Each month, The Michigan Daily publishes a compilation of bills in the Michigan Legislature for students at the University of Michigan to know about.
The following article explains five bills that have been introduced, passed or signed into law by the Michigan Legislature or Gov. Gretchen Whitmer throughout the month of June.
1. Closing campaign finance loopholes
Status: Introduced in the Senate
State Sen. Jonathan Lindsey, R-Coldwater, introduced Senate Bill 422 on June 12, which would allow the attorney general’s office to resolve campaign finance violations involving the secretary of state. House Bill 4642, introduced alongside SB 422 by State Rep. Angela Rigas, R-Caledonia Township, contains similar language to hold the secretary of state accountable for campaign finance violations by establishing clear penalties, including civil fines and criminal charges. It also laid out detailed procedures for handling violations, such as informal resolutions and public disclosure requirements.
In a press release, Lindsey wrote the legislation comes in response to a violation of the Michigan Campaign Finance Act by Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson.
“No one should be above the law,” Lindsey wrote. “Yet the current situation allows the Secretary of State to evade accountability. Recently, Attorney General Dana Nessel found Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson violated the MCFA but said there are no enforcement mechanisms to hold her accountable. This bill would create accountability for the SOS.”
Senate Bill 422 was referred to the Elections and Ethics Committee and House Bill 4642 was referred to the Election Integrity Committee.
2. Prohibiting bump stocks
Status: Passed by the Senate
State Sen. Dayna Polehanki, D-Livonia, introduced Senate Bill 224 on April 17. The bill, passed by the Senate June 25, would amend Act 328 of 1931 and make possession, manufacture or sale of bump stocks — an attachable device that allows guns to fire bullets in rapid succession — a felony punishable by up to five years in prison and/or a $2,500 fine.
In a press release by Polehanki, she wrote she believed it was important to join the 16 other states that have made bump stocks illegal.
“Whether they shoot for sport or self-defense, civilians have no need for a device that allows them to shoot hundreds of bullets in a matter of minutes,” Polehanki wrote. “Bump stocks are designed for one purpose only — to inflict maximum carnage in the shortest amount of time. By prohibiting this deadly device, we’re sending a clear message: Michigan will not stand by while tools of mass violence threaten our communities and our sense of safety.”
The bill passed 22-14 and was one of multiple pieces of gun control legislation that passed the state Senate, alongside bills 225, 226, 331 and 332. Bill 224 earned support from many Democratic lawmakers and three Republican senators: Mark Huizenga, R-Walker; Thomas Albert, R-Lowell; and Michael Webber, R-Rochester Hills.
State Sen. Joseph Bellino, R-Monroe, said in a press release he opposed the legislation.
“I’m not surprised by the constant attacks on our Second Amendment rights,” Bellino wrote. “If Democrats were serious about reducing gun violence, they would insist that soft-on-crime prosecutors enforce the gun laws already on the books.”
The bill was referred to the House Government Operations Committee.
3. Restoring right-to-work
Status: Introduced in the Senate
Senate Bill 436 was introduced by state Sen. Thomas Albert on June 24 as part of a bill package by Republican senators. The package, also including bills 437, 438, 439 and 440, would restore Michigan’s status as a right-to-work state, which was overturned in 2023. The package would give workers the right to decide whether to join a union and repeal prevailing wages — the average or actual wage paid to other workers in comparable positions with comparable qualifications — on public utility and alternative energy projects.
In a press release, Albert wrote he believed restoring right-to-work was economically important, citing Michigan’s high unemployment rate and right-to-work studies.
“With Right to Work status gone, some businesses once again might simply scratch Michigan off the list of potential states to consider for new investment,” Albert wrote. “And workers lose freedom of choice — no longer able to choose whether they want to join a union voluntarily. No worker should be forced to join a political organization against their will.”
In a press release, state Sen. Joseph Bellino — a sponsor of Senate Bill 440 — wrote he believed it was important to give workers autonomy in deciding whether to join a union.
“I support restoring Right to Work in our state because no worker should be forced to join or pay dues to a labor organization as a condition of being able to do their job,” Bellino wrote. “Workers should be able to decide for themselves whether a union works best for them and their families.”
The bill was referred to the Senate Government Operations Committee.
4. Defending name, image and likeness usage for college athletes
Status: Introduced in the House
State Rep. Joe Tate, D-Detroit, introduced House Bill 4643 on June 12. The bill aims to limit university regulations regulating name, image and likeness funds from college athletes by amending Act 366 of 2020. Tate, former football team captain for Michigan State University, wrote in a press release it was important for student athletes to profit off NIL funds without fear of punishment.
“Student athletes deserve the same basic rights as any other student — the ability to profit from their own talent, image and effort,” Tate wrote. “I’ve lived the student-athlete experience. I know the dedication, sacrifices and challenges that come with balancing academics, athletics and personal growth. My legislation guarantees student athletes can pursue those opportunities without fear of punishment from their schools or sports organizations.”
Groups such as the National College Players Association have voiced support for the bill. NCPA Executive Director Ramogi Huma wrote in the press release he approved of the legislation for its financial protection of athletes.
“Representative Tate’s legislation provides robust protections and freedoms for Michigan college athletes to earn NIL money from their institutions, NIL collectives and other third parties,” Huma wrote. “It creates key standards for athlete agents to protect athletes from bad and negligent actors while ensuring transparency in NIL contracts for all parties. We are grateful to Representative Tate for his continued leadership.”
The bill has been referred to the House Regulatory Reform Committee.
5. Safeguarding voting integrity
Status: Introduced in the Senate
State Sen. Ruth Johnson, R-Holly, introduced Senate Bill 468 on June 26. The bill would amend Act 116 of 1954 to prohibit voting systems that contain parts or equipment from foreign companies in Michigan elections. Following this, state Rep. Rachelle Smit, R-Martin, introduced House Bill 4720, which aims to do the same as its counterpart in the Senate. The legislation comes after a 2021 federal law preventing the review of equipment posing a threat to national security and a recent request from the city of Lansing for funding to update their election equipment.
In a press release, Johnson wrote ensuring voting system security is crucial for upcoming elections.
“Secure voting systems are vital to ensuring the integrity of our elections,” Johnson wrote. “As many of our clerks prepare to update voting equipment within the next few years, it is important to put laws in place to address potential vulnerabilities.”
Senate Bill 426 was referred to the Senate Elections and Ethics Committee. House Bill 4720 was referred to the House Election Integrity Committee.
Daily Staff Reporter Kayla Lugo can be reached at klugo@umich.edu.
