to adopt the meeting minutes from November 12, 2024.
Representative DeBoyer moved to adopt the meeting minutes from November 12, 2024. There being no objection, the motion prevailed by unanimous consent. The Chair laid SB 401, SB 402, SB 403 and SB 404 before the committee: SB 401 (Sen. Camilleri) A bill to create a state voting rights act; to provide for the powers and duties of certain state and local governmental officers and entities; to provide for a court-appointed monitor under certain circumstances; to prohibit certain discriminatory activity and to prescribe civil sanctions; to create a fund; to provide remedies; to prescribe penalties; and to repeal acts and parts of acts. SB 402 (Sen. Moss) A bill to create a voting and elections database and institute; to provide for the powers and duties of certain state and local governmental officers and entities; and to provide remedies. SB 403 (Sen. Chang) A bill to provide for language assistance for elections; to provide for the powers and duties of certain state and local governmental officers and entities; to create the language access advisory council; and to provide for remedies. SB 404 (Sen. Geiss) A bill to amend 1954 PA 116, entitled "Michigan election law," by amending sections 726, 736, and 751 (MCL 168.726, 168.736, and 168.751), and by adding sections 653c, 653d, 653e, 726a, and 753a; and to repeal acts and parts of acts. Senator Camilleri gave testimony in support of SB 401 though SB 404. Questions and discussion followed. Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson, joined by Deputy Secretary of State Aghogho Edevbie, gave testimony in support of SB 401 through SB 404. Questions and discussion followed. Chris Swope joined by Mary Clark, representing the Michigan Association of Municipal Clerks, gave testimony on SB 401 through SB 404. Questions and discussion followed. Lisa Brown gave testimony on SB 401 through SB 404. Questions and discussion followed. Merissa Kovach, representing the American Civil Liberties Union of Michigan, joined by Erica Peresman, representing Promote the Vote, gave testimony in support of SB 401 through SB 404. Questions and discussion followed. Demetria McCain, representing the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People's Legal Defense Fund, joined by Latta Nott, representing the Campaign Legal Center, gave testimony in support of SB 401 through SB 404. Rima Meroueh, representing the National Network for Arab American Communities, gave testimony in support of SB 401 through SB 404. Eric Welsby, representing Detroit Disability Power, gave testimony in support of SB 401 through SB 404. Questions and discussion followed. Deputy Secretary of State Aghogho Edevbie returned to testify on SB 401 through SB 404. The following people submitted a card in support of SB 401, but due to the time constraints were unable to speak: Denise Hartsough, representing the League of Women Voters of Michigan. The following people submitted a card in opposition to SB 401, but due to the time constraints were unable to speak: Tim Maurd-Vetter, representing the Republican Party Delegate. Sheri Ritchie, representing the Pure Integrity Michigan Elections, Michigan Fair Elections, Stand Up Michigan, The Freedom Alliance, Mid-Michigan Women for Conservative Values. The following people submitted a card with a neutral position on SB 401, but did not wish to speak: Dave Hodgkins, representing the Michigan Municipal League. The following people submitted a card in support of SB 401, but did not wish to speak: Deb Otis, representing the FairVote Action. Ben Gardner, representing the All Voting is Local Action. Jeffrey Kroon. Sherri Boyd, representing the The Arc Michigan. Michelle Roberts, representing the Disability Rights Michigan. David Weinberg, representing the Brennan Center for Justice. Rachel Richards, representing the Michigan League for Public Policy. Michael Pernick, representing the Legal Defense Fund. Rhonda Collins. Dr. Lucetry Dalton-Trusty. Moniqne Washington, representing the Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. Valissa Armstead, representing the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People, Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. Dr. Nikla Smith, representing the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People, Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. Venus J. Brown, representing the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People, Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. Kamryn Calloway, representing the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People, Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. Kimberly Calloway, representing the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People, Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. Lynise Barbee, representing the Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. Kimberly Fisher, representing the Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc Social Action Committee. Patrick Stegemoeller, representing the Asian American Legal Defense and Education Fund. Kurtis Fernandez, representing the Asian and Pacific Islander American Vote of Michigan. Beth Kelly Byrd, representing the Service Employees International Union of Michigan. Logan Vonce, representing the Michigan League of Conservative Voters. Sara Ismail, representing the National Network for Arab American Communities. Brendan Cushing, representing the Generation Vote. Charlene Vanacker. Kim Murray-Kovalick, representing the Voters Not Politicians. Stephanie Szymas, representing the Secure Democracy. Donyale Stephen-Atara, representing the Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. Connor Kozisek, representing the Chicago Lawyers' Committee for Civil Rights, United Congress of Community and Religious Organizations. Phi Nguyen, representing the Demos. Jim Ryan, representing the Oakland County Board of Commissioners. Lata Nott, representing the Campaign Legl Center. Brett Edkins, representing the Stand Up America. Quentin Turner, representing the Common Cause Michigan. Zaria Mariko Guignard, representing the Asian Americans Advancing Justice. Lucy Taylor. Noelle Damico, representing the Workers Circle. Anita Richardson, representing the Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. Vickie Ellis. Michelle Kanter Cohen, representing the Fair Elections Center. Brenda Ryan. Rhonda Farrell-Butler, representing the Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. Candis Thomas, representing the Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. The following people submitted a card in opposition to SB 401, but did not wish to speak: Mike Batterbee, representing the Michigan Township Association.