MI Governor Would Need To Tell Others Before Leaving State: Bill

LANSING, MI — The Michigan Senate on Wednesday approved a bill requiring the governor to give notice to others when she leaves the state.

The Republican-controlled Senate voted 20-16, approving a bill requiring the governor notify several people, including the Senate majority and minority leaders, whenever she leaves the state, prompting another state official to assume her powers.

The bill will advance to the GOP-led House next before going to the desk of Gov. Gretchen Whitmer, who will likely veto it.

Notice of when the governor is or isn't in the state has been a hot-button issue in Michigan since Whitmer took a March trip to Florida. Whitmer originally said the trip lasted two days or fewer, but later revealed the trip was four days long.

Under the bill, which was sponsored by Sen. Tom Barrett (R-Charlotte), the governor has to let lawmakers know how long they will be outside the state. It was proposed because lawmakers should know who is acting as governor, Barrett said, according to The Associated Press.

“I don’t think that’s too much to ask,” Barrett said. “If we don’t know who that is, we’re not able to react as quickly.”

The governor temporarily relinquishes power when departing the state under Michigan law. The bill approved on Wednesday would force the governor to inform the lieutenant governor, or whoever is next in the line of succession, before leaving and when returning. That official would then have to try to give written notice to legislative leaders within 12 hours of taking over and include the governor’s expected length of absence.

The bill was passed on party lines, with Democrats voting against the measure, including one calling it "silly," according to The Associated Press. Others said Republicans weren't concerned about the issue when Republican former Gov. Rick Snyder was in office.

“I didn’t hear a peep out of anybody here,” Sen. Erika Geiss (D-Taylor) said, according to The Associated Press.