2018 House Bill 6553

Empower legislature to intervene in legal challenges to state laws

Introduced in the House

Nov. 29, 2018

Introduced by Rep. Rob VerHeulen (R-74)

To authorize and empower the state legislature, including either the House or Senate on their own, to intervene in any court of this state whenever they deem it necessary to protect a right or interest of this state, or of that body. The bill is reportedly intended to allow the incoming Republican legislature to pursue the legal defense of previously passed laws it favors should an incoming Democratic Attorney General, Secretary of State or Governor choose not to defend a particular law in court.

Referred to the Committee on Government Operations

Dec. 4, 2018

Reported without amendment

Without amendment and with the recommendation that the bill pass.

Passed in the House 58 to 50 (details)

Received in the Senate

Dec. 6, 2018

Referred to the Committee on Government Operations

Dec. 12, 2018

Reported without amendment

With the recommendation that the substitute (S-1) be adopted and that the bill then pass.

Dec. 20, 2018

Amendment offered by Sen. Curtis Hertel (D-23)

To require the state to pay "all costs of litigation incurred by a party because the legislature or a house of the legislature intervenes in an action".

The amendment failed 13 to 25 (details)

Amendment offered by Sen. Jim Ananich (D-27)

To limit the legislature to one intervention a year.

The amendment failed 13 to 25 (details)

Amendment offered by Sen. Jim Ananich (D-27)

To require a two-thirds vote of the House and Senate before the legislature may intervene in a case.

The amendment failed 13 to 25 (details)

Passed in the Senate 26 to 12 (details)

To authorize and empower the state legislature, including either the House or Senate on their own, to intervene in any court of this state whenever they deem it necessary to protect a right or interest of this state, or of that body. The bill is reportedly intended to allow the incoming Republican legislature to pursue the legal defense of previously passed laws it favors should an incoming Democratic Attorney General, Secretary of State or Governor choose not to defend a particular law in court.

Received in the House

Dec. 21, 2018

Passed in the House 60 to 47 (details)

To concur with the Senate-passed version of the bill.

Vetoed by Gov. Rick Snyder

Dec. 28, 2018