house Concurrent Resolution No.20

Speaker Chatfield offered the following concurrent resolution:

A concurrent resolution to create the Joint Select Committee on the COVID-19 Pandemic.

Whereas, It is the inherent responsibility of the Legislature to oversee the operations of the executive branch and ensure the effective implementation and operation of state government programs. The Michigan Legislature passed the Emergency Management Act in 1976 and other related laws to grant the Governor certain responsibilities for coping with dangers to this state and the people of this state presented by a disaster or emergency; and

Whereas, On March 10, 2020, Governor Whitmer issued Executive Order 2020-04 declaring a state of emergency across the state of Michigan to address the COVID-19 pandemic; and

Whereas, On April 1, 2020, Governor Whitmer issued Executive Order 2020-33 to replace Executive Order 2020-04 and expand that initial March 10, 2020, declaration to include a state of disaster related to the COVID-19 pandemic; and

Whereas, On April 7, 2020, the Legislature extended the declared states of emergency and disaster until April 30, 2020; now, therefore, be it

Resolved by the House of Representatives (the Senate concurring), That there be created the Joint Select Committee on the COVID-19 Pandemic. The joint select committee shall consist of five members of the House of Representatives appointed by the Speaker of the House, two from the House Democratic Caucus recommended by the House Minority Leader and three from the House Republican Caucus, and five members of the Senate appointed by the Senate Majority Leader, two from the Senate Democratic Caucus recommended by the Senate Minority Leader and three from the Senate Republican Caucus. The Speaker of the House shall designate the chairperson of the joint select committee, and the Senate Majority leader shall designate the vice chairperson; and be it further

Resolved, That, pursuant to MCL 4.541, the joint select committee may subpoena and have produced before it the records and files of any state department, board, institution or agency, and it shall be the duty of any state department, board, institution or agency to produce before the joint select committee as required by the subpoena, or permit the members of the committee to inspect its records and files; and be it further

Resolved, That the joint select committee shall examine the status and efficacy of governmental actions in response to the COVID-19 pandemic in Michigan. The joint select committee shall report to the Legislature a summary of its findings and conclusions, as well as any recommendations on further appropriate actions the Legislature may take to address the COVID-19 pandemic and to prevent or prepare for similar emergencies in the state.