No. 46

STATE OF MICHIGAN

Journal of the Senate

102nd Legislature

REGULAR SESSION OF 2024

 

 

 

 

 

Senate Chamber, Lansing, Wednesday, May 15, 2024.

 

10:00 a.m.

 

 

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

 

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—excused                        Victory—present

Daley—present                                    McCann—present                            Webber—present

Damoose—excused                              McDonald Rivet—present                Wojno—present

Geiss—present                                    McMorrow—present                       


 

Senator Roger Victory of the 31st District offered the following invocation:

Lord, we come to You in prayer this morning, knowing that You are a great and glorious God and You are in control of all Your creation. Lord, may You bless the land during this time of spring planting and Your care be upon the farmers as they tend to the fields.

Lord, may Your presence be upon this chamber today and Your hand of guidance be with its members as we do the work that is presented before us. This we ask in Your name. Amen.

 

The President pro tempore, Senator Moss, led the members of the Senate in recital of the Pledge of Allegiance.

 

Senators Polehanki and Singh entered the Senate Chamber.

 

 

Motions and Communications

 

 

Senator Lauwers moved that Senator Johnson be temporarily excused from today’s session.

The motion prevailed.

 

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

The motion prevailed.

 

Senator Singh moved that Senators Brinks, Cavanagh and Geiss be temporarily excused from today’s session.

The motion prevailed.

 

 

Messages from the Governor

 

 

Senator Brinks entered the Senate Chamber.

 

The following message from the Governor was received on May 9, 2024, and read:

 

EXECUTIVE ORDER

No. 2024-3

 

Declaration of State of Emergency

 

On May 7, 2024, severe weather that included straight-line winds struck the counties of Kalamazoo, St. Joseph, Branch, and Cass producing damaging winds and at least 2 tornadoes confirmed by radar. These areas saw significant damage to homes, businesses, and public infrastructure, downed power lines, and blocked roads. Though response efforts are still underway, initial damage assessments indicate that residents in these counties have suffered serious consequences from this dangerous storm, including severe property damage.

Local officials in Kalamazoo, St. Joseph, Branch, and Cass counties have taken several actions to respond to the situation including, but not limited to, activating the emergency response and recovery aspects of their emergency operations. Despite these efforts, local resources have proven insufficient to address the situation. State assistance and other outside resources are necessary to effectively respond to and recover from the impacts of this emergency, protect public health, safety, and property, and lessen or avert the threat of more severe and lasting harm.

Section 1 of article 5 of the Michigan Constitution of 1963 vests the executive power of the State of Michigan in the governor. Under the Emergency Management Act, 1976 PA 390, as amended, MCL 30.403(4), "[t]he governor shall, by executive order or proclamation, declare a state of emergency if he or she finds that an emergency has occurred or that the threat of an emergency exists."

Therefore, acting under the Michigan Constitution of 1963 and Michigan law, including the Emergency Management Act, 1976 PA 390, as amended, MCL 30.401 to 30.421, I find it reasonable and necessary to order the following:

    1. A state of emergency is declared for Kalamazoo, St. Joseph, Branch, and Cass counties.

    2. The Emergency Management and Homeland Security Division of the Department of State Police must coordinate and maximize all state efforts and may call upon all state departments to use available resources to assist in the designated areas pursuant to the Michigan Emergency Management Plan.

    3. The state of emergency is terminated at such time as the threats to public health, safety, and property caused by the emergency no longer exist, and appropriate programs have been implemented to recover from the effects of this emergency, but in no case later than June 4, 2024, unless extended as provided by the Emergency Management Act.

 

Date: May 7, 2024

Time: 9:31 p.m.

Gretchen Whitmer

        [SEAL]                                                     Governor

 

By the Governor:

Jocelyn Benson

Secretary of State

The executive order was referred to the Committee on Government Operations.

 

 

The following messages from the Governor were received and read:

May 9, 2024

I respectfully submit to the Senate the following appointment to office pursuant to Public Act 368 of 1978, MCL 333.16121 and 333.16421:

Michigan Board of Chiropractic

Ahmed Hassouna of 47543 Ellery Lane, Canton, Michigan 48187, Wayne County, succeeding Michael Connelly whose term has expired, appointed to represent the general public, for a term commencing May 9, 2024, and expiring December 31, 2027.

 

May 9, 2024

I respectfully submit to the Senate the following appointments to office pursuant to Executive Order No. 2014-9, MCL 400.1181:

Commission on Community Action and Economic Opportunity

Justin Hodge of 1440 Andrea Street, Ypsilanti, Michigan 48198, Washtenaw County, reappointed to represent elected public officials, for a term commencing June 22, 2024, and expiring June 21, 2027.

Shamayim Harris of 24 Avalon Street, Highland Park, Michigan 48203, Wayne County, reappointed to represent low income persons, for a term commencing June 22, 2024, and expiring June 21, 2027.

Ravi Yalamanchi of 2042 Hickory Trail Drive, Rochester Hills, Michigan 48309, Oakland County, reappointed to represent the private sector, for a term commencing June 22, 2024, and expiring June 21, 2027.

Kerry Lenaghan-Baughman of 1205 South Union Street, Traverse City, Michigan 49684, Grand Traverse County, reappointed to represent community action agencies, for a term commencing June 22, 2024, and expiring June 21, 2027.

 

May 9, 2024

I respectfully submit to the Senate the following appointments to office pursuant to Public Act 207 of 1941, MCL 29.3b:

State Fire Safety Board

Brian Talvensaari of 135 Ridgewood Drive, Marquette, Michigan 49855, Marquette County, reappointed to represent organized fire departments in the Upper Peninsula, for a term commencing July 16, 2024, and expiring July 15, 2028.

Julie Bulson of 1908 8th Street, N.W., Grand Rapids, Michigan 49504, Kent County, reappointed to represent hospital administration, for a term commencing July 16, 2024, and expiring July 15, 2028.

Randall Halstead of 3671 Pratt Lake Avenue, S.E., Lowell, Michigan 49331, Kent County, reappointed to represent the liquefied petroleum gas industry or the flammable compressed gases industry, for a term commencing July 16, 2024, and expiring July 15, 2028.

Tavis Millerov of 122 Lloyd Street, Williamston, Michigan 48895, Ingham County, reappointed to represent organized fire departments in the Lower Peninsula, for a term commencing July 16, 2024, and expiring July 15, 2028.

Jeramie Morris of 6081 Heartwood Trail, Saginaw, Michigan 48603, Saginaw County, reappointed to represent the chemical manufacturing industry, for a term commencing July 16, 2024, and expiring July 15, 2028.

Timothy Jury of 6303 Hyslop Road, St. Clair, Michigan 48079, St. Clair County, succeeding David Williams whose term has expired, appointed to represent licensed electrical contractors or master electricians, for a term commencing July 16, 2024, and expiring July 15, 2028.

May 9, 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

Araya Montero of 201 East 10th Street, Traverse City, Michigan 49684, Grand Traverse County,  succeeding Sandra McCurdy, whose term has expired, appointed to represent midwives, for a term commencing May 9, 2024, and expiring December 31, 2027.

 

May 9, 2024

I respectfully submit to the Senate the following appointment to office pursuant to Public Act 316 of 1986, MCL 390.1430:

Michigan Education Trust Board of Directors

Dr. Calvin C. Cupidore Jr. of 39300 Village Green Boulevard, Apartment 103, Farmington Hills, Michigan 48331, Oakland County, succeeding Ronald Wiser whose term has expired, appointed to represent persons with knowledge, skills, and experience in the academic, business, or financial fields, and a nominee of the Speaker of the House, for a term commencing May 9, 2024, and expiring December 31, 2026.

                                                                                       Respectfully,

                                                                                       Gretchen Whitmer

                                                                                       Governor

The appointments were referred to the Committee on Government Operations.

 

 

Recess

 

 

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

The motion prevailed, the time being 10:06 a.m.

 

10:21 a.m.

 

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

 

During the recess, Senators Johnson, Cavanagh and Geiss entered the Senate Chamber.

 

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:

House Bill No. 5499

The motion prevailed.

 

 

The following bill was read a third time:

House Bill No. 5499, entitled

A bill to make appropriations for the department of environment, Great Lakes, and energy for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2025; and to provide for the expenditure of the appropriations.

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. 173                                           Yeas—20

 

 

Anthony                             Chang                                Klinefelt                            Polehanki

Bayer                                 Cherry                               McCann                             Santana

Brinks                                Geiss                                 McDonald Rivet                 Shink

Camilleri                            Hertel                                 McMorrow                        Singh

Cavanagh                           Irwin                                  Moss                                 Wojno

                                                                     Nays—16

 

 

Albert                                Hauck                                Lauwers                            Runestad

Bellino                               Hoitenga                            Lindsey                             Theis

Bumstead                           Huizenga                            Nesbitt                               Victory

Daley                                 Johnson                             Outman                             Webber

 

 

                                                                   Excused—2

 

 

Damoose                            McBroom                                                                   

 

 

                                                                 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. 5500, entitled

A bill to make, supplement, adjust, and consolidate appropriations for various state departments and agencies, the judicial branch, and the legislative branch for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2025; to provide for certain conditions on appropriations; and to provide for the expenditure of the appropriations.

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. 174                                           Yeas—20

 

 

Anthony                             Chang                                Klinefelt                            Polehanki

Bayer                                 Cherry                               McCann                             Santana

Brinks                                Geiss                                 McDonald Rivet                 Shink

Camilleri                            Hertel                                 McMorrow                        Singh

Cavanagh                           Irwin                                  Moss                                 Wojno

 

 

                                                                     Nays—16

 

 

Albert                                Hauck                                Lauwers                            Runestad

Bellino                               Hoitenga                            Lindsey                             Theis

Bumstead                           Huizenga                            Nesbitt                               Victory

Daley                                 Johnson                             Outman                             Webber

 

 

                                                                   Excused—2

 

 

Damoose                            McBroom                                                                   

                                                                 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. 5501, entitled

A bill to make appropriations for the department of lifelong education, advancement, and potential for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2025; and to provide for the expenditure of the appropriations.

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. 175                                           Yeas—20

 

 

Anthony                             Chang                                Klinefelt                            Polehanki

Bayer                                 Cherry                               McCann                             Santana

Brinks                                Geiss                                 McDonald Rivet                 Shink

Camilleri                            Hertel                                 McMorrow                        Singh

Cavanagh                           Irwin                                  Moss                                 Wojno

 

 

                                                                     Nays—16

 

 

Albert                                Hauck                                Lauwers                            Runestad

Bellino                               Hoitenga                            Lindsey                             Theis

Bumstead                           Huizenga                            Nesbitt                               Victory

Daley                                 Johnson                             Outman                             Webber

 

 

                                                                   Excused—2

 

 

Damoose                            McBroom                                                                   

 

 

                                                                 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. 5502, entitled

A bill to make appropriations for the department of labor and economic opportunity for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2025; and to provide for the expenditure of the appropriations.

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. 176                                           Yeas—21

 

 

Anthony                             Cherry                               Lindsey                             Polehanki

Bayer                                 Geiss                                 McCann                             Santana

Brinks                                Hertel                                 McDonald Rivet                 Shink

Camilleri                            Irwin                                  McMorrow                        Singh

Cavanagh                           Klinefelt                             Moss                                 Wojno

Chang                                                                                                                   

 

 

                                                                     Nays—15

 

 

Albert                                Hauck                                Lauwers                            Theis

Bellino                               Hoitenga                            Nesbitt                               Victory

Bumstead                           Huizenga                            Outman                             Webber

Daley                                 Johnson                             Runestad                          

 

 

                                                                   Excused—2

 

 

Damoose                            McBroom                                                                   

 

 

                                                                 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. 5503, entitled

A bill to amend 1979 PA 94, entitled “The state school aid act of 1979,” by amending sections 11 and 17b (MCL 388.1611 and 388.1617b), section 11 as amended by 2023 PA 320 and section 17b as amended by 2007 PA 137.

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. 177                                           Yeas—20

 

 

Anthony                             Chang                                Klinefelt                            Polehanki

Bayer                                 Cherry                               McCann                             Santana

Brinks                                Geiss                                 McDonald Rivet                 Shink

Camilleri                            Hertel                                 McMorrow                        Singh

Cavanagh                           Irwin                                  Moss                                 Wojno

 

 

                                                                     Nays—16

 

 

Albert                                Hauck                                Lauwers                            Runestad

Bellino                               Hoitenga                            Lindsey                             Theis

Bumstead                           Huizenga                            Nesbitt                               Victory

Daley                                 Johnson                             Outman                             Webber

                                                                   Excused—2

 

 

Damoose                            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 make appropriations to aid in the support of the public schools, the intermediate school districts, community colleges, and public universities of the state; to make appropriations for certain other purposes relating to education; to provide for the disbursement of the appropriations; to authorize the issuance of certain bonds and provide for the security of those bonds; to prescribe the powers and duties of certain state departments, the state board of education, and certain other boards and officials; to create certain funds and provide for their expenditure; to prescribe penalties; and to repeal acts and parts of acts,”

The Senate agreed to the full title.

 

 

The following bill was read a third time:

House Bill No. 5504, entitled

A bill to amend 1979 PA 94, entitled “The state school aid act of 1979,” by amending sections 201 and 206 (MCL 388.1801 and 388.1806), section 201 as amended by 2023 PA 320 and section 206 as amended by 2023 PA 103.

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. 178                                           Yeas—20

 

 

Anthony                             Chang                                Klinefelt                            Polehanki

Bayer                                 Cherry                               McCann                             Santana

Brinks                                Geiss                                 McDonald Rivet                 Shink

Camilleri                            Hertel                                 McMorrow                        Singh

Cavanagh                           Irwin                                  Moss                                 Wojno

 

 

                                                                     Nays—16

 

 

Albert                                Hauck                                Lauwers                            Runestad

Bellino                               Hoitenga                            Lindsey                             Theis

Bumstead                           Huizenga                            Nesbitt                               Victory

Daley                                 Johnson                             Outman                             Webber

 

 

                                                                   Excused—2

 

 

Damoose                            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 make appropriations to aid in the support of the public schools, the intermediate school districts, community colleges, and public universities of the state; to make appropriations for certain other purposes relating to education; to provide for the disbursement of the appropriations; to authorize the issuance of certain bonds and provide for the security of those bonds; to prescribe the powers and duties of certain state departments, the state board of education, and certain other boards and officials; to create certain funds and provide for their expenditure; to prescribe penalties; and to repeal acts and parts of acts,”

The Senate agreed to the full title.

 

 

The following bill was read a third time:

House Bill No. 5505, entitled

A bill to amend 1979 PA 94, entitled “The state school aid act of 1979,” by amending sections 236 and 241 (MCL 388.1836 and 388.1841), section 236 as amended by 2023 PA 320 and section 241 as amended by 2023 PA 103.

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. 179                                           Yeas—20

 

 

Anthony                             Chang                                Klinefelt                            Polehanki

Bayer                                 Cherry                               McCann                             Santana

Brinks                                Geiss                                 McDonald Rivet                 Shink

Camilleri                            Hertel                                 McMorrow                        Singh

Cavanagh                           Irwin                                  Moss                                 Wojno

 

 

                                                                     Nays—16

 

 

Albert                                Hauck                                Lauwers                            Runestad

Bellino                               Hoitenga                            Lindsey                             Theis

Bumstead                           Huizenga                            Nesbitt                               Victory

Daley                                 Johnson                             Outman                             Webber

 

 

                                                                   Excused—2

 

 

Damoose                            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 make appropriations to aid in the support of the public schools, the intermediate school districts, community colleges, and public universities of the state; to make appropriations for certain other purposes relating to education; to provide for the disbursement of the appropriations; to authorize the issuance of certain bonds and provide for the security of those bonds; to prescribe the powers and duties of certain state departments, the state board of education, and certain other boards and officials; to create certain funds and provide for their expenditure; to prescribe penalties; and to repeal acts and parts of acts,”

The Senate agreed to the full title.

The following bill was read a third time:

House Bill No. 5506, entitled

A bill to make appropriations for the department of education for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2025; and to provide for the expenditure of the appropriations.

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. 180                                           Yeas—20

 

 

Anthony                             Chang                                Klinefelt                            Polehanki

Bayer                                 Cherry                               McCann                             Santana

Brinks                                Geiss                                 McDonald Rivet                 Shink

Camilleri                            Hertel                                 McMorrow                        Singh

Cavanagh                           Irwin                                  Moss                                 Wojno

 

 

                                                                     Nays—16

 

 

Albert                                Hauck                                Lauwers                            Runestad

Bellino                               Hoitenga                            Lindsey                             Theis

Bumstead                           Huizenga                            Nesbitt                               Victory

Daley                                 Johnson                             Outman                             Webber

 

 

                                                                   Excused—2

 

 

Damoose                            McBroom                                                                   

 

 

                                                                 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. 5507, entitled

A bill to amend 1979 PA 94, entitled “The state school aid act of 1979,” by amending sections 11, 17b, 201, 206, 236, and 241 (MCL 388.1611, 388.1617b, 388.1801, 388.1806, 388.1836, and 388.1841), sections 11, 201, and 236 as amended by 2023 PA 320, section 17b as amended by 2007 PA 137, and sections 206 and 241 as amended by 2023 PA 103.

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. 181                                           Yeas—20

 

 

Anthony                             Chang                                Klinefelt                            Polehanki

Bayer                                 Cherry                               McCann                             Santana

Brinks                                Geiss                                 McDonald Rivet                 Shink

Camilleri                            Hertel                                 McMorrow                        Singh

Cavanagh                           Irwin                                  Moss                                 Wojno

                                                                     Nays—16

 

 

Albert                                Hauck                                Lauwers                            Runestad

Bellino                               Hoitenga                            Lindsey                             Theis

Bumstead                           Huizenga                            Nesbitt                               Victory

Daley                                 Johnson                             Outman                             Webber

 

 

                                                                   Excused—2

 

 

Damoose                            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 make appropriations to aid in the support of the public schools, the intermediate school districts, community colleges, and public universities of the state; to make appropriations for certain other purposes relating to education; to provide for the disbursement of the appropriations; to authorize the issuance of certain bonds and provide for the security of those bonds; to prescribe the powers and duties of certain state departments, the state board of education, and certain other boards and officials; to create certain funds and provide for their expenditure; to prescribe penalties; and to repeal acts and parts of acts,”

The Senate agreed to the full title.

 

 

The following bill was read a third time:

House Bill No. 5508, entitled

A bill to make appropriations for the department of corrections for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2025; and to provide for the expenditure of the appropriations.

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. 182                                           Yeas—20

 

 

Anthony                             Chang                                Klinefelt                            Polehanki

Bayer                                 Cherry                               McCann                             Santana

Brinks                                Geiss                                 McDonald Rivet                 Shink

Camilleri                            Hertel                                 McMorrow                        Singh

Cavanagh                           Irwin                                  Moss                                 Wojno

 

 

                                                                     Nays—16

 

 

Albert                                Hauck                                Lauwers                            Runestad

Bellino                               Hoitenga                            Lindsey                             Theis

Bumstead                           Huizenga                            Nesbitt                               Victory

Daley                                 Johnson                             Outman                             Webber

 

 

                                                                   Excused—2

 

 

Damoose                            McBroom                                                                   

                                                                 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. 5509, entitled

A bill to make appropriations for the department of military and veterans affairs for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2025; and to provide for the expenditure of the appropriations.

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. 183                                           Yeas—20

 

 

Anthony                             Chang                                Klinefelt                            Polehanki

Bayer                                 Cherry                               McCann                             Santana

Brinks                                Geiss                                 McDonald Rivet                 Shink

Camilleri                            Hertel                                 McMorrow                        Singh

Cavanagh                           Irwin                                  Moss                                 Wojno

 

 

                                                                     Nays—16

 

 

Albert                                Hauck                                Lauwers                            Runestad

Bellino                               Hoitenga                            Lindsey                             Theis

Bumstead                           Huizenga                            Nesbitt                               Victory

Daley                                 Johnson                             Outman                             Webber

 

 

                                                                   Excused—2

 

 

Damoose                            McBroom                                                                   

 

 

                                                                 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. 5510, entitled

A bill to make appropriations for the department of state police for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2025; and to provide for the expenditure of the appropriations.

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. 184                                           Yeas—20

 

 

Anthony                             Chang                                Klinefelt                            Polehanki

Bayer                                 Cherry                               McCann                             Santana

Brinks                                Geiss                                 McDonald Rivet                 Shink

Camilleri                            Hertel                                 McMorrow                        Singh

Cavanagh                           Irwin                                  Moss                                 Wojno

 

 

                                                                     Nays—16

 

 

Albert                                Hauck                                Lauwers                            Runestad

Bellino                               Hoitenga                            Lindsey                             Theis

Bumstead                           Huizenga                            Nesbitt                               Victory

Daley                                 Johnson                             Outman                             Webber

 

 

                                                                   Excused—2

 

 

Damoose                            McBroom                                                                   

 

 

                                                                 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. 5511, entitled

A bill to make appropriations for the department of agriculture and rural development for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2025; and to provide for the expenditure of the appropriations.

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. 185                                           Yeas—20

 

 

Anthony                             Chang                                Klinefelt                            Polehanki

Bayer                                 Cherry                               McCann                             Santana

Brinks                                Geiss                                 McDonald Rivet                 Shink

Camilleri                            Hertel                                 McMorrow                        Singh

Cavanagh                           Irwin                                  Moss                                 Wojno

 

 

                                                                     Nays—16

 

 

Albert                                Hauck                                Lauwers                            Runestad

Bellino                               Hoitenga                            Lindsey                             Theis

Bumstead                           Huizenga                            Nesbitt                               Victory

Daley                                 Johnson                             Outman                             Webber

                                                                   Excused—2

 

 

Damoose                            McBroom                                                                   

 

 

                                                                 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. 5512, entitled

A bill to make appropriations for the department of natural resources for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2025; and to provide for the expenditure of the appropriations.

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. 186                                           Yeas—20

 

 

Anthony                             Chang                                Klinefelt                            Polehanki

Bayer                                 Cherry                               McCann                             Santana

Brinks                                Geiss                                 McDonald Rivet                 Shink

Camilleri                            Hertel                                 McMorrow                        Singh

Cavanagh                           Irwin                                  Moss                                 Wojno

 

 

                                                                     Nays—16

 

 

Albert                                Hauck                                Lauwers                            Runestad

Bellino                               Hoitenga                            Lindsey                             Theis

Bumstead                           Huizenga                            Nesbitt                               Victory

Daley                                 Johnson                             Outman                             Webber

 

 

                                                                   Excused—2

 

 

Damoose                            McBroom                                                                   

 

 

                                                                 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. 5513, entitled

A bill to make appropriations for the department of insurance and financial services for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2025; and to provide for the expenditure of the appropriations.

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. 187                                           Yeas—20

 

 

Anthony                             Chang                                Klinefelt                            Polehanki

Bayer                                 Cherry                               McCann                             Santana

Brinks                                Geiss                                 McDonald Rivet                 Shink

Camilleri                            Hertel                                 McMorrow                        Singh

Cavanagh                           Irwin                                  Moss                                 Wojno

 

 

                                                                     Nays—16

 

 

Albert                                Hauck                                Lauwers                            Runestad

Bellino                               Hoitenga                            Lindsey                             Theis

Bumstead                           Huizenga                            Nesbitt                               Victory

Daley                                 Johnson                             Outman                             Webber

 

 

                                                                   Excused—2

 

 

Damoose                            McBroom                                                                   

 

 

                                                                 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. 5514, entitled

A bill to make appropriations for the department of licensing and regulatory affairs for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2025; and to provide for the expenditure of the appropriations.

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. 188                                           Yeas—20

 

 

Anthony                             Chang                                Klinefelt                            Polehanki

Bayer                                 Cherry                               McCann                             Santana

Brinks                                Geiss                                 McDonald Rivet                 Shink

Camilleri                            Hertel                                 McMorrow                        Singh

Cavanagh                           Irwin                                  Moss                                 Wojno

 

 

                                                                     Nays—16

 

 

Albert                                Hauck                                Lauwers                            Runestad

Bellino                               Hoitenga                            Lindsey                             Theis

Bumstead                           Huizenga                            Nesbitt                               Victory

Daley                                 Johnson                             Outman                             Webber

                                                                   Excused—2

 

 

Damoose                            McBroom                                                                   

 

 

                                                                 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. 5515, entitled

A bill to make appropriations for the judiciary for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2025; and to provide for the expenditure of the appropriations.

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. 189                                           Yeas—20

 

 

Anthony                             Chang                                Klinefelt                            Polehanki

Bayer                                 Cherry                               McCann                             Santana

Brinks                                Geiss                                 McDonald Rivet                 Shink

Camilleri                            Hertel                                 McMorrow                        Singh

Cavanagh                           Irwin                                  Moss                                 Wojno

 

 

                                                                     Nays—16

 

 

Albert                                Hauck                                Lauwers                            Runestad

Bellino                               Hoitenga                            Lindsey                             Theis

Bumstead                           Huizenga                            Nesbitt                               Victory

Daley                                 Johnson                             Outman                             Webber

 

 

                                                                   Excused—2

 

 

Damoose                            McBroom                                                                   

 

 

                                                                 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. 5516, entitled

A bill to make appropriations for the legislature, the executive, the department of the attorney general, the department of state, the department of treasury, the department of technology, management, and budget, the department of civil rights, and certain other state purposes for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2025; to provide for the expenditure of the appropriations; to provide for the disposition of fees and other income received by the state agencies; and to declare the effect of this act.

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. 190                                           Yeas—20

 

 

Anthony                             Chang                                Klinefelt                            Polehanki

Bayer                                 Cherry                               McCann                             Santana

Brinks                                Geiss                                 McDonald Rivet                 Shink

Camilleri                            Hertel                                 McMorrow                        Singh

Cavanagh                           Irwin                                  Moss                                 Wojno

 

 

                                                                     Nays—16

 

 

Albert                                Hauck                                Lauwers                            Runestad

Bellino                               Hoitenga                            Lindsey                             Theis

Bumstead                           Huizenga                            Nesbitt                               Victory

Daley                                 Johnson                             Outman                             Webber

 

 

                                                                   Excused—2

 

 

Damoose                            McBroom                                                                   

 

 

                                                                 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. 5517, entitled

A bill to make appropriations for the state transportation department for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2025; and to provide for the expenditure of the appropriations.

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. 191                                           Yeas—20

 

 

Anthony                             Chang                                Klinefelt                            Polehanki

Bayer                                 Cherry                               McCann                             Santana

Brinks                                Geiss                                 McDonald Rivet                 Shink

Camilleri                            Hertel                                 McMorrow                        Singh

Cavanagh                           Irwin                                  Moss                                 Wojno

                                                                     Nays—16

 

 

Albert                                Hauck                                Lauwers                            Runestad

Bellino                               Hoitenga                            Lindsey                             Theis

Bumstead                           Huizenga                            Nesbitt                               Victory

Daley                                 Johnson                             Outman                             Webber

 

 

                                                                   Excused—2

 

 

Damoose                            McBroom                                                                   

 

 

                                                                 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. 5556, entitled

A bill to make appropriations for the department of health and human services for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2025; and to provide for the expenditure of the appropriations.

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. 192                                           Yeas—20

 

 

Anthony                             Chang                                Klinefelt                            Polehanki

Bayer                                 Cherry                               McCann                             Santana

Brinks                                Geiss                                 McDonald Rivet                 Shink

Camilleri                            Hertel                                 McMorrow                        Singh

Cavanagh                           Irwin                                  Moss                                 Wojno

 

 

                                                                     Nays—16

 

 

Albert                                Hauck                                Lauwers                            Runestad

Bellino                               Hoitenga                            Lindsey                             Theis

Bumstead                           Huizenga                            Nesbitt                               Victory

Daley                                 Johnson                             Outman                             Webber

 

 

                                                                   Excused—2

 

 

Damoose                            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. 4101

The motion prevailed.

 

 

The following bill was read a third time:

House Bill No. 4101, entitled

A bill to amend 1978 PA 368, entitled “Public health code,” by amending section 17609 (MCL 333.17609), as amended by 2010 PA 304.

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. 193                                           Yeas—36

 

 

Albert                                Cherry                               Klinefelt                            Polehanki

Anthony                             Daley                                 Lauwers                            Runestad

Bayer                                 Geiss                                 Lindsey                             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

 

 

                                                                      Nays—0

 

 

                                                                   Excused—2

 

 

Damoose                            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 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.

 

 

The following bill was read a third time:

House Bill No. 4131, entitled

A bill to amend 1956 PA 218, entitled “The insurance code of 1956,” by amending section 3476 (MCL 500.3476), as amended by 2020 PA 97.

The question being on the passage of the bill,

Senator Theis offered the following amendment:

1.  Amend page 2, line 14, after “patient.” by inserting “An insurer shall not provide coverage under this section to an enrollee who is less than 18 years of age unless the enrollee’s parent or guardian consents to the coverage.”.

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. 194                                           Yeas—16

 

 

Albert                                Hauck                                Lauwers                            Runestad

Bellino                               Hoitenga                            Lindsey                             Theis

Bumstead                           Huizenga                            Nesbitt                               Victory

Daley                                 Johnson                             Outman                             Webber

 

 

                                                                     Nays—20

 

 

Anthony                             Chang                                Klinefelt                            Polehanki

Bayer                                 Cherry                               McCann                             Santana

Brinks                                Geiss                                 McDonald Rivet                 Shink

Camilleri                            Hertel                                 McMorrow                        Singh

Cavanagh                           Irwin                                  Moss                                 Wojno

 

 

                                                                   Excused—2

 

 

Damoose                            McBroom                                                                   

 

 

                                                                 Not Voting—0

 

 

In The Chair:  Moss

 

 

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. 195                                           Yeas—35

 

 

Albert                                Cherry                               Klinefelt                            Polehanki

Anthony                             Daley                                 Lauwers                            Runestad

Bayer                                 Geiss                                 Lindsey                             Santana

Bellino                               Hauck                                McCann                             Shink

Brinks                                Hertel                                 McDonald Rivet                 Singh

Bumstead                           Hoitenga                            McMorrow                        Victory

Camilleri                            Huizenga                            Moss                                 Webber

Cavanagh                           Irwin                                  Nesbitt                               Wojno

Chang                                Johnson                             Outman                            

 

 

                                                                      Nays—1

 

 

Theis                                                                                                                    

 

 

                                                                   Excused—2

 

 

Damoose                            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 revise, consolidate, and classify the laws relating to the insurance and surety business; to regulate the incorporation or formation of domestic insurance and surety companies and associations and the admission of foreign and alien companies and associations; to provide their rights, powers, and immunities and to prescribe the conditions on which companies and associations organized, existing, or authorized under this act may exercise their powers; to provide the rights, powers, and immunities and to prescribe the conditions on which other persons, firms, corporations, associations, risk retention groups, and purchasing groups engaged in an insurance or surety business may exercise their powers; to provide for the imposition of a privilege fee on domestic insurance companies and associations and the state accident fund; to provide for the imposition of a tax on the business of foreign and alien companies and associations; to provide for the imposition of a tax on risk retention groups and purchasing groups; to provide for the imposition of a tax on the business of surplus line agents; to provide for the imposition of regulatory fees on certain insurers; to provide for assessment fees on certain health maintenance organizations; to modify tort liability arising out of certain accidents; to provide for limited actions with respect to that modified tort liability and to prescribe certain procedures for maintaining those actions; to require security for losses arising out of certain accidents; to provide for the continued availability and affordability of automobile insurance and homeowners insurance in this state and to facilitate the purchase of that insurance by all residents of this state at fair and reasonable rates; to provide for certain reporting with respect to insurance and with respect to certain claims against uninsured or self-insured persons; to prescribe duties for certain state departments and officers with respect to that reporting; to provide for certain assessments; to establish and continue certain state insurance funds; to modify and clarify the status, rights, powers, duties, and operations of the nonprofit malpractice insurance fund; to provide for the departmental supervision and regulation of the insurance and surety business within this state; to provide for regulation over worker’s compensation self-insurers; to provide for the conservation, rehabilitation, or liquidation of unsound or insolvent insurers; to provide for the protection of policyholders, claimants, and creditors of unsound or insolvent insurers; to provide for associations of insurers to protect policyholders and claimants in the event of insurer insolvencies; to prescribe educational requirements for insurance agents and solicitors; to provide for the regulation of multiple employer welfare arrangements; to create an automobile theft prevention authority to reduce the number of automobile thefts in this state; to prescribe the powers and duties of the automobile theft prevention authority; to provide certain powers and duties upon certain officials, departments, and authorities of this state; to provide for an appropriation; to repeal acts and parts of acts; and to provide penalties for the violation of this act,”

The Senate agreed to the full title.

 

 

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

The motion prevailed.

Senator Theis’ statement is as follows:

This is a very simple but important amendment and I ask for your support. My amendment would simply require that no health care services or treatment provided to a minor be covered by taxpayer-funded insurance without parental or guardian consent, particularly in settings where parents and guardians aren’t ordinarily with their children, such as schools. Whether a minor is receiving health care services or treatment in an office remotely via telehealth, the provider must have parental consent.

That is what my amendment does and I urge your “yes” vote.

 

 

The following bill was read a third time:

House Bill No. 4213, entitled

A bill to amend 1939 PA 280, entitled “The social welfare act,” by amending section 105h (MCL 400.105h), as added by 2020 PA 101.

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. 196                                           Yeas—35

 

 

Albert                                Cherry                               Klinefelt                            Polehanki

Anthony                             Daley                                 Lauwers                            Runestad

Bayer                                 Geiss                                 Lindsey                             Santana

Bellino                               Hauck                                McCann                             Shink

Brinks                                Hertel                                 McDonald Rivet                 Singh

Bumstead                           Hoitenga                            McMorrow                        Victory

Camilleri                            Huizenga                            Moss                                 Webber

Cavanagh                           Irwin                                  Nesbitt                               Wojno

Chang                                Johnson                             Outman                            

 

 

                                                                      Nays—1

 

 

Theis                                                                                                                    

 

 

                                                                   Excused—2

 

 

Damoose                            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 protect the welfare of the people of this state; to provide general assistance, hospitalization, infirmary and medical care to poor or unfortunate persons; to provide for compliance by this state with the social security act; to provide protection, welfare and services to aged persons, dependent children, the blind, and the permanently and totally disabled; to administer programs and services for the prevention and treatment of delinquency, dependency and neglect of children; to create a state department of social services; to prescribe the powers and duties of the department; to provide for the interstate and intercounty transfer of dependents; to create county and district departments of social services; to create within certain county departments, bureaus of social aid and certain divisions and offices thereunder; to prescribe the powers and duties of the departments, bureaus and officers; to provide for appeals in certain cases; to prescribe the powers and duties of the state department with respect to county and district departments; to prescribe certain duties of certain other state departments, officers, and agencies; to make an appropriation; to prescribe penalties for the violation of the provisions of this act; and to repeal certain parts of this act on specific dates,”

The Senate agreed to the full title.

 

 

The following bill was read a third time:

House Bill No. 4579, entitled

A bill to amend 1956 PA 218, entitled “The insurance code of 1956,” by amending section 3476 (MCL 500.3476), as amended by 2020 PA 97.

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. 197                                           Yeas—35

 

 

Albert                                Cherry                               Klinefelt                            Polehanki

Anthony                             Daley                                 Lauwers                            Runestad

Bayer                                 Geiss                                 Lindsey                             Santana

Bellino                               Hauck                                McCann                             Shink

Brinks                                Hertel                                 McDonald Rivet                 Singh

Bumstead                           Hoitenga                            McMorrow                        Victory

Camilleri                            Huizenga                            Moss                                 Webber

Cavanagh                           Irwin                                  Nesbitt                               Wojno

Chang                                Johnson                             Outman                            

 

 

                                                                      Nays—1

 

 

Theis                                                                                                                    

 

 

                                                                   Excused—2

 

 

Damoose                            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 revise, consolidate, and classify the laws relating to the insurance and surety business; to regulate the incorporation or formation of domestic insurance and surety companies and associations and the admission of foreign and alien companies and associations; to provide their rights, powers, and immunities and to prescribe the conditions on which companies and associations organized, existing, or authorized under this act may exercise their powers; to provide the rights, powers, and immunities and to prescribe the conditions on which other persons, firms, corporations, associations, risk retention groups, and purchasing groups engaged in an insurance or surety business may exercise their powers; to provide for the imposition of a privilege fee on domestic insurance companies and associations and the state accident fund; to provide for the imposition of a tax on the business of foreign and alien companies and associations; to provide for the imposition of a tax on risk retention groups and purchasing groups; to provide for the imposition of a tax on the business of surplus line agents; to provide for the imposition of regulatory fees on certain insurers; to provide for assessment fees on certain health maintenance organizations; to modify tort liability arising out of certain accidents; to provide for limited actions with respect to that modified tort liability and to prescribe certain procedures for maintaining those actions; to require security for losses arising out of certain accidents; to provide for the continued availability and affordability of automobile insurance and homeowners insurance in this state and to facilitate the purchase of that insurance by all residents of this state at fair and reasonable rates; to provide for certain reporting with respect to insurance and with respect to certain claims against uninsured or self-insured persons; to prescribe duties for certain state departments and officers with respect to that reporting; to provide for certain assessments; to establish and continue certain state insurance funds; to modify and clarify the status, rights, powers, duties, and operations of the nonprofit malpractice insurance fund; to provide for the departmental supervision and regulation of the insurance and surety business within this state; to provide for regulation over worker’s compensation self-insurers; to provide for the conservation, rehabilitation, or liquidation of unsound or insolvent insurers; to provide for the protection of policyholders, claimants, and creditors of unsound or insolvent insurers; to provide for associations of insurers to protect policyholders and claimants in the event of insurer insolvencies; to prescribe educational requirements for insurance agents and solicitors; to provide for the regulation of multiple employer welfare arrangements; to create an automobile theft prevention authority to reduce the number of automobile thefts in this state; to prescribe the powers and duties of the automobile theft prevention authority; to provide certain powers and duties upon certain officials, departments, and authorities of this state; to provide for an appropriation; to repeal acts and parts of acts; and to provide penalties for the violation of this act,”

The Senate agreed to the full title.

 

 

The following bill was read a third time:

House Bill No. 4580, entitled

A bill to amend 1939 PA 280, entitled “The social welfare act,” by amending section 105h (MCL 400.105h), as added by 2020 PA 101.

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. 198                                           Yeas—35

 

 

Albert                                Cherry                               Klinefelt                            Polehanki

Anthony                             Daley                                 Lauwers                            Runestad

Bayer                                 Geiss                                 Lindsey                             Santana

Bellino                               Hauck                                McCann                             Shink

Brinks                                Hertel                                 McDonald Rivet                 Singh

Bumstead                           Hoitenga                            McMorrow                        Victory

Camilleri                            Huizenga                            Moss                                 Webber

Cavanagh                           Irwin                                  Nesbitt                               Wojno

Chang                                Johnson                             Outman                            

 

 

                                                                      Nays—1

 

 

Theis                                                                                                                    

                                                                   Excused—2

 

 

Damoose                            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 protect the welfare of the people of this state; to provide general assistance, hospitalization, infirmary and medical care to poor or unfortunate persons; to provide for compliance by this state with the social security act; to provide protection, welfare and services to aged persons, dependent children, the blind, and the permanently and totally disabled; to administer programs and services for the prevention and treatment of delinquency, dependency and neglect of children; to create a state department of social services; to prescribe the powers and duties of the department; to provide for the interstate and intercounty transfer of dependents; to create county and district departments of social services; to create within certain county departments, bureaus of social aid and certain divisions and offices thereunder; to prescribe the powers and duties of the departments, bureaus and officers; to provide for appeals in certain cases; to prescribe the powers and duties of the state department with respect to county and district departments; to prescribe certain duties of certain other state departments, officers, and agencies; to make an appropriation; to prescribe penalties for the violation of the provisions of this act; and to repeal certain parts of this act on specific dates,”

The Senate agreed to the full title.

 

 

Protests

 

 

Senator Theis, under her constitutional right of protest (Art. 4, Sec. 18), protested against the passage of House Bill Nos. 4131, 4213, 4579, and 4580 and moved that the statement she made during the discussion of House Bill No. 4131 be printed as her reasons for voting “no.”

The motion prevailed.

Senator Theis’ statement is as follows:

My opposition to this legislation is simple and obvious. Currently, telemedicine has improved access to healthcare services for many across our state. I don’t doubt that it has enabled people to realize better health outcomes, but as a mother and grandmother, I feel compelled once again to stand up for our children and parental rights. The state should not allow minors to receive medical care or treatment without a parent or guardian first granting consent. It’s not out of the realm of possibility that children at school could participate in telemedicine services and receive diagnoses and treatments without a parent or guardian even being notified let alone being given consent.

Vulnerable, impressionable youth do not have fully-developed brains and are not in the position to be able to make healthcare decisions that may have implications for their long-term health and wellbeing. They can’t even get their ears pierced without parental consent. It seems so obvious to so many, yet here we are voting on a bill that would effectively allow it. I strongly urge your “no” vote.

 

 

The following bill was read a third time:

Senate Bill No. 751, entitled

A bill to amend 1979 PA 94, entitled “The state school aid act of 1979,” by amending sections 3, 11, 11a, 11j, 11k, 11m, 11s, 11x, 11z, 12c, 15, 20, 20d, 21h, 22a, 22b, 22c, 22d, 22l, 22m, 22p, 23g, 23i, 24, 24a, 25f, 25g, 26a, 26b, 26c, 26d, 27a, 27b, 27c, 27d, 27e, 27g, 27k, 27l, 27m, 27p, 28, 29, 30d, 31a, 31d, 31f, 31j, 31n, 31aa, 32d, 32n, 32p, 33, 35a, 35d, 35f, 39, 39a, 41, 41b, 51a, 51c, 51d, 51e, 51g, 53a, 54, 54b, 54d, 56, 61a, 61b, 61c, 61d, 61j, 62, 65, 67, 67f, 74, 81, 94, 94a, 95b, 97a, 97j, 97k, 98, 98d, 99b, 99d, 99e, 99h, 99s, 99u, 99x, 99ee, 99ff, 99hh, 99jj, 104, 104h, 107, 147, 147a, 147b, 147c, 147e, 152a, 152b, and 163 (MCL 388.1603, 388.1611, 388.1611a, 388.1611j, 388.1611k, 388.1611m, 388.1611s, 388.1611x, 388.1611z, 388.1612c, 388.1615, 388.1620, 388.1620d, 388.1621h, 388.1622a, 388.1622b, 388.1622c, 388.1622d, 388.1622l, 388.1622m, 388.1622p, 388.1623g, 388.1623i, 388.1624, 388.1624a, 388.1625f, 388.1625g, 388.1626a, 388.1626b, 388.1626c, 388.1626d, 388.1627a, 388.1627b, 388.1627c, 388.1627d, 388.1627e, 388.1627g, 388.1627k, 388.1627l, 388.1627m, 388.1627p, 388.1628, 388.1629, 388.1630d, 388.1631a, 388.1631d, 388.1631f, 388.1631j, 388.1631n, 388.1631aa, 388.1632d, 388.1632n, 388.1632p, 388.1633, 388.1635a, 388.1635d, 388.1635f, 388.1639, 388.1639a, 388.1641, 388.1641b, 388.1651a, 388.1651c, 388.1651d, 388.1651e, 388.1651g, 388.1653a, 388.1654, 388.1654b, 388.1654d, 388.1656, 388.1661a, 388.1661b, 388.1661c, 388.1661d, 388.1661j, 388.1662, 388.1665, 388.1667, 388.1667f, 388.1674, 388.1681, 388.1694, 388.1694a, 388.1695b, 388.1697a, 388.1697j, 388.1697k, 388.1698, 388.1698d, 388.1699b, 388.1699d, 388.1699e, 388.1699h, 388.1699s, 388.1699u, 388.1699x, 388.1699ee, 388.1699ff, 388.1699hh, 388.1699jj, 388.1704, 388.1704h, 388.1707, 388.1747, 388.1747a, 388.1747b, 388.1747c, 388.1747e, 388.1752a, 388.1752b, and 388.1763), sections 3, 11a, 11j, 11k, 11m, 11s, 11x, 15, 20d, 21h, 22a, 22b, 22c, 22d, 22m, 22p, 24, 24a, 25f, 25g, 26a, 26b, 26c, 26d, 27a, 27b, 27c, 28, 31d, 31f, 31j, 31n, 31aa, 32d, 32n, 32p, 35a, 35d, 35f, 39, 39a, 41b, 51d, 51e, 51g, 53a, 54, 54b, 54d, 56, 61a, 61b, 61c, 61d, 62, 65, 67, 74, 81, 94, 97a, 98, 99h, 99s, 99u, 99x, 99ee, 104, 104h, 107, 147, 147b, 147c, 147e, 152a, 152b, and 163 as amended and sections 11z, 23g, 23i, 27g, 27k, 27l, 27m, 27p, 29, 30d, 33, 61j, 67f, 97j, 98d, 99b, 99e, 99ff, and 99hh as added by 2023 PA 103, sections 11, 12c, 20, 22l, 31a, 41, 51a, 51c, 94a, 95b, 97k, 99d, 99jj, and 147a as amended by 2023 PA 320, and sections 27d and 27e as added by 2022 PA 144, and by adding sections 11bb, 27f, 27r, 27s, 31b, 31g, 31q, 32a, 32b, 32c, 35e, 35m, 51h, 55, 67a, 67d, 94e, 97b, 97c, 99, 99c, 99dd, 99mm, 99nn, and 99oo; and to repeal acts and parts of acts.

The question being on the passage of the bill,

Senator Albert offered the following amendments:

1.  Amend page 345, line 3, after “exceed” by striking out “$955,000,000.00” and inserting “$1,586,500,000.00” and adjusting the totals in section 11 and enacting section 1 accordingly.

2.  Amend page 345, line 11, after “exceed” by striking out “$300,000.00” and inserting “$500,000.00” and adjusting the totals in section 11 and enacting section 1 accordingly.

The question being on the adoption of the amendments,

Senator Lauwers requested the yeas and nays.

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

The amendments were not adopted, a majority of the members serving not voting therefor, as follows:

 

 

Roll Call No. 199                                           Yeas—16

 

 

Albert                                Hauck                                Lauwers                            Runestad

Bellino                               Hoitenga                            Lindsey                             Theis

Bumstead                           Huizenga                            Nesbitt                               Victory

Daley                                 Johnson                             Outman                             Webber

 

 

                                                                     Nays—20

 

 

Anthony                             Chang                                Klinefelt                            Polehanki

Bayer                                 Cherry                               McCann                             Santana

Brinks                                Geiss                                 McDonald Rivet                 Shink

Camilleri                            Hertel                                 McMorrow                        Singh

Cavanagh                           Irwin                                  Moss                                 Wojno

 

 

                                                                   Excused—2

 

 

Damoose                            McBroom                                                                   

 

 

                                                                 Not Voting—0

 

 

In The Chair:  Moss

Senator Albert offered the following amendments:

1.  Amend page 82, line 26, after “school” by inserting a comma and “a nonpublic school,”.

2.  Amend page 83, line 1, after “school” by inserting a comma and “a nonpublic school,”.

3.  Amend page 83, line 5, after “school” by inserting a comma and “a nonpublic school,”.

4.  Amend page 83, line 9, after “school” by inserting a comma and “a nonpublic school,”.

5.  Amend page 88, line 9, after “2024-2025” by inserting “and, from the general fund money appropriated in section 11, there is allocated $5,000,000.00 for 2024-2025” and adjusting the totals in section 11 and enacting section 1 accordingly.

6.  Amend page 88, line 13, after “a” by striking out “district” and inserting “public school or nonpublic school”.

7.  Amend page 88, line 15, after “deposited”, by inserting “as follows:

(a) For state school aid fund money,”.

8.  Amend page 88, following line 16, by inserting:

     “(b) For general fund money, into the educator fellowship private fund in section 27e.”.

9.  Amend page 88, line 26, after “a” by striking out “district” and inserting “public school or nonpublic school”.

10. Amend page 89, line 5, after the first “the” by striking out “district” and inserting “public school or nonpublic school”.

11. Amend page 89, line 6, after the first “the” by striking out “district” and inserting “public school or nonpublic school”.

12. Amend page 89, line 8, after “teacher.” by striking out the balance of the line through line 15.

13. Amend page 89, line 20, after “their” by striking out “district” and inserting “public school or nonpublic school”.

14. Amend page 89, line 29, after “a” by striking out the balance of the line through “program” on line 7 of page 90 and inserting “public school or nonpublic school”.

15. Amend page 90, line 25, after “27d” by inserting “or the educator fellowship private provider fund in section 27e, as applicable,”.

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

 

Senator Theis offered the following amendments:

1.  Amend page 188, line 12, after “exceed” by striking out “$88,150,000.00” and inserting “$98,150,000.00” and adjusting the totals in section 11 and enacting section 1 accordingly.

2.  Amend page 199, line 3, after “exceed” by striking out “$10,000,000.00” and inserting “$20,000,000.00”.

3.  Amend page 199, line 23, after “the” by striking out “department shall determine a list of eligible approved providers. The”.

4.  Amend page 199, line 25, by striking out “may” and inserting “shall”.

5.  Amend page 199, line 25 after “as” by striking out “an” and inserting “the”.

The question being on the adoption of the amendments,

Senator Lauwers requested the yeas and nays.

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

The amendments were not adopted, a majority of the members serving not voting therefor, as follows:

 

 

Roll Call No. 200                                           Yeas—16

 

 

Albert                                Hauck                                Lauwers                            Runestad

Bellino                               Hoitenga                            Lindsey                             Theis

Bumstead                           Huizenga                            Nesbitt                               Victory

Daley                                 Johnson                             Outman                             Webber

 

 

                                                                     Nays—20

 

 

Anthony                             Chang                                Klinefelt                            Polehanki

Bayer                                 Cherry                               McCann                             Santana

Brinks                                Geiss                                 McDonald Rivet                 Shink

Camilleri                            Hertel                                 McMorrow                        Singh

Cavanagh                           Irwin                                  Moss                                 Wojno

                                                                   Excused—2

 

 

Damoose                            McBroom                                                                   

 

 

                                                                 Not Voting—0

 

 

In The Chair:  Moss

 

 

Senator Bellino offered the following amendment:

1.  Amend page 29, line 9, after “school,” by striking out “$7,928.00” and inserting “$9,910.00” and adjusting the totals in section 11 and enacting section 1 accordingly.

The amendment was not adopted, a majority of the members serving not voting therefor.

 

Senator Bellino offered the following amendments:

1.  Amend page 17, line 23, after “to” by striking out “districts and intermediate districts” and inserting “nonpublic schools”.

2.  Amend page 17, line 24, after “to” by striking out “districts and intermediate districts” and inserting “nonpublic schools”.

3.  Amend page 17, line 29, after “(3)” by striking out “Districts and intermediate districts” and inserting “Nonpublic schools”.

4.  Amend page 18, line 5, after “to” by striking out “districts and intermediate districts” and inserting “nonpublic schools”.

5.  Amend page 18, line 6, after “allows” by striking out “districts and intermediate districts” and inserting “nonpublic schools”.

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

 

Senator Daley offered the following amendments:

1.  Amend page 25, line 5, after “requirements.” by inserting “The department shall credit a district or intermediate district under section 163(7) for any adjustments made before the effective date of the amendatory act that added this sentence under this section based in whole or in part on a membership audit finding that the district or intermediate district, from July 1, 2020 through June 30, 2023, employed an educator in violation of this act, certification requirements under the revised school code, or rules promulgated by the department.”.

2.  Amend page 354, line 18, by striking out the balance of the line through “section.” on line 23.

3.  Amend page 354, line 24, after “(4)” by striking out “or” and inserting a comma.

4.  Amend page 354, line 24, after “(5),” by inserting “or (7),”.

5.  Amend page 354, line 25, after “district” by striking out “is notified by the department that it is employing” and inserting “employs”.

6.  Amend page 354, line 26, after “section” by striking out the balance of the line through “both” on line 28 and inserting a comma and “all”.

7.  Amend page 355, line 1, by striking out all of subdivisions (a) and (b) and inserting:

     “(a) The district or intermediate district shall discontinue its violation of this section by not later than 10 school days after discovering that the individual is employed in violation of this section or by not later than 10 school days after the department informs the district or intermediate district that the individual is employed in violation of this section, whichever occurs first.

(b) The district or intermediate district shall submit a corrective action plan to the department, by not later than 60 days after discovering that the individual is employed in violation of this section or by not later than 60 days after the department notifies the district or intermediate district that the individual is employed in violation of this section, whichever occurs first, outlining steps the district or intermediate district is going to take to ensure that individuals are not employed in violation of this section.

(c) The district or intermediate district must have deducted an amount equal to 100% of the amount paid to the individual for the period of employment that is in violation of this section if the superintendent of public instruction finds any of the following:

(i) The district or intermediate district submitted a corrective action plan to the department as described in subdivision (b) within the last 3 years and subsequently employed an individual in violation of this section.

(ii) The board or board of directors of the district or the intermediate district board knowingly employed an individual in violation of this section.

(iii) The district or intermediate district continued to employ an individual in violation of this section for more than 10 school days after discovering that the individual was employed in violation of this section or being told by the department that the individual was employed in violation of this section, whichever occurs first.”.

8.  Amend page 356, following line 20, by inserting:

     “(7) There must be no deduction under subsection (2) or any adjustment in payments under section 15 that is based on the employment of the individual that gave rise to the deduction under subsection (2) for a period of employment in violation of this section that occurs between occurred after July 1, 2020 and before June 30, 2021.2023. The department shall credit a district or intermediate district for any deductions under this section or adjustments under section 15 that occurred before the effective date of the amendatory act that added this sentence and that are inconsistent with this subsection.”.

The question being on the adoption of the amendments,

Senator Lauwers requested the yeas and nays.

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

The amendments were not adopted, a majority of the members serving not voting therefor, as follows:

 

 

Roll Call No. 201                                           Yeas—16

 

 

Albert                                Hauck                                Lauwers                            Runestad

Bellino                               Hoitenga                            Lindsey                             Theis

Bumstead                           Huizenga                            Nesbitt                               Victory

Daley                                 Johnson                             Outman                             Webber

 

 

                                                                     Nays—20

 

 

Anthony                             Chang                                Klinefelt                            Polehanki

Bayer                                 Cherry                               McCann                             Santana

Brinks                                Geiss                                 McDonald Rivet                 Shink

Camilleri                            Hertel                                 McMorrow                        Singh

Cavanagh                           Irwin                                  Moss                                 Wojno

 

 

                                                                   Excused—2

 

 

Damoose                            McBroom                                                                   

 

 

                                                                 Not Voting—0

 

 

In The Chair:  Moss

 

 

Senator Lindsey offered the following amendment:

1.  Amend page 164, line 9, by striking out all of subdivision (e).

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. 202                                           Yeas—16

 

 

Albert                                Hauck                                Lauwers                            Runestad

Bellino                               Hoitenga                            Lindsey                             Theis

Bumstead                           Huizenga                            Nesbitt                               Victory

Daley                                 Johnson                             Outman                             Webber

 

 

                                                                     Nays—20

 

 

Anthony                             Chang                                Klinefelt                            Polehanki

Bayer                                 Cherry                               McCann                             Santana

Brinks                                Geiss                                 McDonald Rivet                 Shink

Camilleri                            Hertel                                 McMorrow                        Singh

Cavanagh                           Irwin                                  Moss                                 Wojno

 

 

                                                                   Excused—2

 

 

Damoose                            McBroom                                                                   

 

 

                                                                 Not Voting—0

 

 

In The Chair:  Moss

 

 

Senator Lindsey offered the following amendments:

1.  Amend page 164, line 12, after “average” by striking out “teacher”.

2.  Amend page 164, line 12, after “a” by inserting “great start readiness program”.

The question being on the adoption of the amendments,

Senator Lindsey withdrew the amendments.

 

Senator Webber offered the following amendments:

1.  Amend page 152, line 3, by striking out “$50,000,000.00” and inserting “$300,000,000.00” and adjusting the totals in section 11 and enacting section 1 accordingly.

2.  Amend page 152, line 3, after “for” by inserting “2024-2025 and from the general fund money appropriated in section 11, there is allocated $18,000,000.00 for” and adjusting the totals in section 11 and enacting section 1 accordingly.

3.  Amend page 152, line 6, after “districts,” by inserting “nonpublic schools,”.

4.  Amend page 152, line 8, after “safety.” by striking out the balance of the line through “health.” on line 13 and inserting “It is the intent of the legislature that, for 2025-2026, the allocation from the state school aid fund money appropriated in section 11 for purposes described in this section will be $150,000,000.00.”.

5.  Amend page 154, line 20, by striking out “The” and inserting “From the state school aid fund money allocated in section (1), the”.

6.  Amend page 154, line 22, after “district.” by inserting “From the general fund money allocated in subsection (1), the department shall make payments to nonpublic schools in an equal amount per pupil, using pupil counts determined by the department. The department shall ensure that the amount per pupil paid to nonpublic schools does not exceed the amount per pupil paid to districts and intermediate districts.”.

7.  Amend page 155, line 2, after “dollars” by striking out the period and inserting a comma and “using for those calculations the same requirements described in subsection (2).”.

8.  Amend page 155, line 5, after “(4)” by inserting “Except as otherwise provided in this section, to receive funding under this section, districts, intermediate districts, and nonpublic schools, and the Michigan Schools for the Deaf and Blind must apply for funding under this section in a form and manner prescribed by the department. In its application described in this subsection, a district, intermediate district, or nonpublic school, or the Michigan Schools for the Deaf and Blind, as applicable, shall document how it or, if an intermediate district is applying on behalf of a constituent district, its constituent district, will use conduct a thorough needs assessment that includes community input and resource mapping to guide the expenditure of the funds it or the constituent district will receive under this section and it shall pledge to host, or shall pledge on behalf of its constituent district that the constituent district will host, at least 1 community conversation about student mental health and school safety. With consent of its constituent districts, an intermediate district may apply for funding under this section on behalf of its constituent districts. As used in this section, “constituent districts” means that term as defined in section 3 of the revised school code, MCL 380.3.”.

The question being on the adoption of the amendments,

Senator Lauwers requested the yeas and nays.

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

The amendments were not adopted, a majority of the members serving not voting therefor, as follows:

 

 

Roll Call No. 203                                           Yeas—16

 

 

Albert                                Hauck                                Lauwers                            Runestad

Bellino                               Hoitenga                            Lindsey                             Theis

Bumstead                           Huizenga                            Nesbitt                               Victory

Daley                                 Johnson                             Outman                             Webber

 

 

                                                                     Nays—20

 

 

Anthony                             Chang                                Klinefelt                            Polehanki

Bayer                                 Cherry                               McCann                             Santana

Brinks                                Geiss                                 McDonald Rivet                 Shink

Camilleri                            Hertel                                 McMorrow                        Singh

Cavanagh                           Irwin                                  Moss                                 Wojno

 

 

                                                                   Excused—2

 

 

Damoose                            McBroom                                                                   

 

 

                                                                 Not Voting—0

 

 

In The Chair:  Moss

 

 

Senator Albert offered the following amendments:

1.  Amend page 96, following line 15, by removing section 27k from the bill and adjusting the totals in section 11 and enacting section 1 accordingly.

2.  Amend page 102, following line 9, by removing section 27l from the bill.

3.  Amend page 239, line 18, after “exceed” by striking out “$40,008,100.00” and inserting “$90,008,100.00”.

4.  Amend page 282, following line 9, by removing section 97c from the bill and adjusting the totals in section 11 and enacting section 1 accordingly.

5.  Amend page 357, line 28, after “26c,” by striking out “27k,”.

6.  Amend page 358, line 1, after “388.1626c,” by striking out “388.1627k,”.

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

 

Senator Albert offered the following amendments:

1.  Amend page 25, line 22, by striking out “For” and inserting “Subject to section 170, for”.

2.  Amend page 356, following line 20, by inserting:

Sec. 170. To receive the portion of the target foundation allowance under section 20 that equals the difference between the 2024-2025 target foundation allowance amount and the 2023-2024 target foundation allowance amount, districts must implement a policy, as determined by the department, that prohibits cell phone use in the classroom.”.

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

 

Senator Runestad offered the following amendment:

1.  Amend page 203, line 15, by striking out “$3,000,000.00” and inserting “$5,000,000.00” and adjusting the totals in section 11 and enacting section 1 accordingly.

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. 204                                           Yeas—16

 

 

Albert                                Hauck                                Lauwers                            Runestad

Bellino                               Hoitenga                            Lindsey                             Theis

Bumstead                           Huizenga                            Nesbitt                               Victory

Daley                                 Johnson                             Outman                             Webber

 

 

                                                                     Nays—20

 

 

Anthony                             Chang                                Klinefelt                            Polehanki

Bayer                                 Cherry                               McCann                             Santana

Brinks                                Geiss                                 McDonald Rivet                 Shink

Camilleri                            Hertel                                 McMorrow                        Singh

Cavanagh                           Irwin                                  Moss                                 Wojno

 

 

                                                                   Excused—2

 

 

Damoose                            McBroom                                                                   

 

 

                                                                 Not Voting—0

 

 

In The Chair:  Moss

 

 

Senator Webber offered the following amendment:

1.  Amend page 283, following line 20, by inserting:

     “Sec. 97d. (1) From the state school aid fund money appropriated in section 11, there is allocated for 2024-2025 an amount not to exceed $25,000,000.00 to public schools, districts, and intermediate districts as prescribed in this section.

(2) To receive funding under this section, a public school, district, or intermediate district must apply for the funding to the department of state police, grants and community services division, in a form and manner prescribed by the department of state police, and must pledge, in its application, that it will provide 50% matching funds for the funds it receives under this section.

(3) The department of state police shall not award funding under subsection (1) to a public school, district, or intermediate district in relation to the same school building more than once in a single grant application period. If a district submits an application under subsection (2) relating to a school building and a public school within that district also submits an application for funding in relation to that same school building, the department of state police shall not allocate funding under subsection (1) twice for that school building. If a public school, district, or intermediate district submits more than 1 application, the department of state police shall first consider the most recent application submitted in considering funding under subsection (1).

(4) A public school, district, or intermediate district that receives funding under this section shall use the funding only to ensure that it has at least 1 school resource officer at its school, district, or intermediate district to do 1 or more of the following in the school resource officer’s service at the school, district, or intermediate district:

(a) Assist school administration in ensuring the physical safety of school buildings of the school, district, or intermediate district and the individuals inside the school buildings.

(b) Work with school administration to develop safety procedures for potential threats in school buildings of the school, district, or intermediate district.

(c) Welcome, counsel, and mentor students.

(d) Educate students about law-related topics, as appropriate.

(e) De-escalate aggression that occurs between students or between students and school, district, or intermediate district staff.

(f) Mentor students as advisors and role models.

(5) Funds allocated under this section for 2024-2025 are a work project appropriation, and any unexpended funds for 2024-2025 are carried forward into 2025-2026. The purpose of the work project is to continue providing funding to support public schools, districts, and intermediate districts in having school resource officers at schools, districts, or intermediate districts. The estimated completion date of the work project is September 30, 2029.

(6) Notwithstanding section 17b, the department shall make payments under this section on a schedule determined by the department.

(7) As used in this section, “public school” means that term as defined in section 5 of the revised school code, MCL 380.5.” and adjusting the totals in section 11 and enacting section 1 accordingly.

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. 205                                           Yeas—16

 

 

Albert                                Hauck                                Lauwers                            Runestad

Bellino                               Hoitenga                            Lindsey                             Theis

Bumstead                           Huizenga                            Nesbitt                               Victory

Daley                                 Johnson                             Outman                             Webber

 

 

                                                                     Nays—20

 

 

Anthony                             Chang                                Klinefelt                            Polehanki

Bayer                                 Cherry                               McCann                             Santana

Brinks                                Geiss                                 McDonald Rivet                 Shink

Camilleri                            Hertel                                 McMorrow                        Singh

Cavanagh                           Irwin                                  Moss                                 Wojno

 

 

                                                                   Excused—2

 

 

Damoose                            McBroom                                                                   

 

 

                                                                 Not Voting—0

 

 

In The Chair:  Moss

Senator Camilleri offered the following amendments:

1.  Amend page 164, line 12, after “average” by inserting “great start readiness program”.

2.  Amend page 164, line 12, after “experience,” by striking out “for a teacher”.

3.  Amend page 164, line 13, after the first “the” by striking out “district” and inserting “prosperity region”.

4.  Amend page 164, line 14, after “location.” by inserting “As used in this subdivision, “prosperity region” means that term as defined in section 90g of the Michigan strategic fund act, 1984 PA 270, MCL 125.2090g.”.

The amendments were 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. 206                                           Yeas—20

 

 

Anthony                             Chang                                Klinefelt                            Polehanki

Bayer                                 Cherry                               McCann                             Santana

Brinks                                Geiss                                 McDonald Rivet                 Shink

Camilleri                            Hertel                                 McMorrow                        Singh

Cavanagh                           Irwin                                  Moss                                 Wojno

 

 

                                                                     Nays—16

 

 

Albert                                Hauck                                Lauwers                            Runestad

Bellino                               Hoitenga                            Lindsey                             Theis

Bumstead                           Huizenga                            Nesbitt                               Victory

Daley                                 Johnson                             Outman                             Webber

 

 

                                                                   Excused—2

 

 

Damoose                            McBroom                                                                   

 

 

                                                                 Not Voting—0

 

 

In The Chair:  Moss

 

 

The Senate agreed to the title of the bill.

 

 

Protests

 

 

Senators Huizenga, Albert, Runestad and Theis, under their constitutional right of protest (Art. 4, Sec. 18), protested against the passage of Senate Bill No. 751.

Senators Huizenga, Albert and Theis moved that the statements they made during the discussion of the bill be printed as their reasons for voting “no.”

The motion prevailed.

Senator Huizenga’s statement is as follows:

Providing an effective education is critical to the future of our children and our state. I strongly support all types of learning and see value in several parts of this budget. However, this budget fails to pay $670 million for teacher retirement programs. It’s our obligation to uphold the promise made to teachers and maintain these debt reduction payments. As a reminder, MPSERS still has an unfunded liability of roughly $35 billion. Paying off this debts not only helps ensure teachers get the retirement that they were promised, but it will also reduce costs for schools, enabling them to put more money directly into the classroom.

Families understand that they can use a credit card and pay it off later. While that is possible, Michigan families also know that it’s in their best interest to pay off the debt sooner rather than later. Just like the interests costs that accumulate when you delay paying off your credit card, not making this $670 million debt payment will actually cost taxpayers significantly more dollars in the long run by kicking this proverbial can down the road. That is assuming the missed debt reduction payment is only for one year.

I am strongly supportive of our schools and our teachers, but  cannot in good faith support a K-12 education budget that robs teachers’ pensions. It’s time we act like adults, and spend the hard working taxpayer dollars wisely. I urge a “no” vote.

 

Senator Albert’s statement, in which Senator Runestad concurred, is as follows:

I am disappointed to have to vote against this budget. I wish there was a plan in front of us today that I could support. It’s a lot of money—over $20 billion—but it’s not the price tag itself that is most concerning. Our kids, teachers, and schools deserve support and investment, but it must be done in the right way. The real trouble with this proposal is where a large portion of the money comes from and how it is spent. We cannot separate the budget from the education policies behind it, and how together they are not doing enough to help our kids learn and build an educational foundation they will need for the rest of their lives.

First, roughly $630 million in this budget comes from what I will describe charitably as a misinterpretation of state law. Raiding the teacher’s retirement system not only threatens to financially hurt teachers after their days in the classroom are over, but it could leave the students in our classrooms today with higher tax bills in the future. The Governor’s administration likens our MPSERS fund swap to paying off a mortgage early. It’s actually more like attempting to split up your mortgage between the basement and the rest of your house. Good luck telling the bank that, since your own fuzzy math concludes that the basement portion is paid off, you are going to reduce the monthly mortgage payments overall and spend the so-called savings any way you choose. I don’t think the bank would buy it, and Michigan taxpayers should not buy the Governor’s plan.

This budget plan doesn’t even put the money raided from the teacher’s retirement system to good use. I’m not complaining about increasing the per-student foundation allowance within this budget. When the money actually goes to helping kids learn and improve educational outcomes, I am all for it. Supporting mental health and school safety—these are among the initiatives I can get behind. We should have more resources to invest in those areas than the budget proposes. But there are too many lower-impact programs included that take money away from these vital efforts. If the proposal wasn’t trying to fulfill a long wish list of new taxpayer-funded programs, we could have provided a foundation allowance increase of more than the 3.1 percent. With inflation, this increase barely helps schools tread water.

I want to list a few more examples here. We absolutely should provide meals for kids from low-income families. We have done so for years and should continue. But it simply does not make financial sense for Michigan taxpayers to also be buying lunch and breakfast for kids from wealthy families. That’s not a need for those families—it’s a convenience. School meal programs should be focusing on those who need it. And nothing is free here, it’s paid for by taxpayers.

I support expanding preschool opportunities, but it needs to be done in a way that will expand capacity at the same time. To expand programming efficiently, we need to increase the per-pupil foundation for Great Start Readiness program to $12,000 per-pupil range—that would allow programs to hire more teachers and staff, and to find more building space. Instead, what we are doing today is just blindly making more families eligible and hoping it works out. Raising the income threshold for GSRP eligibility sounds nice, but it puts the cart in front of the horse. Increasing eligibility without increasing capacity will leave low-income families competing against wealthier families for Great Start Readiness spots. Parents will be left asking, I was told there was free preschool, why isn’t it available in my area?

To make matters worse, there is a proposal in this budget that would both reduce capacity and make providing preschool more expensive. That’s a double whammy and it’s caused by a prevailing wage requirement for community-based organizations. This mandate ignores the fact that school districts and community-based organizations have completely different cost structures. For starters, schools have very large pension liability costs. Forcing community-based organizations to artificially inflate their wages to equalize with school districts is not justified. I don’t see how a scenario—how this mandate does not lead to community-based organizations either reducing or eliminating GSRP programming. We should all want more and better options for four-year-olds to start formal learning, but it must be done in a workable plan.

This budget includes money for the new mandate that high school students apply for federal financial aid regardless of whether or not they go to college. Why should we force participation in this failing program? Problem after problem is arising with FAFSA processing, delaying student aid decisions and preventing families from finding out where they can afford to send their kids for college. Adding another wave of mandated applicants is just going to make those processing problems worse. FAFSA, by the way, stands for Free Application for Federal Student Aid. There it is again—that word “free.” I guess that explains why we need $15 million for this program.

This budget includes money to help teachers pay off their student loans. As I said earlier, this raises fairness issues. What about those teachers who already paid off their loans with their own money? A better solution would be to take the money proposed here and put it in the foundation allowance where it can be negotiated for wages at the local school district level. Some of the programs in this budget were billed as one-time spending in the current year budget and, here we go, the taxpayers are being asked to pay for them again. This is an example of how one-time becomes ongoing. That’s how budgets become unsustainable and more expensive for taxpayers to maintain.

Budgeting is a zero-sum game. There are only so many school aid dollars to go around. We can do better than this proposal before us today. We can do better than this proposal before us today. Thank you, and I urge a “no” vote.

 

Senator Theis’ statement is as follows:

With reference to my colleagues who spoke previously on their “no” vote explanations, I’d like to start by saying they had some extraordinarily great points and I agree with them, but I kind of feel the need to sum it up. I find it really ironic that in recent years Democrats have ridiculed Republicans for not investing in what they believe to be necessary money for education, yet this budget before us today would defund our School Aid budget by over $1 billion and it would be more if not for them raiding the teacher retirement fund that was discussed earlier. I know my colleagues are quite keen on defunding things, but I would have hoped our children’s education would not be on the chopping block. Instead of more wasteful spending, lets focus on what matters most to Michigan families and what the job of government really is. I recommend a “no” vote.

 

 

Senators Nesbitt and Daley, under their constitutional right of protest (Art. 4, Sec. 18), protested against the passage of Senate Bill Nos. 748, 751, 752, 753, 756, 757, 758, 759, 760, 761, 762, 763, 764, 765, 766, 767, 768, and 769.

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

Let’s rewind the tape to one year ago. Inflation was high. Gas prices were at $3.50 a gallon. Grocery bills were still excessively high. It was almost impossible for prospective new homeowners to purchase a house. Michigan families were struggling. Luckily, at that time, there’s a $9 billion surplus. The amount of money—the taxpayers’ money—should have been used to invest back into our infrastructure, our communities, our schools, make them safer, and provide real inflation relief to Michigan hard-working families.

Instead, the Governor and the Democratic majority said no to hundreds of millions of dollars to make our schools, colleges, and universities safer. They said no to investing billions in long-term infrastructure projects to improve our roads and bridges and our state parks. I mean, why do that when the Governor can just throw it on the state’s credit card? They said no to paying down hundreds of millions of dollars in long term debt payments. They said no to tax relief for Michigan families. Why? So they could blow through the record surplus for pet projects, politically beneficial earmarks, and doling out hundreds of millions to union bosses, big corporations, and more government bureaucracies and waste. All at the expense of Michigan hard-working families.

Fast forward to today. Inflation is still high. Michigan drivers are paying even more at the pump. Grocery bills are still crushing struggling families. And the Biden border crisis has made its way to our state, threatening the safety of our communities. So how did Governor Whitmer and the Democratic majority approach this budget knowing they ignored these problems last year while blowing through the $9 billion surplus? I guess it should surprise no one that the answer is simply more of the same. More spending for pet projects, woke DEI initiatives, and special carve outs for their radical, far-left friends. Heck, at this rate why not throw in a couple more electric school buses that don’t work. And how do they intend to make the math work in this budget without a $9 billion surplus to bolster the lavish spending? That’s an easy answer that Governor Whitmer supplied this Democratic majority. Simply concoct a scheme to raise the income tax, which they did to the tune of $700 million on January 1 this year, raid the teacher pension fund of $670 million per year ongoing. That’s right. $1.3 billion in tax increases and refusing to make statutorily required debt payments. That’s how this Governor balanced her budget.

Without taking more from taxpayers and stealing from the teachers’ pension fund, Governor Whitmer’s budget would be about $1 billion in the red. It took less than two years for this Governor and this Democratic majority to break the bank and have nothing to show for it. Surprise, surprise it takes more than corporate welfare and DEI training to improve our state’s economy. We are now less attractive to invest and create jobs. Our state’s energy policy now makes it more expensive to live or produce anything here. Add another $2,700 per family on their energy bills. Michigan families are still struggling to pay bills yet are being asked to fork over more to fund this administration’s bad spending habits. Debt is being racked up again, and it’s going to be the job of the next Governor to figure out how to pay for it.

Mr. President, this budget and the process the past year and a half has been an insult to the taxpayers and a gigantic waste of their money. They deserve better, and the Democratic majority, once again, is failing to deliver.

Senators Albert, Theis, Bellino, Daley, Lindsey, Webber 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 Albert’s first statement is as follows:

This amendment would restore more than $630 million in the school employee retirement system for payments that should be made in the upcoming fiscal year. The Governor’s administration, and now Senate Democrats, want to raid the retirement fund to continue their spending spree on current and new programs in the upcoming fiscal year. To do so, they would skirt a state law that I sponsored as a member of the House of Representatives. When Governor Snyder was in office, a plan was put in place to pay off our debt for the school retirement system by 2038 at the latest. An essential part of this plan is requiring that we stay on schedule with our payments. The law I wrote, which was approved in 2018, is designed to ensure overall school retirement system debt payments are not reduced from one year to the next. That means we must make debt payments at least equal to the current-year budget in the next fiscal year.

This floor funding provision is clear. It applies to overall debt in the school employee retirement system and does not distinguish between different types of debt. The MPSERS system includes pension benefits and retiree healthcare, often called OPEB or other post-employment benefits. Democrats want to separate the required floor funding systemwide liability into two separate pots—one applied to the pension, and the other applied to the OPEB separately. This misinterpretation of state law would allow Democrats to spend more money on programs right now, instead of using the money to pay off debt, and that’s a terrible idea in the long run.

We’ve made some progress in paying off debt over the last few years, but we’re nowhere close to the finish line. The teacher retirement system has over $32 billion in unfunded liabilities overall. Last year alone, we spent 32 cents of every state restricted school aid revenue dollar on the teacher retirement system. We’re taking nearly a third of your tax dollars from the classroom today to pay yesterday’s bills. The more quickly the debt is paid off, the less it costs taxpayers overall and in the long run because interest costs are reduced. It’s the same principle that applies to your mortgage, your credit card, or your car payment—if you opt to pay less now, you are going to pay significantly more later.

We cannot reduce our debt payments now and expect our kids to pay more in taxes later. We cannot risk weakening the school employee retirement system and putting benefits at risk. Please support this amendment and keep our debt payments on schedule and prevent a raid on the teacher retirement system.

 

Senator Albert’s second statement is as follows:

I am offering an amendment related to the Future Educator Scholarship and the Student Teacher Stipend programs contained within this budget proposal. These are good programs. Both help new educators afford the schooling and classroom experience they need as they prepare to launch their teaching careers. These are programs I know well because I helped create them through budget negotiations while serving as the House Appropriations Chair. Like everyone, I saw the teacher shortage and wanted to finally move the needle for a new pipeline of teachers. But inexplicably, these programs currently treat teacher prep students and student teachers differently depending on where they go to school or where they are assigned to student teach.

The Student Teacher Stipend program is open only to student teachers assigned to public schools. This creates a strange dynamic. For instance, let’s say two college classmates get their student teaching assignments—one’s assigned to a public school, and the other is assigned to a private school. Why should only the student assigned to the public school receive the stipend when they are training through the same university? The Future Educators Scholarship has a similar flaw. Recipients of the scholarship can only teach at public schools or they risk having to give some of their scholarship money back if they head to a non-public school. When this program was first created, non-public schools were eligible, then last year Democrats took them out.

This should not be an us vs. them discussion. Public and non-public schools work best when they work together. I went to Catholic school through eighth grade. It was quite common for young teachers to start at a Catholic school and move to a public school after gaining some experience. Additionally, many non-public school students transfer to public school from middle or high school. That’s exactly what I did.

We should be trying to help all Michigan kids here. It’s the right thing to do and all of these parents pay taxes too. The way these programs work now sure doesn’t seem very diverse and inclusive or equitable. This is an issue of fairness. These good programs should be open to those teaching in public and non-public schools alike. Thank you, and I ask support of my amendment.

 

Senator Theis’ statement is as follows:

Reading is a core part of a sound, well-developed education and is essential to a successful academic and professional career. The letters program has shown its success, and as students continue to struggle in Michigan, and as Michigan remains in the bottom ten percent of student achievement, we need to dedicate our time and resources to the things that have proven they can provide a worthwhile return on investment.

My amendment would ensure teachers are trained in proven phonics-based reading methods that have worked for decades, thereby helping students get the education they both need and deserve. I ask for a “yes” vote.

Senator Bellino’s first statement is as follows:

Again, like some of the amendments offered here this morning, my amendment would re-level the playing field for Michigan students. Students who attend cyber schools only receive 80 percent of the foundation allowance that other traditional public schools get. Approving this budget would send a clear message to these nontraditional students and families that they are not worthy. Mr. President, we cannot keep letting certain groups fall behind and continue to struggle.

This is a strong amendment that keep students on the same base funding allowance and helps make sure no student falls behind, no matter where they go to school. I ask that my colleagues to join me in supporting this amendment.

 

Senator Bellino’s second statement is as follows:

Mr. President, we need to make sure that all children, regardless of where they go to school, have access to resources that will help them recover from the COVID-related learning loss, and ultimately set them up for a successful academic career. This budget takes away unspent COVID money from the federal government that was originally allocated for nonpublic schools. This is robbing resources from students because, basically, you don’t like where they go to school. Period. My amendment would restore this funding to its original purpose to ensure we don’t leave any student behind.

Thank you, and I ask for support of my amendment, sir.

 

Senator Daley’s statement is as follows:

My amendment would insert into the budget the same language that I introduced in Senate Bill No. 512. For years, our schools have been hit with punishing fees for small violations. In some instances, failure to pay a $45 substitute teacher fee has resulted in thousands of dollars’ worth of fines. This is an issue that has affected districts from all over Michigan, from Detroit to the Upper Peninsula. This amendment would reduce the amount that the state can charge our schools in fines, while also giving them a 10-day grace period to fix their mistake. It would also require schools to submit a corrective action plan to the Department of Education to ensure that these violations do not happen again. Most importantly, this language would require the state to reimburse districts who were unfairly fined under the old system during the time when COVID-19 regulations made it nearly impossible for schools to do their work.

In summary, my amendment would give our local districts some much needed financial relief, while still ensuring they are following state law. I encourage support for this amendment.

 

Senator Lindsey’s statement is as follows:

I’ve heard my colleagues, especially from the other side, sometimes suggest that these speeches on amendments are about politics, or they’re sound bites, or something like that, and I really want to stress today that this particular amendment is not that, and I’m genuinely asking my colleagues to take it seriously.

This is an issue that was brought to me first by people in my community, and I suspect that it’s been brought to many members from people in their communities. The issue is this: the budget as we’re looking at it right now, has a provision that would absolutely destroy many of our preschool programs in Michigan. The problem is that this new provision would increase the cost of providing preschool, as some early estimates suggest, up to $2 million dollars across the state. Of course, some of that could be a burden borne by the state, but most of it would have to be borne by local providers, and then that impact is that a lot of them, next year, people who are right now providing preschool in our communities, if this budget passes the way it is in front of us, would close their doors.

I don’t understand this; I don’t understand why it was put in. I will say that I very much appreciate that some of my colleagues from the other side had this brought to their attention, and there’s been a very healthy conversation about solutions. I think there’s even another amendment later on that we’ll talk about on this. I think this is the best solution, and I want to make one more argument about why it has to be fixed today, and why it needs to be fixed this way. I often hear it said that the school budget, in particular, needs to be done as early as possible so that we can give reassurances to the people in those communities as they plan next year. What sort of message are we sending to our preschool providers if we pass a budget out of committee, and then out of full Appropriations, and we stand here on the floor and pass it again, and they know, based on the language, that that’s going to cause them to close their doors next year. It does no good for these providers, to tell them some vague promise that we might come up with a solution during a conference that happens down the road.

Lastly, I’ll say that the other fix that’s been proposed to change the language, it has a lot of difficulty if you dive into the math and you see what the real impact would be community to community, it would still potentially have a really negative impact, and could still end up closing some of these programs down. So the cleanest and simplest solution today is to vote for this amendment that would remove this new provision. That doesn’t mean that there can’t be a conversation that gets back to whatever the drafter intent, whatever problem they were trying to solve, but right now today we should send a message to these preschool providers in our communities, that we are going to protect them, we’re going to stand with them, we’re going to make sure that we don’t continue to signal to them that they’re going to have to shut their doors.

I ask for a “yes” vote on my amendment.

 

Senator Webber’s first statement is as follows:

We have an obligation to provide for the safety of all students in Michigan and this amendment fulfills that duty. This amendment adds $18 million for nonpublic schools and doubles the funding available for public schools to $300 million for student mental health and school safety grants. My amendment would allow nonpublic schools access to this vitally important funding and bring the funding for public schools in line with the Governor’s recommendation. I ask for a “yes” vote on my amendment.

 

Senator Albert’s third statement is as follows:

This amendment would continue our state’s efforts to improve special education funding in Michigan. It would invest more than originally proposed in this budget bill. In 2017, a task force determined that special education in Michigan was underfunded by roughly $700 million a year. We had known we had a problem for a long time, and we finally began to do something about it. We have made great strides since then. We overhauled how special education funding was done a couple of years ago, and now invest hundreds of millions of dollars more each year than we previously did. I was very proud to champion the reformed per-pupil plus reimbursement funding model, and it’s great to see those dollars in action.

The special education funding gap has been reduced from approximately $650 million in the fiscal year 2021-2022 to an estimated $300 million in fiscal year 2023-2024—this current fiscal year. We have closed the gap a lot, but we still have a long way to go. We need to make sure we focus our dollars where they can most help improve student outcomes. This is a zero-sum game, and there are only so many school aid dollars to go around. To spend more on special education, we would have to spend less somewhere else.

A main source of the increase I propose would come from redirecting funding from the now-proposed program to continue giving teachers more money to pay off their student loans. This program may be well-intentioned, but it’s inherently unfair. It rewards teachers who went into debt to attend college at the expense of those who did not. What about teachers who already have paid off their college debt? What about those who worked hard to pay their way through college, working multiple jobs just to stay afloat and out of debt? They get nothing under the Senate plan. A better approach would be to raise pay for all teachers so all of them, including those who have student loan debt, have more money to pay their bills.

My amendment would also redirect dollars set aside for a safe sidewalks program into special education. I support initiatives to keep our kids safe getting to and from school. If there is a need for safer sidewalks and intersection crossings to get our kids to school, let’s do it, but let’s do it in a different budget in the general fund where we’re not using up school aid dollars. It possibly could be included in the Department of Transportation budget, or through other budgets tasked with improving traffic and pedestrian safety. It’s a worthy goal, and that’s why we have existing avenues to support these types of projects in other budgets.

Thank you, and I ask for support for my amendment and special education students.

 

Senator Albert’s fourth statement is as follows:

Improving student achievement in Michigan will not happen overnight and there is no magical solution. But one piece of this multi-faceted approach is helping kids keep focused and less anxious while they’re in the classroom. This amendment would incentivize school districts to prohibit the use of phones in classrooms in Michigan schools. Districts that adopt no-phone policies would receive the increase in the foundation allowance provided in this bill. Smartphones have become an integral part of society—there’s no denying that—but there’s a time and a place for usage, and in the class is not one of them except in an absolute emergency. Many parents and educators have told me phones distract students, they raise their anxiety level, and otherwise negatively impact their ability to learn.

Research published last year by Common Sense Media, in association with a researcher from the University of Michigan C.S. Mott Children’s Hospital, outlined the problem. On a typical day, teens in the study received a median of 237 notifications from the apps on their phone. About a quarter of those came during the school day. That’s a lot of pings and buzzesnone of which help kids stay focused on their lessons. During school hours, almost half of the participants used their phones at least once. Overall, during school hours, kids used their phone for a median of 43 minutes, and more than six hours in some cases.

Many of our school districts already have no-phone policies in place. I have spoken to administrators that have implemented these policies and they have no regrets. These phones are addictive and they are a distraction in the classroom. We should advocate for policies that improve learning, student outcomes, and mental health. Let’s embrace that sentiment and approve this amendment.

Senator Runestad’s statement is as follows:

I think by now everyone in this chamber is well aware that Michigan has some of the nation’s absolute worst reading outcomes. According to the 2022 national assessment for educational progress, Michigan fell from 32nd in 2019 to now 43rd in 4th grade reading scores. With all the money we have spent and time, a lack of improvement. In 2023, the state of Michigan education report showed that we now rank 7th-worst in the country for 4th grade reading scores.

Much of this systemic, ongoing decline is due to our inability to provide effective literacy training to those who need help, including especially dyslexic students. Other states have early reading and immediate intervention for their students. Michigan does not. National experts believe that the best outcomes for reading are achieved through the science of reading program. The state of Mississippi invested in a ten-year science of reading program and they’ve already moved from the very bottom to the middle of the pack, and they want to go in the next ten years to the top. Yet, these same national experts who have helped dyslexic students in all these other states have met much resistance here in the state of Michigan.

I have spoken with some of the best literacy professionals in the nation and they have been unable to successfully persuade our educational professionals here in Michigan to adopt the best practices, things that are working fabulously in other states. We have seen great results from a pilot program with teachers singing the praises that the results exceeded all their expectations. I had great hopes for the dyslexia package which I’ve worked on for years with the Senator from the 15th Senate District, but there’s absolutely no guarantee—none—that these bills will make it all the way through both chambers and be signed by the Governor. I certainly pray that it does get signed.

I believe it’s imperative to continue to expand this teacher training now. I ask for my amendment of $5 million to be adopted so we can begin to turn around things for these long-suffering kids here in the state of Michigan. I ask you to join me in voting “yes” on this amendment to provide these vital funds to our students.

 

Senator Webber’s second statement is as follows:

This amendment would restore dedicated funding for school resource officers to this budget at a $25 million in ongoing funding. This funding was one of the few ongoing spending items that Democrats eliminated in the last two budget proposals. Making this funding ongoing is essential to maintaining school resource officers in our schools. These trained professionals play a vital role in ensuring that our schools are safe and secure learning environments for our students that establish a visible and proactive security presence. I ask for a “yes” vote on this amendment.

 

By unanimous consent the Senate proceeded to the order of

Resolutions

 

 

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

House Concurrent Resolution No. 13

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

 

 

House Concurrent Resolution No. 13.

A concurrent resolution to waive the legislative notice requirement for increases in rates of compensation for certain employees in the state classified service.

Whereas, Article XI, Section 5 of the Constitution of the State of Michigan of 1963 provides, in relevant part:

Increases in rates of compensation authorized by the commission may be effective only at the start of a fiscal year and shall require prior notice to the governor, who shall transmit such increases to the legislature as part of his budget. The legislature may, by a majority vote of the members elected to and serving in each house, waive the notice and permit increases in rates of compensation to be effective at a time other than the start of a fiscal year.

; and

Whereas, Agreement was reached between the Office of the State Employer and the Michigan State Employees Association to increase the rates of pay for certain exclusively represented conservation officer positions in certain classifications; and

Whereas, On February 16, 2024, the State Personnel Director, with the consent of the chair of the Civil Service Commission, granted interim approval of the agreement for these exclusively represented conservation officers, and also granted interim approval of increases in the rate of compensation for certain non-exclusively represented conservation officer positions. This approval was past the time when the Governor could transmit the increases as part of the budget; now, therefore, be it

Resolved, That, pursuant to Article XI, Section 5 of the Constitution of the State of Michigan of 1963, we waive the prior notice requirement to permit the increases in rates of compensation for both the exclusively represented and non-exclusively represented positions within the Department of Natural Resources and the Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy that were approved by the State Personnel Director; and be it further

Resolved, That copies of this resolution be transmitted to the members of the Civil Service Commission.

The House of Representatives has adopted the concurrent resolution.

The question being on the adoption of the concurrent resolution,

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

 

By unanimous consent the Senate returned to the order of

Motions and Communications

 

 

The following communication was received and read:

Office of the Senate Majority Leader

May 15, 2024

I would like to reassign Senate Bill No. 872 to the Senate Housing and Human Services Committee.

                                                                                       Thank you,

                                                                                       Winnie Brinks

                                                                                       Senate Majority Leader

                                                                                       29th District

The communication was referred to the Secretary for record.

 

By unanimous consent the Senate proceeded to the order of

Statements

 

 

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

The motion prevailed.

Senator Bumstead’s statement is as follows:

Last week, Attorney General Dana Nessel announced that she plans to sue oil and gas companies over Michigan’s changing climate. In announcing the lawsuit, the Attorney General said Michigan taxpayers face billions of dollars of losses. Let me remind my colleagues that without Michigan’s oil and gas industry, taxpayers would lose billions of dollars to protect Michigan’s natural resources.

The Natural Resources Trust Fund is funded by taxes from our state’s oil and gas industry. Since its inception in 1976, the NRTF has been used to fund 2,760 projects totaling $1.3 billion—projects like Niagara Woods Nature Area development in the 35th District, the Rotary Park expansion along the Clinton River in the 12th District, or even the renovation of the Martin Luther King Jr. equality trail in the 14th District. All of these projects have oil and gas to thank for their funding.

If any of my colleagues are supportive of this frivolous lawsuit, then maybe they should stop asking for Natural Resources Trust Fund projects in their districts.

 

Senator Anthony’s statement is as follows:

I’d like to speak to the budget bills that we were able to pass not just today but over the last several days in session. Over these past few days and weeks, we have been able to pass another comprehensive, responsible budget that truly builds up Michigan. This budget fosters the growth of our people and creates opportunity for all Michiganders regardless of their race, their ZIP code, their gender, or how much money they bring home every week. This budget builds on a strong foundation we began last fiscal year and adds innovative proposals that address the complex challenges facing the hard-working people of Michigan.

Throughout this process, Senate Democrats have worked hand-in-hand with subcommittee vice chairs on the other side of the aisle to ensure our budget recommendations reflect the diverse nature of our state and ensure the voice of the people remains central to this budget. Our proposals prioritize investments in our communities, from record-high per-pupil funding, a revenue sharing proposal that prioritizes the unique needs of small towns and villages as well as large cities, and in order to meet our 60x30 goal, our proposal makes college a reality for every Michigander. The budget directs our state dollars go back to public safety, education, and social services that our residents have come to expect and deserve. Furthermore, I’m proud that our budget takes care of people in a responsible and equitable way. These proposals build on a pathway to high-quality affordable housing and a secure retirement for working men and women across our state.

As we move forward with the budget process, I will continue to champion these priorities and knowing good and well that these budgets can only happen with strong collaboration. I’ve appreciated the passion from some of our Republican colleagues and I’m eager to engage in an open, meaningful conversation with any and every one who’s interested in finding solutions that build up the people of our state. As we move forward in the next steps of this process, let’s commit to a civil, collaborative tone, again centering Michigan families at every point of the way.

Building a strong budget requires constructive dialogue and a good-faith effort to work together on behalf of those we serve. When we fall victim to political gamesmanship and partisan posturing, we lose sight of the discussions and compromises needed to craft the best budget possible for the people of Michigan. Thank you to our Appropriations subcommittee chairs who have worked so diligently over the past few months to craft this fiscally responsible budget that builds a better future for all Michiganders. I commend my colleagues on their hard work and looking forward to the next steps in the process.

 

By unanimous consent the Senate returned to the order of

General Orders

 

 

Senator Singh moved that the Senate resolve itself into the Committee of the Whole for consideration of the General Orders calendar.

The motion prevailed, and the President pro tempore, Senator Moss, designated Senator Lauwers 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. 692, entitled

A bill to provide for the protection of certain individuals through the licensing and regulation of certain camps and camp programs; to provide for the establishment of standards of certain camps and camp programs; to require the promulgation of rules; to provide for the powers and duties of certain state and local governmental officers and entities; to create the camp licensing fund and to provide for contributions to and expenditures from the fund; to provide certain immunity from liability; and to prohibit certain conduct regarding reporting and provide penalties.

Substitute (S-2).

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.

 

 

The Committee of the Whole reported back to the Senate, favorably and with a substitute therefor, the following bill:

Senate Bill No. 693, entitled

A bill to amend 1927 PA 175, entitled “The code of criminal procedure,” by amending section 15g of chapter XVII (MCL 777.15g), as amended by 2017 PA 259.

Substitute (S-2).

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.

 

 

The Committee of the Whole reported back to the Senate, favorably and with a substitute therefor, the following bill:

Senate Bill No. 694, entitled

A bill to amend 1973 PA 116, entitled “An act to provide for the protection of children through the licensing and regulation of child care organizations; to provide for the establishment of standards of care for child care organizations; to prescribe powers and duties of certain departments of this state and adoption facilitators; to provide penalties; and to repeal acts and parts of acts,” by amending sections 1 and 9 (MCL 722.111 and 722.119), section 1 as amended by 2023 PA 173 and section 9 as amended by 2022 PA 71; and to repeal acts and parts of acts.

Substitute (S-2).

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.

The Committee of the Whole reported back to the Senate, favorably and with a substitute therefor, the following bill:

Senate Bill No. 695, entitled

A bill to amend 1979 PA 218, entitled “Adult foster care facility licensing act,” by amending sections 3, 5, 7, 13a, 16, 19, 22, and 26a (MCL 400.703, 400.705, 400.707, 400.713a, 400.716, 400.719, 400.722, and 400.726a), sections 3, 5, 7, 13a, and 22 as amended by 2018 PA 557, section 19 as amended by 1992 PA 176, and section 26a as amended by 2018 PA 388.

Substitute (S-1).

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.

 

 

The Committee of the Whole reported back to the Senate, favorably and with a substitute therefor, the following bill:

Senate Bill No. 728, entitled

A bill to amend 1975 PA 238, entitled “Child protection law,” by amending section 2 (MCL 722.622), as amended by 2022 PA 67.

Substitute (S-1).

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.

 

 

The Committee of the Whole reported back to the Senate, favorably and with a substitute therefor, the following bill:

Senate Bill No. 599, entitled

A bill to amend 1953 PA 232, entitled “Corrections code of 1953,” by amending sections 34 and 35 (MCL 791.234 and 791.235), section 34 as amended by 2019 PA 14 and section 35 as amended by 2019 PA 13.

Substitute (S-1).

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.

 

 

Announcements of Printing and Enrollment

 

 

The Secretary announced that the following House bill was received in the Senate and filed on Tuesday, May 14:

House Bill No.     5147

 

The Secretary announced that the following bills were printed and filed on Tuesday, May 14, and are available on the Michigan Legislature website:

House Bill Nos.     5723   5724   5725   5726  5727   5728   5729  5730

 

The Secretary announced that the following bill was printed and filed on Wednesday, May 15, and is available on the Michigan Legislature website:

Senate Bill No.       872

 

 

Committee Reports

 

 

The Committee on Local Government reported

Senate Bill No. 700, entitled

A bill to amend 2018 PA 57, entitled “Recodified tax increment financing act,” by amending section 201 (MCL 125.4201).

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

                                                                                       Veronica Klinefelt

                                                                                       Chairperson

To Report Out:

Yeas: Senators Klinefelt, Wojno, Moss, Shink, Hoitenga and Daley

Nays: None

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

COMMITTEE ATTENDANCE REPORT

 

The Committee on Local Government submitted the following:

Meeting held on Tuesday, May 14, 2024, at 9:30 a.m., Room 1200, Binsfeld Office Building

Present: Senators Klinefelt (C), Wojno, Moss, Shink, Hoitenga and Daley

Excused: Senator Bayer

 

 

Scheduled Meetings

 

 

Civil Rights, Judiciary, and Public Safety – Thursday, May 16, 12:00 noon, Room 1200, Binsfeld Office Building (517) 373-5312

 

Labor – Thursday, May 16, 9:00 a.m., Room 1300, Binsfeld Office Building (517) 373-5314

 

 

Senator Singh moved that the Senate adjourn.

The motion prevailed, the time being 12:16 p.m.

 

The President pro tempore, Senator Moss, declared the Senate adjourned until Thursday, May 16, 2024, at 10:00 a.m.

 

 

DANIEL OBERLIN

Secretary of the Senate