The Michigan House of Representatives elected Representative Matt Hall of House District 42 as speaker and approved a series of organizational resolutions during its organizational session at the State Capitol in Lansing on Jan. 8, 2025.

The actions set the chamber's leadership and procedural framework for the 103rd Legislature. Members adopted the standing rules, selected Rochelle Smith as speaker pro tempore, elected Scott Starr as clerk of the House, fixed daily session hours, and directed the clerk to notify the governor and the Senate that the House was assembled.

Representative Nancy DeBoer nominated Representative Matt Hall for speaker, praising his leadership and persistence. "He is a sincere listener who takes messages to heart," DeBoer said during her nomination remarks. Representative Ranjiv Puri, identified as the House Democratic leader, seconded the nomination on behalf of the House Democratic caucus, urging cooperation across party lines: "We must lead by example."

Under the Michigan Constitution's requirement for a record roll-call vote for the election of the speaker, the clerk announced 110 aye votes in favor of Hall. The clerk subsequently administered the organizational roll calls and tally for several other resolutions where a recorded vote was required; House resolutions that were subject to roll call each passed with unanimous recorded support when tallies were announced.

Scott Starr was elected clerk of the House by roll call and took the oath administered on the House floor by Michigan Supreme Court Justice Kyra Harris Bolden. Members also adopted House Resolution No. 1, prescribing the standing rules of the House; House Resolution No. 2, providing for Rochelle Smith to serve as speaker pro tempore for the 103rd Legislature; House Resolution No. 4, fixing the hour for daily sessions; and House Resolutions Nos. 5 and 6, directing the clerk to notify the governor and the Senate, respectively, that the House had convened.

The House received a message from the Senate transmitting Senate Concurrent Resolution No. 1, granting authority for adjournment for more than two days; the House adopted that concurrent resolution. Before adjourning, Majority Floor Leader Representative Bryan Posthumus moved several procedural items, including temporarily suspending House Rule 2 to facilitate the day's business and directing the clerk to notify state officers of the House's organization.

Votes at a glance: House elected Representative Matt Hall (House District 42) as speaker by roll-call vote: 110 ayes, 0 nays; House Resolution No. 1 (prescribing standing rules): adopted (voice vote); House Resolution No. 2 (speaker pro tempore, Rochelle Smith): recorded vote announced as 110 ayes, 0 nays; House Resolution No. 3 (election of Scott Starr as clerk): recorded vote announced as 110 ayes; House Resolution No. 4 (fixing daily session hours): adopted (voice vote); House Resolution No. 5 (direct clerk to notify governor): adopted (voice vote); House Resolution No. 6 (direct clerk to notify Senate): adopted (voice vote); Senate Concurrent Resolution No. 1 (authority for adjournment more than two days): adopted (voice vote).

The House stood adjourned and announced it would reconvene at 12 p.m. on Thursday, Jan. 9, 2025. The organizational session contained limited policy debate; members focused on installing leadership and adopting the procedural rules that will govern floor operations during the session.

Ending: The organizational actions put the House's leadership and rules in place for the 103rd Legislature and set procedural expectations for early business; further policy work was deferred to the next scheduled floor session.