2022 House Bill 6194

Revise laws to incorporate lessons learned from COVID epidemic

Introduced in the House

June 9, 2022

Introduced by Rep. Bronna Kahle (R-57)

To limit the duration of an emergency order issued by the state health department to 28 days. Note: In October of 2020, in the midst of the coronavirus epidemic, the Michigan Supreme Court invalidated a 1945 law under which Gov. Gretchen Whitmer had claimed authority to govern the state indefinitely through emergency orders with no time limitation. In response, the Governor ordered essentially the same open-ended orders to be imposed under a provision of the state Public Health Code, which this bill would amend by adding the 28 day limit. This is part of a Republican legislative package amending various laws to incorporate lessons learned from the 2020 coronavirus epidemic.

Referred to the Committee on Oversight

June 22, 2022

Reported without amendment

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

July 1, 2022

Passed in the House 56 to 48 (details)

Received in the Senate

Sept. 7, 2022

Referred to the Committee on Oversight

Sept. 22, 2022

Reported without amendment

With the recommendation that the bill pass.

Sept. 28, 2022

Passed in the Senate 22 to 14 (details)

To limit the duration of an emergency order issued by the state health department to 28 days. Note: In October of 2020, in the midst of the coronavirus epidemic, the Michigan Supreme Court invalidated a 1945 law under which Gov. Gretchen Whitmer had claimed authority to govern the state indefinitely through emergency orders with no time limitation. In response, the Governor ordered essentially the same open-ended orders to be imposed under a provision of the state Public Health Code, which this bill would amend by adding the 28 day limit. This is part of a Republican legislative package amending various laws to incorporate lessons learned from the 2020 coronavirus epidemic.

Vetoed by Gov. Gretchen Whitmer

Oct. 14, 2022

Received in the House

Nov. 10, 2022

Referred to the Committee on Oversight