LANSING, Mich. – The 103rd Legislature began last Wednesday, Jan. 8, 2025, in Lansing.
The Republicans now have the majority in the House, while Democrats maintain their control in the Senate.
The Senate hit the ground running, introducing 15 bills, compared to only 2 introduced in the House.
To be fair, the House had more housekeeping to do on Day 1, such as electing a Speaker of the House. The House chose Republican State Rep. Matt Hall of Richland Township to serve as Speaker.
There were no big surprises in terms of the bills introduced.
Republicans have made the impending minimum wage and paid sick leave laws, which are set to go in an effect on Feb. 21, a major priority. Some of the other bills focus on government transparency, sanctuary cities and school restrooms.
Here’s a list of some of the bills introduced in the first week of the session.
Minimum wage
House Bill 4001: Instead of the tipped minimum hourly wage rising to 48% of the standard minimum hourly wage next month, it would remain at 38%. It would also slow down the yearly increases of the standard hourly minimum wage. The current law calls for it to rise to $14.97 on February 21, 2028. Under House Bill 4001, the hourly minimum wage rate would increase to $15 on January 1, 2029.
Republican State Rep. John Roth of Traverse City is the lead sponsor of the bill. Several Metro Detroit state representatives are cosponsors of the bill including State Rep. Joseph Aragona, State Rep. Jaime Greene, State Rep. Jay DeBoyer, State Rep. Donni Steele, State Rep. Ann Bollin, State Rep. Alicia St. Germaine, State Rep. Mike Harris and State Rep. Jason Woolford.
Senate Bill 8: The standard minimum hourly rate would rise faster than what’s set forth in the current law. The rate would reach $15 on January 1, 2027. The tipped minimum wage would remain at 38% of the standard minimum hourly wage rate this year. It would rise annually, reaching 60% of the standard minimum hourly wage rate by 2035.
The current law requires the minimum hourly wage rate for tipped employees to be on par with the minimum hourly wage rate for non-tipped workers by February 21, 2030.
Democratic State Sen. Kevin Hertel introduced the bill. His district includes Eastpointe, St. Clair Shores, and part of the Village of Grosse Pointe Shores.
---> Michigan’s minimum wage to increase in 2025. What to know
Earned Sick Time
Senate Bill 15: The bill defines a small business as an employer with fewer than 25 people on the payroll. The incoming Earned Sick Time Act defines a small business as an employer with fewer than 10 employees.
Instead of accruing earned sick time, a small business would be able to provide an employee with 40 hours of paid earned sick time and 30 hours of unpaid earned sick time at the beginning of a year.
For larger employers, they would be able to provide workers with 72 hours of paid earned sick time at the beginning of a year as an alternative to the accrual of earned sick time.
The bill was introduced by Democratic State Sen. Sam Singh, who represents East Lansing.
House Bill 4002: The bill would exempt small businesses from having to provide paid sick time to employees. The bill defines a small business as an employer with fewer than 50 employees.
It would allow employees to accrue at least 72 hours of paid earned sick time a year. The bill would also permit employers to provide 72 hours of paid earned sick time at the beginning of the year.
The bill is sponsored by a list of House Republicans. Several of them represent districts in Southeast Michigan, including State Rep. Joseph Aragona, State Rep. Jaime Greene, State Rep. Jay DeBoyer, State Rep. Donni Steele, State Rep. Ann Bollin, State Rep. Mike Harris, State Rep. Alicia St. Germaine, State Rep. Matt Maddock and State Rep. Jason Woolford.
Government transparency
Senate Bill 1: It would include the Legislature and the governor’s office in the state’s open record law.
Michigan is one of two states that exempt its governor and one of eight where the Legislature is exempt from complying with FOIA requests.
Democratic State Sen. Jeremy Moss, who represents Southfield, is the lead sponsor of the bill.
Prohibiting sanctuary cities
Senate Bill 11: It would prohibit local governments from enacting or enforcing laws that would limit police officers from cooperating with federal officials concerning the immigration status of individuals.
An elected or appointed official of a local government in violation could face a fine up to $7,500.
The bill is sponsored by Republican State Sen. Joseph Bellino who represents parts Hillsdale, Lenawee, and Monroe counties.
Bathroom bill
Senate Bill 9: The bill would require public schools to ensure every multiple-occupancy restroom or changing area designated for students must be used by individuals based only biological sex.
The bill is also sponsored by Republican State Rep. Joseph Bellino.