Michigan Senate introduces 11 bills, refers measures to committees; recess set for 6 p.m.

The Michigan Senate introduced 11 bills on the floor and referred each measure to a standing committee, and approved several procedural motions including excusing members and a recess until 6 p.m.

The introductions covered a range of topics: amendments to financial disclosure laws (Senate Bills 99 and 100), changes to statutes regulating political activity (SB101), county treasurer records and fees (SB102), public health code changes (SB103 and SB104), amendments to the insurance code of 1956 (SB105 and SB107), revisions to the Michigan Vehicle Code (SB106), recodification of the tax increment financing act (SB108), and an amendment to the emergency management act (SB109). Each bill received its first reading and, as announced on the floor, its second reading and committee referral where recorded.

Why this matters: introductions and committee referrals are the formal first steps in the legislative process. Referral sends a bill to committee staff and members who will decide whether to hold hearings, amend the measure, or recommend further action to the full Senate.

Key procedural actions - The secretary announced a quorum with 27 members present. - The Senate granted multiple excusals for individual senators (motions moved and ordered on the floor). - The rules were suspended by unanimous consent to permit photographs from the Senate floor and to allow guests of senators access to the floor and center aisle. - Committees were given leave to meet during the remainder of the session by unanimous consent. - The Senate recessed “until 6 p.m.” by motion of the majority floor leader and without objection.

Bills introduced and committee referrals (as announced on the floor) - Senate Bill 99: a bill to amend the Public Officers Financial Disclosure Act — referred to the Committee on Oversight. - Senate Bill 100: a bill to amend the Candidate for Office Financial Disclosure Act — referred to the Committee on Oversight. - Senate Bill 101: a bill to amend an act to regulate political activity — referred to the Committee on Oversight. - Senate Bill 102: a bill to require county treasurers to furnish transcripts and abstracts of records and to fix the fees to be paid — referred to the Committee on Local Government. - Senate Bill 103: a bill to amend the Public Health Code — referred to the Committee on Health Policy. - Senate Bill 104: a bill to amend the Public Health Code — referred to the Committee on Health Policy. - Senate Bill 105: a bill to amend the Insurance Code of 1956 — referred to the Committee on Finance, Insurance, and Consumer Protection. - Senate Bill 106: a bill to amend the Michigan Vehicle Code — referred to the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure. - Senate Bill 107: a bill to amend the Insurance Code of 1956 — referred to the Committee on Health Policy. - Senate Bill 108: a bill to amend and recodify the Tax Increment Financing Act — referred to the Committee on Economic and Community Development. - Senate Bill 109: a bill to amend the Emergency Management Act — referred to the Committee on Appropriations.

No committee hearings or floor debate on the substance of the bills were recorded in the transcript. Each measure was read on first reading (and the second reading announcement was recorded) and then sent to the committee named on the floor. The transcript records procedural floor actions and referrals but does not record roll-call votes on any of the introduced bills.

Ending: The Senate recessed at the call of the chair and stated it would return at 6 p.m. for the continuation of session business.