No. 19

STATE OF MICHIGAN

JOURNAL

OF THE

House  of  Representatives

103rd Legislature

REGULAR  SESSION  OF  2025

House Chamber, Lansing, Thursday, February 20, 2025.

12:00 Noon.

The House was called to order by the Speaker Pro Tempore.

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

e/d/s = entered during session

Rep. Betsy Coffia, from the 103rd District, offered the following invocation:

“Proverbs 31:9

Open your mouth, judge righteously, defend the rights of the poor and needy.

Leviticus 19:33-34

‘When a stranger sojourns with you in your land, you shall not do him wrong. You shall treat the stranger who sojourns with you as the native among you, and you shall love him as yourself, for you were strangers in the land of Egypt: I am the Lord your God.’”

Third Reading 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.

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

Roll Call No. 9 Yeas—98

Alexander Fitzgerald Martin Robinson

Andrews Foreman Martus Rogers

Aragona Fox McFall Roth

Arbit Frisbie McKinney Schmaltz

BeGole Glanville Meerman Schuette

Beson Grant Mentzer Smit

Bierlein Hall Miller Snyder

Bohnak Harris Morgan St. Germaine

Bollin Herzberg Mueller Steckloff

Borton Hoadley Myers-Phillips Steele

Breen Hope Neeley Tate

Brixie Hoskins Neyer Thompson

Bruck Jenkins-Arno O’Neal Tisdel

Byrnes Johnsen Outman Tsernoglou

Carter, B. Kelly Paiz Wegela

Carter, T. Koleszar Paquette Wendzel

Cavitt Kuhn Pavlov Wilson

Coffia Kunse Pohutsky Witwer

Conlin Liberati Posthumus Wooden

DeBoer Lightner Prestin Woolford

DeBoyer Linting Price Wortz

DeSana Longjohn Puri Wozniak

Dievendorf MacDonell Rheingans Xiong

Fairbairn Maddock Rigas Young

Farhat Markkanen

Nays—11

Carra Greene, J. Skaggs VanWoerkom

Edwards Schriver Slagh Weiss

Green, P. Scott VanderWall

In The Chair: Smit

The House agreed to the title of the bill.

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

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

______

Rep. Jaime Greene, having reserved the right to explain her protest against the passage of the bill, made the following statement: 

“Mr. Speaker and members of the House:

I voted NO because this ban is unnecessary government overreach that restricts career freedom and violates free-market principles. Conservatives believe in limiting government, not individual opportunity. Former legislators should be able to use their expertise in the private sector without excessive regulation. If the concern is undue influence, the solution isn’t banning careers—it’s making government smaller and more transparent. The bigger the government, the more lobbying exists. Instead of limiting people’s choices, we should be limiting government power.”

Rep. Weiss, having reserved the right to explain her protest against the passage of the bill, made the following statement:

“Mr. Speaker and members of the House:

I believe that there are several steps we need to take in Michigan to improve transparency in government and to limit the influence of powerful special interest groups over individual constituents. I appreciate the effort here to limit the ability of elected officials becoming lobbyists soon after they end their term. However, without larger ethics reform, particularly the FOIA package that the senate recently passed, this legislation is only a half measure that will accomplish nothing more than requiring a different job title such as ‘consultant’ instead of ‘lobbyist’ within that two year timeframe after a member of the legislature completes their term.”

House Bill No. 4063, 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,” (MCL 4.411 to 4.431) by adding section 6b.

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

Roll Call No. 10 Yeas—96

Alexander Farhat Maddock Rheingans

Andrews Fitzgerald Markkanen Rigas

Aragona Foreman Martin Robinson

Arbit Fox Martus Rogers

BeGole Frisbie McFall Roth

Beson Glanville McKinney Schmaltz

Bierlein Grant Meerman Schuette

Bohnak Hall Mentzer Smit

Bollin Harris Miller Snyder

Borton Herzberg Morgan St. Germaine

Breen Hoadley Mueller Steele

Brixie Hope Myers-Phillips Tate

Bruck Hoskins Neeley Thompson

Byrnes Jenkins-Arno Neyer Tisdel

Carter, B. Johnsen O’Neal Tsernoglou

Carter, T. Kelly Outman Wegela

Cavitt Koleszar Paiz Wendzel

Coffia Kuhn Paquette Wilson

Conlin Kunse Pavlov Witwer

DeBoer Liberati Pohutsky Wooden

DeBoyer Lightner Posthumus Woolford

DeSana Linting Prestin Wortz

Dievendorf Longjohn Price Wozniak

Fairbairn MacDonell Puri Xiong

Nays—13

Carra Schriver Slagh VanWoerkom

Edwards Scott Steckloff Weiss

Green, P. Skaggs VanderWall Young

Greene, J.

In The Chair: Smit

The House agreed to the title of the bill.

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

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

______

Rep. Jaime Greene, having reserved the right to explain her protest against the passage of the bill, made the following statement:

“Mr. Speaker and members of the House:

I voted NO because this proposal is unnecessary government interference in the free market. As conservatives, we believe in limiting government, not career opportunities. Former governors should have the same right as anyone else to apply their experience in the private sector. The real issue isn’t former governors becoming lobbyists—it’s big government creating the need for lobbying in the first place. Instead of restricting careers, we should reduce government influence and increase transparency.”

Rep. Young, having reserved the right to explain her protest against the passage of the bill, made the following statement:

“Mr. Speaker and members of the House:

Elected officials, not employees or officers within state government should be held to a higher standard as public officials.”

Rep. Weiss, having reserved the right to explain her protest against the passage of the bill, made the following statement:

“Mr. Speaker and members of the House:

I believe that there are several steps we need to take in Michigan to improve transparency in government and to limit the influence of powerful special interest groups over individual constituents. I appreciate the effort here to limit the ability of elected officials becoming lobbyists soon after they end their term. However, without larger ethics reform, particularly the FOIA package that the senate recently passed, this legislation is only a half measure that will accomplish nothing more than requiring a different job title such as ‘consultant’ instead of ‘lobbyist’ within that two year timeframe after a member of the legislature completes their term.”

House Bill No. 4064, 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,” (MCL 4.411 to 4.431) by adding section 6c.

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

Roll Call No. 11 Yeas—103

Alexander Foreman Martin Roth

Andrews Fox Martus Schmaltz

Aragona Frisbie McFall Schuette

Arbit Glanville McKinney Skaggs

BeGole Grant Meerman Smit

Beson Green, P. Mentzer Snyder

Bierlein Greene, J. Miller St. Germaine

Bohnak Hall Morgan Steckloff

Bollin Harris Mueller Steele

Borton Herzberg Myers-Phillips Tate

Breen Hoadley Neeley Thompson

Brixie Hope Neyer Tisdel

Bruck Hoskins O’Neal Tsernoglou

Byrnes Jenkins-Arno Outman VanderWall

Carter, B. Johnsen Paiz VanWoerkom

Carter, T. Kelly Paquette Wegela

Cavitt Koleszar Pavlov Wendzel

Coffia Kuhn Pohutsky Wilson

Conlin Kunse Posthumus Witwer

DeBoer Liberati Prestin Wooden

DeBoyer Lightner Price Woolford

DeSana Linting Puri Wortz

Dievendorf Longjohn Rheingans Wozniak

Fairbairn MacDonell Rigas Xiong

Farhat Maddock Robinson Young

Fitzgerald Markkanen Rogers

Nays—6

Carra Schriver Slagh Weiss

Edwards Scott

In The Chair: Smit

The House agreed to the title of the bill.

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

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

______

Rep. Weiss, having reserved the right to explain her protest against the passage of the bill, made the following statement:

“Mr. Speaker and members of the House:

I believe that there are several steps we need to take in Michigan to improve transparency in government and to limit the influence of powerful special interest groups over individual constituents. I appreciate the effort here to limit the ability of elected officials becoming lobbyists soon after they end their term. However, without larger ethics reform, particularly the FOIA package that the senate recently passed, this legislation is only a half measure that will accomplish nothing more than requiring a different job title such as ‘consultant’ instead of ‘lobbyist’ within that two year timeframe after a member of the legislature completes their term.”

By unanimous consent the House returned to the order of

Reports of Standing Committees

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

House Bill No. 4052, entitled

A bill to prohibit members of the legislature from entering into certain nondisclosure agreements.

With the recommendation that the substitute (H-1) 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. BeGole, Harris, VanderWall, Fitzgerald and McFall

Nays: None

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

House Bill No. 4053, entitled

A bill to provide definitions for the nondisclosure agreement act.

Without amendment and with the recommendation that the bill then pass.

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

Favorable Roll Call

To Report Out:

Yeas: Reps. BeGole, Harris, VanderWall, Fitzgerald and McFall

Nays: None

COMMITTEE ATTENDANCE REPORT

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

Meeting held on: Thursday, February 20, 2025

Present: Reps. BeGole, Harris, VanderWall, Fitzgerald and McFall

COMMITTEE ATTENDANCE REPORT

The following report, submitted by Rep. Aragona, Chair, of the Committee on Regulatory Reform, was received and read:

Meeting held on: Thursday, February 20, 2025

Present: Reps. Aragona, Fairbairn, Wozniak, Wendzel, Tisdel, Hoadley, Neyer, Rigas, Thompson, Linting, Liberati, Tyrone Carter, Witwer, Neeley, Dievendorf and Grant

Absent: Rep. Whitsett

Excused: Rep. Whitsett

COMMITTEE ATTENDANCE REPORT

The following report, submitted by Rep. Hoadley, Chair, of the Committee on Economic Competitiveness, was received and read:

Meeting held on: Thursday, February 20, 2025

Present: Reps. Hoadley, Bohnak, Outman, Harris, BeGole, DeBoyer, St. Germaine, Grant, Brixie and Coffia

Absent: Rep. Tate

Excused: Rep. Tate

COMMITTEE ATTENDANCE REPORT

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

Meeting held on: Thursday, February 20, 2025

Present: Reps. Schuette, Aragona, Wendzel, Martin, Posthumus, DeBoer, Witwer and Liberati

Absent: Rep. Herzberg

Excused: Rep. Herzberg

COMMITTEE ATTENDANCE REPORT

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

Meeting held on: Thursday, February 20, 2025

Present: Reps. Neyer, Wortz, Lightner, Alexander, Fox, Kunse, Pavlov, Paiz, Dievendorf, Rheingans and Skaggs

Introduction of Bills

Reps. Arbit, McFall, Rheingans, Miller, Coffia, Tsernoglou and Byrnes introduced

House Bill No. 4095, entitled

A bill to amend 1956 PA 218, entitled “The insurance code of 1956,” (MCL 500.100 to 500.8302) by adding section 3406ss.

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

Reps. Snyder, Rheingans, Breen, Rogers, Martus, Steckloff, Byrnes, Hope, Glanville, Witwer, MacDonell, Liberati, Mentzer, Meerman, Fitzgerald and Jaime Greene introduced

House Bill No. 4096, entitled

A bill to amend 1969 PA 317, entitled “Worker’s disability compensation act of 1969,” by amending section 405 (MCL 418.405), as amended by 2021 PA 129.

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

Rep. DeSana introduced

House Bill No. 4097, entitled

A bill to amend 1937 PA 306, entitled “An act to promote the safety, welfare, and educational interests of the people of this state by regulating the construction, reconstruction, and remodeling of, and the installation of certain security devices at, certain public or private school buildings or additions to those buildings and by regulating the construction, reconstruction, and remodeling of, and the installation of certain security devices at, buildings leased or acquired for school purposes; to define the class of buildings affected by this act; to prescribe the powers and duties of certain state agencies and officials; to prescribe penalties for the violation of this act; and to repeal acts and parts of acts,” (MCL 388.851 to 388.855a) by adding section 1e.

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

Reps. Outman, Neyer, Rigas, Frisbie, Martin, Pavlov, Rheingans, Wortz, Jenkins-Arno, Wozniak, Johnsen, Harris and Borton introduced

House Bill No. 4098, entitled

A bill to amend 1973 PA 186, entitled “Tax tribunal act,” by amending sections 26 and 34 (MCL 205.726 and 205.734), section 26 as amended by 2008 PA 126 and section 34 as amended by 1980 PA 437.

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

Reps. Frisbie, Neyer, Rigas, Martin, BeGole, Rheingans, Pavlov, Johnsen, Harris, Borton, Hoadley, Woolford, Robinson, Kunse, Cavitt and Bruck introduced

House Bill No. 4099, entitled

A bill to amend 1976 PA 267, entitled “Open meetings act,” by amending section 3a (MCL 15.263a), as amended by 2023 PA 214.

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

Reps. Bruck, BeGole, DeSana, Edwards, Miller, Kunse, Linting, Meerman, Thompson, Frisbie, Woolford, Prestin, Martin, Alexander, Robinson and Mueller introduced

House Bill No. 4100, entitled

A bill to amend 2001 PA 142, entitled “Michigan memorial highway act,” (MCL 250.1001 to 250.2092) by adding section 6d.

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

Reps. Bierlein, Rigas, Neyer, Fitzgerald, Wozniak, Alexander, Phil Green, Steckloff, Morgan, Rogers, Glanville, Rheingans, Longjohn, Paiz, MacDonell, Price and Thompson introduced

House Bill No. 4101, entitled

A bill to amend 1978 PA 368, entitled “Public health code,” (MCL 333.1101 to 333.25211) by adding section 16188.

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

Reps. Fitzgerald, Rigas, Neyer, Bierlein, Wozniak, Alexander, Phil Green, Steckloff, Morgan, Rogers, Glanville, Rheingans, Longjohn, MacDonell, Price and Thompson introduced

House Bill No. 4102, entitled

A bill to amend 1978 PA 368, entitled “Public health code,” by amending sections 16335, 17801, and 17821 (MCL 333.16335, 333.17801, and 333.17821), as amended by 2009 PA 55, and by adding sections 17820a and 17820b.

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

Reps. Rogers, Wozniak, Roth, Bierlein, Kunse, Outman, Bollin, Aragona, Thompson, Rheingans, Frisbie, Schmaltz, St. Germaine, Glanville, Brenda Carter, Scott, Fitzgerald, Longjohn, Neeley, Edwards, Paiz, MacDonell, Whitsett, McKinney, Miller, Price, Coffia, Skaggs, Martus, Wilson, Conlin, O’Neal, Byrnes, Wooden, Foreman, Tsernoglou, Young, Brixie, McFall, Weiss, Morgan, Hoskins and Farhat introduced

House Bill No. 4103, entitled

A bill to amend 1978 PA 368, entitled “Public health code,” (MCL 333.1101 to 333.25211) by adding section 16188.

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

Reps. Wozniak, Rogers, Roth, Bierlein, Kunse, Outman, Bollin, Aragona, Thompson, Rheingans, Frisbie, Schmaltz, St. Germaine, Glanville, Brenda Carter, Scott, Fitzgerald, Longjohn, Neeley, Edwards, Paiz, MacDonell, Whitsett, McKinney, Miller, Price, Coffia, Skaggs, Martus, Wilson, Conlin, O’Neal, Byrnes, Wooden, Foreman, Tsernoglou, Young, Brixie, McFall, Weiss, Morgan, Hoskins and Farhat introduced

House Bill No. 4104, entitled

A bill to amend 1978 PA 368, entitled “Public health code,” by amending sections 16345, 18301, and 18305 (MCL 333.16345, 333.18301, and 333.18305), as amended by 2008 PA 523, and by adding sections 18303a and 18303b.

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

Reps. Tisdel, Kuhn and Steele introduced

House Bill No. 4105, entitled

A bill to amend 2001 PA 142, entitled “Michigan memorial highway act,” (MCL 250.1001 to 250.2092) by adding section 109.

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

Rep. Mentzer introduced

House Bill No. 4106, 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 bill was read a first time by its title and referred to the Committee on Appropriations.

Announcements by the Clerk

February 19, 2025

Received from the Auditor General a copy of the:

• Performance audit on Vehicle Fleet and Equipment Management, Michigan Department of Transportation (591-0415-24), February 2025.

Scott E. Starr

Clerk of the House

______

Rep. Whitsett entered the House Chambers.

By unanimous consent the House returned to the order of

Messages from the Senate

House Bill No. 4002, entitled

A bill to amend 2018 PA 338, entitled “Earned sick time act,” by amending sections 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 10, 11, and 12 (MCL 408.962, 408.963, 408.964, 408.965, 408.966, 408.967, 408.968, 408.970, 408.971, and 408.972).

The Senate has substituted (S-3) the bill.

The Senate has passed the bill as substituted (S-3), ordered that it be given immediate effect and amended the title to read as follows:

A bill to amend 2018 PA 338, entitled “Earned sick time act,” by amending the title and sections 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, and 12 (MCL 408.962, 408.963, 408.964, 408.965, 408.966, 408.967, 408.968, and 408.972) and by adding section 3a.

The Speaker announced that pursuant to Rule 41, the bill was laid over one day.

Rep. Posthumus moved that Rule 41 be suspended.

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

The question being on concurring in the substitute (S-3) made to the bill by the Senate,

Rep. Myers-Phillips moved to amend the Senate substitute (S-3) as follows:

1. Amend page 3, line 6, by striking out all of subparagraph (ii) and renumbering the remaining subparagraphs.

The motion did not prevail and the amendment was not adopted, a majority of the members serving not voting therefor.

Rep. Myers-Phillips moved to amend the Senate substitute (S-3) as follows:

1. Amend page 17, line 27, after “may” by striking out the balance of the subsection and inserting “do any of the following:

(a) Bring a civil action for appropriate relief, including, but not limited to, payment for used earned sick time; rehiring or reinstatement to the employee’s previous job; payment of back wages; reestablishment of employee benefits to which the employee otherwise would have been eligible if the employee had not been subjected to retaliatory personnel action or discrimination; the violation; and an equal additional amount as liquidated damages together with costs and reasonable attorney fees as the court allows.

(b) File a claim with the department, which shall investigate the claim. Filing a claim with the department is neither a prerequisite nor a bar to bringing a civil action.”.

The motion did not prevail and the amendment was not adopted, a majority of the members serving not voting therefor.

The question being on concurring in the substitute (S-3) made to the bill by the Senate,

The substitute (S-3) was concurred in, a majority of the members serving voting therefor, by yeas and nays, as follows:

Roll Call No. 12 Yeas—81

Alexander Fairbairn Lightner Schmaltz

Andrews Farhat Linting Schriver

Aragona Fitzgerald Longjohn Schuette

Arbit Fox Maddock Slagh

BeGole Frisbie Markkanen Smit

Beson Glanville Martin Snyder

Bierlein Grant Meerman St. Germaine

Bohnak Green, P. Miller Steele

Bollin Greene, J. Mueller Tate

Borton Hall Neyer Thompson

Breen Harris O’Neal Tisdel

Bruck Herzberg Outman VanderWall

Carra Hoadley Paquette VanWoerkom

Carter, B. Jenkins-Arno Pavlov Wendzel

Carter, T. Johnsen Posthumus Whitsett

Cavitt Kelly Prestin Witwer

Coffia Koleszar Rigas Wooden

Conlin Kuhn Robinson Woolford

DeBoer Kunse Rogers Wortz

DeBoyer Liberati Roth Wozniak

DeSana

Nays—29

Brixie Martus Paiz Steckloff

Byrnes McFall Pohutsky Tsernoglou

Dievendorf McKinney Price Wegela

Edwards Mentzer Puri Weiss

Foreman Morgan Rheingans Wilson

Hope Myers-Phillips Scott Xiong

Hoskins Neeley Skaggs Young

MacDonell

In The Chair: Smit

The House agreed to the title as amended.

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

______

Rep. Xiong, having reserved the right to explain her nay vote, made the following statement:

“Mr. Speaker and members of the House:

This legislation represents yet another attempt by the legislature to undermine the will of the people and weaken the rights of Michigan workers. The original Earned Sick Time Act was the result of a citizen-led initiative, a process that is constitutionally protected and guarantees the people’s ability to propose and enact laws directly. However, the legislature is now once again employing the adopt-and-amend tactic, a maneuver that circumvents the intent of the initiative process and strips away the protections that voters sought to establish. This approach violates the spirit of our democratic system by altering and eliminating key provisions that were originally approved through public support. By modifying ESTA in this manner, the legislature is not only disregarding the constitutional rights of Michigan residents but also undermining the trust that voters place in the legislative process. Instead of respecting the will of the people, this bill prioritizes legislative control over the direct voice of our citizens. For these reasons, I cannot support this legislation and strongly oppose any further efforts to weaken the rights and protections that Michigan voters fought to secure.”

______

Rep. VanderWall moved that the House adjourn.

The motion prevailed, the time being 11:25 p.m.

The Speaker Pro Tempore declared the House adjourned until Tuesday, February 25, at 1:30 p.m.

SCOTT E. STARR

Clerk of the House of Representatives