Advocacy News – Jan. 16, 2025
The House Select Committee on Protecting Michigan Employees and Small Businesses voted nearly unanimously earlier today (vote of 14-0-1 and 15-0-0) to send bills to the full House making the earned sick time (ESTA) and minimum wage laws more workable. The MI Chamber is pushing for a floor vote in the Michigan House early next week, and we remain hopeful the bills will pass in an overwhelmingly bipartisan fashion.
What we’re saying: The MI Chamber, in its testimony to the Committee, joined other chamber members and business leaders from across Michigan in highlighting the unique challenges organizations of all sizes face under these one-size-fits-all mandates and in support of House Bills 4001 and 4002. We reminded lawmakers that there are 36 days between now and Feb. 21, the scheduled effective date of these two new sweeping laws. Without changes to the laws as written, the decisions ahead for employers are difficult, which is why lawmakers must step in to soften the impact.
What happens next: Once a vote occurs in the full House, the bill will get sent to the Senate for consideration. The Senate can consider the bills as written or revise (amend) them. They can also consider their own versions of the bills, such as Senate Bills 15 (ESTA) and 8 (minimum wage). Action is not guaranteed in the Senate. In fact, we expect an uphill battle, so it will be important that business leaders continue to make their voices heard. Swift action is needed to avoid a situation where employers have to make two disruptive changes to their employee benefits in 2025.
Go deeper: Listen to the first day of Committee testimony; if you’d like to view the MI Chamber’s testimony, it starts at 43:16.
- Read the coalition leave-behind that the Chamber coordinated.
- View a full run-down of activities and compliance resources, including a grid that compares the House and Senate bills.
Contact Wendy Block with questions or to get involved.