Michigan Legislators Return to Session This Week: Here Are 8 FAQs to Help You Know What’s Going On 

Legislators return to Lansing this week, back from a summer filled with in-district events, tours and stakeholder meetings. Looking ahead to fall session, we’d like to take the opportunity to make sure everyone in Michigan has easy access to information about the what, where and how of session. 

Understanding how to find, track and stay informed about the actions of your legislators is key. Use the following information as your guide and stay up to date and informed on what’s happening in your Michigan Legislature. 

1) What is a legislative session? 

• • A legislative session is when our state government comes together in Lansing to work on policy. During this period, the full Senate and the full House of Representatives meet in their chambers in the Capitol and work to create, debate and refine legislation. The ultimate goal is to pass bills and have them signed into law by the Governor. The Senate and the House of Representatives session schedules can be found here, but both bodies usually hold sessions on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays. 

2) How do I watch the Michigan Legislature?

• • There are a variety of ways to watch the Michigan Legislature in action. Both branches of government provide livestreams of their sessions online, allowing you to follow the proceedings remotely. Visit web pages for the Michigan Senate Livestream and Michigan House Livestream to learn more. Sessions are also open to the public, to attend and listen in from the gallery in person. 

3) How do I find out who represents me? 

• • You can quickly look up who represents you on the Michigan Senate or Michigan House of Representatives websites. By entering your address, city or ZIP code, you can identify your elected officials and learn how to get in touch with them. This way, you can connect with the individuals who are responsible for representing your interests and concerns at the state level. 

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4) How do I stay up-to-date on legislation or topics I am interested in? 

• • If you want to stay informed about legislation that you’re interested in, the best way is to utilize the Michigan Legislature’s website: Legislature.mi.gov. On the homepage of the website, you will find a search feature that allows you to look up both House and Senate Bills. By entering the bill number or keywords related to the legislation, you can easily access the most recent information on the bill’s status, including any updates or changes. This ensures that you are always up-to-date and well-informed about the legislation that matters to you. There are many more valuable tools on the Michigan Legislature website, including:  

• • Look up Senators and Representatives  
  • Search bills by sponsor and co-sponsors 
  • Session schedules 
  • Look up legislative documents 
  • Committee information 

5) What are committees? 

• • Committees are groups of legislators appointed by the Speaker of the House and the Senate Majority Leader in each respective body. These committees, which typically consist of five to 35 members, focus on specific issues such as education or transportation. They play a crucial role in assessing bills and determining if they should proceed to a full-member vote in the House or Senate. To explore the different committees, including when and how to watch the meetings live, visit the web pages for Senate Committees and House Committees.

6) What do legislators do when they are not in session or committee? 

• • Even when not in session and committee hearings, Senators and Representatives are dedicated to serving their constituents. During these times, lawmakers are working on legislation and/or actively engaged in their districts and meeting with community members, concerned citizens, local organizations and businesses. This work outside of session allows them to set priorities and understand the issues that matter most to their communities. It also ensures that they can effectively represent their constituents and focus on addressing their needs in session. 

7) When can I visit the Michigan Capitol? 

• • When the legislature is in session or a committee meeting is taking place, the public has the opportunity to observe from the gallery. To access the gallery, you can enter through the public entrance located on the east side of the Capitol. To explore and experience the historical and architectural beauty of the Capitol building, the Michigan State Capitol welcomes the public for guided tours from Monday to Friday, between 9:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. Additionally, self-guided tours are available from Monday to Friday, starting at 8:00 a.m. and ending at 5:00 p.m. To plan your visit, consult the State Capitol website for a schedule of available tour times. 

8) How can I make my voice heard? 

• • The easiest way to make your voice heard is by directly contacting your Senator or Representative. Once you have identified the lawmaker you wish to reach out to, you can utilize the Legislators Page on the Michigan Legislature’s website. This page provides a link to the lawmaker’s website and contact information, making it convenient for you to connect with them. By expressing your thoughts, concerns or support to your elected representative, you can ensure that your voice is heard and taken into consideration.

If you have more questions about the Michigan Legislature, or would like further information about what is being discussed in session, please don’t hesitate to reach out to us. We are here to serve and assist you, and are happy to provide you with any information and guidance you need. 

Read more from the Michigan Senate Democrats at SenateDems.com/press.