House Oversight Committee authorizes subpoenas to DNR, DHHS director and Attorney General over multiple probes

The Michigan House Oversight Committee on Tuesday authorized a series of subpoenas asking state agencies and officials for documents and testimony tied to several ongoing investigations.

The committee voted to issue document subpoenas to the Michigan Department of Natural Resources related to the agency's 2010 invasive species order on feral swine and to its pilot program for euthanizing overabundant Canadian geese. Representative Regas, who moved both motions, said the materials sought — including policy memos, scientific studies, stakeholder consultations and financial records — are relevant to possible changes in hunting and public‑health laws and to the department's annual budget.

The DNR told Regas' office the department would need 150 business days to produce the DNR records, an interval Regas criticized as an attempt "to run out the clock on this legislative session." The committee approved the feral swine subpoena on a roll call that produced 15 yeas and no nays. It approved the subpoena tied to the Canadian goose pilot on a roll call that recorded 16 ayes and one pass.

Representative Wolford moved a subpoena that would require Elizabeth Hertel, director of the Department of Health and Human Services, to appear and testify before the committee on Sept. 9, 2025. Wolford said three subcommittees have investigated various DHHS operations — including child welfare and eligibility verification for benefit programs — and that DHHS representatives had provided "unsatisfactory answers" and that "the director would be the better person to answer these questions." Wolford said Hertel declined two proposed dates, and the committee approved the subpoena; the roll call showed 17 yays, no nays.

The committee also authorized two subpoenas to the Michigan Department of Attorney General. One seeks documents related to a criminal referral from the Department of State alleging a violation of the Michigan Campaign Finance Act and any investigation of that referral; committee members said the materials could illuminate potential conflicts of interest involving Attorney General Dana Nessel. Another subpoena seeks documents tied to a separate complaint and any investigation involving an individual identified in the transcript as Tracy Kornack. Both attorney general‑related subpoenas were approved on roll calls (one passed 15–0; the other passed 17–0).

Committee members described prior attempts to obtain materials without subpoenas. Regas noted a June 13, 2025, letter co‑signed by members of the oversight subcommittee and a June 25 joint meeting of related subcommittees in which the DNR testified. Regas also said the Natural Resources Commission approved the goose pilot on Oct. 10, 2024, and that DNR Director Bowen announced on May 9, 2025, that the department paused the pilot pending further research of alternatives.

No members objected on the record to issuing any of the subpoenas; clerks conducted roll‑call votes on each motion. The committee adjourned after completing consideration of the subpoenas.

Votes at a glance

- DNR subpoena (2010 invasive species order — feral swine): motion to authorize and immediately issue a document subpoena; mover: Representative Regas; outcome: passed; roll call reported 15 yeas, 0 nays. Previous efforts: letter dated 06/13/2025 and a joint subcommittee hearing on 06/25/2025; DNR estimated 150 business days for production.

- DNR subpoena (Canadian goose euthanasia pilot): motion to authorize and immediately issue a document subpoena; mover: Representative Regas; outcome: passed; roll call reported 16 ayes, 0 nays, 1 pass. Background: Natural Resources Commission approved pilot 10/10/2024; DNR director Bowen paused pilot 05/09/2025.

- Subpoena to Elizabeth Hertel (DHHS director) to appear and testify 09/09/2025: motion to authorize and immediately issue subpoena to compel attendance; mover: Representative Wolford; outcome: passed; roll call reported 17 yays, 0 nays. Prior request: Hertel was invited for 07/22/2025 and 07/29/2025 and declined both dates.

- Attorney General subpoena (criminal referral — Campaign Finance Act): motion to authorize and immediately issue document subpoena to the Michigan Department of Attorney General for documents related to a criminal referral from the Department of State; mover: not specified in transcript; outcome: passed; roll call reported 15 yeas, 0 nays. Committee said it already possesses a copy of the referral.

- Attorney General subpoena (complaint involving Tracy Kornack): motion to authorize and immediately issue document subpoena to the Michigan Department of Attorney General for documents related to the complaint and any investigation; mover: not specified in transcript; outcome: passed; roll call reported 17 yeas, 0 nays.

The motions were procedural authorizations to issue subpoenas for documents and, in one case, for an appearance; they do not themselves determine the merits of any underlying investigation. Several members characterized the actions as necessary steps because voluntary cooperation either was delayed or declined.