Nine Approved Michigan Bills Remain in Legal Limbo

Bills passed by the state legislature over a year ago await a ruling from the Michigan Supreme Court.

Feb. 5, 2026 at 6:55pm

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A group of nine bills passed by both the Michigan House and Senate over a year ago are currently in legal limbo, waiting for the Michigan Supreme Court to weigh in. The bills cover a range of issues, including allowing Department of Corrections officers to enroll in a hybrid pension program, modifying wage garnishment laws, and expanding property exemptions. The delay in getting these bills to the governor's desk has raised concerns about the legislative process and the impact on public sector workers.

Why it matters

The stalled bills highlight potential issues with the legislative process in Michigan, as well as the real-world impacts that can result from bills getting stuck in limbo. The corrections officer pension bill, for example, is seen as crucial for addressing staffing shortages in the state's prisons, which can lead to dangerous conditions for officers, civilian workers, and inmates.

The details

The bills were passed by both the Michigan House and Senate over a year ago, but were prevented from reaching the governor's desk when House Republicans and one Democrat walked out during the session at the end of 2024. The Senate passed the House bills and sent them back, but then-House Speaker Joe Tate did not get them enrolled before the end of the term. The issue has since escalated into a lawsuit, with the Senate suing the House over the stalled bills. A Court of Claims judge ruled that the bills should have been sent to the governor, but stopped short of forcing the House to present them.

  • The bills were passed by both the Michigan House and Senate over a year ago, in 2023 and 2024.
  • At the end of 2024, Michigan House Republicans and one Democrat walked out during the session, preventing the group of bills from moving forward.
  • In February 2025, the Senate sued the House over the stalled bills.
  • A Court of Claims judge ruled in 2025 that the bills should have been sent to the governor, but did not force the House to present them.
  • The bills remain in legal limbo as of February 2026, awaiting a ruling from the Michigan Supreme Court.

The players

Byron Osborn

President of the Michigan Corrections Organization, a correctional officer in Michigan for over 30 years.

Winnie Brinks

Senate Majority Leader in Michigan.

Joe Tate

Former Speaker of the Michigan House of Representatives.

Matt Hall

Current Speaker of the Michigan House of Representatives.

Gretchen Whitmer

Governor of Michigan.

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What they’re saying

“It should have citizens in this state irate, I mean, what's to stop this from happening again? If they figure out that, hey, all we have to do is just conveniently forget to send them to the governor.”

— Byron Osborn, President, Michigan Corrections Organization (cbsnews.com)

“I don't know what happened behind the scenes in the House, what I do know is there is one person with the power to release those bills right now, and he needs to do that.”

— Winnie Brinks, Senate Majority Leader (cbsnews.com)

“We believe there are three people involved here. It's the former speaker when the Dems controlled the House, Joe Tate. Matt Hall is obviously withholding the bills now, and the governor is just standing by and watching it all.”

— Byron Osborn, President, Michigan Corrections Organization (cbsnews.com)

What’s next

The Michigan Supreme Court is expected to rule on the legality of the stalled bills in the coming months, which could pave the way for them to be sent to the governor's desk.

The takeaway

This situation highlights the potential for legislative gridlock and the need for greater transparency and accountability in the Michigan state government. The delay in these bills reaching the governor has real-world impacts on public sector workers and the communities they serve.