02/25/2021

Michigan House Raises Standard for Lame Duck Bills

The Michigan House of Representatives passed House Joint Resolution A out of the chamber on Thursday, February 25. The resolution, sponsored by House Speaker Jason Wentworth (R-Clare), would require a two-thirds majority vote in order to pass any bills during lame-duck (the period following the conclusion of the November election). Ultimately, this resolution seeks to mitigate the legislative tsunami that occurs during that time that generally leads to poorly-vetted and sometimes negligent policy.
 
HJR A passed with a final vote of 102-7. There were no Democrats that opposed the legislation and the seven no votes came from Republican members. Should the bill receive approval by the Senate, the issue would go before voters on the November 2022 ballot and, if approved, would take effect for the 2024 lame duck period.