Bollin pitches constitutional amendment requiring a supermajority to pass bills during lame duck

In an effort to “increase accountability in Michigan’s legislative process,” state Rep. Ann Bollin (R-Brighton Twp.) has put forward a proposal to require a two-thirds vote to pass legislation during the lame duck period.

Members of the Michigan House are up for election every two years, while state Senators serve for four years. The lame duck period begins in November on the even numbered years after legislative elections, when a lawmaker has either won reelection, or an opponent of successor has been elected. 

“Lame-duck sessions have been used to force through controversial policies that wouldn’t stand a chance under the full scrutiny of voters,” Bollin said in a statement. “This reform is about restoring integrity and ensuring that the will of the people guides the decisions made in Lansing.”

House Joint Resolution A, which cleared the House Government Operations Committee Tuesday, aims to amend the state constitution to require two-thirds of lawmakers in each chamber in order t”o become a law. 

If Bollin’s proposal is approved, it will be placed on the ballot, where Michigan voters will have the final say.

In order to move forward, any bill passed under this proposal would need strong bipartisan support.

“Too often, politicians try to avoid accountability — whether it’s by forcing something through in lame duck or by taking the cowardly route and waiting until after an election to act, hoping voters won’t notice,” Bollin said. “We must make it clear that lawmakers should be accountable for every vote they take, every time.”

Bollin’s proposal received support from a number of Republicans with Democratic Reps. Dylan Wegela (D-Garden City), Matt Koleszar (D-Plymouth) and Angela Witwer (D-Delta Twp.) also signing on as cosponsors. 

Requiring a two-thirds vote for lame duck bills was one of several transparency efforts backed by Michigan House Speaker Matt Hall (R-Richland Twp.) at a Jan. 30 press conference. Hall also backed Bollin’s resolution creating a series of reforms for legislative spending initiatives, also known as earmarks.