Michigan Senate sues to force House to send legislation to Whitmer

Democrats in the Michigan Senate are suing the Michigan House of Representatives in a bid to force lawmakers to send nine bills to the governor for signing.

The legislation previously passed both chambers before the 2024 session ended in December, but the Republican House Speaker has ordered their transfer to Gretchen Whitmer's desk be paused.

It's the latest development following a chaotic end to state Democrats' control of the chamber last year, during a lame duck session that saw many bills die before they could be approved.

What we know:

Michigan Democratic Senators approved a resolution Wednesday that authorizes the majority leader Sen. Winnie Brinks (D-Grand Rapids) to sue the Michigan House of Representatives.

The lawsuit seeks to "compel the House of Representatives to fulfill its constitutional duty" by transferring nine pieces of legislation to the governor for her to sign into law.

Rep. Matt Hall (R-Highland Township) previously ordered the House clerk to pause the transfer of the bills, The Detroit News has reported

Brinks spoke from the Senate chamber floor Wednesday, saying Democrats would not tolerate "partisan games."

The legislation currently in limbo include:

  • HB 4177
  • HB 4665-4667
  • HB 4900-4901
  • HB 5817-5818
  • HB 6058

What we don't know:

It's unclear why the bills were never transferred in the first place.

Democrats' tenure while in control of the Michigan House ended amid a brouhaha over intra-party fighting, leading to dozens of pieces of legislation failing to secure a final vote. 

It's also unclear why the current House Speaker ordered a legal review of the already-approved legislation, or how long it could take.

Dig deeper:

The legislation awaiting Whitmer's signature - or veto - include the creation of a History Museum Authorities, amending the State Police Retirement Act, modifying the types of wages exempted from debt collection, and how much public employers can pay into medical benefit plans.

Michigan State SenateMichigan State HouseInstastories