Updates About Legislature

On Wednesday, an eight bill package (SB 691 - 698) that would make significant changes to the state’s current election and campaign finance laws passed out of the Senate with support from Senate Democrats and Republicans. The bill that would have the most impact is SB 691 introduced by Senator Sam Singh (D-East Lansing), which would move the current August primary up to May and would allow for February primaries.

Also included in the bill package is SB 697, sponsored by Senator Dayna Polehanki (D-Livonia), which lowers the number of petition signatures needed for statewide candidates. Singh bill SB 698 creates a single, set schedule for campaign finance reports with four filings each year. The remaining bills make updates to align the law with the changes proposed in SB 691.

If passed by the House, the changes would take effect in 2028. Currently, Michigan is one of nineteen states that hold their primary election in August or later. The bills still have a long journey ahead, including testimony and votes in the House Election Integrity Committee, final passage from the House, and signing off by the Governor before becoming law.

The state House and Senate have been in gridlock for months over legislation that would keep Michigan in the Interstate Medical Licensure Compact (IMLC), which currently allows 8,000 physicians to practice in the state using their home state license. If legislation extending the compact is not passed by its expiration date of March 28, estimates say over 100,000+ Michiganders will be negatively affected through canceled appointments and loss of medical providers.

The spat between the two chambers does not stem from disputing policy language or the legislation’s intent, but rather over which lawmaker will receive credit for sponsoring the bill. Last May, the Senate passed SB 303, which was introduced by Senator Roger Hauck (R-Mount Pleasant), who represents a solidly Republican district. Twin bill HB 5455 was then introduced in January by Representative Rylee Linting (R-Wyandotte), who resides in a highly competitive district. HB 5455 was then voted out of the House and transmitted to the Senate.

Since early February, the House and Senate bills have sat in each other’s chambers without action, despite vocal concerns from various stakeholders about the approaching deadline.

Yesterday, in an unexpected twist, the House and Senate struck a deal to pass one of the IMLC bills before the Senate adjourns for Spring Break next Thursday. The House has agreed to pass an unrelated bill sponsored by Senator Kevin Hertel (D-Saint Clair Shores) in exchange for HB 5455. The deal offers wins for both vulnerable Republican Rylee Linting and Democrat Kevin Hertel as they prepare for two of the fiercest campaign races Michigan will see this year.

The Senate is expected to vote on the IMLC bill next week and send it to the Governor before the March 28 deadline.

With Representative Regina Weiss (D-Oak Park) announcing she will not seek reelection in 2026, the number of State Representatives opting not to run again in the House has risen to 20. The other Representatives are as followed:

• 2nd district: Tullio Liberati (D-Allen Park), is running for State Senate
• 4th district: Karen Whitsett (D-Detroit), is not seeking reelection
• 6th district: Natalie Price (D-Berkley), is running for State Senate
• 11th district: Donavan McKinney (D-Detroit), is running for U.S. Congress
• 15th district: Erin Byrnes (D-Dearborn), is running for State Senate
• 18th district: Jason Hoskins (D-Southfield), is running for State Senate
• 22nd district: Matt Koleszar (D-Plymouth), is running State Senate
• 41st district: Julie Rogers (D-Kalamazoo), is running State Senate
• 54th district: Donni Steele (R-Orion), is running for State Senate
• 59th district: Doug Wozniak (R- Shelby Township), is running for State Senate
• 74th district: Kara Hope (D-Holt), is not seeking reelection
• 78th district: Gina Johnsen (R-Portland), is running for State Senate
• 80th district: Phil Skaggs (D-East Grand Rapids), is running for State Senate
• 84th district: Carol Glanville (D-Walker), is running for State Senate
• 89th district: Luke Meerman (R-Coopersville), is not seeking reelection
• 90th district: Bryan Posthumus (R-Rockford), is not seeking reelection
• 97th district: Matthew Bierlein (R-Vassar), is running for State Senate
• 101st district: Joseph Fox (R-Fremont), is running for State Senate
• 108th district: David Prestin (R-Cedar River), is running for State Senate

Former Representatives Jamie Churches (D-Wyandotte) and Lynn Afendoulis (R-Grand Rapids) have announced they are pursuing reelection to the State House. Churches is seeking her old seat in the 27th district, currently held by Rylee Linting (R-Wyandotte) who narrowly defeated Churches in the 2024 general election. Afendoulis, who ran in the 81st district in the 2022 cycle prior is now seeking election in the 90th district.