No. 17

STATE OF MICHIGAN

Journal of the Senate

103rd Legislature

REGULAR SESSION OF 2025

Senate Chamber, Lansing, Tuesday, February 25, 2025.

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—excused Santana—present

Camilleri—excused Klinefelt—present Shink—present

Cavanagh—present Lauwers—excused Singh—present

Chang—excused Lindsey—present Theis—present

Cherry—present McBroom—present Victory—present

Daley—present McCann—present Webber—present

Damoose—excused McMorrow—present Wojno—present

Geiss—present

Senator Sylvia Santana of the 2nd District offered the following invocation:

Father, the state of our world convicts us and causes us to cling to You for dear life. The volatile history of mankind’s fallen nature is recorded in Scripture. Human history is scarred. The deplorable conditions of our world continue to increase. Bless and heal the world. May Your love comfort every soul as only You can. Bring hope to the hopeless and unity where there is conflict. Motivate us by love to work together, gathering souls. Show us our place and embolden us to obey Your direction. While our world is crumbling, You remain the same—loving, defending, and protecting us, Father. Reach down to restore us to the light of Your presence. Amen.

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

Motions and Communications

Senator Theis moved that Senator Nesbitt be temporarily excused from today’s session.

The motion prevailed.

Senator Theis moved that Senators Damoose, Johnson and Lauwers be excused from today’s session.

The motion prevailed.

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

The motion prevailed.

Senator Irwin moved that Senators Camilleri and Chang be excused from today’s session.

The motion prevailed.

The following communication was received and read:

Office of the Auditor General

February 19, 2025

Enclosed is a copy of the following report:

• Performance audit on Vehicle Fleet and Equipment Management, Michigan Department of Transportation (591-0415-24).

Sincerely,

Doug Ringler

Auditor General

The audit report was referred to the Committee on Oversight.

Recess

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

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

10:55 a.m.

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

During the recess, Senators Nesbitt, Singh, Brinks and Geiss entered the Senate Chamber.

Messages from the Governor

The following message from the Governor was received:

Date: February 21, 2025

Time: 11:38 a.m.

To the President of the Senate:

Sir—I have this day approved and signed

Enrolled Senate Bill No. 8 (Public Act No. 1, I.E.), being

An act to amend 2018 PA 337, entitled “An initiation of legislation to enact the Improved Workforce Opportunity Wage Act which would fix minimum wages for employees within this state; prohibit wage discrimination; provide for a wage deviation board; provide for the administration and enforcement of the act; prescribe penalties for the violation of the act; and supersede certain acts and parts of acts including 2014 PA 138,” by amending sections 2, 4, 4d, 9, and 10 (MCL 408.932, 408.934, 408.934d, 408.939, and 408.940).

(Filed with the Secretary of State on February 21, 2025, at 1:08 p.m.)

Respectfully,

Gretchen Whitmer

Governor

By unanimous consent the Senate proceeded to the order of

Introduction and Referral of Bills

House Bill No. 4062, entitled

A bill to amend 1978 PA 472, entitled “An act to regulate political activity; to regulate lobbyists, lobbyist agents, and lobbying activities; to require registration of lobbyists and lobbyist agents; to require the filing of reports; to prescribe the powers and duties of the department of state; to prescribe penalties; and to repeal certain acts and parts of acts,” by amending section 6a (MCL 4.416a), as added by 1994 PA 383.

The House of Representatives has passed the bill and ordered that it be given immediate effect.

The bill was read a first and second time by title and referred to the Committee on Oversight.

House Bill No. 4063, entitled

The House of Representatives has passed the bill and ordered that it be given immediate effect.

The bill was read a first and second time by title and referred to the Committee on Oversight.

House Bill No. 4064, entitled

The House of Representatives has passed the bill and ordered that it be given immediate effect.

The bill was read a first and second time by title and referred to the Committee on Oversight.

By unanimous consent the Senate returned to the order of

Resolutions

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

Senate Resolution No. 13

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

Senator Bayer offered the following resolution:

Senate Resolution No. 13.

A resolution to recognize February 2025 as School-Based Health Care Awareness Month.

Whereas, Michigan’s school-based and school-linked health centers (also known as child and adolescent health centers) have delivered comprehensive primary health care, mental health care, and prevention services for over 30 years; and

Whereas, There are over 300 school-based and school-linked health centers and programs in Michigan that deliver a range of primary, preventive, early intervention, and mental health services to children and youth of all grade levels in urban, rural, and suburban schools across the state; and

Whereas, Children and youth served by school-based and school-linked health centers show improved rates of school attendance, enhanced scores on standardized tests, less absenteeism due to illnesses, and increased immunization rates, while having their wellness and health care needs addressed; and

Whereas, School-Based Health Care Awareness Month acknowledges the commitment and passion that school-based and school-linked health center staff and parents/guardians have for all Michigan children and youth; and

Whereas, We also recognize the critical role that these individuals play in improving the health and well-being of all Michigan children; now, therefore, be it

Resolved by the Senate, That the members of this legislative body recognize February 2025 as School-Based Health Care Awareness Month.

The question being on the adoption of the resolution,

The resolution was adopted.

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

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

The motion prevailed.

Senator Bayer’s statement is as follows:

Today, I offer a resolution that commemorates February as School-Based Health Care Awareness Month. The resolution honors Michigan’s school-based health centers that are also known as child and adolescent health centers. We now have over 300 of these, delivering primary health care, mental health care, and prevention services inside our schools for over 30 years to kids in all grade levels at schools all across the state. Children and youth who are served by school-based health centers show improvements in attendance and standardized test scores because they’re healthier. I know first hand from the health centers in my district that students who are served by a school-based health center are more likely to get health care and mental health care because it’s right there in their school—very convenient. They get the help they need.

I ask that you support this resolution and recognize February 2025 as School-Based Health Care Awareness Month.

By unanimous consent the Senate returned to the order of

Third Reading of Bills

Senator Singh moved that the Senate proceed to consideration of the following bill:

Senate Bill No. 52

The motion prevailed.

The following bill was read a third time:

Senate Bill No. 52, entitled

A bill to amend 1978 PA 639, entitled “Hertel-Law-T. Stopczynski port authority act,” by amending the title and sections 2, 8, 9, 10, 13, 14, 14a, 16, 18, 20, 23, 24, and 25 (MCL 120.102, 120.108, 120.109, 120.110, 120.113, 120.114, 120.114a, 120.116, 120.118, 120.120, 120.123, 120.124, and 120.125), the title as amended and section 14a as added by 1998 PA 188, sections 14 and 18 as amended by 2002 PA 412, and section 23 as amended by 1984 PA 256, and by adding section 19a.

The question being on the passage of the bill,

Senator Theis offered the following amendment:

1. Amend page 5, line 5, after the first “within” by striking out “5 miles” and inserting “a 5-mile radius”.

The question being on the adoption of the amendment,

Senator Theis withdrew the amendment.

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. 11 Yeas—23

Anthony Daley McBroom Shink

Bayer Geiss McCann Singh

Brinks Hertel McMorrow Victory

Bumstead Huizenga Moss Webber

Cavanagh Irwin Polehanki Wojno

Cherry Klinefelt Santana

Nays—9

Albert Hoitenga Nesbitt Runestad

Bellino Lindsey Outman Theis

Hauck

Excused—5

Camilleri Damoose Johnson Lauwers

Chang

Not Voting—0

In The Chair: Moss

The Senate agreed to the title of the bill.

The following bill was read a third time:

Senate Bill No. 27, entitled

A bill to amend 2006 PA 317, entitled “An act to create certain entities in the Michigan strategic fund; to impose certain duties and responsibilities on those entities and on certain state employees and public employees; and to repeal acts and parts of acts,” by amending section 2 (MCL 125.1972), as amended by 2010 PA 337.

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. 12 Yeas—32

Albert Daley Lindsey Runestad

Anthony Geiss McBroom Santana

Bayer Hauck McCann Shink

Bellino Hertel McMorrow Singh

Brinks Hoitenga Moss Theis

Bumstead Huizenga Nesbitt Victory

Cavanagh Irwin Outman Webber

Cherry Klinefelt Polehanki Wojno

Nays—0

Excused—5

Camilleri Damoose Johnson Lauwers

Chang

Not Voting—0

In The Chair: Moss

The Senate agreed to the title of the bill.

By unanimous consent the Senate proceeded to the order of

Statements

Senators Shink 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 Shink’s statement is as follows:

We’ve all heard from our constituents, regardless of how they voted in the last election, about the weight of uncertainty and hardship they are feeling. They’re calling on us for relief—relief from high healthcare costs, from the affordable housing shortage, from the rising cost of living, from difficulty finding childcare relief. But instead of providing solutions, Republicans in Washington have chosen to manufacture confusion, fear, and chaos at the expense of the people who elected us, and whom we serve.

Of the many devastating actions of this Republican administration is the reckless and illegal stoppage of federal funding for popular helpful programs that many depend on for their well-being and safety. Just days in office, the Republican White House has halted billions of dollars in critical federal grants and loans, violating contracts with no notice nor guidance to states, departments, universities, schools, nonprofits, and other organizations who are now scrambling.

Let’s talk about what these programs fund, who they serve, and how this illegal freeze has already wreaked havoc across the nation in each of our communities. Universities conducting lifesaving research for those with cancer or other illnesses, students applying for federal aid, domestic violence shelters offering safety, and parents trying to feed their children. In our state alone, nearly 2.2 million Michiganders rely on Medicaid for health care. Losing this Medicaid funding doesn’t just impact residents who use it for health insurance, but also the people who work in medical facilities that provide services to us all. Thousands of families with low incomes utilize Head Start for early child education. Their parents go to jobs after they drop off their children. How will they work? In my district, Head Start serves over 1,100 children and employs around 255 people. If the Republican administration succeeds at taking this funding from our people, our families will lose their childcare and their jobs. Only a court order protects our children and families from this harm.

Doctors are unable to treat their patients due to Republicans halting their funding and are concerned about the illegal privacy breaches of their patients’ health data. They point out that the Republican administration has illegally sent unvetted and untrained people to access sensitive and personal information. This is unprecedented and illegal. A mom I know is worried her son, who has a rare disease, won’t be treated anymore and may die. Medical researchers are losing funding for lifesaving research. This makes us less healthy. The same researchers will be forced to lay off their employees, and those layoffs will ripple through the community, hurting Michigan’s families and harming Michigan businesses.

A university professor I know, working to protect unborn babies and their mothers through a long-term study, was told her research won’t be funded anymore. Her efforts to stop abusive mothers and unborn babies aren’t supported by the President and Republicans. Over and over, our people are saying they’re afraid of losing their jobs. They’re concerned about their Social Security and healthcare, and they’re scared for their children because of the illegal actions of this president in his unvetted appointees.

The Republican administration cut funding at the U.S. Patent Office, an office that supports the vibrancy of our economy. A recent grad from my district, set to start her new job there, had her offer revoked and is forced to take a lower paying job. People are afraid to fly after the tragic increase in crashes after the Republican administration fired the FAA Administrator and employees were told to quit. Constituents are choosing not to fly, even if it means not seeing their loved ones.

Our infrastructure and our well-being are in jeopardy. Our schools, medical services, payment systems, and food programs are in jeopardy. The hardworking American people who rely on our tax dollars, contributing to our well-being and our children’s safety, are in jeopardy. This hurts our people—our people, colleagues—and even though two federal judges ordered the federal government to meet its obligations, organizations depending on federal grants are struggling to access their funds. Manufacturing chaos, disregarding court rulings, and stealing taxpayers’ money, all while working to consolidate power and leave the American people to suffer the consequences.

These are real, immediate harms that are affecting our families and our workers, educators, researchers, and those who rely on essential government funding. The Republican administration is hurting our people here in Michigan. We can’t let this continue. While Michigan Democrats are working to bring accountability, transparency, and relief to our community, Republican officials are actually pushing our country toward hurt, chaos, instability, and lawlessness. Trump and Republicans are hurting our people.

Senator Anthony’s statement, in which Senators Geiss and Santana concurred, is as follows:

I want to begin by acknowledging that this month is Black History Month—the final days of the month. A time to celebrate the achievements of Black Americans, honor our contributions, and reflect on the struggles we have endured. Black History Month is not just a ceremonial recognition, it is a reminder of the resilience of a people who helped build this nation, often without choice, without freedom, and without recognition.

Since 1976, every president, regardless of their political party, has acknowledged Black History Month. While the current occupant of the White House has done the same, his words ring hollow. A proclamation of honor in recognizing February as Black History Month is meaningless when paired with policies that actively harm Black Americans because what do words mean when actions tell a different story? What does it mean when in this very month, dedicated to uplifting Black history and progress, the federal government moved to dismantle diversity programs, initiatives designed to level the playing field for those who have been historically denied opportunity? What does it mean? What does it mean when in 2020, President Trump’s Platinum Plan to win Black voters, in which he vowed to make Juneteenth a federal holiday, but now that same President is barring federal agencies from recognizing Juneteenth, Black History Month, and many other special observances? What does it say when instead of fostering inclusion, this administration is busy erasing efforts that eliminate systemic barriers?

Let’s just keep it real, the elimination of diversity, equity, and inclusion programs is not about fairness, it’s not about merit, but what it is about is maintaining systems of exclusion. It is about rolling back progress under the guise of neutrality. And it is, at its core, a direct attack on racial equity. In doing so, during Black History Month, it’s not just ironic, it’s insulting. Sadly, we’ve seen this before. This is not the first time we have been told to wait, just to work harder, to stop making it about race. It’s the same old playbook, repackaged for a new era with the same intention, to undermine the fight for justice while pretending it doesn’t exist.

Let me say this clearly: We see through it. We see through the empty statements, the selective history lessons, and the convenient erasure of the truth. Black history is not just about the past, it is also about the present. And in this present moment, when our rights, our representation, and our voices are under attack, paying lip service to Black History Month, dragging Black folks into the White House as token representations of an entire race, will not make us forget about what is constantly being taken away from us. We will continue to hold the powers that be accountable for their actions.

Colleagues, I’m asking that you join us in standing up against division and hatred, and standing up for inclusion and acceptance. Happy Black History Month.

Announcements of Printing and Enrollment

The Secretary announced that the following House bills were received in the Senate and filed on Thursday, February 20:

House Bill Nos. 4062 4063 4064

The Secretary announced the enrollment printing and presentation to the Governor on Thursday, February 20, for her approval the following bill:

Enrolled Senate Bill No. 8 at 8:42 p.m.

The Secretary announced that the following bills were printed and filed on Thursday, February 20, and are available on the Michigan Legislature website:

House Bill Nos. 4095 4096 4097 4098 4099 4100 4101 4102 4103 4104 4105 4106

The Secretary announced that the following bills were printed and filed on Friday, February 21, and are available on the Michigan Legislature website:

Senate Bill Nos. 93 94 95 96 97 98

Committee Reports

The Committee on Civil Rights, Judiciary, and Public Safety reported

Senate Bill No. 81, entitled

A bill to amend 2013 PA 93, entitled “Michigan indigent defense commission act,” by amending the title and sections 3, 5, 7, 9, 11, 13, 15, 17, 21, and 23 (MCL 780.983, 780.985, 780.987, 780.989, 780.991, 780.993, 780.995, 780.997, 780.1001, and 780.1003), section 3 as amended by 2019 PA 108, sections 5, 9, 11, 13, 15, and 17 as amended by 2018 PA 214, and section 7 as amended by 2018 PA 443, and by adding section 14.

With the recommendation that the bill pass.

Stephanie Chang

Chairperson

To Report Out:

Yeas: Senators Chang, Shink, Wojno, Irwin and Santana

Nays: None

The bill was referred to the Committee of the Whole.

COMMITTEE ATTENDANCE REPORT

The Committee on Civil Rights, Judiciary, and Public Safety submitted the following:

Meeting held on Thursday, February 20, 2025, at 12:00 p.m., Room 1200, Binsfeld Office Building

Present: Senators Chang (C), Shink, Wojno, Irwin, Santana and Runestad

Excused: Senator Johnson

Scheduled Meetings

Appropriations –

Subcommittees –

EGLE – Thursday, March 13, 3:00 p.m., Room 403, 4th Floor, Capitol Building (517) 373‑2768

General Government – Thursday, February 27, 10:30 a.m., Room 1300, Binsfeld Office Building (517) 373‑2768

LEO/MEDC – Wednesday, February 26, 3:00 p.m., Room 1200, Binsfeld Office Building (517) 373‑2768

Universities and Community Colleges – Wednesday, February 26, 9:00 a.m., Room 1100, Binsfeld Office Building (517) 373‑2768

Energy and Environment – Thursday, February 27, 1:30 p.m., Room 403, 4th Floor, Capitol Building (517) 373‑5323

Finance, Insurance, and Consumer Protection – Wednesday, February 26, 12:30 p.m., Room 1200, Binsfeld Office Building (517) 373‑5314

Regulatory Affairs – Thursday, February 27, 9:00 a.m., Room 403, 4th Floor, Capitol Building (517) 373‑1721

Senator Singh moved that the Senate adjourn.

The motion prevailed, the time being 11:13 a.m.

The President pro tempore, Senator Moss, declared the Senate adjourned until Wednesday, February 26, 2025, at 10:00 a.m.

DANIEL OBERLIN

Secretary of the Senate