No. 92

STATE OF MICHIGAN

Journal of the Senate

103rd Legislature

REGULAR SESSION OF 2025

Senate Chamber, Lansing, Tuesday, October 14, 2025.

10:00 a.m.

The Senate was called to order by the Assistant President pro tempore, Senator Erika Geiss.

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—excused Shink—present

Cavanagh—present Lauwers—present Singh—present

Chang—present Lindsey—present Theis—present

Cherry—present McBroom—excused Victory—present

Daley—present McCann—present Webber—present

Damoose—present McMorrow—present Wojno—present

Geiss—present

Senator Jonathan Lindsey of the 17th District offered the following invocation:

Heavenly Father, we come to You this morning, grateful for the many gifts and blessings that You have given us. We ask for You to make our hearts open to recognize those blessings, and also open to Your mercy and Your forgiveness. We also ask, Lord, that You open our minds to Your guidance, wisdom, and discernment as we take on the responsibility of working on behalf of the people of Michigan. We pray this in Jesus’ name. Amen.

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

Senator Hauck entered the Senate Chamber.

Motions and Communications

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

The motion prevailed.

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

The motion prevailed.

Senator Brinks entered the Senate Chamber.

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

The motion prevailed.

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

The motion prevailed.

Senator Singh moved that rule 2.106 be suspended to allow committees to meet during Senate session.

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

Senator Singh moved that the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure be discharged from further consideration of the following bill:

Senate Bill No. 580, entitled

A bill to amend 1949 PA 300, entitled “Michigan vehicle code,” by amending section 304 (MCL 257.304), as amended by 2024 PA 113.

The motion prevailed, a majority of the members serving voting therefor, and the bill was placed on the order of General Orders.

Senator Singh moved that the bill be referred to the Committee on Civil Rights, Judiciary and Public Safety.

The motion prevailed.

Senator Nesbitt entered the Senate Chamber.

Recess

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

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

11:08 a.m.

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

During the recess, Senators Wojno and Johnson entered the Senate Chamber.

By unanimous consent the Senate proceeded to the order of

Resolutions

Senators Nesbitt, Albert, Bellino, Victory, Johnson, Runestad, McBroom, Hoitenga, Daley, Hauck, Huizenga, Lauwers and Webber offered the following resolution:

Senate Resolution No. 77.

A resolution of tribute offered as a memorial for Charles “Charlie” James Kirk and to condemn all forms of political violence.

Whereas, Charles “Charlie” James Kirk, born October 14, 1993, was a courageous American patriot whose life was tragically and unjustly cut short in an act of political violence on September 10, 2025, at Utah Valley University; and

Whereas, Charlie Kirk was a devoted Christian who boldly lived out his faith with conviction, courage, and compassion; and

Whereas, He was a dedicated husband to his beloved wife, Erika Kirk, and a loving father to their daughter and son, exemplifying the virtues of faith, fidelity, and fatherhood; and

Whereas, Charlie Kirk was a fierce defender of the American founding and its timeless principles of life, liberty, limited government, and individual responsibility; and

Whereas, In 2012, at 18 years old, he founded Turning Point USA, a student movement with the mission to “identify, educate, train, and organize students to promote the principles of fiscal responsibility, free markets, and limited government”; and

Whereas, Charlie Kirk became one of the most prominent voices in America, engaging in respectful, civil discourse across college campuses, media platforms, and national forums, always seeking to elevate truth, foster understanding, and strengthen the Republic; and

Whereas, He personified the values of the First Amendment, exercising his God-given right to speak freely, challenge prevailing narratives, and did so with honor, courage, and respect for his fellow Americans; and

Whereas, Charlie Kirk’s commitment to civil discussion and debate stood as a model for young Americans across the political spectrum, and he worked tirelessly to promote unity without compromising on conviction; and

Whereas, The assassination of Charlie Kirk was not only a heinous act of violence, but a sobering reminder of the growing threat posed by political extremism and hatred in our society; and

Whereas, Such acts of politically motivated violence are antithetical to the principles of a free republic, in which differences of opinion are to be debated—not silenced—with civility, reason, and mutual respect; and

Whereas, The rise in targeted violence against individuals for their political beliefs undermines the very fabric of our constitutional democracy and chills the free exchange of ideas essential to a healthy civic society; and

Whereas, Leaders at every level—government, education, media, and beyond—must stand united in unequivocal condemnation of political violence, regardless of their ideology; and

Whereas, The tragic loss of Charlie Kirk must not be allowed to deepen the divides in our Nation, but instead serve as a turning point to recommit ourselves to better angels, and to the timeless American principles of liberty governed by truth and the virtues of peaceful dialogue; and

Whereas, Charlie Kirk would not have us respond to his death with despair, but rather with renewed purpose—to speak truth with courage, to stand firm in faith, to seek unity while standing firm in principle, and to serve as living reminders of the values he championed: faith, family, and freedom; now, therefore, be it

Resolved by the Senate, That the members of this legislative body offer this expression of our highest tribute to honor the memory of Charles “Charlie” James Kirk; and be it further

Resolved, That we condemn in the strongest possible terms the assassination of Charles “Charlie” James Kirk, and all forms of political violence; and be it further

Resolved, That we commend and honor the dedicated law enforcement and emergency personnel for their tireless efforts in finding the suspect responsible for the assassination of Charlie Kirk and urge the administration of swift justice to the suspect; and be it further

Resolved, That we extend our deepest condolences and sympathies to Charlie Kirk’s family including his wife, Erika, and their two young children, along with prays for comfort, peace, and healing in this time of unspeakable loss; and be it further

Resolved, That we honor the life, leadership, and legacy of Charlie Kirk, whose steadfast dedication to the Constitution, civil discourse, and Biblical truth inspired a generation to cherish and defend the blessings of liberty; and be it further

Resolved, That we call upon all Americans, regardless of race, party affiliation, or creed, to reject political violence, recommit to respectful debate, uphold American values, and respect one another as fellow Americans.

Pursuant to rule 3.204, the resolution was referred to the Committee on Government Operations.

Senator Santana offered the following resolution:

Senate Resolution No. 78.

A resolution to recognize October 12-18, 2025, as Menopause Awareness Week.

Whereas, Menopause and perimenopause impact every woman in Michigan who reach midlife, affecting fifty-one percent of our state population; and

Whereas, Women can experience menopause and perimenopause symptoms, including brain fog, fatigue, insomnia, chills, hot flashes, sleep disturbance, depression, and anxiety, from anywhere between two to ten years; and

Whereas, Ninety-four percent of women report being inadequately informed about menopause and other common female health issues; and

Whereas, Seventy percent of women who seek medical care for menopause symptoms do not receive the necessary treatment, and only nineteen percent of women aged 40 to 60 receive a menopause diagnosis; and

Whereas, Seventy-three percent of women are not treating their menopause symptoms, leading to unnecessary health risks and economic burdens; and

Whereas, The long-term effects of untreated perimenopause and menopause symptoms can increase risks for cardiovascular disease, osteoporosis, Alzheimer’s disease, and diabetes; and

Whereas, Training in the delivery of menopause care for medical students and physicians is severely lacking, along with the number of physicians certified as menopause health professionals across the state; and

Whereas, It is estimated that $150 billion is lost globally due to menopause symptoms effecting worker productivity; and

Whereas, Women may seek care from a range of health care providers, including primary care physicians, obstetricians, gynecologists, and providers in community health centers and hospitals who can assist in managing menopause-related symptoms through both in-person and telehealth services; and

Whereas, Many critical questions about caring for women experiencing menopause remain unanswered due to a lack of research; and

Whereas, It is imperative to raise awareness about the expansive effects that menopause and perimenopause have on women’s health and how women can advocate for themselves; now, therefore, be it

Resolved by the Senate, That the members of this legislative body recognize October 12-18, 2025, as Menopause Awareness Week.

Pursuant to rule 3.204, the resolution was referred to the Committee on Government Operations.

Senators Cherry, Geiss, McMorrow and Polehanki were named co-sponsors of the resolution.

Senator Shink offered the following resolution:

Senate Resolution No. 79.

A resolution to recognize October 19-26, 2025, as Microplastics Awareness Week.

Whereas, Michigan is home to more than 11,000 inland lakes, tens of thousands of miles of rivers and streams, 6.5 million acres of wetlands, 3,200 miles of Great Lakes shoreline, 230,000 acres of coastal dunes, and vast groundwater resources; and

Whereas, Michigan’s lakes and ecosystems provide a multitude of ecological, social, and economic benefits for millions of residents, as well as support to diverse and abundant wildlife; and

Whereas, Environmental impacts to the waters of Michigan represent a risk to drinking water resources for 10 million residents; and

Whereas, Plastics are widespread throughout the Great Lakes region and have been detected in water, air, soil, and living organisms such as mussels, birds, fish, and algae, all of which can enter the environment through a variety of sources; and

Whereas, Microplastics come from a variety of sources including the breakdown of larger plastics (e.g., plastic bottles/bags, rope, nets, or other debris), release during plastic manufacturing (e.g., nurdles, microbeads, or plastic containing wastewater), and also release during the use of plastic products (such as synthetic clothing and vehicle tires); and

Whereas, Emerging scientific evidence suggests that impacts from plastic pollution, including microplastics, chemical additives, and contaminants absorbed by plastic particles, may affect human health and organisms; and

Whereas, More research is needed to investigate plastic pollution throughout the environment and potential links to understand human and environmental health effects; and

Whereas, Successfully combatting plastic pollution requires a comprehensive approach to addressing the full life cycle of plastics; and

Whereas, The November 2024 final report of the International Joint Commission Great Lakes Science Advisory Board work group on microplastics recommends better understanding of microplastic pollution, creating a consistent way to track and report it across the region, and supporting efforts to protect the Great Lakes from its harmful effects; and

Whereas, Michigan can work to prevent plastics from entering the state and Great Lakes waters through research, monitoring, long-term planning, adaptive management, policy, innovation, education, and outreach; and

Whereas, We encourage industries, businesses, and the public to explore and use alternatives to plastics in their product choices, manufacturing processes, and waste management practices (e.g., recycling and reuse) to reduce our dependency on plastics and the volume of plastics being released into the environment; and

Whereas, During this week, we encourage Michiganders to learn about microplastics and prevent plastic pollution by exploring ways to take action, such as beach or community cleanups, reducing single-use plastics, and supporting local efforts to keep our waterways clean; now, therefore, be it

Resolved by the Senate, That the members of this legislative body recognize October 19-26, 2025, as Microplastics Awareness Week.

Pursuant to rule 3.204, the resolution was referred to the Committee on Government Operations.

Senators Cherry, Geiss and McMorrow were named co-sponsors of the resolution.

By unanimous consent the Senate proceeded to the order of

Statements

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

The motion prevailed.

Senator Santana’s statement is as follows:

Today, I would like to take an opportunity to rise and introduce—or talk about October 12th through October 18th, 2025, as Menopause Awareness Week in the state of Michigan. Menopause and perimenopause are not just medical milestones, they are life stages that affect over half of our state’s population. Yet, despite their widespread impact, these experiences are too often met with silence, stigma, and lack of adequate care. Women can face symptoms like brain fog, fatigue, insomnia, hot flashes, and anxiety for years, sometimes up to a decade. And still, 94 percent of women reported being inadequately informed about what’s happening to their bodies. Even more troubling, 70 percent of women who seek care don’t receive the treatment they need, and only 19 percent receive proper diagnosis.

This is not just a health issue, it’s an economic one. Untreated symptoms contribute to loss of productivity, costing the global economy an estimated $150 billion annually. Here in Michigan, we can do better. We need to ensure that medical professionals are trained and recognized to treat menopause symptoms. We need to invest in research, expand access to care, and empower women to advocate for their health.

This resolution is a call to action. It is about awareness, breaking the silence, and making sure that every woman in Michigan has support and the information she needs during this critical phase of her life. I want to also thank the Michigan Women’s Commission for championing this issue across the state of Michigan and listening and engaging stakeholders across our state. I urge my colleagues to continue to make this issue a priority, make sure that we are also educating our communities, and make sure that women in Michigan know that they are supported.

Senator Runestad’s statement is as follows:

Just months before the 2024 presidential election, Michigan’s Secretary of State tried to rewrite our election laws—not through the Legislature, but through bureaucratic back channels. If not for myself and citizen activists, and eventually the threat of legal action by the RNC, those rules—aligned but not yet effective for Senate Bill No. 603—would have taken effect, governing an election under laws no legislator had then approved.

The system she sought to exploit is the Joint Committee on Administrative Rules. While the current chair has broken from the traditions I’ve seen since I’ve been here, and he has held hearings to expose questionable and even unconstitutional rules, far too often, JCAR has been nothing less than a rubber stamp for whatever the agency wants. It’s not academic. This is vital. This is a system writing rules that have the force and effect of law. Under current law, if JCAR does not act within 15 session days, a rule automatically has the force and effect of law. Whether we review it or not, whether we even know it exists, that’s how the administrative state secretly expands its power and has quietly seized the pen that rightfully belongs to us, the Legislature.

My bill would end that. It gives every member of JCAR—not just the chair—the power to call a hearing on any proposed rule. No more rules sneaking through in the dark. No more laws made without legislative oversight. No rule should ever take effect in Michigan without the consent of the people’s representatives. Again, that rule then has the force and effect of law.

This reform restores balance, transparency, and accountability. It reminds the bureaucracy who it serves, and returns the power where it belongs—to we, the people.

Senator Shink’s statement is as follows:

Michigan is the Great Lakes State. We are known for our outdoor recreation, our rivers and streams, our beautiful landscapes, and our healthy way of life. But our lakes have higher concentrations of microplastics than our oceans. They have been found on our farms, in our fish, and even in our beer. They come from many sources, including plastic bags, manufacturing processes, and even our clothes and car tires. Scientific evidence suggests this plastic pollution could act as endocrine disruptors—that’s hormone disruptors—affecting our health and the health of all other living things in our state.

To successfully combat this problem, we need more research to investigate plastic pollution in the environment and its link to our health. Researchers across the Great Lakes region are working to help us better understand these issues, and I encourage my colleagues to seek out their work. I likewise encourage our businesses and constituents to explore and use alternatives to plastic where possible and to recycle where it is not. By joining our Governor in recognizing October 19-26 as Microplastics Awareness Week, we are making sure people understand both the seriousness of this issue and the ways we can work together to mitigate its effects.

Senator Webber’s statement is as follows:

I rise today with a heavy heart and a sense of disbelief at the state of our psychiatric hospitals. Michigan’s state-run, inpatient psychiatric care system is broken, and sadly, the more I have learned, the worse it gets. The state auditor has confirmed what too many parents and families told me. Those who turn to our state for care—our most vulnerable, our kids, our loved ones—have not been protected as they deserve. The findings are stark. Complaints of abuse, neglect, even death, sat unanswered for days when every hour mattered. Records meant to preserve the truth were incomplete. Video cameras that could have provided clarity too often fell silent, leaving accountability in the dark. In nearly half the cases, the very safeguards that could have revealed the truth failed to do so. This is not just a failure of technology or policy alone. It’s a failure of duty.

When the state accepts responsibility for those in psychiatric care, it accepts a sacred trust to defend their dignity, to protect their rights, and to act swiftly when those rights are threatened or violated. The Hawthorn Center, and all our state hospitals, must be places of healing, not fear, and the Office of Recipient Rights must serve as a guardian, not a silent bystander. To Director Hertel and her leadership team, oversight is not optional; accountability is not a suggestion. It’s a charge owed to every patient—every family—who places their trust in your care. A copy of the audit has been placed on every Senator’s desk in this chamber. As I fear, this is the only time it will be before you. Senate Democrats have tried and failed to block the truth from coming out and protect this department at every turn. Now the truth is out. The department has failed to protect our most vulnerable seeking mental health care. We cannot and we will not accept a system where neglect is hidden in the shadows, where truth is delayed, or where accountability is denied. Michigan residents deserve a patient protection system that upholds their rights, and Michigan residents deserve this chamber to scrutinize the department’s failed management of our patient protection system.

Senator Nesbitt’s statement is as follows:

One month ago, we lost the voice of a generation. Charlie Kirk was a father, a husband, a son, and a patriot. Today would have been his 32nd birthday. He had an entire life ahead of him. Unfortunately, it was cut short by an assassin’s bullet, shot by a young man whose mind was poisoned with hatred. What this assassin didn’t realize is that, you may have killed Charlie but you can’t kill the ideas that Charlie was bringing on to these campuses.

In the days and weeks since his murder, Charlie’s voice has become louder and louder than ever before. His movement is stronger than ever before. And the American people are more awake than they were just a few weeks ago. They are tired of politicians inciting and excusing violence. They are sickened by people celebrating the cold-blooded murder of a young father. They are done with violent mobs terrorizing our cities and our law enforcement.

Charlie Kirk stood for timeless truths, and in his honor, let us embrace these principles together in this chamber: We all should be champions of freedom, not foes to fear. We are all guardians of liberty, united in its defense. Our heroic law enforcement officers are the vital shield between order and chaos, deserving our support. We must uphold the sovereignty of our nation with compassion and resolve. Biology is a divine gift, guiding us in truth and identity. Our sacred rights flow from the Almighty God, not from the government.

The American people have spoken clearly for progress and common sense. We are a country where sharing ideas and disagreeing is a vital part of our republic, and violence—in all forms—should not be a reaction to speech. Attacks on law enforcement, domestic threats, and harmful rhetoric have no place among us. This is the legacy that Charlie Kirk left for all Americans. It is very confusing today—and unfortunate—why the Senate Democratic majority could not even be bothered to take a moment to adopt the resolution I introduced and condemn political violence.

Today, Charlie will be posthumously awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom. At least President Trump is doing the right thing: honoring the man, acknowledging a great man’s contribution to our country, our freedoms, and our freedom of speech. God bless Charlie. God bless our First Amendment. And God bless this great country.

Announcements of Printing and Enrollment

The Secretary announced that the following bills were printed and filed on Friday, October 10, and are available on the Michigan Legislature website:

Senate Bill Nos. 603 604 605

Scheduled Meetings

Civil Rights, Judiciary, and Public Safety – Wednesday, October 15, 10:15 a.m., Room 1200, Binsfeld Office Building (517) 373‑5312

Regulatory Affairs – Wednesday, October 15, 12:00 noon, Room 403, 4th Floor, Capitol Building (517) 373‑1721

Senator Singh moved that the Senate adjourn.

The motion prevailed, the time being 11:24 a.m.

The Assistant President pro tempore, Senator Geiss, declared the Senate adjourned until Wednesday, October 15, 2025, at 10:00 a.m.

DANIEL OBERLIN

Secretary of the Senate