2021 House Bill 4501

Refund employer fines levied under “unlimited” emergency law ruled unconstitutional

Introduced in the House

March 11, 2021

Introduced by Rep. Timothy Beson (R-96)

To require the Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs to refund to employers civil penalties they imposed for violating an emergency order issued under a 1945 emergency powers law that has been ruled unconstitutional because it lets a governor govern unilaterally during a state of emergency with no time limit.

Referred to the Committee on Government Operations

May 20, 2021

Reported without amendment

Without amendment and with the recommendation that the bill pass.

May 25, 2021

Passed in the House 74 to 34 (details)

To require the Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs to refund to employers civil penalties they imposed for violating an emergency order issued under a 1945 emergency powers law that has been ruled unconstitutional for letting a governor govern unilaterally during a state of emergency with no time limit.

Received in the Senate

May 26, 2021

Referred to the Committee on Economic and Small Business Development

June 8, 2021

Reported without amendment

With the recommendation that the bill pass.

Nov. 2, 2021

Passed in the Senate 19 to 16 (details)

To require the Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs to refund to employers civil penalties they imposed for violating an emergency order issued under a 1945 emergency powers law that has been ruled unconstitutional because it lets a governor govern unilaterally during a state of emergency with no time limit.

Vetoed by Gov. Gretchen Whitmer

Nov. 11, 2021

Received in the House

Nov. 30, 2021

Referred to the Committee on Government Operations