House passes bill to bar certain hiring practices by state agencies, sponsors say it promotes merit

LANSING — The Michigan House overwhelmingly approved House Bill 4,288 on a 105–1 vote, a measure sponsors said will ensure merit-based hiring and opponents said risks being used to roll back diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) efforts.

House Bill 4,288, described on the floor as “a bill to prohibit certain hiring practices by state agencies and provide civil sanctions,” drew bipartisan attention. Representative Pavlov told colleagues, “I rise today in support of house bill 4,288. I am proud to stand in favor of merit based hiring,” and framed the measure as ensuring appointments are based on “skills, education, experience, and know how.”

Representative Regas, who said he was surprised a colleague reintroduced a bill he sponsored previously, told the chamber, “HB 4,288 says loud and clear, Michigan's state workforce hires on merit, not race, not religion, not gender, not anything other than competency.”

A point of order from Minority Leader Fitzgerald questioned whether references to DEI in floor remarks were germane to the bill; the chair ruled the comments were relevant. Representative Burns, an original sponsor, emphasized fairness and opportunities for Michiganders who are qualified but lack insider connections.

After debate the House advanced the bill on third reading and recorded a final passage vote of 105–1. The majority floor leader moved for immediate effect, which the House ordered. The bill includes civil sanctions for agencies that violate the statute as drafted on the floor; the text also provided for a $10,000 fine mentioned by supporters in remarks.

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Details from the House session: House Bill 4,288 passed 105–1 and was ordered immediate effect.