The question being on the motion to suspend the joint rule,
Point of Order
Senator Lauwers raised the Point of Order that the conference report is a violation of article IV, section 24 of the Michigan Constitution. The Constitution mandates that, “No law shall embrace more than one object. … No bill shall be altered or amended on its passage through either house so as to change its original purpose as determined by its total content and not alone by its title.”
The President, Lieutenant Governor Gilchrist, ruled that the conference report on House Bill No. 4001 does not violate this constitutional provision because it contains sections of the bill as introduced.
Point of Order
Senator Lauwers raised the Point of Order that this conference report violates Joint Rule 8—“The conference committee shall not consider any matters other than the matters of difference between the two houses.” Today the conference report we are being asked to vote on adds several sections that were never before considered in either the House- or Senate-passed versions of House Bill No. 4001, and is therefore in violation of Joint Rule 8.
The President, Lieutenant Governor Gilchrist, ruled that the conference report is not in violation of the joint rule. There are no Senate amendments pending and what is before the Senate is the conference report itself. The conference report can include amendments to effect its agreement according to Joint Rule 8: “When the conferees arrive at an agreement on the matters of difference that affects other parts of the bill or resolution, the conferees may recommend amendments to conform with the agreement.”
Senator Lauwers appealed the decision of the Chair.
The question being shall the decision of the Chair stand as the judgment of the Senate,
Senator Lauwers requested the yeas and nays.
The yeas and nays were ordered, 1/5 of the members present voting therefor.
The decision of the Chair stood as the judgment of the Senate, a majority of the members voting therefor, as follows: