file: https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/f/f1/Michigan_State_Capitol_dome_interior.jpg
Steve & Christine from USA, CC BY 2.0 <https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0>, via Wikimedia Commons
Our goal is to provide up-to-date and practical information for animal advocates. Our resources are easily accessible and aren’t found elsewhere. With the beginning of the new Michigan Legislature, we begin The 102nd, a series of posts to give you a better understanding of legislation impacting animal welfare and how you can advocate.
The legislative session began on Wednesday, January 11, 2023, and on January 12, both the House and Senate announced committee membership via letters from Joe Tate, Speaker of the House, and Winnie Brinks, Senate Majority Leader. (See images below). Information about all legislators can be found here.
When a bill is introduced, it’s almost always assigned to a committee. In order to move, a bill must get a hearing, and then voted from committee to the full House or Senate floor. Many bills are introduced, assigned to a committee, and no action is taken. The session ends and the bill dies — although it can be re-introduced at the following sessions.
These committee hearings are the best opportunity to have your voice heard as an advocate, by submitting testimony, by testifying at the hearing, and by contacting committee members with your position. Once a bill is on the floor, there is no testimony taken.
In summary, committees are important. Please note:
- The majority party (the Democrats this session) has a Chair and Vice Chair on each committee and a majority of members. The minority party has a Minority Vice Chair and several members.
- Committees have varying numbers of members. House committees are larger than Senate: the House has 115 members and the Senate 38.
- Although animal-related bills are often in the Agriculture, Natural Resources, Judiciary, Regulatory Reform, Government Operations committees, they can be assigned to almost any committee
- Find our your Representative’s and Senator’s committee assignments; note if they are in leadership (Chair or Vice Chair; or Minority Vice Chair). Even if they aren’t on a committee likely to have jurisdiction over animal-related bills, you can get to know your elected officials and urge them to discuss bills of importance to you with committee chairs.
- Become familiar with the Michigan Legislative website and register. You can find out who your legislators are, find their biographies, sign up to receive notices of committee hearings, and when bills are introduced that have certain key words you select.
