STATE OF MICHIGAN

JOURNAL

OF THE

House of Representatives

102nd Legislature

REGULAR SESSION OF 2024

House Chamber, Lansing, Wednesday, February 7, 2024.

1:30 p.m.

The House was called to order by the Speaker.

The roll was called by the Clerk of the House of Representatives, who announced that a quorum was present.

Aiyash—present Dievendorf—present Maddock—present Schmaltz—present

Alexander—present Edwards—present Markkanen—present Schriver—present

Andrews—present Farhat—present Martin—present Schuette—present

Aragona—present Filler—present Martus—present Scott—present

Arbit—excused Fink—present McFall—present Shannon—present

Beeler—present Fitzgerald—present McKinney—present Skaggs—present

BeGole—present Fox—present Meerman—present Slagh—present

Beson—present Friske—present Mentzer—present Smit—present

Bezotte—excused Glanville—present Miller—present Snyder—present

Bierlein—present Grant—present Morgan—present St. Germaine—present

Bollin—present Green, P.—present Morse—present Steckloff—present

Borton—present Greene, J.—present Mueller—present Steele—present

Brabec—present Haadsma—present Neeley—present Tate—present

Breen—present Hall—present Neyer—present Thompson—present

Brixie—present Harris—present O’Neal—present Tisdel—present

Bruck—present Hill—present Outman—present Tsernoglou—present

Byrnes—present Hoadley—present Paiz—present VanderWall—present

Carra—present Hood—present Paquette—present VanWoerkom—present

Carter, B.—present Hope—present Pohutsky—present Wegela—present

Carter, T.—present Hoskins—present Posthumus—present Weiss—present

Cavitt—present Johnsen—present Prestin—present Wendzel—present

Churches—present Koleszar—present Price—present Whitsett—present

Coffia—present Kuhn—present Puri—present Wilson—present

Conlin—present Kunse—present Rheingans—present Witwer—present

DeBoer—present Liberati—present Rigas—present Wozniak—present

DeBoyer—present Lightner—present Rogers—present Young—present

DeSana—present MacDonell—present Roth—present Zorn—present

e/d/s = entered during session

Rep. Steve Carra, from the 36th District, offered the following invocation:

“Dear Lord, thank You for this day…

and thank You for the opportunities You have provided…

allowing each of us to Grow & Give… Love & Learn… and serve You.

As the Bible says in Proverbs Chapter 2 verse 6 ‘For the Lord gives wisdom; from His mouth come knowledge and understanding.’

Guide our paths.

Give us the patience, focus, and clarity to understand the issues before us.

Give us the wisdom to set aside pressures and temptations to deviate from Your will.

Guard not only our hearts to do what’s best for the people of Michigan, but also guard our minds from confusion and folly.

Help us to understand our Brother’s & Sister’s viewpoints and ultimately guide us to carry out Your will in all that we do.

In Your name, we pray. Amen.”

______

The Speaker called the Speaker Pro Tempore to the Chair.

______

Rep. Aiyash moved that Reps. Arbit and Bezotte be excused from today’s session.

The motion prevailed.

Motions and Resolutions

The Speaker laid before the House

House Resolution No. 178.

A resolution to declare February 1, 2024, as Blue Star Mothers Day in the state of Michigan.

(The resolution was introduced and postponed for the day on February 6, see House Journal No. 11, p. 60.)

The question being on the adoption of the resolution,

The resolution was adopted.

Third Reading of Bills

House Bill No. 4613, entitled

A bill to amend 1978 PA 368, entitled “Public health code,” by amending section 20952 (MCL 333.20952), as added by 1990 PA 179.

Was read a third time and passed, a majority of the members serving voting therefor, by yeas and nays, as follows:

Roll Call No. 4 Yeas—105

Aiyash Farhat Markkanen Schmaltz

Alexander Filler Martin Schuette

Andrews Fink Martus Scott

Aragona Fitzgerald McFall Shannon

Beeler Fox McKinney Skaggs

BeGole Friske Meerman Slagh

Beson Glanville Mentzer Smit

Bierlein Grant Miller Snyder

Bollin Green, P. Morgan St. Germaine

Borton Greene, J. Morse Steckloff

Brabec Haadsma Mueller Steele

Breen Hall Neeley Tate

Brixie Harris Neyer Thompson

Bruck Hill O’Neal Tisdel

Byrnes Hoadley Outman Tsernoglou

Carra Hood Paiz VanderWall

Carter, B. Hope Paquette VanWoerkom

Carter, T. Hoskins Pohutsky Wegela

Cavitt Johnsen Posthumus Weiss

Churches Koleszar Prestin Wendzel

Coffia Kuhn Price Whitsett

Conlin Kunse Puri Wilson

DeBoer Liberati Rheingans Witwer

DeBoyer Lightner Rigas Wozniak

DeSana MacDonell Rogers Young

Dievendorf Maddock Roth Zorn

Edwards

Nays—1

Schriver

In The Chair: Pohutsky

The House agreed to the title of the bill.

Rep. Aiyash moved that the bill be given immediate effect.

The motion prevailed, 2/3 of the members serving voting therefor.

House Bill No. 4614, entitled

A bill to amend 1978 PA 368, entitled “Public health code,” (MCL 333.1101 to 333.25211) by adding section 20952a.

Was read a third time and passed, a majority of the members serving voting therefor, by yeas and nays, as follows:

Roll Call No. 5 Yeas—100

Aiyash Farhat Martin Schmaltz

Alexander Filler Martus Schuette

Andrews Fink McFall Scott

Aragona Fitzgerald McKinney Shannon

Beeler Fox Meerman Skaggs

BeGole Glanville Mentzer Slagh

Beson Grant Miller Smit

Bierlein Green, P. Morgan Snyder

Bollin Greene, J. Morse St. Germaine

Borton Haadsma Mueller Steckloff

Brabec Hall Neeley Steele

Breen Harris Neyer Tate

Brixie Hill O’Neal Thompson

Bruck Hoadley Outman Tsernoglou

Byrnes Hood Paiz VanderWall

Carter, B. Hope Paquette VanWoerkom

Carter, T. Hoskins Pohutsky Wegela

Cavitt Johnsen Posthumus Weiss

Churches Koleszar Prestin Wendzel

Coffia Kuhn Price Whitsett

Conlin Kunse Puri Wilson

DeBoer Liberati Rheingans Witwer

DeBoyer Lightner Rigas Wozniak

Dievendorf MacDonell Rogers Young

Edwards Markkanen Roth Zorn

Nays—6

Carra Friske Schriver Tisdel

DeSana Maddock

In The Chair: Pohutsky

The House agreed to the title of the bill.

Rep. Aiyash moved that the bill be given immediate effect.

The motion prevailed, 2/3 of the members serving voting therefor.

House Bill No. 4028, entitled

A bill to amend 1949 PA 300, entitled “Michigan vehicle code,” by amending section 722 (MCL 257.722), as amended by 2018 PA 274.

Was read a third time and passed, a majority of the members serving voting therefor, by yeas and nays, as follows:

Roll Call No. 6 Yeas—106

Aiyash Farhat Martin Schriver

Alexander Filler Martus Schuette

Andrews Fink McFall Scott

Aragona Fitzgerald McKinney Shannon

Beeler Fox Meerman Skaggs

BeGole Friske Mentzer Slagh

Beson Glanville Miller Smit

Bierlein Grant Morgan Snyder

Bollin Green, P. Morse St. Germaine

Borton Greene, J. Mueller Steckloff

Brabec Haadsma Neeley Steele

Breen Hall Neyer Tate

Brixie Harris O’Neal Thompson

Bruck Hill Outman Tisdel

Byrnes Hoadley Paiz Tsernoglou

Carra Hood Paquette VanderWall

Carter, B. Hope Pohutsky VanWoerkom

Carter, T. Hoskins Posthumus Wegela

Cavitt Johnsen Prestin Weiss

Churches Koleszar Price Wendzel

Coffia Kuhn Puri Whitsett

Conlin Kunse Rheingans Wilson

DeBoer Liberati Rigas Witwer

DeBoyer Lightner Rogers Wozniak

DeSana MacDonell Roth Young

Dievendorf Maddock Schmaltz Zorn

Edwards Markkanen

Nays—0

In The Chair: Pohutsky

The House agreed to the title of the bill.

Rep. Aiyash moved that the bill be given immediate effect.

The motion prevailed, 2/3 of the members serving voting therefor.

By unanimous consent the House returned to the order of

Motions and Resolutions

Reps. Conlin, Rogers, Brabec, Fitzgerald, Glanville, Haadsma, Hill, Hope, Paiz and Young offered the following resolution:

House Resolution No. 183.

A resolution to declare February 2024 as American Heart Month and February 7, 2024, as National Wear Red Day in the state of Michigan.

Whereas, Cardiovascular disease affects men, women, and children of every age and race in the United States (U.S.); and

Whereas, Cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death in women, claiming more lives than all forms of cancer combined, and yet only 44% of women recognize that cardiovascular disease is their greatest health threat; and

Whereas, Among females 20 years and older, nearly 45% are living with some form of cardiovascular disease and less than half of women entering pregnancy in the United States have optimal cardiovascular health; and

Whereas, Cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of maternal death in the U.S., or more simply put, heart disease is the No. 1 killer of new moms; and

Whereas, Women, especially Black and Hispanic women, are disproportionally impacted by heart disease and stroke, and research shows heart attacks are on the rise in younger women. Yet, younger generations of women, also known as Gen Z and Millennials, are less aware of their greatest health threat, including knowing the warning signs of heart attacks and strokes; and

Whereas, Overall, 10% to 20% of women will have a health issue during pregnancy, and high blood pressure, preeclampsia, and gestational diabetes during pregnancy greatly increase a women’s risk for developing cardiovascular disease later in life; and

Whereas, Most cardiac and stroke events can be prevented through education and lifestyle changes, such as moving more, eating smart, and managing blood pressure; and

Whereas, In 2020, stroke caused the deaths of 90,627 females, approximately 56.5% of total stroke deaths; and

Whereas, There are significant biological differences between men and women, and clinical trials have not always adequately enrolled women or analyzed sex-specific differences in the data. As of 2020, only 38% of cardiovascular clinical research trial participants were women; and

Whereas, Since 2004, the American Heart Association’s Go Red for Women movement has addressed the awareness and clinical care gaps of women’s greatest health threat, cardiovascular disease, and, on the cusp of the American Heart Association’s 100th anniversary, continues to make bold moves to save lives and pioneer scientific discoveries; and

Whereas, The American Heart Association celebrates February 2024 as American Heart Month by promoting cardiovascular education, awareness, and by encouraging citizens to learn the warning signs of a heart attack and stroke; now, therefore, be it

Resolved by the House of Representatives, That the members of this legislative body declare February 2024 as American Heart Month and February 7, 2024, as National Wear Red Day in the state of Michigan.

The question being on the adoption of the resolution,

The resolution was adopted.

Reps. Hill, Markkanen, Paiz, McKinney, Byrnes, Andrews, Coffia, Dievendorf, Fitzgerald, Hope, Glanville, Brabec, Arbit, Rogers, Rheingans, Haadsma and Young offered the following concurrent resolution:

House Concurrent Resolution No. 12.

A concurrent resolution to vehemently oppose the transfer of mail processing operations from the Iron Mountain Processing and Distribution Center to the Green Bay Processing and Distribution Center in Wisconsin.

Whereas, The United States Postal Service has a long and venerable tradition of serving as a great equalizer between the people of our nation. Both the Articles of Confederation and the Constitution of the United States gave Congress the power to establish a system of post offices, and a Post Office Department was first established by the Second Continental Congress in 1775, with Benjamin Franklin appointed to serve as the Postmaster General. Throughout its 250-year history, the Post Office has chosen time and time again to prioritize service over profit, from President Washington’s support for the subsidization of stagecoaches in the 1780s, to the construction of money-losing postal routes to encourage settlement in the west during the mid-19th century, to the creation of the Pony Express to deliver the mail through extreme environments in 1860, to the elimination of price differences based on the distance a letter was to travel in 1863. While free home delivery began in cities in 1863, it was not initially offered in rural areas, though they paid the same rates. After initial experiments showed how happy rural customers were to be given the same attention as city-dwellers, rural free delivery became a permanent service in 1902. It is the mission of the United States Postal Service “to bind the Nation together through the personal, educational, literary, and business correspondence of the people”; and

Whereas, The Post Office is a service that we, as a society, have chosen to provide to our people. There is no constitutional mandate that the Post Office be run as a profitable business enterprise; to the contrary, our history shows that we have repeatedly used the Post Office to ensure that every American, no matter where they live, is connected through the post. The people can choose the level of postal service that they want the United States Postal Service to provide, and they can decide what costs they are willing to bear to provide that service; and

Whereas, Contrary to the desires of many that the United States Postal Service put service first, there are those who insist that it must be run like a business. The “Delivering for America” plan, published in March 2021, emphasizes the financial viability of the Postal Service, with a focus on raising enough revenue to cover their operating costs and fund new investments. The plan proudly proclaims that it will enable the United States Postal Service to operate with a positive net income, and the most recent report boasts that it has reduced projected ten-year losses from 160 billion dollars to 70 billion dollars. These publications read like a corporate marketing pitch, establishing goals such as a “more rational pricing approach,” a “stable and empowered workforce” and a “bold approach to growth, innovation and continued relevance.” What these profit-minded advocates seemingly fail to recognize is that lower-quality service and higher prices drive customers away, decreasing use of the postal service and thus decreasing revenue, while simultaneously undermining the Postal Service’s mission of binding the nation together; and

Whereas, The United States Postal Service’s focus on financial optimization has already had negative impacts on those living in rural areas, such as Michigan’s Upper Peninsula. Local post offices have changed the time when mail is gathered for delivery from the afternoon to the early morning, meaning that a piece of mail dropped off during the day will remain at the post office for far longer before the shipping process begins. In practical effect, this adds one day to shipping times even while allowing the Postal Service to deny having done so for accounting purposes. Additionally, one-day Priority Mail Express shipping, which was available as recently as early January 2024, is no longer available from the UP to anywhere in Michigan; instead, citizens are being charged the same rate for two-day shipping. Combined with the change in collection time above, next-day shipping has essentially been transformed into three-day shipping. This is extremely problematic for businesses and health departments that need to collect samples of drinking water and have them delivered to a laboratory for bacterial testing within 24 hours of sampling. Delays in shipping also have negative consequences for patients who receive medications through the mail, for people who need to ensure their bills are paid on time, and for businesses delivering frozen foods such as the UP’s beloved pasties. Focusing too much on the postal network as a whole while ignoring the importance of timely local shipping is not modernization; it is regression. The people of the Upper Peninsula want what’s best for their communities, not what’s best for the pocketbooks of those in Washington; and

Whereas, In January 2024, the United States Postal Service announced plans to transfer some mail processing services, including outgoing mail operations, from the Iron Mountain Processing and Distribution Center in Kingsford, Michigan, to the Green Bay Processing and Distribution Center in Wisconsin. The Postal Service has justified this plan based on the fact that a majority of the mail and packages sent from the Iron Mountain area are destined for locations outside the local area. While this might make sense from the standpoint of the Postal Service as a nationwide business, it does not make sense for the people of the Upper Peninsula, for whom timely local delivery is essential. The notices that have been published about this plan assure that, while five craft employee positions will be eliminated, no management positions will be eliminated. But the notices also indicate that there will be reassignments, which means that some employees could be left without a job if they are unwilling to be reassigned to a post office far away. Furthermore, recent changes to the Iron Mountain facility may have led to inaccurate conclusions about the need for it, stacking the deck so that the evidence would support the conclusion the government was looking for. The capacity of the Green Bay facility to handle the mail from the Iron Mountain area is curiously left out of the government’s preliminary findings. When similar notices across the country all use identical, buzzword-riddled language about efficiency, cost-effectiveness, modern strategies, and “rightsizing” the postal workforce, it becomes difficult to trust that they have made a careful, informed decision about the proper level of services to provide at the Iron Mountain facility; now, therefore, be it

Resolved by the House of Representatives (the Senate concurring), That we vehemently oppose the transfer of mail processing operations from the Iron Mountain Processing and Distribution Center to the Green Bay Processing and Distribution Center in Wisconsin; and be it further

Resolved, That copies of this resolution be transmitted to the Governor of Michigan, the President of the United States, the President of the United States Senate, the Speaker of the United States House of Representatives, the members of the Michigan congressional delegation, and the United States Postmaster General.

The question being on the adoption of the concurrent resolution,

The concurrent resolution was adopted.

Rep. Wilson moved that Rule 42 be suspended.

The motion prevailed, 3/5 of the members present voting therefor.

Rep. Wilson moved that the Committee on Government Operations be discharged from further consideration of House Resolution No. 180.

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

The Speaker laid before the House

House Resolution No. 180.

A resolution to declare February 2024 as National Teen Dating Violence Awareness and Prevention Month in the state of Michigan.

(For text of resolution, see House Journal No. 11, p. 62.)

(The resolution was discharged from the Committee on Government Operations on February 7.)

The question being on the adoption of the resolution,

The resolution was adopted.

______

Rep. Wilson moved that House Committees be given leave to meet during the balance of today’s session.

The motion prevailed.

Rep. Wilson moved that when the House adjourns today it stand adjourned until Tuesday, February 13, at 1:30 p.m.

The motion prevailed.

Announcement by the Clerk of Printing and Enrollment

The Clerk announced that the following bills had been reproduced and made available electronically on Tuesday, February 6:

Senate Bill Nos. 705 706 707

The Clerk announced that the following bills had been reproduced and made available electronically on Wednesday, February 7:

Senate Bill Nos. 708 709 710 711 712 713 714 715 716

Reports of Standing Committees

The Committee on Health Policy, by Rep. Rogers, Chair, reported

House Bill No. 4532, entitled

A bill to amend 1978 PA 368, entitled “Public health code,” by amending sections 5453, 5454, 5455, 5456, 5457, 5458, 5459, 5460, 5460a, 5461, 5461a, 5462, 5463, 5464, 5465, 5466, 5468, 5469, 5470, 5471, 5472, 5473a, 5474, 5474b, 5474c, 5475, 5476, and 5477 (MCL 333.5453, 333.5454, 333.5455, 333.5456, 333.5457, 333.5458, 333.5459, 333.5460, 333.5460a, 333.5461, 333.5461a, 333.5462, 333.5463, 333.5464, 333.5465, 333.5466, 333.5468, 333.5469, 333.5470, 333.5471, 333.5472, 333.5473a, 333.5474, 333.5474b, 333.5474c[1], 333.5475, 333.5476, and 333.5477), section 5453 as amended by 2008 PA 45, sections 5454, 5455, 5456, 5457, 5458, 5459, 5460, 5462, 5463, 5468, 5471, 5472, 5473a, 5475, 5476, and 5477 as amended by 2002 PA 644, sections 5460a, 5461, 5469, 5470, and 5474 as added by 1998 PA 219, sections 5461a, 5464, 5465, and 5466 as added by 1998 PA 220, section 5474b as added by 2004 PA 432, and section 5474c as added by 2004 PA 433; and to repeal acts and parts of acts.

With the recommendation that the substitute (H-5) be adopted and that the bill then pass.

The bill and substitute were referred to the order of Second Reading of Bills.

Favorable Roll Call

To Report Out:

Yeas: Reps. Rogers, Whitsett, Brenda Carter, Haadsma, Neeley, Glanville, Coffia, Conlin, Fitzgerald, Miller and Rheingans

Nays: Reps. VanderWall, Mueller, VanWoerkom, Roth, Schmaltz and Thompson

The Committee on Health Policy, by Rep. Rogers, Chair, reported

House Bill No. 5368, entitled

A bill to amend 1978 PA 368, entitled “Public health code,” by amending section 5474 (MCL 333.5474), as added by 1998 PA 219, and by adding section 5456a.

With the recommendation that the substitute (H-2) be adopted and that the bill then pass.

The bill and substitute were referred to the order of Second Reading of Bills.

Favorable Roll Call

To Report Out:

Yeas: Reps. Rogers, Whitsett, Brenda Carter, Haadsma, Neeley, Glanville, Coffia, Conlin, Fitzgerald, Miller and Rheingans

Nays: Reps. VanderWall, Mueller, VanWoerkom, Roth, Schmaltz and Thompson

The Committee on Health Policy, by Rep. Rogers, Chair, reported

House Bill No. 5369, entitled

A bill to amend 1978 PA 368, entitled “Public health code,” by amending sections 5823 and 5825 (MCL 333.5823 and 333.5825), as amended by 2015 PA 91.

With the recommendation that the substitute (H-2) be adopted and that the bill then pass.

The bill and substitute were referred to the order of Second Reading of Bills.

Favorable Roll Call

To Report Out:

Yeas: Reps. Rogers, Whitsett, Brenda Carter, Haadsma, Neeley, Glanville, Coffia, Conlin, Fitzgerald, Miller and Rheingans

Nays: Reps. VanderWall, Mueller and Roth

The Committee on Health Policy, by Rep. Rogers, Chair, reported

House Bill No. 5399, entitled

A bill to amend 1967 PA 281, entitled “Income tax act of 1967,” by amending section 51 (MCL 206.51), as amended by 2023 PA 4.

With the recommendation that the bill be referred to the Committee on Tax Policy.

Favorable Roll Call

To Report Out:

Yeas: Reps. Rogers, Whitsett, Brenda Carter, Haadsma, Neeley, Glanville, Coffia, Conlin, Fitzgerald, Miller, Rheingans, VanderWall, Mueller, VanWoerkom, Roth, Schmaltz and Thompson

Nays: None

The recommendation was concurred in and the bill was referred to the Committee on Tax Policy.

COMMITTEE ATTENDANCE REPORT

The following report, submitted by Rep. Rogers, Chair, of the Committee on Health Policy, was received and read:

Meeting held on: Tuesday, February 6, 2024

Present: Reps. Rogers, Whitsett, Brenda Carter, Haadsma, Neeley, Glanville, Coffia, Conlin, Farhat, Fitzgerald, Miller, Rheingans, VanderWall, Mueller, VanWoerkom, Roth, Schmaltz and Thompson

Absent: Rep. Filler

Excused: Rep. Filler

The Committee on Judiciary, by Rep. Breen, Chair, reported

House Bill No. 4924, entitled

A bill to amend 1961 PA 236, entitled “Revised judicature act of 1961,” by amending section 3304 (MCL 600.3304) and by adding chapter 34.

Without amendment and with the recommendation that the bill pass.

The bill was referred to the order of Second Reading of Bills.

Favorable Roll Call

To Report Out:

Yeas: Reps. Breen, Edwards, Tyrone Carter, Hope, Dievendorf, Hoskins, Tsernoglou, Fink, Wendzel, Wozniak, Outman and Johnsen

Nays: None

The Committee on Judiciary, by Rep. Breen, Chair, reported

House Bill No. 5204, entitled

A bill to amend 1961 PA 236, entitled “Revised judicature act of 1961,” by amending sections 910 and 913 (MCL 600.910 and 600.913).

Without amendment and with the recommendation that the bill pass.

The bill was referred to the order of Second Reading of Bills.

Favorable Roll Call

To Report Out:

Yeas: Reps. Breen, Edwards, Tyrone Carter, Hope, Dievendorf, Hoskins, Tsernoglou, Fink, Wendzel, Wozniak, Outman and Johnsen

Nays: None

The Committee on Judiciary, by Rep. Breen, Chair, reported

House Bill No. 5400, entitled

A bill to amend 1931 PA 328, entitled “The Michigan penal code,” by amending section 147b (MCL 750.147b), as added by 1988 PA 371.

With the recommendation that the bill be referred to the Committee on Criminal Justice.

Favorable Roll Call

To Report Out:

Yeas: Reps. Breen, Edwards, Tyrone Carter, Hope, Dievendorf, Hoskins and Tsernoglou

Nays: Rep. Johnsen

The recommendation was concurred in and the bill was referred to the Committee on Criminal Justice.

The Committee on Judiciary, by Rep. Breen, Chair, reported

House Bill No. 5401, entitled

A bill to amend 1927 PA 175, entitled “The code of criminal procedure,” by amending section 16g of chapter XVII (MCL 777.16g), as amended by 2023 PA 278.

With the recommendation that the bill be referred to the Committee on Criminal Justice.

Favorable Roll Call

To Report Out:

Yeas: Reps. Breen, Edwards, Tyrone Carter, Hope, Dievendorf, Hoskins and Tsernoglou

Nays: Rep. Johnsen

The recommendation was concurred in and the bill was referred to the Committee on Criminal Justice.

COMMITTEE ATTENDANCE REPORT

The following report, submitted by Rep. Breen, Chair, of the Committee on Judiciary, was received and read:

Meeting held on: Wednesday, February 7, 2024

Present: Reps. Breen, Edwards, Tyrone Carter, Hope, Dievendorf, Hoskins, Tsernoglou, Fink, Wendzel, Wozniak, Outman and Johnsen

Absent: Rep. Arbit

Excused: Rep. Arbit

The Committee on Government Operations, by Rep. Liberati, Chair, reported

House Resolution No. 148.

A resolution to urge the President of the United States to provide assistance and medical aid to the community of Qaraqosh/Bakhdida, Iraq, following a devastating fire at a local wedding.

(For text of resolution, see House Journal No. 83 of 2023, p. 1944.)

With the recommendation that the following substitute (H-1) be adopted and that the resolution then be adopted.

Substitute for House Resolution No. 148.

A resolution to urge the President of the United States to provide assistance and medical aid to the community of Qaraqosh/Bakhdida, Iraq, following a devastating fire at a local wedding.

Whereas, On September 26, 2023, an unthinkable tragedy struck the city of Qaraqosh/Bakhdida in the Nineveh governorate of northern Iraq. As a newlywed couple celebrated their union surrounded by friends and family, fireworks erupted on the dance floor and ignited the banquet hall, engulfing the venue in a blaze. In an instant, what should have been the happiest moment in a young couple’s life became a horrifying nightmare. In the ensuing chaos, attendees struggled to escape the building. It was later discovered that the venue was constructed of highly flammable material, had no emergency exits, and was filled far beyond its capacity – a perfect storm for tragedy. While it is reported that the bride and groom thankfully survived, Iraqi officials have indicated that at least 107 attendees lost their lives while an additional 82 were injured. Surviving victims suffered extreme burns and other physical and psychological injuries that will necessitate specialized care – care that the local medical community in Qaraqosh/Bakhdida may be unequipped to sufficiently provide; and

Whereas, Medical facilities in Qaraqosh/Bakhdida are insufficiently equipped to provide the necessary medical care for the survivors of this tragic fire. It has been reported that local hospitals in Qaraqosh/Bakhdida – a city home to only 35,000 people – have been overwhelmed with the sudden influx of victims needing comprehensive and intense medical intervention. Unable to cope with the stress, medical professionals in Qaraqosh/Bakhdida have already begun transferring their patients to burn facilities in other countries, desperately attempting to ensure that the victims of this fire receive the best care possible given the dire circumstances; and

Whereas, The United States has a proven track record indicating our commitment to offering humanitarian assistance to those in need across the world. Our status as a world leader places us in the fortunate position to be able to demonstrate that commitment once more by providing aid to the victims of the fire in Qaraqosh/Bakhdida. There are few ways in which the vast resources at the disposal of our federal government can be better spent than by offering support to communities in need. By offering medical assistance and other desperately needed resources to the victims of the Qaraqosh/Bakhdida fire and the medical professionals working tirelessly on their behalf, the federal government would demonstrate the compassion of the American people and our commitment to promoting peace, stability, and well-being in Iraq and the world beyond; and

Whereas, The state of Michigan has particularly strong ties to the Assyrian-Chaldean-Syriac people, the primary ethnic demographic of the city of Qaraqosh/Bakhdida. The Assyrian-Chaldean-Syriac diaspora has established deep roots in our state, which hosts the largest population of this people in the nation. The contributions made by this community to our state’s rich culture and robust economy cannot be quantified. Therefore, we recognize that Michigan maintains a vested interest in supporting our friends and neighbors in Qaraqosh/Bakhdida, further strengthening ties long established between our distant communities; now, therefore, be it

Resolved by the House of Representatives, That we urge Congress to appropriate funds to assist and provide medical aid to the community of Qaraqosh/Bakhdida, Iraq, following a devastating fire at a local wedding; and be it further

Resolved, That copies of this resolution be transmitted to the President of the United States, the President of the United States Senate, the Speaker of the United States House of Representatives, and the members of the Michigan congressional delegation.

Favorable Roll Call

To Report Out:

Yeas: Reps. Liberati, Pohutsky, McFall and Greene

Nays: None

COMMITTEE ATTENDANCE REPORT

The following report, submitted by Rep. Liberati, Chair, of the Committee on Government Operations, was received and read:

Meeting held on: Wednesday, February 7, 2024

Present: Reps. Liberati, Pohutsky, McFall, Posthumus and Greene

COMMITTEE ATTENDANCE REPORT

The following report, submitted by Rep. Witwer, Chair, of the Committee on Appropriations, was received and read:

Meeting held on: Wednesday, February 7, 2024

Present: Reps. Witwer, O’Neal, Brixie, Hood, Brabec, Morse, Puri, Steckloff, Weiss, Martus, McKinney, Mentzer, Morgan, Price, Skaggs, Snyder, Wilson, Lightner, Bollin, Green, Slagh, Beson, Borton, Fink, Cavitt, DeBoer, Kuhn, Schuette and Steele

COMMITTEE ATTENDANCE REPORT

The following report, submitted by Rep. Fitzgerald, Chair, of the Committee on Local Government and Municipal Finance, was received and read:

Meeting held on: Wednesday, February 7, 2024

Present: Reps. Fitzgerald, Byrnes, Shannon, Breen, Rogers, Hill, Hoskins, Paiz, Zorn, Paquette, BeGole and Prestin

Absent: Rep. Bezotte

Excused: Rep. Bezotte

Messages from the Senate

House Bill No. 4417, entitled

A bill to amend 1949 PA 300, entitled “Michigan vehicle code,” by amending section 236 (MCL 257.236), as amended by 2000 PA 64.

The Senate has passed the bill, ordered that it be given immediate effect and pursuant to Joint Rule 20, inserted the full title.

The House agreed to the full title.

The bill was referred to the Clerk for enrollment printing and presentation to the Governor.

House Bill No. 4418, entitled

A bill to amend 1998 PA 433, entitled “Michigan uniform transfers to minors act,” by amending sections 10 and 11 (MCL 554.530 and 554.531).

The Senate has passed the bill, ordered that it be given immediate effect and pursuant to Joint Rule 20, inserted the full title.

The House agreed to the full title.

The bill was referred to the Clerk for enrollment printing and presentation to the Governor.

House Bill No. 4419, entitled

A bill to amend 1994 PA 451, entitled “Natural resources and environmental protection act,” by amending section 80312 (MCL 324.80312), as amended by 2000 PA 65.

The Senate has passed the bill, ordered that it be given immediate effect and pursuant to Joint Rule 20, inserted the full title.

The House agreed to the full title.

The bill was referred to the Clerk for enrollment printing and presentation to the Governor.

House Bill No. 4416, entitled

A bill to amend 1998 PA 386, entitled “Estates and protected individuals code,” by amending sections 1103, 1106, 1210, 2519, 2806, 3605, 3916, 3917, 3918, 3959, 3981, 3982, 3983, 5102, 5301, 5303, 5304, 5305, 5306a, 5310, 5311, 5313, 5314, 5507, 7103, 7105, 7110, 7302, 7402, 7506, 7604, and 7820a (MCL 700.1103, 700.1106, 700.1210, 700.2519, 700.2806, 700.3605, 700.3916, 700.3917, 700.3918, 700.3959, 700.3981, 700.3982, 700.3983, 700.5102, 700.5301, 700.5303, 700.5304, 700.5305, 700.5306a, 700.5310, 700.5311, 700.5313, 700.5314, 700.5507, 700.7103, 700.7105, 700.7110, 700.7302, 700.7402, 700.7506, 700.7604, and 700.7820a), section 1103 as amended by 2013 PA 157, section 1106 as amended by 2018 PA 555, sections 1210, 7302, 7402, and 7506 as amended and sections 7110 and 7604 as added by 2009 PA 46, section 2519 as amended by 2023 PA 72, section 3917 as amended by 2004 PA 314, section 5301 as amended by 2005 PA 204, sections 5303 and 5305 as amended by 2017 PA 155, section 5306a as added by 2012 PA 173, section 5310 as amended by 2000 PA 54, section 5313 as amended by 2012 PA 545, section 5314 as amended by 2018 PA 594, section 5507 as amended by 2008 PA 41, sections 7103 and 7105 as amended by 2018 PA 664, and section 7820a as added by 2012 PA 483, and by adding sections 1215, 1216, 5301c, 7408, 7409, and 7409a; and to repeal acts and parts of acts.

The Senate has substituted (S-2) the bill.

The Senate has passed the bill as substituted (S-2), ordered that it be given immediate effect and pursuant to Joint Rule 20, inserted the full title.

The Speaker announced that pursuant to Rule 42, the bill was laid over one day.

Introduction of Bills

Reps. Rogers, Morse, Aragona, McKinney, Conlin, Paiz, Hood, Rheingans, Steckloff, Brabec, Price, Martus, Andrews, Morgan, Brixie, Scott, Haadsma, Neeley, Grant, Wegela, Wilson and Edwards introduced

House Bill No. 5421, entitled

A bill to amend 1976 IL 1, entitled “A petition to initiate legislation to provide for the use of returnable containers for soft drinks, soda water, carbonated natural or mineral water, other nonalcoholic carbonated drink, and for beer, ale, or other malt drink of whatever alcoholic content, and for certain other beverage containers; to provide for the use of unredeemed bottle deposits; to prescribe the powers and duties of certain state agencies and officials; and to prescribe penalties and provide remedies,” by amending section 2 (MCL 445.572), as amended by 1998 PA 473.

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

Reps. Martin, Steele, Jaime Greene, St. Germaine, Tisdel, Borton, Kuhn, Wozniak, Kunse, Bierlein, Paquette, Bruck, BeGole, Lightner and Bollin introduced

House Bill No. 5422, entitled

A bill to amend 1976 PA 442, entitled “Freedom of information act,” by amending sections 10 and 10a (MCL 15.240 and 15.240a), section 10 as amended and section 10a as added by 2014 PA 563.