102nd Legislature Comes to an End
The end of 2024 also meant an end to the 102nd Legislature, and it was a busy time. In addition to five of my bills being signed into law, three more are awaiting the governor’s signature.
House Bill 4095 came about over the tragic Oxford High School shooting. It requires standardized response terminology so police agencies responding to an emergency are on the same page. HB 5166 requires the Department of Health and Human Services to maintain a perinatal quality network to support and improve maternal and infant health outcomes. HB 5435 mandated insurance companies cover the cost of hormonal contraceptives prescribed and dispensed by a pharmacist.
103rd Legislature features split Legislature and New Committee Assignments
The 103rd Legislature also means split government, with Republicans controlling the House and Democrats in control of the Senate.
The change over means a new Speaker of the House, state Rep. Matt Hall, and new committee chairs. For example, I am no longer the chair of the House Committee on Families, Children and Seniors. In fact, the committee no longer exists, and it’s now the Committee on Families and Veterans.
I’m honored to share that I have been appointed as the minority vice chair of the House Families and Veterans Committee for the 103rd Legislature. In this role, I will continue advocating for policies that support Michigan families and honor the service of our veterans.
Our families and veterans deserve strong, compassionate leadership that ensures they have access to the resources and support they need. I look forward to working across the aisle to create meaningful change in our communities. As always, I remain committed to uplifting Michigan families, advancing community violence intervention and expanding access to health care and education.
Traditionally, the committees are broken up by policy and appropriations. They have added a third group – Oversight. The Oversight Committee will have subpoena power, with six new subcommittees: weaponization of state government, child welfare system, corporate subsidies and state investments, public health and food security, homeland security and foreign influence and state and local public assistance programs.
New Speaker Refuses to Pass on Bills to the Governor
The Speaker of the House has refused to pass on nine bills passed in the prior legislative session to the governor. These nine bills that will make a positive impact on Michiganders were ordered enrolled and referred to be presented to Gov. Gretchen Whitmer by our chamber and the Senate last year.
Among the bills being held hostage are House Bills 4177, 5817 and 5818, a legislative package sponsored by state Reps. Tyrone Carter (D-Detroit) and Samantha Steckloff (D-Farmington Hills) that would allow history museums in Detroit to seek a property tax millage from Wayne County voters. Other bills include bills that would put corrections officers into the State Police pension system, HBs 4665- 4667, and exempting public assistance, disability and worker’s compensation from garnishment to repay debts, HBs 4900-4901.
House Democrats are using every available tool to get these bills to the governor’s desk.
Detroit Caucus Officers Elected
I was honored to be elected as Detroit Caucus Chair for the 2025-26 legislative term! I’m committed to making sure the voices of my hometown are heard in Lansing, as well as those from the other parts of my district which include S. Redford Township and parts of southeastern Livonia.
My colleagues and I will work to create policies that promote equity, opportunity, and progress for all Detroiters. The 21-member bicameral caucus is the largest voting bloc in the Legislature. Other officers include Rep. Helena Scott, vice-chair; Rep. Regina Weiss, secretary; and Rep. Tonya Phillips Myers, treasurer.
Elected to Chair the Democratic Caucus
I was elected by my fellow House Democratic Caucus members to be the Democratic Caucus Chair for the 103rd Legislature. Among the duties of the Caucus Chair is to set the agenda for and to preside over weekly Caucus meetings and other official activities.
My assistant Caucus Chairs are state Reps. Kara Hope and Julie Rogers.
New Laws Going Into Effect
As of December 31, 2024, eggs sold in Michigan grocery stores must come from “cage free” chickens. The law excludes producers with 3,000 or fewer chickens, but most eggs sold in Michigan come from larger operators. The bipartisan bill was signed into law in 2019, but the law only went into effect at the end of December to give producers more time to prepare.
Automatic Voter Registration: Eligible individuals applying for a driver’s license or state ID are now automatically registered to vote, streamlining the registration process and encouraging higher voter participation.
Cardiac Emergency Response Plans: All public and private schools are required to develop comprehensive cardiac emergency response plans and maintain a working Automatic External Defibrillator (AED). The plan must include the establishment of a response team, procedures for activating the team, regular maintenance of the AED, and routine training for staff in CPR and AED usage.
Expanded unemployment benefits: Starting April 1, unemployed Michigan workers will be eligible for additional weekly benefits for up to six months under legislation signed by Gov. Gretchen Whitmer in December.
The legislation expands eligibility for unemployment benefits from 20 to 26 weeks and will also bump the weekly maximum benefit from $362 per week to $446 this year, increasing to $614 per week by 2027. After that, the maximum weekly benefit will be tied to inflation rates.
February Community Conversation
My first Community Conversation of 2025 featured a wrap up of 2024 and a preview of the upcoming Legislative session.
I hope to see virtually for my February Community Conversation, Monday, Feb. 10 at 10 a.m. Join me on zoom at:
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/81476197524?pwd=OFVieEFlMUNYbmg3NnRiYUZlR3JwZz09
Meeting ID: 814 7619 7524
Passcode: 356437
However, if you cannot make it in person, you can also watch Live on Facebook or at any time later at www.facebook.com/RepStephanieYoung
Detroit Caucus Small Business Free Resource Expo
The Detroit Caucus is excited to be joining state Rep. Laurie Pohutsky as her special guest for our second Small Business Resources Expo. Please join us on Saturday, Feb. 8 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Global Empowerment, 21630 W. Seven Mile Road in Detroit. This is open to all entrepreneurs and small businesses looking to start and grow their businesses.