2023 Senate Resolution 11

A resolution to amend the Standing Rules of the Senate.

Resolved by the Senate, That Rule 1.101 of the Standing Rules of the Senate be hereby amended to read as follows:

1.101 PRESIDING OFFICER

a) The Lieutenant Governor shall be the President of the Senate and shall preside over all sessions of the Senate. If the Lieutenant Governor is absent, the President pro tempore, or Assistant President pro tempore, or Associate President pro tempore shall preside.

b) The Lieutenant Governor may vote only when the Senators are equally divided in their vote (see Const. Art. 5, Sec. 25).

c) In the absence of the President of the Senate, President pro tempore, and Assistant President pro tempore, and Associate President pro tempore, the Secretary of the Senate shall preside until the Senate shall appoint a Senator to act as presiding officer or until the President of the Senate, President pro tempore, or Assistant President pro tempore, or Associate President pro tempore shall appear. In the absence of all Senators, or all but one Senator, the Secretary of the Senate shall preside.

Resolved by the Senate, That Rule 1.104 of the Standing Rules of the Senate be hereby amended to read as follows:

1.104 ELECTION OF SENATE OFFICERS

a) At the first session of a quadrennium, a President pro tempore, and Assistant President pro tempore, and Associate President pro tempore shall be elected by a vote of a majority of the Senators elected and serving. All officers elected by the Senate hold office until their successors are elected and qualified or until the expiration of their Senate term, whichever occurs first.

b) Prior to the commencement of the quadrennium session, the majority party shall meet in an organizational caucus and elect a Majority Leader, Majority Floor Leader, Majority Whip, Majority Caucus Chairperson, Assistant Majority Leaders, Assistant Majority Floor Leaders, Assistant Majority Whip, and Assistant Majority Caucus Chairperson. At a similar organizational caucus, the minority party shall elect a Minority Leader, Minority Floor Leader, Minority Whip, Minority Caucus Chairperson, Assistant Minority Leader, Assistant Minority Floor Leader, Assistant Minority Whip, and Assistant Minority Caucus Chairperson.

c) All majority party Senate officers shall serve at the pleasure of the majority party caucus. All minority party Senate officers shall serve at the pleasure of the minority party caucus.

d) All majority and minority party caucuses shall be subject to Section 8 of the Open Meetings Act (see MCL 15.268).

Offered in the Senate

Feb. 16, 2023

Offered by Sen. Winnie Brinks (D-29)

Adopted in the Senate 20 to 17 (details)