House Leadership Introduces Civil Service Reform

Liz Gullett

May 20, 2016

This week, Speaker of the House Kevin Cotter (R-Mount Pleasant) and Representative Dan Lauwers (R-Brockway) introduced legislation reforming Michigan’s civil service system and giving directors of state departments the ability to discipline or remove government workers. The package consists of a House Bill and a House Joint Resolution (HJR), which would amend the constitution. Unlike the bill, the HJR would need to receive the favorable vote of two-thirds of the House and Senate members. If it receives the legislative support necessary, it would then be placed before Michigan voters. Under the package as introduced, a department would have the ability to discipline or dismiss any employee who negatively impacts the department’s ability to accomplish its duties in a fair, timely, equitable, and transparent manner. The legislation also defines the process an employee would take to file a grievance with the Civil Service Commission. The legislation has been referred to the House Workforce and Talent Development Committee for consideration.

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