MEMBERS:
SEN. SUE SHINK, MAJORITY VICE CHAIR
SEN. PAUL WOJNO
SEN. JEFF IRWIN
SEN. SYLVIA SANTANA
SEN. JIM RUNESTAD, MINORITY VICE CHAIR
SEN. RUTH JOHNSON
THE SENATE
COMMITTEE ON CIVIL RIGHTS,
JUDICIARY, AND PUBLIC SAFETY
SENATOR STEPHANIE CHANG
CHAIR
4100 BINSFELD OFFICE BUILDING
P.O. BOX 30036
LANSING, MICHIGAN 48909-7536
PHONE: (517) 373-7346
FAX: (517) 373-9320
DRAFT
COMMITTEE MEETING MINUTES
May 1, 2025
A meeting of the Senate Committee on Civil Rights, Judiciary, and Public Safety was scheduled for Thursday,
May 1, 2025, at 12:00 p.m., in Room 1200 of the Binsfeld Office Building.
The agenda summary is as follows:
1. Reported SB 78 (Sen. Santana) with recommendation.
2. Testimony regarding SB 257 (Sen. Hertel).
3. Testimony regarding SB 258 (Sen. Singh).
4. Testimony regarding SB 259 (Sen. McMorrow).
5. Testimony regarding SB 260 (Sen. Irwin).
6. Testimony regarding SB 261 (Sen. Klinefelt).
The Chair called the meeting to order at 12:00 p.m. She instructed the Clerk to call the roll. At that time, the
following members were present: Chair Chang, Sen.(s) Wojno, Irwin and Santana, a quorum was present.
The Chair entertained a motion by Sen. Wojno to adopt the meeting minutes from April 17, 2025. Without
objection, the minutes were adopted.
The Chair brought up SB 78 and invited Sen. Santana to speak to the bill.
The cards were read of those individuals not wishing to present testimony regarding SB 78:
Warren Evans, Wayne County Executive – Support
Matt Saxton, Michigan Sheriff’s Association – Oppose
Jennifer peacock, Michigan Center for Youth Justice – Support
Alex Morris, Michigan Bankers – Neutral
Noah Smith, Criminal Defense Attorneys of Michigan – Support
John Cooper, Safe and Just Michigan - Support
The Chair entertained a motion by Sen. Santana to report SB 78 to the floor with recommendation that it pass.
The vote was as follows:
Yeas: Chair Chang, Sen.(s) Wojno, Irwin and Santana
Nays: None
The motion prevailed and the bill was reported.
The Chair brought up SB’s 257-261, and invited Sen.(s) Irwin and Singh to summarize the bills for committee.
The Chair invited the following individuals to present testimony regarding SB’s 257-261:
Joseph Bellgowan, Self – Support
Dave Campbell, Self – Support
Mark Behrens, American Tort Reform Association – Oppose
Emily Bice, Self – Support
Timothy Hassett, Self – Support
Michael Keifer, Self – Support
Brian Hurtekant, Self – Support
The Honorable Rosemarie Aquilina, Self - Support
The cards were read of those individuals not wishing to present testimony regarding SB’s 257-261:
Mitch Albers, Michigan Association for Justice – Support
Heath B. Lowry, MI Coalition to End Domestic & Sexual Violence – Support
Gabrielle Dresner, ACLU Mi – Oppose SB’s 257, 258, 260
Stephen Olsick, Self – Support
Bryan Derr, Self – Support
Kenneth Stockton, Self – Support
Christine Beals, Self – Support
Todd LaFayette, Self – Support
Steven Hill, Self – Support
Kaya Martinez, Self – Support
Richard Egtvedt, Shepherd of the Hills Lutheran Church – Support
Hanna Smith, Self – Support
Kellie Austin, Self – Support
Peggy Reali, Self – Support
Melanie Sakoda, Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests – Support
Jeresha Taylor, Self – Support
Michael Huebner, Self – Support
Taylor Lorenz, Self – Support
Arianna Clark, Self – Support
Terrance L. Borges, Self – Support
Brianna Monroe, Self and Blind Eye Movement Team – Support
Judy Larson, SNAP – Support
Tom Hickson, Michigan Catholic Conference – Oppose SB 257
Brian Broderick, Michigan Association of Nonpublic Schools – Oppose SB 257
The Chair moved to excuse absent members. Without objection, Sen.(s) Shink, Runestad and Johnson were
excused.
There being no further business before the committee, the Chair moved to adjourn the committee. Without
objection, the committee was adjourned at 1:12 p.m.
Date adopted by committee: