Updates About Legislation

The Michigan Senate has passed a bipartisan bill, SB 8, that will gradually raise the tipped minimum wage to 50% of the regular minimum wage by 2031, rather than completely phasing it out as originally planned. The bill, introduced by Democratic Senator Kevin Hertel (D-Saint Clair Shores), received more support from Republicans than Democrats, with a 20-12 vote in favor. Under the bill, the tipped wage will remain at 38% for the rest of 2025, then increase by 2% annually until it reaches 50%. This compromise comes as the Legislature faces a February 21 deadline to amend the minimum wage and Earned Sick Time Act (ESTA) before they take effect.

SB 8 is tie-barred to HB 4002, the ESTA bill, which remains in a Senate committee. As a result, the minimum wage changes cannot be signed into law without also changing the paid sick time bill. While many businesses and Republicans view the bill as a necessary adjustment to avoid job losses in the restaurant industry, some Democrats and labor advocates criticize it for rolling back worker protections originally mandated by a court order.

Despite the mixed response, legislative leaders view the bill as a step toward a bipartisan solution. Senate Majority Leader Winnie Brinks (D-Grand Rapids) and Hertel expressed optimism about continued negotiations, while Republican leaders emphasized the need to balance business interests with wage increases. House Speaker Matt Hall (R-Richland Township) highlighted the importance of compromise, stating that the deal should benefit workers rather than just businesses or labor unions. With the deadline approaching, both parties acknowledge more work is needed to finalize a consensus on the state’s wage and sick leave laws.

Senate Democrats have filed a lawsuit in the Court of Claims against House Speaker Matt Hall (R-Richland Township), alleging that he is unconstitutionally withholding nine bills passed in the 2023-2024 session from being presented to Governor Whitmer for signature.

Senate Majority Leader Winnie Brinks (D-Grand Rapids) announced the lawsuit, emphasizing that legislative leadership cannot override constitutional requirements. The bills in question cover various issues, including increasing public employer contributions to employee health insurance, allowing Detroit history museums to seek a property tax millage, adjusting corrections officers’ pensions, and protecting certain public benefits from debt garnishment.

Hall’s office has cited legal and technical concerns as the reason for the delay, but Democrats argue that the governor has the sole authority to review legislation once passed.

The Michigan Senate broke records during lame duck with a 29-hour session that ran from 10 a.m. Thursday to 3:01 p.m. Friday, passing over 90 bills before adjourning. Senate Democrats prioritized salvaging as much legislation as possible after House Democrats were unable to maintain a quorum due to a missing Democratic member and a Republican walkout. While most bills were passed in their original form and are now headed to the Governor’s desk, some were amended and sent back to the House, where they are unlikely to advance unless the House reconvenes earlier than December 31.

Key Bills Passed by the Senate:

• Requirement for Michigan schools to supply information to parents on firearm storage rules each year
• Allowing pharmacists to prescribe contraceptives and to require coverage of pharmacist-prescribed birth control methods
• Maternal Health bills designed to address the state’s high maternal mortality rates
• Lifting medical benefit plan caps to raise the amount public employers can contribute towards staff healthcare plans
• Prohibiting law enforcement from selling firearms obtained in gun buyback programs and requiring firearms obtained through buyback programs to be destroyed
• School Safety and Mental Health bill package intended to standardize school safety requirements