue, and eye donations can provide families that are tragically confronted by the death of a loved one the comfort of knowing the gift of life provides another person with renewed hope for a healthy life; and
Whereas, A single organ, tissue, and eye donation can save eight lives and improve the lives of up to 75 people; and
Whereas, The act of giving the gift of life through organ, tissue, and eye donations to someone facing imminent death or living with blindness or a disability is the ultimate act of generosity and kindness; now, therefore, be it
Resolved by the Senate, That the members of this legislative body recognize April 2024 as National Donate Life Month; and be it further
Resolved, That we encourage all residents to join the Michigan Organ Donor Registry, share their decision with their families, friends, and colleagues, and encourage them to do the same.
The question being on the adoption of the resolution,
Senators Geiss and Webber were named co-sponsors of the resolution.
The motion prevailed.
Senator Daley’s statement is as follows:
I rise today to speak to my resolution to
designate April as National Donate Life Month. This is a time to raise
awareness about the importance of organ donation. Did you know that donating
your organs can save up to eight lives? Organ, tissue, and eye donation can
provide families that are tragically confronted with the death of a loved one
the comfort of knowing the gift of donated organs and tissues provides another
person with a renewed hope for a healthy life.
As many of you know, organ donation is especially important to me. My son, Thomas, passed away over 13 years ago. Thomas was not a registered donor, but he would have wanted to help others. Today Thomas’s heart and legacy lives on in the lives of others. I urge all my fellow Senators to become an organ donor and to give the gift of life today. I ask that my remarks be printed in the Journal, and I encourage support for my resolution.
Announcements of Printing and Enrollment
Senate Bill Nos. 813 814 815 816 817 818 819 820 821 822 823 824 825 826 827 828
Committee Reports
COMMITTEE ATTENDANCE REPORT
The Appropriations Subcommittee on DHHS submitted the following:
Meeting held on Tuesday, April 9, 2024, at 8:30 a.m., Room 403, 4th Floor, Capitol Building
Present: Senators McDonald Rivet (C), Irwin, Cavanagh, Cherry, Bayer, Outman, Huizenga and Hauck
Excused: Senator Theis
Scheduled Meetings
Appropriations –
Subcommittees –
Agriculture and Natural Resources – Wednesday, April 17, 12:00 noon, Room 1300, Binsfeld Office Building (517) 373-2768
Corrections & Judiciary – Thursday, April 18, 1:30 p.m., Room 1300, Binsfeld Office Building (517) 373-2768
EGLE – Thursday, April 18, 3:00 p.m., Room 403, 4th Floor, Capitol Building (517) 373-2768
Civil Rights, Judiciary, and Public Safety – Thursday, April 18, 12:00 noon, Room 1200, Binsfeld Office Building (517) 373-5312
Health Policy – Wednesday, April 17, 12:30 p.m., Room 1100, Binsfeld Office Building (517) 373-5323
Law Revision Commission – Wednesday, April 17, 12:00 noon, Legislative Council Conference Room, 3rd Floor, Boji Tower (517) 373-0212
Senator Singh moved that the Senate adjourn.
The motion prevailed, the time being 11:30 a.m.
The President pro tempore, Senator Moss, declared the Senate adjourned until Wednesday, April 17, 2024, at 10:00 a.m.
DANIEL OBERLIN
Secretary of the Senate