MLC Insider Intelligence: October 31, 2025
Michigan Legislative Consultants
Weekly Recap: The House and Senate held session Tuesday-Thursday, and committees met throughout the week.
Court Rules House Must Present Bills: This week, the Michigan Court of Appeals (COA) agreed with a lower court that legislation that passes both chambers is required to be presented to the governor. The legislation, which brought about this legal challenge, deals with health care costs for teachers and first responders and retirement benefits for corrections officers. Additionally, it allows property tax millages for historical museums.
Background: Nine bills passed both the House and Senate at the end of 2024 but weren’t presented to the governor before the end of the previous Speaker of the House’s term. Typically, all legislation passed by both chambers would have been presented before a change in leadership. When Speaker Matt Hall (R-Kalamazoo) assumed his leadership role in January 2025, he declined to present them to Governor Whitmer until a legal review was completed. On behalf of the Michigan Senate, Senate Majority Leader Winnie Brinks (D-Grand Rapids) filed a legal challenge in the Michigan Court of Claims. Earlier this year, the court ruled that the House must present the bills to the governor, but declined to enact a timeframe for which they must comply. Speaker Hall hasn’t yet presented them to the governor.
Ruling: The COA agreed with the court, finding that the Michigan Constitution requires that after a bill passes both chambers, it must be presented to the governor for final consideration. The court remanded the case to the Court of Claims for issuance of a writ of mandamus ordering the House to present the bills to the governor. The House could appeal the ruling to the Michigan Supreme Court; however, the court has a 6-1 Democratic majority.
Senate Passes Supplemental Food Assistance: Due to the lack of Federal funding for Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits beginning November 1, the Michigan Senate passed supplemental funding to help Michigan residents purchase food. The appropriation is meant to bridge the gap for residents who rely on SNAP benefits until the Federal government passes its budget or appropriates funds for the program.
Key Points: Senate Bill 182 was introduced by Senator Sarah Anthony (D-Lansing), chair of the Appropriations Committee. The bill appropriates $71 million in total. Of that, $50 million is for an emergency assistance fund, $10 million is appropriated to emergency grants for food banks, $10 million for the Michigan agricultural surplus system, and the remaining $1 million is for the Double Up Food Bucks program. The legislation passed the Senate by a vote of 27-4.
Next Steps: The legislation will be sent to the House for consideration. Due to the five-day rule, the House couldn’t pass the bill until next week.
House Passes Nuclear Energy Legislation: This week, the Michigan House passed legislation seeking to drive investment in advanced nuclear and hydrogen energy in Michigan. The goal of the proposal is to cement the state’s position as a global leader in the development of next-generation nuclear technologies.
Key Points: The bipartisan legislation offers targeted tax credits to support research, development, and power generation. It also establishes higher education grants to help Michigan’s colleges and universities create specialized workforce training programs. Workers who complete these programs and choose to build their careers in Michigan would be eligible for additional grants. Finally, the bill introduces a production tax credit to encourage companies developing this technology to operate in Michigan.
Next Steps: The legislation was referred to the Senate Energy and Environment Committee for consideration.
Committee Considers Change to Professional Licensing: The House Rules Committee took testimony this week on legislation aimed at streamlining Michigan’s professional licensing system.
Key Points: Introduced by Representative Joseph Pavlov (R-Smiths Creek), the bill allows people to voluntarily give up a state license under the public health code if they no longer wish to practice in that field. According to the sponsor, it would free them from following continuing education mandates and costly renewal requirements. Surrender of a license doesn’t impact their civil or criminal liability prior to that date. Additionally, relevant professional boards could impose sanctions.
Importance: “If someone leaves a profession, they shouldn’t be stuck following rules that no longer apply,” Representative Pavlov said. “There’s no point to government cracking down on retirees and people who switched careers for not keeping up with training or paperwork for a license they don’t ever plan to use again. This bill makes it easier for professionals to close that chapter and move on.”
Workforce Tax Credit Proposed: Legislation was introduced aiming to connect Michigan workers with good-paying jobs, strengthening the state’s economy. The bipartisan package creates a state-level Work Force Tax Credit that encourages employers to hire people who face barriers to employment, including veterans, people with disabilities, and those reentering the workforce.
Key Points: The bipartisan package helps employers offset the cost of recruiting and training qualified workers from targeted groups. Qualifying nonprofits and for-profit employers could claim a partial state tax credit for wages paid to certified employees in the targeted groups. The state-level credit would supplement the federal incentive.
Importance: According to a recent workforce study conducted by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, the nation faces a severe workforce shortage, notably in the service sectors. In Michigan, there are 85 available workers for every 100 open jobs. Furthermore, Michigan’s 61.3% Labor Force Participation Rate is the lowest in the Midwest.
Spotlight On Representative Rachelle Smit: Representative Rachelle Smit (R-Shelbyville) is serving her second term in the Michigan House of Representatives. Her colleagues elected her Speaker Pro Tempore for the 2025-2026 legislative session. Prior to her election to the House, she served as the Martin Township Clerk for seven years. In addition to public service, she owns a family dairy farm with her husband.
District: She represents the 43rd House District. The district encompasses most of Allegan County, including the cities of Allegan, Fennville and Wayland, and the townships of Fillmore, Manilus, Clyde, Overisel, Heath, Valley, Salem, Monterey, Dorr, Hopkins, Watson, Wayland, and Martin. It also includes Barry, Yankee, Orangeville, Hope, Prairieville, Johnstown, and Assyria townships in Barry County, Bellevue City and Township in Eaton County, and part of Jamestown Township in Ottawa County.
Committees: Representative Smit chairs the Election Integrity Committee.
We asked Representative Smit a few questions to learn more about her:
What’s your favorite travel destination outside of Michigan?
A – Florida
What’s your favorite hobby other than politics?
A – Golf
What did you want to be when you were a kid?
A – A mom
What’s your favorite game to play or sport to watch and/or play?
A – Golf
Next Week: The House and Senate are scheduled to hold their typical Tuesday–Thursday session schedule. On Tuesday, November 4, the Michigan Republican Party is hosting the second gubernatorial debate for the year.
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