Senate adopts resolution authorizing legal action to compel House to present nine bills to governor

The Michigan Senate on 2025-01-22 adopted Senate Resolution 3, authorizing the Senate majority leader to commence legal action to compel the Michigan House of Representatives to present nine bills that have passed both chambers to the governor.

The measure, introduced on the floor as Senate Resolution 3, cites Article IV, Section 33 of the Michigan Constitution and directs the Senate majority leader "to commence legal action on behalf of the Senate to compel the House of Representatives to fulfill its constitutional duty to present to the governor the 9 remaining bills passed by both houses during the 100th Legislature." The resolution names the specific house bills it says must be presented: house bills 4177 and 4665 through 4667 of 02/2023, and house bills 4900 through 4901, 5817, 5818, and 6058 of 02/2024 (as listed on the floor).

Senator Brinks, identified on the floor as the sponsor who moved the measure, said the action was intended to protect the constitutional process. "Michigan residents deserve elected officials who are committed to fulfilling their constitutional duties," Senator Brinks said on the floor, urging that the House present the bills to the governor to avoid litigation.

Senator Jonathan Lindsey spoke in opposition, criticizing the resolution as misplaced and saying the Senate should focus on legislating. "I ask for a no vote on this resolution," Senator Jonathan Lindsey said during debate, arguing that the chamber should prioritize effective legislative work rather than initiating litigation.

The question was decided by voice vote. The presiding officer announced, "The ayes have it and the resolution is adopted." The record on the floor shows no roll-call tally was taken during the adoption.

The resolution also authorizes the majority leader to take "all necessary steps incidental thereto, including but not limited to pursuing or defending any appeals," language included in the text read on the floor. The Senate did not specify in the reading a timeline, legal counsel, or funding for any litigation, nor did the Senate record a roll-call vote on the floor during the adoption.

The adoption means the Senate has formally empowered the majority leader to seek court action if the House does not transmit the named bills to the governor. How and when any legal filing would occur was not specified on the floor.

The chamber adjourned following additional routine business; no further action on the named house bills was recorded during this session.