Government of the people, by the people, for the people.
As your State Senator, I’m proud to represent you and nearly 280,000 people across eight cities here in Oakland County. And I fundamentally believe that our government is only as effective as the number of people who take an active role in it. The more you participate, the more your voice is heard — ensuring I’m best representing you in Lansing.
That’s why we’ve put this guide together. We want to empower you to take a more active role in what happens in your Michigan Legislature — from understanding how and why you might engage with our office, to how to track bills, contact various state departments, or participate in one of our virtual coffee hours to engage with me directly.
We hope you’ll find this guide useful, and we look forward to working with you to help move our state forward in a way that works for everyone.
Mallory McMorrow
State Senator 13th District
Website: SenatorMcMorrow.com
Email: SenMMcMorrow@senate.michigan.gov
Phone: (517) 373-2523 | Toll-free: (855) 347-801
Michigan Departments
There are 17 major departments along with the Executive Office in the state Executive Branch.
Governor’s Office ……………………………………(517) 373-3400
Lieutenant Governor’s Office…………………….(517) 373-6800
Department of: Agriculture and Rural Development …………..(800) 292-3939
Attorney General…………………………………(517) 335-7622
Civil Rights ………………………………………..(800) 482-3604
Corrections………………………………………..(517) 335-1426
Education ………………………………………….(833) 633-5788
Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy……(800) 662-9278
Health and Human Services………………….(517) 373-3740
Insurance and Financial Services…………..(877) 999-6442
Labor and Economic Opportunity …………..(517) 241-6712
Licensing and Regulatory Affairs……………(517) 335-9700
Military and Veterans Affairs …………………(517) 481-8001
Natural Resources ………………………………(517) 284-6367
State ………………………………………………..(888) 767-6424
State Police ……………………………………….(517) 332-2521
Technology, Management and Budget…….(517) 241-5545
Transportation ……………………………………(517) 241-2400
Treasury ……………………………………………(517) 335-7508
WHAT ISSUES IMPACT YOU THE MOST?
Legislators spend hours reading up on and studying complicated issues that come before the Legislature, as well as attending numerous committee meetings and lengthy sessions. I commute to and from Lansing three days a week (86 miles from Royal Oak to the Capitol!), and rest assured our staff is always on standby to support you.
WHY YOU MIGHT WANT TO CONTACT MY OFFICE:
Comment on Legislation: If you want to express your opinion about legislation or learn more, my office can answer your questions and keep me informed of your comments. When you want to show that you support or oppose a bill, writing a letter or an email is often the most effective way to communicate.
Learn About Coffee Hours: I host informal coffee hours every session week to meet as many residents as possible and listen to your ideas and concerns regarding state government. Coffee hours take place on Fridays during weeks when the Legislature is in session, and you can tune in on my social media channels, such as my YouTube page.
If You Need Help: If you have a problem dealing with any department of state government, such as accessing unemployment benefits, my office can help you resolve it. While we usually cannot assist with local or federal issues, we will always do our best to help direct you to the appropriate person.
There’s No “Wrong” Reason: Any comment, question or concern is welcome. If a different unit of government would more appropriately address your issue, me and my staff can help direct you to the correct department. Remember, I am here to serve you and your family.
contact me!
Website: SenatorMcMorrow.com
Email: SenMMcMorrow@senate.michigan.gov
Phone: (517) 373-2523 | Toll-free: (855) 347-801
| Monday | Tuesday | Wednesday | Thursday | Friday |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| In-District Work Constituent Meetings | 10 a.m. Senate Session | 10 a.m. Senate Session | 10 a.m. Senate Session | 1 to 2 p.m.* Virtual Meet-up with Mallory Join the conversation on my YouTube page! |
| 1:30 p.m. House Session | 1:30 p.m. House Session | Noon House Session | ||
| Committee Meetings | Committee Meetings | Committee Meetings |
How to watch committee meetings and session
As a State Senator and elected official, it’s incredibly important that our work in Lansing is transparent and accessible to everyone. All scheduled committee meetings, session calendars and Senate TV viewing schedules are available online at senate.michigan.gov. You can tune in live, or watch the recorded videos anytime that works for your schedule.
*Takes place on Fridays during weeks when there is Senate session.
3 FAST FACTS about bills
5 days – The number of days that bills in regular sessions must be printed or reproduced and in the possession of each chamber in order to make certain every member has enough time to become acquainted with legislation before the bills can be passed.
3X – The number of times every bill must be read before it can be passed. The final vote on each bill is then recorded in the journals.
60 days – The time from the adjournment of each regular session within which all laws DAYS must be published in their original words and be made available to the public.
TRACKING BILLS 101
Before something becomes a law, it must be written down as a bill. Every two years, or one legislative session, there are thousands of bills introduced — hundreds of which will be signed into law by the governor.
Visit the Michigan Legislature website at legislature.mi.gov for all the latest information about the status of bills. A free service of the Legislative Service Bureau in cooperation with the Michigan Legislative Council, the Michigan House of Representatives, the Michigan Senate, and the Library of Michigan, this website features a robust search function for legislation introduced and passed.
Whether it’s by number, sponsor, committee or content, you can find detailed bill information on the MILEG website, along with session calendars, journals, House and Senate audio and video feeds, the most recent bill activity and daily introductions of bills, as well as what bills have been passed and enrolled.
If there’s a certain bill that you’d like to track, you can register on the site for free, create your own “watch” list of legislation and request an email notification be sent to you when a bill status changes.
DID YOU KNOW?
The proceedings of each day’s work are published in the journals of both chambers — the Michigan House and Senate. In addition, the records of committee action on all bills and resolutions are available for public inspection. This information, and so much more, can be found online at legislature.mi.gov
HOW A BILL BECOMES A LAW
IT STARTS WITH AN IDEA
Someone says to a legislator “there ought to be a law”.
A legislator writes a proposal with the bill drafting office/agency.
BILL INTRODUCTION
The bill sponsor introduces the bill to the chamber. It is given its first reading, receives a number, and is assigned to a committee.
COMMITTEE CONSIDERATION
In committee, the sponsor requests a public hearing for the bill. The committee discusses the bill and hears comments. Public participation is encouraged!
The committee can:
• Pass the bill and send it to the floor (with or without amendments).
• Pass it and send it to another committee.
• Pass it and place it on the consent calendar (for noncontroversial items).
• Send it to the floor or committee with no recommendation.
• Kill it by voting it down, tabling it, ignoring it, or returning it to its author.
When passed out of committee, the bill is given its second reading and scheduled to be discussed and debated by the whole chamber.
FLOOR CONSIDERATION
The bill is placed on the calendar for a floor vote. The bill is read
for the third time and is then debated and voted upon by all members.
IF PASSED, the bill is sent to the other chamber. It then goes through the same process of committee and floor votes.
IF BILLS DIFFER, one chamber can concur with the other’s amendments or
the bills get referred to a conference committee. The conference committee of Senators and Representatives debate until they reach a compromise on the bill’s language, and then the agreed upon bill is sent to each chamber for approval, where it receives another reading and a final vote.
The new bill is then sent to the Governor.
THE GOVERNOR
If bills passed in both chambers are identical, they are sent to the Governor.
THE GOVERNOR SIGNS THE WHOLE BILL, signs with line-item vetoes, vetoes the bill or pocket vetoes the bill.
IF VETOED, the bill goes back to the legislature for reconsideration. A two-thirds vote of both the Senate and House is required to overturn a veto.
If the Governor signs the bill, or if both chambers override the Governor’s veto…
THE BILL BECOMES LAW!
YOUR MICHIGAN LEGISLATURE
‘The People of the State of Michigan enact:’ The declaration at the head of every law which reflects the direct link between you and your legislators.
A sovereign and independent branch of state government, the Michigan Legislature is vested with the power to enact laws by which the actions of the government and the people are regulated and protected.
TOUR THE CAPITOL
If you’re in Lansing, stop into the State Capitol to enjoy a tour, observe the Legislature and participate in the legislative process, or simply admire the hand-painted decorative artwork throughout the building.
Tours for groups of 10 or more can be booked through the Capitol Tour Service office. If any members of your group are persons with disabilities, advise the Capitol Tour Service office at the time you book the tour. Tours can, and most often are, booked one year in advance. Please contact the Capitol Tour Service Office at (517) 373-2353 to schedule a tour group.
Can’t make it to Lansing? No problem! Anyone can take a virtual tour of the Capitol and the Capitol Dome from the comfort of home or wherever you may be online at capitol.michigan.gov/tours.
One last thing: If you’re a constituent in my district planning a visit to Lansing, give my office a call and let me know! If my schedule allows, I always enjoy meeting with people and learning more about what makes them passionate about our political process.
GET THE LATEST FROM LANSING
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