A resolution to authorize the Senate Majority Leader to commence legal action, on behalf of the Senate, to compel the House of Representatives to fulfill its constitutional duty to present to the Governor the nine remaining bills passed by both houses during the One Hundred Second Legislature.
Summary
Senate Resolution 3 authorizes the Michigan Senate Majority Leader to file suit on behalf of the Senate to force the House of Representatives to transmit nine enrolled bills to the Governor. The resolution states that Article IV, Section 33 of the Michigan Constitution requires every bill passed by the Legislature to be presented to the Governor, and it identifies the specific bills the Senate says were passed by both chambers but not forwarded: House Bills 4177 and 4665-4667 of 2023, and House Bills 4900-4901, 5817-5818, and 6058 of 2024.
The resolution is procedural and institutional rather than substantive on policy. It does not change the underlying subject matter of the nine bills; instead, it seeks to enforce the constitutional presentment process and preserve the Senate’s position that the House cannot unilaterally withhold bills from the Governor after both chambers have approved them. It also authorizes the Majority Leader to take all necessary steps related to litigation, including appeals.
Impact
If adopted, SR0003 would not amend the Michigan Compiled Laws directly, but it would affect legislative procedure and inter-chamber relations by empowering the Senate to pursue judicial relief against the House. Its practical impact is to seek immediate presentment of the nine listed bills to the Governor, which could determine whether those bills become law, are vetoed, or otherwise proceed through the constitutional enactment process. The resolution therefore affects the legislative process, separation of powers, and the status of the pending enrolled bills.
Sentiment
The sentiment reflected in the resolution is strongly supportive of legal action and assertive of the Senate’s constitutional authority. The sponsors characterize the House’s refusal to present the bills as a violation of the Michigan Constitution and frame the issue as one of enforcing a clear duty rather than negotiating policy differences. No committee transcript or vote record is provided, but the text itself indicates a firm, confrontational posture from the Senate majority.
Contention
The central point of contention is whether the House of Representatives has the authority to delay or withhold presentment of bills that have passed both chambers, versus the Senate’s view that presentment is mandatory and immediate under the constitution. The dispute is institutional and partisan in nature, involving the Senate Majority Leader and the House Speaker/House leadership. The underlying bills are not described in the resolution, so the conflict is not about their policy content but about control over the final step in the legislative process and the proper interpretation of Article IV, Section 33.
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