Law Enforcement Legislative Updates Legislative Year End Wrap Up and 2021 Look Ahead

A Legislative Look Back at 2020

A year unlike any other! As with most other sectors, Michigan’s state government greatly adjusted its planned priorities this past year to focus on responding to the pandemic. However, while most industries were either required by the Governor’s executive orders to shut down completely or partially with so many performing work remotely, the Legislature met in-person for their committee meetings and session days. Many questioned these in-person gatherings and, without having a “virtual backup plan,” both the House and Senate had to cancel a number of critical session days due to members and staff testing positive for COVID. Since March, over a dozen members of the legislature tested positive for COVID and sadly, Rep. Issac Robinson (D-Detroit) passed away due to complications of the virus.

As life is far from normal, many continue to be frustrated by government leaders’ vastly different ideas on how the state should respond to the pandemic and the additional friction and lawsuits that has caused. A successful vaccine rollout can’t come fast enough! While the session schedule didn’t hold its normal schedule and pace, this year did see significant legislation passed, including:

• A successfully negotiated $60 billion FY 20-21 state budget
• An $880 million appropriation in Federal Aid and an additional $465 million in state aid for the state’s response to the pandemic
• Legislation making expungement cheaper, easier, and more available for residents
• Legislation providing liability protections for business owners and workers from the ongoing pandemic
• Legislation allowing local municipalities to establish designated outdoor dining areas to help provide some relief to our hospitality industry

As the 100th Legislature closes out its two-year session, a much quieter lame duck only added to the abnormality of the year. As we wrap up on 2020, please keep in mind that:

• The current Legislature will adjourn “Sine Die” on December 23 and bills that didn’t receive Immediate Effect will become effective on March 23, 2021.
• All legislation currently pending in the Legislature “dies” at the end of the year.
• New bills will begin being introduced when the 101st Legislature convenes in January.

As for the efforts on your behalf this year, we’d agree that this past year was extremely different from past years, but the following are some of the highlights.

• We were able to secure a $2.5 million appropriation to fund PTSD treatment programs and peer to peer assistance. We are working to launch that program in 2021 in coordination with Dr. Ken Wolf and others. This is an important step in providing critical incident care to our state first responders that deal with difficult situations day in and day out.
• House Bill 5623 sponsored by Representative Jack O’Malley and Senate Bill 832 sponsored by Senator Ken Horn were introduced to include county corrections in PA 312. We had a tremendous first victory in passing HB 5623 out of the House Commerce Committee. We will be working with the new House and Senate in 2021 to keep this issue moving forward.
• During the beginning of COVID-19, we successfully worked with the Whitmer administration to secure priority testing for first responders and important workers’ compensation changes to protect our officers when they are unable to work as a result of exposure to COVID-19.
• As we head toward 2021, former Livingston County Sheriff Bob Bezotte and former officer and deputy police chief TC Clements will be joining the legislature. There will be several former law enforcement officers serving in the State Legislature.

A Look Ahead to the New Year

A new two-year legislative term will officially kick-off on Wednesday, January 13, the first constitutionally required day that the Legislature convenes.

House of Representatives

The House of Representatives, with its 28 new members will be led by new Democratic and Republican leadership teams. Republicans, who maintained their 58-52 majority, selected Representative Jason Wentworth (R-Clare) as Speaker of the House, and the House Democratic caucus selected Representative Donna Lasinski (D-Scio Twp.) as House Democratic Leader.

While they all know each other, these new leaders will need to quickly forge strong working relationships with Governor Gretchen Whitmer, Senate Majority Leader Mike Shirkey (R-Clarklake), and Senate Democratic Leader Jim Ananich (D-Flint). The Senate was not up for election this year and therefore its leadership will not change in January.

Senate

In the Senate, where Republicans currently have a 22-16 majority, two Republican Senators will be departing after winning local elections this past November. This leaves Shirkey’s Republican caucus with a slim 20-16 majority. While there will need to be a special election called by the Governor to fill these two open seats, the districts are very Republican-leaning and, therefore, it’s expected that she’ll be in no hurry to call a specialist to fill them. The departures of both Senator Peter MacGregor (R-Rockford) and Senator Peter Lucido (R-Shelby Twp) will leave open their plum committee assignments for their colleagues to jockey over. These include the Senate Community Health/Human Services Appropriations Subcommittee and the Senate Judiciary & Public Safety Committee. Additionally, Senator MacGregor’s Senate Floor Leader leadership role will be transitioned to Senator Dan Lauwers (R-Port Huron).

Governor/Administration

The Governor is concluding her second year and it’s noteworthy that most of her appointed department directors remain in their roles. In her office, however, there have been significant changes, including the recent naming of a new Legislative Director. George Cook, formerly a lobbyist, took the reins in November and will continue in the role in this session. In 2021, we are watching for potential departures to join the President Biden administration. Early indication is that the current MI Department of Health and Human Services Director, Robert Gordon, is a possible choice for a significant appointment.

The Year Ahead

Below is a quick look at some of the key happenings that will occur early next year and several of the policy issues we expect will grab the headlines. We want to wish you a very happy and safe Holiday season. See you in 2021!

Upcoming Happenings in the Year

• January 13 – The official start of the new 2021-2022 legislative term.
• January – House committees, committee chairs, and committee membership are expected to be named.
• Late January or February – Governor Gretchen Whitmer will deliver the annual State of the State address where she will outline her policy goals and objectives for the upcoming year.
• February – Governor Gretchen Whitmer will present her executive budget recommendations to the House and Senate Appropriations Committees which will formally begin the state budget negotiations process.

Issues on the Horizon

During the first few months of the year, the caucuses will release their policy objectives and priorities for the 2021-2022 legislative term. Here are a few that we will be on those lists:

• The administration will continue to respond to the ongoing pandemic. Should Congress not pass additional funding for the states, the legislature will likely need to appropriate state funds to continue pandemic response and the vaccination of Michigan residents.
• After a tumultuous election year, it’s likely legislation will be introduced by both parties to ensure secure and accurate elections.
• Prior to October 1, 2021, the House and Senate will need to pass, and the governor will need to sign, the state budget for the upcoming fiscal year.

Our team will continue to keep you informed of all important dates and key information as it happens. We look forward to partnering with you in the upcoming year and continuing to be your eyes and ears in, and around, the Capitol.

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