Michigan Senate introduces multiple bills, refers measures to committees; excuses members and welcomes guests

During its opening session, the Michigan Senate introduced nine bills and referred each to a standing committee, excused several members from the day's session and welcomed ceremonial guests from the sugar industry and area schools.

Senator Santana offered Senate Bill 78, a measure “to provide for setting aside the conviction in certain criminal cases,” and the chamber sent it to the Committee on Civil Rights, Judiciary and Public Safety, the clerk recorded.

Senator Weber introduced two measures affecting highways and road classification. Senate Bill 79 would amend the Michigan Memorial Highway Act and was referred to the Committee on Transportation Infrastructure. Senate Bill 80, described as a bill to revise classification of public roads, streets and highways in the state and to provide for additions and deletions from classifications, was referred to the Committee on Appropriations.

Senator Schinko offered Senate Bill 81 to amend the Michigan Indigent Defense Commission Act; that bill was sent to the Committee on Civil Rights, Judiciary and Public Safety. Senator Chang offered Senate Bill 82, described as a bill to protect the safety of judges and certain other individuals; it also was referred to the Committee on Civil Rights, Judiciary and Public Safety.

Senator Chang also introduced Senate Bill 83 to amend the State School Aid Act of 1979; the Senate referred that measure to the Committee on Education. Senator Huyninger presented Senate Bill 84, identified in the record as the DeRossett-Hale Single State Construction Code Act; the Senate sent it to the Committee on Local Government.

Senator Hoeniga offered Senate Bill 85, a measure described in the record as providing for the protection of children through licensing and regulation of child care organizations; the bill was referred to the Committee on Regulatory Affairs. Senator Oydinga presented Senate Bill 86, described as a bill concerning the Social Welfare Act; the Senate referred it to the Committee on Housing and Human Services.

The Senate also recorded routine motions by leaders excusing members. Minority Floor Leader Lauers moved to excuse Senator Johnson from the day's session and to temporarily excuse Senators McBroom and Nesbitt; the motion carried “without objection, so ordered,” the clerk announced. Majority Floor Leader Singh moved to temporarily excuse Senators Anthony Brinks and Hertel; that motion also was adopted without objection.

Members paused for ceremonial introductions during the opening. Senator Lauers introduced Isabella Stoutenburg of Sandusky as this year’s Sugar Queen and named Addison Hagan as an attendant; Senator Daleyza introduced Kinsey Karst of Frankenmuth from the queen’s court and described her academic and family background. Majority Floor Leader Singh introduced a group of students and adults from Murphy Elementary School in Haslet (as recorded). The chamber invited the guests to stand and welcomed them to the Michigan Senate.

Before recessing, Majority Floor Leader Singh moved that committees be given leave to meet and that the Senate stand in recess until 1 p.m.; the motion was carried “without objection, so ordered.”