The Joint Committee on Administrative Rules convened on September 17, 2025, to discuss various regulatory matters, including license plate regulations and election data management. The meeting began with a review of the current rules governing personalized license plates in Michigan. Officials noted that the review process for plate requests is nuanced, taking into account the specific type of plate and the boundaries of the plate itself. This individualized approach aims to ensure that terms deemed acceptable on one type of plate may not be suitable for another, such as those celebrating sports teams.

A significant point of discussion arose regarding the alignment of these rules with existing Michigan law. It was revealed that the current enforcement of the Michigan vehicle code does not reflect the latest policy changes, as outdated language has not been replaced. This discrepancy raises concerns about the legal framework governing license plate approvals.

Senator Bueno inquired about ongoing discussions at the federal level concerning free speech rights, linking it to previous litigation in Michigan that involved First Amendment considerations. The committee acknowledged that while there have been attempts to formalize these discussions through legislative bills, the rule promulgation process has emerged as a more efficient alternative.

The meeting also addressed the topic of restrictions on language used for license plates. Officials confirmed that there are no new prohibitions beyond those established in previous years, emphasizing that the rules have remained consistent since 2014 or 2015. However, they noted that language evolves, and terminology may be updated over time.

Following the license plate discussions, the committee heard from witnesses regarding election data management. Shelly Lake highlighted the legal implications of deleting election data, emphasizing that such actions are considered felonies under federal law. She urged the committee to protect clerks from potential legal repercussions associated with the deletion of election-related data.

The meeting concluded with a call for further scrutiny of proposed rule changes, particularly those that could impact clerks' responsibilities and compliance with state statutes. The committee's discussions underscored the importance of aligning administrative rules with legal standards and ensuring that public officials are adequately supported in their roles.