Michigan State Legislature

From Ballotpedia
Jump to: navigation, search
Michigan State Legislature

Seal of Michigan.png
General information
Type:   State legislature
Term limits:   12 combined years in the Legislature
Session start:   January 10, 2024
Website:   Official Legislature Page
Leadership
Senate President:   Garlin Gilchrist II (D)
House Speaker:  Joseph Tate (D)
Majority Leader:   Senate: Winnie Brinks (D)
House: Abraham Aiyash (D)
Minority Leader:   Senate: Aric Nesbitt (R)
House: Matt Hall (Michigan) (R)
Structure
Members:  38 (Senate), 110 (House)
Length of term:   4 years (Senate), 2 years (House)
Authority:   Art IV, Michigan Constitution
Salary:   $71,685/year + expenses
Elections
Last election:  November 8, 2022
Next election:  November 5, 2024
Redistricting:  Independent commission

The Michigan Legislature is the state legislature of Michigan. It is organized as a bicameral institution consisting of the Michigan Senate, the upper house, and the House of Representatives, the lower house. Article IV of the Michigan Constitution, adopted in 1963, defines the role of the legislature and how it is to be constituted.[1] The Michigan Legislature meets in the Capitol in Lansing, Michigan.

Michigan has a Democratic trifecta. The Democratic Party controls the office of governor and both chambers of the state legislature.

See also: Michigan House of Representatives, Michigan State Senate, Michigan Governor

Elections

2024

See also: Michigan House of Representatives elections, 2024

Elections for the Michigan House of Representatives will take place in 2024. The general election is on November 5, 2024.

2022

See also: Michigan State Senate elections, 2022 and Michigan House of Representatives elections, 2022

Elections for the Michigan State Senate took place in 2022. The general election was on November 8, 2022. A primary was scheduled for August 2, 2022. The filing deadline was April 19, 2022.

Elections for the Michigan House of Representatives took place in 2022. The general election was on November 8, 2022. A primary was scheduled for August 2, 2022. The filing deadline was April 19, 2022.

2020

See also: Michigan House of Representatives elections, 2020

Elections for the office of Michigan House of Representatives took place in 2020. Heading into the 2020 election, there were 58 Republicans, 51 Democrats, and one vacancy in the chamber. The general election was held on November 3, 2020. A primary was scheduled for August 4, 2020. The filing deadline was April 21, 2020.

2018

See also: Michigan State Senate elections, 2018 and Michigan House of Representatives elections, 2018

Elections for the Michigan State Senate took place in 2018. The open primary election took place on August 7, 2018, and the general election was held on November 6, 2018. The candidate filing deadline was April 24, 2018.[2]

Elections for the Michigan House of Representatives took place in 2018. The open primary election took place on August 7, 2018, and the general election was held on November 6, 2018. The candidate filing deadline was April 24, 2018.[3]

2016

See also: Michigan House of Representatives elections, 2016

Elections for the Michigan House of Representatives took place in 2016. The primary election was held on August 2, 2016, and the general election was held on November 8, 2016. The candidate filing deadline was April 19, 2016.

2014

See also: Michigan State Senate elections, 2014 and Michigan House of Representatives elections, 2014

Elections for the Michigan State Senate took place in 2014. A primary election was held on August 5, 2014, and a general election took place on November 4, 2014. The signature filing deadline for candidates wishing to run in this election was April 22, 2014.

Elections for the Michigan House of Representatives took place in 2014. A primary election was held on August 5, 2014, and a general election was held on November 4, 2014. The signature filing deadline for candidates wishing to run in this election was April 22, 2014.

2012

See also: Michigan House of Representatives elections, 2012

Elections for the office of Michigan House of Representatives took place in 2012. The primary election was held on August 7, 2012, and the general election was held on November 6, 2012. The candidate filing deadline was May 12, 2012.

2010

See also: Michigan State Senate elections, 2010 and Michigan House of Representatives elections, 2010

Elections for the office of Michigan State Senate took place in 2010. The primary election was held on August 3, 2010, and the general election was held on November 2, 2010. The candidate filing deadline was May 11, 2010.

Elections for the office of Michigan House of Representatives took place in 2010. The primary election was held on August 3, 2010, and the general election was held on November 2, 2010. The candidate filing deadline was May 11, 2010.

Sessions

The Michigan Legislature, according to Article 4 Section 13 of the Michigan constitution, must convene by noon on the second Wednesday in January. The Legislature is at liberty to choose when to adjourn, though all bills carry over into the next session.[4]

2024

See also: 2024 Michigan legislative session and Dates of 2024 state legislative sessions

In 2024, the legislature is scheduled to convene on January 10, 2024, and adjourn on December 31, 2024.

2023

See also: 2023 Michigan legislative session and Dates of 2023 state legislative sessions

In 2023, the legislature was scheduled to convene on January 11, 2023, and adjourn on November 14, 2023.


Role in state budget

See also: Michigan state budget and finances
Michigan on Public Policy Logo-one line-on Ballotpedia.png
Check out Ballotpedia articles about policy in your state on:
BudgetsCivil libertiesEducationElectionsEnergyEnvironmentHealthcarePensions

The state operates on an annual budget cycle. The sequence of key events in the budget process is as follows:[16]

  1. Budget instructions are sent to state agencies in August of the year preceding the start of the new fiscal year.
  2. State agencies submit their requests to the governor in October.
  3. The governor submits his or her proposed budget to the state legislature in February. Newly elected governors are allowed an additional 30 to 60 days after the legislature convenes.
  4. The legislature typically adopts a budget in June. The fiscal year begins October 1.

Michigan is one of 43 states in which the governor has line item veto authority.[16]

The governor is constitutionally required to submit a balanced budget proposal. Likewise, the state legislature is required to pass a balanced budget.[16]


Senate

The Senate is the upper house of the Legislature. Its members are elected on a partisan basis for four-year terms concurrent with the election of the governor of Michigan. The Senate consists of 38 members elected from single-member election districts.

As of the 2020 Census, Michigan state senators represented an average of 265,380 residents. After the 2010 Census, each member represented 260,832 residents.

The Senate chamber in the State Capitol is located in the south wing of the building. Under the Michigan Constitution, the lieutenant governor of Michigan serves as President of the Senate but may only cast a vote in the instance of a tie.[17] The Senate selects its other officers and adopts its own rules of procedure at the start of a new legislative session.[18]


Party As of January 2024
     Democratic Party 20
     Republican Party 18
     Other 0
     Vacancies 0
Total 38

Click here for a list of members of this chamber.

Democrats won a 20-18 majority in the Michigan State Senate in 2022, gaining control of the chamber for the first time since 1984.

The table below shows the partisan history of the Michigan Senate following every general election from 1990 to 2022. All data from 2006 or earlier comes from Michael Dubin's Party Affiliations in the State Legislatures (McFarland Press, 2007). Data after 2006 was compiled by Ballotpedia staff.

Michigan State Senate election results: 1990-2022

Year '90 '94 '98 '02 '06 '10 '14 '18 '22
Democrats 18 16 15 16 17 12 11 16 20
Republicans 20 22 23 22 21 26 27 22 18

House of Representatives

The House of Representatives is the lower house of the Legislature. Its members are elected on a partisan basis for two-year terms at the same time at which members of Congress are chosen. The House of Representatives consists of 110 members who are elected from single-member election districts.

As of the 2020 Census, Michigan state representatives represented an average of 91,677 residents. After the 2010 Census, each member represented 90,106 residents.

The House of Representatives chamber in the Capitol is located in the north wing of the building. The House of Representatives selects its own Speaker of the House and other officers and adopts its rules of procedure at the start of a new legislative session.[19]

Party As of January 2024
     Democratic Party 54
     Republican Party 54
     Other 0
     Vacancies 2
Total 110

Click here for a list of members of this chamber.

Democrats won a 56-54 majority in the Michigan House of Representatives in 2022, gaining control of the chamber for the first time since 2008.

The table below shows the partisan history of the Michigan House following every general election from 1992 to 2022. All data from 2006 or earlier comes from Michael Dubin's Party Affiliations in the State Legislatures (McFarland Press, 2007). Data after 2006 was compiled by Ballotpedia staff.

Michigan House of Representatives election results: 1992-2022

Year '92* '94 '96 '98 '00 '02 '04 '06 '08 '10 '12 '14 '16 '18 '20 '22
Democrats 55 54 58 52 51 47 52 58 67 47 51 47 47 52 52 56
Republicans 55 56 52 58 59 63 58 52 43 63 59 63 63 58 58 54

*Chamber controlled by power-sharing agreement

District maps

State Senate


State House


Veto overrides

Veto Override Graphic-No party.png

See also: Veto overrides in state legislatures

State legislatures can override governors' vetoes. Depending on the state, this can be done during the regular legislative session, in a special session following the adjournment of the regular session, or during the next legislative session. The rules for legislative overrides of gubernatorial vetoes in Michigan are listed below.

How many legislators are required to vote for an override? Two-thirds of members in both chambers.

Two-thirds of members in both chambers must vote to override a veto, which is 74 of the 110 members in the Michigan House of Representatives and 26 of the 38 members in the Michigan State Senate. Michigan is one of 36 states that requires a two-thirds vote from both of its legislative chambers to override a veto.

Authority: Article IV, Section 33 of the Michigan Constitution.

"Every bill passed by the legislature shall be presented to the governor before it becomes law, and the governor shall have 14 days measured in hours and minutes from the time of presentation in which to consider it. If he approves, he shall within that time sign and file it with the secretary of state and it shall become law. If he does not approve, and the legislature has within that time finally adjourned the session at which the bill was passed, it shall not become law. If he disapproves, and the legislature continues the session at which the bill was passed, he shall return it within such 14-day period with his objections, to the house in which it originated. That house shall enter such objections in full in its journal and reconsider the bill. If two-thirds of the members elected to and serving in that house pass the bill notwithstanding the objections of the governor, it shall be sent with the objections to the other house for reconsideration. The bill shall become law if passed by two-thirds of the members elected to and serving in that house."

History

Partisan balance 1992-2013

Who Runs the States Project
See also: Ballotpedia:Who Runs the States and Ballotpedia:Who Runs the States, Michigan
Partisan breakdown of the Michigan legislature from 1992-2013

Michigan State Senate: During every year from 1992-2013, the Republican Party was the majority in the Michigan State Senate. The Michigan State Senate is one of 13 state senates that was Republican for more than 80 percent of the years between 1992-2013. For the final three years of the study Michigan was under Republican trifectas.

Across the country, there were 541 Democratic and 517 Republican state senates from 1992 to 2013.

Michigan State House of Representatives: From 1992-2013, the Republican Party was the majority in the Michigan State House of Representatives for 13 years while the Democrats were the majority for seven years. For the final three years of the study Michigan was under Republican trifectas.

Across the country, there were 577 Democratic and 483 Republican State Houses of Representatives from 1992 to 2013.

Over the course of the 22-year study, state governments became increasingly more partisan. At the outset of the study period (1992), 18 of the 49 states with partisan legislatures had single-party trifectas and 31 states had divided governments. In 2013, only 13 states had divided governments, while single-party trifectas held sway in 36 states, the most in the 22 years studied.

The chart below shows the partisan composition of the Office of the Governor of Michigan, the Michigan State Senate and the Michigan House of Representatives from 1992 to 2013.

Partisan composition of Michigan state government(1992-2013).PNG

SQLI and partisanship

To read the full report on the State Quality of Life Index (SQLI) in PDF form, click here.

The chart below depicts the partisanship of the Michigan state government and the state's SQLI ranking for the years studied. For the SQLI, the states were ranked from 1-50, with 1 being the best and 50 the worst. Michigan has had spurts of divided government and a Republican trifecta. The state had a Republican trifecta during three separate periods (1995-1996, 1999-2002, and 2011-2013) and divided government during three separate periods (1992-1994, 1997-1998, and 2003-2010). The state’s highest SQLI ranking came in 1999 under a Republican trifecta (19th). Beginning in 2007, Michigan has slipped into the bottom-10 of the SQLI ranking and has remained there since. Michigan saw its most precipitous drop in the SQLI ranking between 2001 and 2002 and again between 2003 and 2004, under both a Republican trifecta and divided government, respectively. The state had not had a Democratic trifecta.

  • SQLI average with Democratic trifecta: N/A
  • SQLI average with Republican trifecta: 26.88
  • SQLI average with divided government: 33.31
Chart displaying the partisanship of Michigan government from 1992-2013 and the State Quality of Life Index (SQLI).

Redistricting

See also: Redistricting in Michigan

In Michigan, a non-politician commission is responsible for drawing both congressional and state legislative district plans. The commission comprises 13 members, including four Democrats, four Republicans, and five unaffiliated voters or members of minor parties. In order for a map to be enacted, at least seven members must vote for it, including at least two Democrats, two Republicans, and two members not affiliated with either major party.[20]

The Michigan Independent Citizens Redistricting Commission prepared this document specifically explaining the redistricting process after the 2020 census.

2020

See also: Redistricting in Michigan after the 2020 census

The Michigan Independent Citizens Redistricting Commission (MICRC) approved new district boundaries for both the state Senate and state House of Representatives on December 28, 2021. The commission approved what was known as the "Linden" map for state Senate districts by a vote of 9-4 with two Democrats, two Republicans, and all five nonpartisan members supporting the proposal. The commission adopted what was known as the "Hickory" map for state House of Representatives districts by a vote of 11-2 with four Democrats, two Republicans, and all five nonpartisan members supporting it.[21][22] As required, the adopted map was approved by "at least two commissioners who affiliate with each major party, and at least two commissioners who do not affiliate with either major party."[23] The maps became law on March 26, 2022—60 days after the MICRC published a report on the redistricting plans with the secretary of state.[24]

According to The Detroit News, The Linden Senate map...is expected to create districts that could yield 20 Democratic seats and 18 Republican seats. Senate Republicans currently have a 22-16 majority."[21] Clara Hendrickson of the Detroit Free Press wrote that, "The map appears to create 19 solidly Democratic districts, 16 solidly Republican districts, one Republican-leaning district and two toss-up districts, according to election results from the past decade."[25]

Beth LeBlanc of The Detroit News wrote that, "The Hickory House map...is expected to create districts that could produce 57 Democratic seats and 53 Republican seats. After the 2020 election, Michigan House Republicans had a 58-52 majority in the House."[21] Hendrickson wrote that, "The new map appears to create 41 solidly Democratic districts, 46 solidly Republican districts, nine Democratic-leaning districts, two Republican-leaning districts and 12 toss-up districts."[25] She also wrote, "Unlike the current map, there is no majority-Black district in the state Senate map adopted by the commission, while the state House map reduces the number of majority-Black districts in place today. Current and former state lawmakers from Detroit and civil rights leaders are vehemently opposed to how the new district lines reduce the share of Black voters. They argue that the elimination of majority-Black districts disenfranchises Black voters."[25] These maps took effect for Michigan’s 2022 legislative elections.

2010

See also: Redistricting in Michigan after the 2010 census

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, Michigan's population fell from 9.94 million to 9.88 million between 2000 and 2010.[26] Michigan's U.S. Congressional delegation decreased in size from 15 to 14 seats.[27] A substantial population shift occurred from Detroit proper into the suburban areas.[28]

A Republican-proposed redistricting plan passed with bipartisan support after the House made some changes to the Senate plan. Governor Rick Snyder (R) signed the plan, Senate Bill 498, into law on August 9, 2011.

Legislators

Salaries

See also: Comparison of state legislative salaries
State legislative salaries, 2023
SalaryPer diem
$71,685/yearNo per diem is paid. Legislators receive an expense allowance of $10,800/year for session and interim. Set by the compensation commission. Vouchered.

Swearing in dates

See also: When state legislators assume office after a general election

Michigan legislators assume office at noon on the first day of January.[29]

Terms and sessions

Every two years the entire House of Representatives stands for election, whereas the Senate does so at four-year intervals concurrently with elections for Governor. Each two-year period coinciding with the election of new members of the House of Representatives is numbered consecutively as a "Legislature" dating to the first legislature following Michigan's admission as a state.

Each year during which the legislature meets constitutes a "session" of the Legislature. According to the state's constitution, Article IV Section 13, a new session of the legislature begins when the members of each house convene on the second Wednesday of January every year at noon. A regular session of the Legislature typically lasts throughout the entire year with several periods of recess and adjourns sine die in December.

Any legislation pending in either house at the end of a session that is not the end of a legislative term of office continues and carries over to the next legislative session.

Term limits

See also: State legislatures with term limits

The Michigan legislature is one of 16 state legislatures with term limits. The legislature has been term-limited since Michigan voters approved the Michigan Term Limits Act in 1992. The first year that the term limits enacted in 1992 impacted the ability of incumbents to run for office was 2002.

In 2022, Michigan voters modified the term limits for Michigan state legislative members. Voters passed Michigan Proposal 1 in November 2022 which changed the term limits for state legislators from three two-year terms in the state House and two four-year terms in the state Senate to 12 combined years in the Legislature.


Joint legislative committees

See also: Public policy in Michigan

The Michigan State Legislature has no joint standing committees.

Constitutional amendments

In every state but Delaware, voter approval is required to enact a constitutional amendment. In each state, the legislature has a process for referring constitutional amendments before voters. In 18 states, initiated constitutional amendments can be put on the ballot through a signature petition drive. There are also many other types of statewide measures.

The methods in which the Michigan Constitution can be amended:

See also: Article XII of the Michigan Constitution and Laws governing ballot measures in Michigan

The Michigan Constitution can be amended in three different ways—a citizen-initiated process, a legislative process, and a state constitutional convention.

Initiative

See also: Initiated constitutional amendment

An initiated constitutional amendment is a citizen-initiated ballot measure that amends a state's constitution. There are 18 states that allow citizens to initiate constitutional amendments.

In Michigan, the number of signatures required for an initiated constitutional amendment is equal to 10% of the votes cast in the last gubernatorial election. A simple majority vote is required for voter approval.

Legislature

See also: Legislatively referred constitutional amendment

A two-thirds vote is required during one legislative session for the Michigan State Legislature to place a constitutional amendment on the ballot. That amounts to a minimum of 74 votes in the Michigan House of Representatives and 14 votes in the Michigan State Senate, assuming no vacancies. Amendments do not require the governor's signature to be referred to the ballot.

Convention

See also: Convention-referred constitutional amendment

According to Section 3 of Article XII of the Michigan Constitution, a question about whether to hold a state constitutional convention is to automatically appear on the state's ballot every 16 years starting in 1978. Michigan is one of 14 states that provides for an automatic constitutional convention question.

The table below shows the last and next constitutional convention question election years:

State Interval Last question on the ballot Next question on the ballot
Michigan 16 years 2010 2026



2025 measures:

See also: 2025 ballot measures

Certified:

The following measures have been certified for the ballot.

No measures to list


Potential:

The following measures have made it through one chamber—or one session for two session states—and may appear on the ballot in 2025.

No measures to list

2024 measures:

Below is a list of measures that were referred to the 2024 ballot by the legislature or that have made it approximately halfway through the process in the legislature for referral to the ballot in 2024.

See also: Michigan 2024 ballot measures

Certified:

The following measures have been certified for the ballot.

No measures to list


Potential:

The following measures have made it through one chamber—or one session for two session states—and may appear on the ballot in 2024.

No measures to list

See also

Elections Michigan State Government State Legislatures State Politics
Ballotpedia Elections Badge-VOTE-no shadow-Square.jpg
Michigan State Flag-Close Up.jpg
State Houses-Tile image.png
State Courts-Tile image.png

External links

Footnotes

  1. Michigan Legislature, "Constitution of the State of Michigan," accessed February 12, 2021
  2. Michigan.gov, "2018 Michigan election dates," accessed November 9, 2017
  3. Michigan.gov, "2018 Michigan election dates," accessed November 9, 2017
  4. Michigan Legislature, "Constitution of the State of Michigan," accessed February 12, 2021
  5. Michigan Radio, "Lawmakers return to Lansing Friday for special session," accessed April 25, 2020
  6. Detroit Free Press, "Michigan Senate approves more tax breaks for businesses," March 29, 2017
  7. Michigan.gov, "Gov. Rick Snyder's statement regarding passage of Good Jobs legislation," July 12, 2017
  8. Fox2Detroit, "Snyder signs bill to give tax breaks for Michigan jobs," July 26, 2017
  9. MLive.com, "'Good Jobs' bills for new business tax incentives heads to governor," July 12, 2017
  10. MLive, "Q&A with Senate Majority Leader Arlan Meekhof: Energy policy, prevailing wage repeal on agenda," January 20, 2015
  11. MLive, "Michigan Republicans making new push for prevailing wage repeal in state Legislature," January 15, 2015
  12. Crain's Detroit Business, "Mich. has nearly $1B more than expected for budget," January 10, 2014
  13. Detroit Free Press, "Michigan GOP puts tax break atop 2014 agenda, Bolger says," January 9, 2014
  14. South Bend Tribune, "Michigan Legislature starts tamer two-year session today," January 9, 2013
  15. MLive, "Gov. Rick Snyder signs Michigan business/income tax overhaul into law," May 25, 2011
  16. 16.0 16.1 16.2 National Association of State Budget Officers, "Budget Processes in the States, Spring 2021," accessed January 24, 2023
  17. Michigan Legislature, "Constitution of the State of Michigan," accessed February 12, 2021
  18. Michigan Legislature, "Senate Rules," accessed February 12, 2021 (Referenced Ch. 1, Sec. 1)
  19. Michigan Legislature, "Standing Rules of the Michigan House of Representatives," accessed February 12, 2021
  20. Michigan Radio, "Redistricting proposal passes in Michigan," November 6, 2018
  21. 21.0 21.1 21.2 The Detroit News, "Michigan redistricting panel wraps adoption of state House, Senate, congressional maps" December 28, 2021
  22. Detroit Free Press, "Michigan redistricting commission adopts new state legislative maps," December 28, 2021
  23. Michigan Legislature, "Article IV § 6" - Independent citizens redistricting commission for state legislative and congressional districts," accessed January 3, 2022
  24. Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named MICRCemail
  25. 25.0 25.1 25.2 Detroit Free Press, "Michigan redistricting commission adopts new state legislative maps," December 28, 2021
  26. U.S. Census Bureau, "2010 Census: Michigan Profile," accessed February 12, 2021
  27. The Hill, "Longtime Dem Reps. Levin and Dingell could face redistricting danger", December 22, 2010
  28. [https://roseinstitute.org/redistricting/michigan/ Rose Institute of State and Local Government, " Michigan," accessed February 12, 2021]
  29. Michigan Constitution, "Article XI, Section 2," accessed February 12, 2021