Michigan State Senate

General Information
Party control: | Democrat
Session start: | January 14, 2026
Session end: | December 31, 2026
Term length: | 4 years
Term limits: | 12 combined years in the Legislature
Redistricting: | Commission
Salary: | $71,685/year + expenses
Members
Total: | 38
Democrats: | 19
Republicans: | 18
Other: | 0
Vacancies: | 1
Leadership
President: | Garlin Gilchrist II (D)
Maj. Leader: | Winnie Brinks (D)
Min. Leader: | Aric Nesbitt (R)
Elections
Last election: | November 8, 2022
Next election: | November 3, 2026

The Michigan State Senate is the upper chamber of the Michigan State Legislature. Alongside the Michigan House of Representatives, it forms the legislative branch of the Michigan state government and works alongside the governor of Michigan to create laws and establish a state budget. Legislative authority and responsibilities of the Michigan State Senate include passing bills on public policy matters, setting levels for state spending, raising and lowering taxes, and voting to uphold or override gubernatorial vetoes.

The Michigan State Senate meets in the state capitol building in Lansing, Michigan.

* All 38 seats in the Michigan State Senate are up for election in 2026.

* All 38 seats in the Michigan State Senate were up for election in 2022. The chamber flipped to a 20-18 Democratic majority.
* Michigan has a divided government where neither party holds a trifecta. The Democratic Party controls the office of governor and the upper chamber of the state legislature, while the Republican Party controls the lower chamber of the state legislature.

This page contains the following information on the Michigan State Senate.

* Which party controls the chamber
* The chamber's current membership
* Partisan control of the chamber over time
* Elections in the chamber and how vacancies are filled
* A district map
* How redistricting works in the state
* Legislation currently under consideration
* Legislative session dates
* Legislative procedures, such as veto overrides and the state budget process
* A list of committees

## Contents

* 1 Party control
* 1.1 Current partisan control
* 2 Members
* 2.1 Leadership
* 2.2 Leadership and members
* 2.3 Salaries
* 2.4 Swearing in dates
* 2.5 Membership qualifications
* 3 Historical party control
* 3.1 Trifecta history
* 4 Elections
* 4.1 Elections by year
* 4.2 2026
* 4.3 2022
* 4.4 2018
* 4.5 2014
* 4.6 2010
* 4.7 2006
* 4.8 2002
* 4.9 Term limits
* 4.10 Vacancies
* 5 District map
* 6 Redistricting
* 6.1 2020
* 6.2 2010
* 7 Sessions
* 7.1 Legislation
* 7.2 Dates of legislative sessions in Michigan by year
* 7.2.1 2026
* 7.2.2 2025
* 7.2.3 2024
* 7.2.4 2023
* 7.2.5 2022
* 7.2.6 2021
* 7.2.7 2020
* 7.2.7.1 Effect of coronavirus pandemic
* 7.2.8 2019
* 7.2.9 2018
* 7.2.10 2017
* 7.2.11 2016
* 7.2.12 2015
* 7.2.12.1 Major issues in 2015
* 7.2.13 2014
* 7.2.13.1 Major issues in 2014
* 7.2.14 2013
* 7.2.14.1 Major issues in 2013
* 7.2.15 2012
* 7.2.16 2011
* 7.2.16.1 Session highlights
* 7.2.16.1.1 Tax reform
* 7.2.17 2010
* 7.3 About legislative sessions in Michigan
* 8 Legislative roles and procedures
* 8.1 Veto overrides
* 8.2 Role in state budget
* 9 Committees
* 10 Constitutional amendments
* 10.1 Initiative
* 10.2 Legislature
* 10.3 Convention
* 11 See also
* 12 External links
* 13 Footnotes

## Party control[edit]

### Current partisan control[edit]

The table below shows the partisan breakdown of the Michigan State Senate as of March 2026:

Partisan composition, Michigan State SenateAs of March 2026

Party| Members
Democratic| 19
Republican| 18
Other| 0
Vacancies| 1
Total| 38

## Members[edit]

### Leadership[edit]

The lieutenant governor serves as the presiding officer of the Senate, known as the president of the Senate. The president can only vote when there is a tie. In the absence of the president, the president pro tempore presides. The president pro tempore, assistant president pro tempore, and associate president pro tempore are elected by a vote of a majority of the Senators.[1][2]

### Leadership and members[edit]

* Senate president: Garlin Gilchrist II (D)
* President Pro Tem: Jeremy Moss (D)
* Majority leader: Winnie Brinks (D)
* Minority leader: Aric Nesbitt (R)

Office | Name | Party | Date assumed office

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Michigan State Senate District 1 | Erika Geiss | Democratic  | January 1, 2023
Michigan State Senate District 2 | Sylvia Santana | Democratic  | January 1, 2023
Michigan State Senate District 3 | Stephanie Chang | Democratic  | January 1, 2023
Michigan State Senate District 4 | Darrin Camilleri | Democratic  | January 1, 2023
Michigan State Senate District 5 | Dayna Polehanki | Democratic  | January 1, 2023
Michigan State Senate District 6 | Mary Cavanagh | Democratic  | January 1, 2023
Michigan State Senate District 7 | Jeremy Moss | Democratic  | January 1, 2023
Michigan State Senate District 8 | Mallory McMorrow | Democratic  | January 1, 2023
Michigan State Senate District 9 | Michael Webber | Republican  | January 1, 2023
Michigan State Senate District 10 | Paul Wojno | Democratic  | January 1, 2023
Michigan State Senate District 11 | Veronica Klinefelt | Democratic  | January 1, 2023
Michigan State Senate District 12 | Kevin Hertel | Democratic  | January 1, 2023
Michigan State Senate District 13 | Rosemary Bayer | Democratic  | January 1, 2023
Michigan State Senate District 14 | Sue Shink | Democratic  | January 1, 2023
Michigan State Senate District 15 | Jeff Irwin | Democratic  | January 1, 2023
Michigan State Senate District 16 | Joseph Bellino | Republican  | January 1, 2023
Michigan State Senate District 17 | Jonathan Lindsey | Republican  | January 1, 2023
Michigan State Senate District 18 | Thomas Albert | Republican  | January 1, 2023
Michigan State Senate District 19 | Sean McCann | Democratic  | January 1, 2023
Michigan State Senate District 20 | Aric Nesbitt | Republican  | January 1, 2023
Michigan State Senate District 21 | Sarah Anthony | Democratic  | January 1, 2023
Michigan State Senate District 22 | Lana Theis | Republican  | January 1, 2019
Michigan State Senate District 23 | Jim Runestad | Republican  | January 1, 2023
Michigan State Senate District 24 | Ruth Johnson | Republican  | January 1, 2023
Michigan State Senate District 25 | Dan Lauwers | Republican  | January 1, 2019
Michigan State Senate District 26 | Kevin Daley | Republican  | January 1, 2023
Michigan State Senate District 27 | John Cherry | Democratic  | January 1, 2023
Michigan State Senate District 28 | Sam Singh | Democratic  | January 1, 2023
Michigan State Senate District 29 | Winnie Brinks | Democratic  | January 1, 2019
Michigan State Senate District 30 | Mark Huizenga | Republican  | January 1, 2023
Michigan State Senate District 31 | Roger Victory | Republican  | January 1, 2023
Michigan State Senate District 32 | Jon Bumstead | Republican  | January 1, 2023
Michigan State Senate District 33 | Rick Outman | Republican  | January 1, 2019
Michigan State Senate District 34 | Roger Hauck | Republican  | January 1, 2023
Michigan State Senate District 35 | Vacant |  |
Michigan State Senate District 36 | Michele Hoitenga | Republican  | January 1, 2023
Michigan State Senate District 37 | John Damoose | Republican  | January 1, 2023
Michigan State Senate District 38 | Ed McBroom | Republican  | January 1, 2019

### Salaries[edit]

See also: Comparison of state legislative salaries
State legislative salaries, 2025[3]

Salary| Per diem
$71,685/year| No per diem is paid.

### Swearing in dates[edit]

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

Michigan legislators assume office at noon on the first day of January.[4]

### Membership qualifications[edit]

See also: State legislature candidate requirements by state

Section 7 of Article 4 of the Michigan Constitution states, "Each senator and representative must be a citizen of the United States, at least 21 years of age, and an elector of the district he represents. The removal of his domicile from the district shall be deemed a vacation of the office. No person who has been convicted of subversion or who has within the preceding 20 years been convicted of a felony involving a breach of public trust shall be eligible for either house of the legislature."[5]

## Historical party control[edit]

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

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Democrats | 18 | 16 | 15 | 16 | 17 | 12 | 11 | 16 | 20
Republicans | 20 | 22 | 23 | 22 | 21 | 26 | 27 | 22 | 18

### Trifecta history[edit]

A state government trifecta is a term that describes single-party government, when one political party holds the governor's office and has majorities in both chambers of the legislature in a state government. Between 1992 and 2023, Michigan was under the following types of trifecta control:

* Democratic trifecta: 2023
* Republican trifecta: 1995-1996, 1999-2002, 2011-2018
* Divided government: 1992-1994, 1997-1998, 2003-2010, 2019-2022

Michigan Party Control: 1992-2026
Two years of Democratic trifectas • Fourteen years of Republican trifectas
Scroll left and right on the table below to view more years.

Year  | 92  | 93  | 94  | 95  | 96  | 97  | 98  | 99  | 00  | 01  | 02  | 03  | 04  | 05  | 06  | 07  | 08  | 09  | 10  | 11  | 12  | 13  | 14  | 15  | 16  | 17  | 18  | 19  | 20  | 21  | 22  | 23  | 24  | 25  | 26

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Governor | R | R | R | R | R | R | R | R | R | R | R | D | D | D | D | D | D | D | D | R | R | R | R | R | R | R | R | D | D | D | D | D | D | D | D
Senate | R | R | R | R | R | R | R | R | R | R | R | R | R | R | R | R | R | R | R | R | R | R | R | R | R | R | R | R | R | R | R | D | D | D | D
House | D | S | S | R | R | D | D | R | R | R | R | R | R | R | R | D | D | D | D | R | R | R | R | R | R | R | R | R | R | R | R | D | D | R | R

## Elections[edit]

### Elections by year[edit]

Michigan state senators serve four-year terms, with all seats up for election every four years. Michigan holds elections for its legislature in even years.

### 2026[edit]

See also: Michigan State Senate elections, 2026

Elections for the Michigan State Senate will take place in 2026. The general election is on November 3, 2026. The primary is August 4, 2026. The filing deadline is April 21, 2026.

### 2022[edit]

See also: Michigan State Senate 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.

In the 2022 elections, Democrats gained the majority in the Michigan State Senate with 20-18.

Michigan State Senate

Party  | As of November 8, 2022  | After November 9, 2022
| Democratic Party | 16  | 20
| Republican Party | 22 | 18
Total |  38 |  38

### 2018[edit]

See also: Michigan State Senate 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.[6]

In the 2018 elections, the Republican majority in the Michigan State Senate was reduced from 27-10 to 22-16.

Michigan State Senate

Party  | As of November 6, 2018  | After November 7, 2018
| Democratic Party | 10  | 16
| Republican Party | 27 | 22
| Vacancy  | 1  | 0
Total |  38 |  38
Click [show] to see election information dating back to 2002

### 2014[edit]

See also: Michigan State Senate 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.

Heading into the election, Republicans held a 26-12 majority. Republicans gained one seat in the election, giving them a 27-11 majority.

| Michigan State Senate

Party  | As of November 3, 2014  | After November 4, 2014
| Democratic Party | 12  | 11
| Republican Party | 26 | 27
Total |  38 |  38

### 2010[edit]

See also: Michigan State Senate 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.

Heading into the election, Republicans held a 22-16 majority. Republicans gained four seats in the election, giving them a 26-12 majority.

Michigan State Senate

Party  | As of November 1, 2010  | After the 2010 Election
| Democratic Party | 16  | 12
| Republican Party | 22 | 26
Total |  38 |  38

In 2010, the candidates running for state Senate raised a total of $16,309,515 in campaign contributions. The top 10 donors were:[7]

2010 Donors, Michigan State Senate

Donor  | Amount
Senate Republican Campaign Cmte of Michigan  | $2,652,845
Michigan Senate Democratic Fund  | $808,605
Wenke, Lorence  | $415,100
Trebesh, Michael Frederick  | $353,093
Mridha, Debasish  | $344,773
Michigan Beer & Wine Wholesalers Association  | $198,846
Michigan Chamber of Commerce  | $169,110
Michigan Education Association  | $163,425
Michigan Bankers Association  | $149,150
Michigan Association of Realtors  | $123,450

### 2006[edit]

See also: Michigan State Senate elections, 2006

Elections for the office of Michigan State Senate consisted of a primary election on August 8, 2006, and a general election on November 7, 2006.

During the 2006 election, the total of contributions to Senate candidates was $14,463,621. The top 10 contributors were:[8]

2006 Donors, Michigan State Senate

Donor  | Amount
Michigan Senate Republican Campaign Cmte  | $2,290,135
Senate Democratic Fund Of Michigan  | $1,293,060
Michigan Senate Democratic Caucus Fund  | $587,712
Williamson, Patsy Lou  | $330,165
Voorhees, Joanne M  | $206,970
Blue Cross Blue Shield Of Michigan  | $203,790
United Automobile Aerospace & Agricultural Implement Workers Of America  | $172,945
Michigan Beer & Wine Wholesalers Association  | $152,887
Maine Forest Products Council  | $152,650
Business Minded Democrats  | $148,050

### 2002[edit]

See also: Michigan State Senate elections, 2002

Elections for the office of Michigan State Senate consisted of a primary election on August 6, 2002, and a general election on November 5, 2002.

During the 2002 election, the total of contributions to Senate candidates was $13,900,019. The top 10 contributors were:[9]

2002 Donors, Michigan State Senate

Donor  | Amount
Senate Republican Campaign Cmte Of Michigan  | $1,433,934
Senate Democratic Fund Of Michigan  | $366,653
Pestka, Steve  | $318,100
Galloway, David N  | $300,000
Vear, Stephen A J  | $295,913
Estes, Michael  | $184,790
United Automobile Aerospace & Agricultural Implement Workers Of America  | $150,025
Michigan Beer & Wine Wholesalers Association  | $142,703
Nancy Cassis For State Representative  | $141,004
Blue Cross Blue Shield Of Michigan  | $133,050

### Term limits[edit]

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.

### Vacancies[edit]

See also: How vacancies are filled in state legislatures

If there is a vacancy in the Michigan State Legislature, the governor must call for a special election to fill the vacancy or direct that the vacancy be filled at the next general election.[10][11]

If the vacancy happens after the statewide primary election, the party organizations in the district select the party's nominee. The nominee must be voted on no later than 21 days after the vacancy occurred and at least 10 days before the general election.[12]

See sources: Michigan Const. Art. 5, § 13

## District map[edit]

See also: Michigan state legislative districts

The state of Michigan has 148 legislative districts. Each district elects one representative. The state Senate has 38 districts and the state House has 110 districts.

Use the interactive map below to find your district.

## Redistricting[edit]

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.[13]

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

### 2020[edit]

See also: Redistricting in Michigan after the 2020 census

On July 26, 2024, a three-judge panel of the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Michigan approved state Senate district boundaries submitted by the Michigan Independent Citizens Redistricting Commission (MICRC) on June 27, 2024, and authorized Michigan's secretary of state to implement the plan for the 2026 elections:[14]

“  | On December 21, 2023, we unanimously held that the Michigan Independent Citizens Redistricting Commission violated the Equal Protection Clause of the U.S. Constitution when it drew the boundaries of thirteen state-legislative districts—seven House districts, and six Senate—predominantly on the basis of race. We therefore enjoined the Michigan Secretary of State, Jocelyn Benson, from holding further elections in those districts as they were drawn. ... The Commission has now submitted a revised Senate map, which Plaintiffs agree 'eliminates the predominate use of race that characterized' the previous plan. ... We have reviewed the record before us and agree that the new Senate map complies with this court’s December 21, 2023, opinion and order. ... Federal law provides us no basis to reject the Commission’s remedial Senate plan. The Secretary of State may proceed to implement the Commission’s remedial Senate plan for the next election cycle.[15] | ”

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The MICRC voted on June 26 to approve the state Senate map called Crane A1.[16]

On March 27, 2024, the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Michigan approved new state House district boundaries drawn by the MICRC for use in the 2024 elections. According to the court order:[17]

“  | On December 21, 2023, we unanimously held that the Michigan Independent Citizens Redistricting Commission violated the Equal Protection Clause of the U.S. Constitution when it drew the boundaries of thirteen state-legislative districts—seven House districts, and six Senate—predominantly on the basis of race. We therefore enjoined the Michigan Secretary of State, Jocelyn Benson, from holding further elections in those districts as they are currently drawn. ... The Commission has now submitted a revised House plan, to which the plaintiffs have submitted several objections. We have reviewed the record before us and now overrule those objections.[15] | ”

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The MICRC voted 10-3 on February 28, 2024, to adopt the new state House map known as “Motown Sound FC E1."

The U.S. District Court for the Western District of Michigan struck down the state House and Senate maps on December 21, 2023.[18]

### 2010[edit]

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, resulting in Michigan's U.S. Congressional delegation decreasing in size from 15 to 14 seats.[19][20] A substantial population shift occurred from Detroit proper into the suburban areas.[21]

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.

## Sessions[edit]

### Legislation[edit]

The legislation tracker below displays all legislation that the Michigan State Senate has approved in its most recent legislative session—this includes legislation that has been sent from the Senate to the House and legislation that has already been approved by the House and signed by the governor after its passage in the Senate. The table below includes the bill number, its name, progress, most recent action date, and sponsor. Scroll up and down and side to side to see more. Click the bill number to read the bill text and see its voting history. Click the headings to sort the content. Rearrange the order of the headings by clicking and dragging them. Click the magnifying glass in the bottom left corner to search for specific terms. The legislation tracker is maintained and updated by BillTrack50.

### Dates of legislative sessions in Michigan by year[edit]

#### 2026[edit]

See also: 2026 Michigan legislative session and Dates of 2026 state legislative sessions

In 2026, the legislature was scheduled to convene on January 14, 2026, and adjourn on December 31, 2026.

Click [show] for past years' session dates.

#### 2025[edit]

See also: 2025 Michigan legislative session and Dates of 2025 state legislative sessions

In 2025, the legislature was scheduled to convene on January 8, 2025, and adjourn on December 31, 2025.

#### 2024[edit]

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

In 2024, the legislature was scheduled to convene on January 10, 2024, and adjourn on December 23, 2024.

#### 2023[edit]

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.

#### 2022[edit]

See also: 2022 Michigan legislative session and Dates of 2022 state legislative sessions

In 2022, the legislature was scheduled to convene on January 12, 2022, and adjourn on December 28, 2022.

#### 2021[edit]

See also: 2021 Michigan legislative session and Dates of 2021 state legislative sessions

In 2021, the legislature was scheduled to convene on January 13, 2021, and adjourn on December 31, 2021.

#### 2020[edit]

See also: 2020 Michigan legislative session and Dates of 2020 state legislative sessions

In 2020, the legislature was scheduled to convene on January 8, 2020, and adjourn on December 31, 2020.

##### Effect of coronavirus pandemic[edit]

See also: Changes to state legislative session dates in response to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, 2020

Coronavirus pandemic
Select a topic from the dropdown below to learn more.

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Several state legislatures had their sessions impacted as a result of the 2020 coronavirus pandemic. No modifications to state legislative activity in Michigan were made.

A special session of the Michigan State Legislature convened on April 24, 2020.[22]

#### 2019[edit]

See also: 2019 Michigan legislative session and Dates of 2019 state legislative sessions

In 2019, the legislature was in session from January 9, 2019, through December 31, 2019.

#### 2018[edit]

See also: 2018 Michigan legislative session and Dates of 2018 state legislative sessions

In 2018, the legislature was in session from January 10, 2018, through December 31, 2018. To read about notable events and legislation from this session, click here.

#### 2017[edit]

See also: Dates of 2017 state legislative sessions

In 2017, the legislature was in session from January 11, 2017, through December 31, 2017.

Click [show] to read about 2017 tax incentives legislation.

* On July 12, 2017, the Michigan House passed the bills 71-35, with 40 Republicans and 31 Democrats voting in favor of the bills. As of July 2017, Republicans had a 63-45 majority in the chamber. The Senate passed the bills in March 32-5, with five Republican senators voting against them.[23] As of July 2017, Republicans had a 27-11 majority in the Senate. Gov. Rick Snyder (R) voiced support for the legislation, saying, "We are now enacting forward-thinking policies that make us more competitive for new jobs and industries in a fiscally responsible fashion."[24] The bills were sent to Gov. Snyder on July 14, 2017. He signed the legislation on July 26, 2017.[25]

* Supporters of the bills—including some Democrats and some Republicans in both chambers and business groups in the state—said that the bills would be key to bringing businesses to Michigan and creating new jobs. Opponents—such as House Speaker Tom Leonard (R) and conservative groups like Americans for Prosperity Michigan and the Michigan Freedom Fund—argued that the legislation would allow the government to pick winners and losers and amount to, what a spokesperson from Americans for Prosperity Michigan called, sweetheart tax deals.[26]

#### 2016[edit]

See also: Dates of 2016 state legislative sessions

In 2016, the legislature was in session from January 13 through December 31.

#### 2015[edit]

See also: Dates of 2015 state legislative sessions

In 2015, the legislature was in session from January 14 through December 17.

##### Major issues in 2015[edit]

Major issues in the 2015 legislative session included energy policy and a possible repeal of the state's prevailing wage law.[27][28]

#### 2014[edit]

See also: Dates of 2014 state legislative sessions

In 2014, the legislature was in session from January 8 through December 31.

##### Major issues in 2014[edit]

Major issues in the 2014 legislative session included allocation of an estimated $971 million surplus over three years, which some Republicans said should go towards a tax reduction.[29][30]

#### 2013[edit]

See also: Dates of 2013 state legislative sessions

In 2013, the legislature was in session from January 9 to December 31.

##### Major issues in 2013[edit]

Major issues included the regulatory structure of Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan, increased transportation funding, education, and pension changes.[31]

#### 2012[edit]

See also: Dates of 2012 state legislative sessions

In 2012, the legislature was in session from January 11 to December 27.

#### 2011[edit]

In 2011, the legislature was in session from January 12 through December 28.

##### Session highlights[edit]

###### Tax reform[edit]

In the 2011 session, Michigan was a key battleground on corporate taxes. Governor Rick Snyder (R) had said during his campaign he would eliminate the "Michigan Business Tax." Governor Snyder replaced the tax with a flat 6 percent corporate income tax.[32]

#### 2010[edit]

In 2010, the legislature convened its session on January 13th, and it remained in session throughout the year.

### About legislative sessions in Michigan[edit]

The Tenth Amendment of the U.S. Constitution declares that any power not already given to the federal government is reserved to the states and the people.[33] State governments across the country use this authority to hold legislative sessions where a state's elected representatives meet for a period of time to draft and vote on legislation and set state policies on issues such as taxation, education, and government spending. The different types of legislation passed by a legislature may include resolutions, legislatively referred constitutional amendments, and bills that become law.

Article IV of the Michigan Constitution establishes when the Michigan Legislature, of which the Senate is a part, is to be in session. Section 13 of Article IV states that the legislature is to convene on the second Wednesday in January of each year. Section 13 gives the Legislature the power to determine its date of adjournment through concurrent resolution.[34]

## Legislative roles and procedures[edit]

Every state legislature throughout the country features its own internal procedures that it uses to govern itself and how it interacts with other parts of state government. Ballotpedia's coverage of internal state legislative procedures includes veto overrides, the role of the legislature in the state budget, term limits, procedures for filling membership vacancies, and redistricting.

### Veto overrides[edit]

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."

### Role in state budget[edit]

See also: Michigan state budget and finances
Michigan on

Check out Ballotpedia articles about policy in your state on:
Budgets • Civil liberties • Education • Elections • Energy • Environment • Healthcare • Pensions

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The state operates on an annual budget cycle. The sequence of key events in the budget process is as follows:[35]

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 44 states in which the governor has line item veto authority.[35][36]

The governor is constitutionally required to submit a balanced budget proposal. Likewise, the state legislature is required to pass a balanced budget.[35]

## Committees[edit]

See also: List of committees in Michigan state government

Every state legislature and state legislative chamber in the country contains several legislative committees. These committees are responsible for studying, amending, and voting on legislation before it reaches the floor of a chamber for a full vote. The different types of committees include standing committees, select or special, and joint.

* Standing committees are generally permanent committees, the names of which sometimes change from session to session.
* Select or special committees are temporary committees formed to deal with specific issues such as recent legislation, major public policy or proposals, or investigations.
* Joint committees are committees that feature members of both chambers of a legislature.

Ballotpedia covers standing and joint committees. The Michigan State Senate has 17 standing committees:

* Civil Rights, Judiciary, and Public Safety Committee
* Economic and Small Business Development Committee
* Education and Career Readiness Committee
* Elections Committee
* Energy and Environment Committee
* Finance Committee
* Health Policy and Human Services
* Housing and Human Services Committee
* Labor Committee
* Local Government Committee
* Natural Resources and Agriculture Committee
* Senate Appropriations Committee
* Senate Government Operations Committee
* Senate Oversight Committee
* Senate Regulatory Reform Committee
* Transportation and Infrastructure Committee
* Veterans and Emergency Services Committee

## Constitutional amendments[edit]

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[edit]

See also: Initiated constitutional amendment

An initiated constitutional amendment is a citizen-initiated ballot measure that amends a state's constitution. Eighteen (18) states 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[edit]

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 26 votes in the Michigan State Senate, assuming no vacancies. Amendments do not require the governor's signature to be referred to the ballot.

#### Convention[edit]

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

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|
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Michigan | 16 years | 2010 | 2026

## See also[edit]

Elections | Michigan State Government | State Legislatures | State Politics

|
|
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* Michigan State Senate elections, 2026
* Michigan State Senate elections, 2022
* Michigan State Senate elections, 2018
* Michigan State Senate elections, 2014

* Michigan State Legislature
* Michigan House of Representatives
* Governor of Michigan
* Michigan Supreme Court

* State legislative elections: 2026, 2025, 2024, 2023, 2022, 2021, 2020, 2019, and 2018

* State government trifectas
* State government triplexes
* State executives
* State courts
* Ballot measures
* The State Legislative Decade

## External links[edit]

* Michigan Legislature
* Michigan State Senate
* Michigan House of Representatives

## Footnotes[edit]

1. ↑ Michigan Legislature, "Senate Rules," accessed February 12, 2021 (Referenced Ch. 1, Sec. 1)
2. ↑ Michigan Senate, "Michigan State Senate Officers," accessed February 12, 2021
3. ↑ National Conference of State Legislatures, "2025 Legislator Compensation," December 2, 2025
4. ↑ Michigan Constitution, "Article XI, Section 2," accessed February 12, 2021
5. ↑ Michigan Constitution, "Article IV, Section 7," accessed May 21, 2025
6. ↑ Michigan.gov, "2018 Michigan election dates," accessed November 9, 2017
7. ↑ Follow the Money, "Michigan 2010 - Candidates," accessed September 3, 2014
8. ↑ Follow the Money, "Michigan 2006 - Candidates," accessed August 23, 2013
9. ↑ Follow the Money, "Michigan 2002 - Candidates," accessed August 23, 2013
10. ↑ Michigan Legislature, "Statute 168.178, Michigan Compiled Laws," accessed February 12, 2021
11. ↑ Michigan Legislature, "Constitution of Michigan of 1963, Article 5, Section 13," accessed February 12, 2021
12. ↑ Michigan Legislature, "Statute 168.634 (1)-(2), Michigan Compiled Laws," accessed May 22, 2014
13. ↑ Michigan Radio, "Redistricting proposal passes in Michigan," November 6, 2018
14. ↑ Michigan Advance, "Federal court grants final approval to new Michigan Senate districts," July 26, 2024
15. ↑ 15.0 15.1 Note: This text is quoted verbatim from the original source. Any inconsistencies are attributable to the original source.
16. ↑ Michigan Advance, "Redistricting commission selects a proposed Senate map on 6th round of voting," June 27, 2024
17. ↑ PacerMonitor, "Opinion and order," March 27, 2024
18. ↑ Michigan Public, "Federal court finds Detroit-area legislative districts unconstitutional, orders them redrawn," December 21, 2023
19. ↑ U.S. Census Bureau, "2010 Census: Michigan Profile," accessed February 12, 2021
20. ↑ The Hill, "Longtime Dem Reps. Levin and Dingell could face redistricting danger", December 22, 2010
21. ↑ Rose Institute of State and Local Government, "Michigan," accessed February 12, 2021
22. ↑ Michigan Radio, "Lawmakers return to Lansing Friday for special session," accessed April 25, 2020
23. ↑ Detroit Free Press, "Michigan Senate approves more tax breaks for businesses," March 29, 2017
24. ↑ Michigan.gov, "Gov. Rick Snyder's statement regarding passage of Good Jobs legislation," July 12, 2017
25. ↑ Fox2Detroit, "Snyder signs bill to give tax breaks for Michigan jobs," July 26, 2017
26. ↑ MLive.com, "'Good Jobs' bills for new business tax incentives heads to governor," July 12, 2017
27. ↑ MLive, "Q&A with Senate Majority Leader Arlan Meekhof: Energy policy, prevailing wage repeal on agenda," January 20, 2015
28. ↑ MLive, "Michigan Republicans making new push for prevailing wage repeal in state Legislature," January 15, 2015
29. ↑ Crain's Detroit Business, "Mich. has nearly $1B more than expected for budget," January 10, 2014
30. ↑ Detroit Free Press, "Michigan GOP puts tax break atop 2014 agenda, Bolger says," January 9, 2014
31. ↑ South Bend Tribune, "Michigan Legislature starts tamer two-year session today," January 9, 2013
32. ↑ MLive, "Gov. Rick Snyder signs Michigan business/income tax overhaul into law," May 25, 2011
33. ↑ Find Law, "Tenth Amendment - U.S. Constitution," accessed February 12, 2021
34. ↑ Michigan Legislature, "Constitution of the State of Michigan," accessed February 12, 2021
35. ↑ 35.0 35.1 35.2 National Association of State Budget Officers, "Budget Processes in the States, Spring 2021," accessed January 24, 2023
36. ↑ National Conference of State Legislatures, "Separation of Powers: Executive Veto Powers," accessed January 26, 2024

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