Committee Considers Changes to Emergency Powers

Liz Gullett

Jun 17, 2022

The House Oversight Committee heard testimony this week on a 31-bill package making reforms to emergency powers that may be exercised by the governor and state departments. Republican members of the legislature did not agree with many of the steps taken by the Whitmer administration throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, such as the mask mandates and closing schools for in-person learning. This package represents their way of scaling back those powers by limiting the amount of time they may be used and involving the legislature in a meaningful way. Part of the plan ends the application of certain administrative authorities after 28 days, at which the legislature would decide whether circumstances warrant the extension of the emergency powers. The package would also require the executive branch to notify the legislature in a timely manner after some powers are exercised. The bill package remains before the committee for further consideration.

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