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Michigan House organizes 103rd session; elects Rep. Matt Hall speaker, approves housekeeping resolutions
Summary
On Jan. 8 the Michigan House of Representatives opened its 103rd session in Lansing, elected Representative Matt Hall as speaker, approved Scott Starr as House clerk and named Rochelle Smith speaker pro tempore, and adopted routine rules and adjournment resolutions.
Lansing — The Michigan House of Representatives organized its 103rd session on Wednesday, Jan. 8, 2025, in Representative Hall at the State Capitol in Lansing, electing Representative Matt Hall as speaker and approving several procedural resolutions, including the election of Scott Starr as House clerk and the appointment of Rochelle Smith as speaker pro tempore.
Clerk Rich Brown opened the meeting, saying it was his “constitutional duty and my honor to organize the 103rd session of the Michigan House of Representatives.” The session then completed required certifications and roll call, including a message from Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson certifying the results of the Nov. 5, 2024, election and referring the returns to the clerk for the record.
The House quickly moved to confirmations and housekeeping. Nancy DeBoer nominated Representative Matt Hall for speaker, and Representative Ranjeev Puri seconded the nomination. After the constitutionally required roll-call vote, the clerk announced that 110 members voted in favor and the House elected Hall as speaker. DeBoer’s formal nomination called Hall “a sincere listener who takes messages to heart,” and Puri, speaking for the House Democratic Caucus, urged members to “lead by example.” Hall thanked colleagues and made brief remarks after his election.
The House then approved a series of organizational resolutions. Members adopted standing rules for the chamber and fixed daily hours for sessions. The body also voted to elect Scott Starr as clerk of the House and to designate Rochelle Smith as speaker pro tempore; each resolution passed by voice or recorded roll-call as required. The House adopted a concurrent resolution authorizing adjournment for more than two days and directed the clerk to notify the governor and the Senate that a quorum was present and the chamber was ready to proceed.
Votes on the adopted organizational items were unanimous in the recorded tallies displayed during the session; the clerk announced 110 affirmative votes on key roll-call items. The House concluded the day by adopting a motion to adjourn; the chamber stood adjourned until noon Thursday, Jan. 9, 2025.
The votes and procedural moves cement the House’s initial organization for the two-year legislative term and assign officers and rules that govern floor business and committee activity going forward.
Notes: The session materials included an official certification from the Secretary of State and repeated references on the floor to the requirements of the Constitution of the State of Michigan that call for members to assemble and for certain votes to be recorded by roll call.
