After months of telling Gov. Gretchen Whitmer she was choosing to \u201cgo it alone,\u201d a proposed bill would force the administration to receive legislative approval for any emergency order extending beyond 28 days.<\/p>\n
Currently, the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) has jurisdiction under the state\u2019s public health code to enforce the\u00a0current dine-in service ban and other restrictions recently extended through Dec. 20<\/strong>.<\/p>\n State Sen. Lana Theis, R-Brighton, introduced\u00a0SB 1253<\/strong>\u00a0last week to amend the code. It\u2019s expected to be taken up for a vote during Senate session Thursday afternoon.<\/p>\n \u201cBeginning November 15, 2020, an emergency order issued under section 2253 is valid for the time period specified in the order or until the order has been in effect for 28 days, whichever is sooner. After 28 days, an emergency order issued under section 2253 is no valid unless a request from the director to extend the order for a specific number of days is approved by resolution of both houses of the legislature,\u201d the bill reads.<\/p>\n The legislation would still need to pass the Senate and House before going to the governor for a signature. It\u2019s unlikely she would sign off on anything that would undermine the administration\u2019s current approach to combatting COVID-19 in Michigan.<\/p>\n Previously, Whitmer has asked the legislature to codify the mask mandate currently enacted under the MDHHS order. They have not moved to do so.<\/p>\n Instead, Senate Majority Leader Mike Shirkey, R-Clarklake, has rolled out public service announcements on social media to encourage people to follow health guidelines to slow the spread, including masking up.<\/p>\n Shirkey and Speaker of the House Lee Chatfield, R-Levering, have both been critical of the governor leaning on MDHHS after the\u00a0state Supreme Court ruled a law used to enact executive orders during the pandemic was unconstitutional<\/strong>.<\/p>\n They argue her office has not been transparent enough about data being used to determine how long restrictions remain in place.<\/p>\n Earlier this week, former Lt. Gov. and current head of the Small Business Association of Michigan Brian Calley\u00a0told News 8<\/strong>\u00a0the partial shutdown extension is adding to the devastation already felt by small businesses.<\/p>\n If the bill is not taken up before the end of the day Thursday, Senators will be back in session Tuesday.<\/p>\n