Gretchen Whitmer in MI legislative records

On Government Reform: Oppose laws perpetuating "Big Lie" of rigged election

Summary by Gov. Whitmer (press release 10/4/21): House Bill 4838 claims to prohibit the electronic poll book at each election precinct or absent voter (AV) counting board from being connected to the internet after the polls open on election day & until the results have been tabulated for that precinct. However, this legislation addresses a non-existent problem because poll books currently are not connected to the internet [during] election day.

Legislative Outcome: Passed House 77-31-2 on Aug/17/21; passed Senate 21-15-0 on Sept/30/21; Vetoed Oct/3/21.

Veto message by Governor Gretchen Whitmer: Today I am returning several election-related bills [which] suppress the vote or perpetuate the "Big Lie": the calculated disinformation campaign to discredit the 2020 election. I will have no part in any effort that grants an ounce of credence to this deception, so injurious to our democracy.

Source: Michigan State Legislature voting records HB4838 Oct 3, 2021

On Gun Control: Allow cities and towns to enact laws regarding knives

Summary by KnifeRights.org (11/6/21): HB 4066 would assure that cities and towns could not criminalize the simple possession of the tools millions of Michigan residents use every day. Factory workers, farmers, hunters, fishermen and others will remain in danger of arrest simply for crossing a line on a map to enter a city or town whose law may differ from the state's knife laws.

Veto message by Governor Gretchen Whitmer (11/5/21): This legislation would have prohibited local governments from enacting or enforcing any knife law stricter than state law. Crime is local. In my view, citizens of Michigan's cities and towns-not Lansing politicians-should be able to make their own public safety decisions. HB 4066 would deprive them of that power. I am therefore vetoing this legislation.

Legislative Outcome: Passed House 69-41-0 on Jun/17/21; passed Senate 25-11-0 on Oct/19/21; vetoed by Gov. Whitmer on Nov/5/21.

Source: Michigan State Legislature voting records HB4066 Nov 5, 2021

On Education: No tax credits for donations for private school scholarships

Summary by Mackinac Center (10/14/21): To authorize a K-12 "student opportunity scholarship program" that would allow individuals and businesses to get a tax credit for contributing to a nonprofit "scholarship organization" that would provide grants to lower income families to pay tuition at a non-public school, or pay for other education expenses, services and supplies.

Veto message by Governor Gretchen Whitmer (11/5/21): This legislation would require Michigan taxpayers to foot the bill for any money a person gives to certain private education organizations, costing as much as $500 million in 2022 alone. Simply put, our schools cannot provide the high-quality education our kids deserve if we turn private schools into tax shelters for the wealthy.

Legislative Outcome: Passed Senate 20-16-0 on Oct/19/21; passed House 55-49-5 on Oct/27/21; vetoed by Gov. Whitmer on Nov/5/21.

Source: Michigan State Legislature voting records SB687 Nov 5, 2021

On Abortion: Don't make partial-birth abortion a criminal offense

Legislative Summary:The partial-birth abortion ban act: An individual who knowingly performs a partial-birth abortion and kills a human fetus is guilty of a felony punishable by imprisonment for up to 2 years, or a fine up to $50,000.00, or both. It is not a violation if, in the physician's reasonable medical judgment, a partial-birth abortion is necessary to save the life of a mother whose life. The spouse of the mother at the time of the partial-birth abortion, or either parent of the mother if the mother has not attained the age of 18, may file a civil action against the physician.

Legislative Outcome: Sen. Whitmer voted NAY; passed Senate 29-8-1, Sept. 21; passed House 75-34-0, Sept. 28; signed by Gov. Snyder, Oct. 11

Source: Michigan Legislative voting records on SB160 Sep 21, 2011

On Government Reform: No photo ID for absentee voting

Legislative Summary:A person who applies in person to register to vote shall identify himself or herself by presenting an official state identification card issued to that person. The secretary of state shall develop a voter registration training program for third-party voter registration organizations that teaches the proper procedure for taking a voter registration application.

Veto Summary:SB754 precludes voter registration groups from receiving and delivering registration applications until at least one member of their organization has received training. While our current Secretary of State would be very proactive on offering training, it is important to ensure that future officials provide proper training. Voting rights are precious and we need to work especially hard to make it possible for people to vote.

Legislative Outcome:Sen. Whitmer voted NAY; \passed Senate 26-11-1, Feb. 14; passed House 66-43-1, June 12; vetoed by Gov., July 3

Source: Michigan Legislative voting records on SB751 & SB754 Feb 14, 2012

On Health Care: Require insurers to treat autism like other conditions

Legislative Summary:Insurers and HMOs shall provide coverage for the diagnosis and treatment of autism spectrum disorders. Insurers and HMOs shall not do any of the following:

terminate coverage or refuse to deliver coverage solely because an individual is diagnosed with an autism spectrum disorder.
limit the number of visits an insured person may use for treatment of autism spectrum disorders
deny or limit coverage on the basis that treatment is educational or habilitative in nature.
subject coverage under this section to dollar limits, copays, deductibles, or coinsurance provisions that do not apply to physical illness.

Legislative Outcome:Sen. Whitmer voted YEA; passed Senate 29-9-0, March 13; passed House 91-19-0, March 29; became law without governor's signature, April 19.

Source: Michigan Legislative voting records on SB415 Apr 13, 2012

On Abortion: Repeal 1931 state law banning most abortions

SB2: The passage of Proposal 22-3 which enshrined the individual right to reproductive freedom in the Michigan Constitution, invalidated State laws that conflicted with the Proposal's amendments. It was suggested that various State laws be amended or repealed to agree with the Proposal's provisions.

Associated Press summary April 5, 2023: A near-century old abortion ban that fueled one of the largest ballot drives in Michigan history was repealed by Gov. Gretchen Whitmer, just months after voters enshrined abortion rights in the state's constitution.

Legislative Outcome: Passed Senate 20-18-0 on Mar/8/23; passed House 56-52-2 on Mar/22/23; Signed by Gov. Gretchen Whitmer on Apr/11/23.

Source: Associated Press on Michigan voting record SB2 Apr 11, 2023

On Energy & Oil: Achieve 100% clean energy statewide by 2040

SB271: This act may be cited as the "clean and renewable energy and energy waste reduction act"

Michigan LCV summary March 8th, 2024: Under our new energy laws, Michigan is now on a path to achieve 50% renewable energy by 2030, 60% renewable energy by 2035, and 100% clean energy statewide by 2040.

Legislative Outcome: Passed House 56-51-3 on Nov/3/23; passed Senate 20-17-1 on Nov/8/23; signed by Gov. Gretchen Whitmer on Nov/28/23.

Source: League of Conservation Voters: Michigan voting record SB271 Nov 8, 2023

On Gun Control: Require background checks, mandate safe gun storage

SB79: An act to regulate and license the selling, purchasing, possessing, and carrying of certain firearms.

Bridge Michigan summary 4/13/23: Gov. Gretchen Whitmer signed into law gun safe storage and universal background check legislation, calling the measures a "common sense" approach to deter firearm violence.

Legislative Outcome: Passed House 61-47-2 on Mar/22/23; passed Senate 20-18-0 on Mar/23/23; signed by Gov. Gretchen Whitmer on Apr/19/23

Source: ACLU on Michigan voting record SB79 Apr 19, 2023

On Gun Control: No concealed pistol license if under protective order

Legislative Synopsis:SB789: Weapons; licensing; concealed pistol licensing boards; eliminate, and transfer duties to department of state police and county clerks.

Summary by Detroit News, 1/15/2015Senate Bill 789 contained a provision that would have required authorities to issue a concealed pistol license to someone subject to a personal protection order for domestic violence or stalking unless a judge indicated they were not allowed to purchase or carry a gun. "Under current law, no person who is subject to such an order may obtain such a license," Snyder wrote in his veto letter. "The bill would have amended the restriction, preventing the issuance only if the prohibition was specifically spelled out by the court."

Legislative Outcome:Passed Senate 26-12-0 on Dec/19/14; State Sen. Gretchen Whitmer voted NO; passed House 84-26-0 on Dec/19/14; vetoed by Governor Rick Snyder on Jan/15/15.

Source: Detroit News on Michigan Legislature voting records SB789 Dec 19, 2014

The above quotations are from Legislative voting records for Michigan House and Senate. Click here for other excerpts from Legislative voting records for Michigan House and Senate. Click here for other excerpts by Gretchen Whitmer. Click here for other excerpts by other Governors.
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Page last updated: Apr 05, 2026